Dr Dana Morris Dixon, Minister responsible for information, skills and digital transformation in the Office of the Prime Minister has lauded the work of Project STAR, a social and economic transformation project that targets under-resourced, underserved communities experiencing high levels of crime or violence.

“I am impressed by the involvement of various government agencies in the Project STAR initiative. The Jamaica Constabulary Force has been phenomenal in co-chairing and supporting this project, e-Learning Jamaica has significantly contributed to the homework programme, and the HEART/NSTA Trust has been actively involved in the readiness for work programme, along with the National Senior Citizens Council,” the minister stated.

Dr Dixon’s comments followed a recent tour of Rose Garden and Parade Gardens, communities currently benefiting from Project STAR.

“I saw the government at work, but I also saw volunteers across Project STAR coordinating all these benefits. I am very impressed,” she noted, emphasising the importance of documented progress.

“The key thing for me is the data. It’s all about the data. It’s being tracked, showing this is what you should do. This is the community saying this is what we want. That’s the only way we’re really going to get change.”

The tour included a delegation comprising Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Jamaica, Her Excellency, Angie Shakira Martinez; Aniceto Rodriguez Ruiz, headof cooperationat theDelegationof theEuropean Unionto Jamaica, Belizeand theBahamas; Dr Taneisha Ingleton, managing director of HEART NSTA Trust; Steve Urchin of the Sean Paul Foundation; Project STAR’s donors – JMMB Foundation, Musson Foundation and Sygnus; Dr Kevin Blake, Commissioner of Police, along with the divisional commander and representatives of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica.

Dr. Blake also expressed his admiration for Project STAR’s progress. “I want to cheer you on. It has gone way beyond what we had anticipated when we first thought about it,” he said, highlighting the importance of community involvement in achieving peace and security. 

“Communities where you live, go to school, and work must be safe and peaceful. There are many more decent, law-abiding citizens than antisocial individuals among us, and we must eliminate the latter,” he said.

The commissioner stressed the significance of community ownership in security. “We must ensure that antisocial elements do not hold our communities at ransom. We must take ownership of our own security and our communities. This is what society is about. You can’t have a successful society without successful communities. This is where it starts.”

Keith Duncan, co-chair of Project STAR, expressed his deep gratitude to the delegation for their interest and support in the initiative. Highlighting the importance of community involvement, Mr Duncan emphasised that sustainable development hinges on the active participation and leadership of local communities.

“The community has to own, lead and be a part of this development for it to be sustainable. We are only the facilitators,” Mr Duncan remarked. “The community needs to lead, own and drive transformation because we believe that every community can thrive in Jamaica.”

Mr Duncan’s comments underscored the project’s commitment to empowering communities, ensuring that they are not just beneficiaries but active agents in their own development. This approach, which is central to the STAR development strategy, aims to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility, which is crucial for the long-term success and sustainability of the project.