TRENCH TOWN’ S DEVElOPMENT
MANAGING DEVELOPMENT AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL Greater Trench Town Community Development Committee( CDC)
The Greater Trench Town Community Development Committee( CDC) is in charge of the overall development of the Greater Trench Town community. Agencies from outside the area interface with the CDC in order to do work in any of the 5 districts in the Greater Trench Town which includes, Rose Town, Arnett Gardens, Federal Gardens, Wilton Gardens and Greenwich / Lyndurst. Having the CDC as the central governing body for development in the area leads to a more structured, streamlined approach to development, the intention being to capitalize on creating a diverse industry so that the various sectors of the community benefit in a wholesome manner.
As Greater Trench Town moves toward being a commercialized area, there are already many triumphs that are being witnessed. Trench Town is home to one of the top Sporting facilities in Jamaica and Premier League Football Club Teams- Arnett Gardens and Boys Town Football Teams.
Trench Town Development Association( TTDA)
While the CDC concentrates on the wider communities, the Trench Town Development Association( TTDA) formed in 1995 has the mandate of developing the Lower Trench Town Area from 1st to 7th Street. Mr Collin Weise, Chairman of the TTDA, is especially proud of the Association’ s work in establishing the annual Trench Town Festival and for developing Culture Yard as a Heritage site and now as a licensed JTB attraction,‘ This is long overdue and equally great for the community’ Mr Weise stated.
Further development of the Cultural Village concept include working with the CDC on projects such as( i) refurbishing and reopening of the Ambassador Theatre,( ii) development of The Trench Town Museum at Boys Town,( iii) renovating the Vin Lawrence Park,( iv) establishing a monument at the site of the first UNIA church started by Marcus Garvey,( v) continued infrastructure development and beautification of Collie Smith Drive and( vi) completion of Story Boards up to 7th Street.“ Water, sewage and drainage are the main focus when it comes to development of the greater Trench Town. The plans are to have a first rate infrastructure that will be support all efforts of development in the area”, stated Joseph Lincoln, Director of Community Development, CDC.
EDUCATION’ S PIVOTAL ROLE
Educational institutions in Trench Town are at the forefront of the development efforts. Along with academia, there is a focus on the technical and hospitality sectors, so learners are taught the necessary skills training for employment and community tourism.
In 2014 local Member of Parliament, Dr. Omar Davies announced his concentration on education in the community by introducing the remedial learning program called the Adult Continuing Education( A. C. E.), which creates an opportunity for youngsters who didn’ t finish traditional school to become trainable through learning new skills and reading. Training programs to develop Craftsmen into better business owners are provided by the Trench Town Polytechnic College( located at the former Trench Town High School) along with other concentrations.
The formal of education system in the community is supported by programs at the Trench Town Reading Centre, just a few yards down from Culture Yard on Lower First Street. The Center which was established in 1993, provides a space for adults and children alike access to otherwise unobtainable information. Recently, children aged five years and older were engaged in a successful workshop program, carried out by the Rotary Club of Kingston called Greater Cakes, which trained them with the use of technology to develop their storytelling skills and become published writers through an app.
Charles Hyatt Jr Founder of Good News Jamaica
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