Children from Trench Town learn how to play the drum. As families across Jamaica continue to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, a child development expert and medical epidemiologist is urging parents and carers to pay close attention to the emotional well-being of their children. Dr Elizabeth Ward, Chair of the Violence Prevention Alliance, notes that while restoring homes and communities is critical, helping children regain a sense of normalcy and secu

Students at Edward Seaga Primary School perform a drumming piece. A steady rhythm now echoes through the halls of Edward Seaga Primary School, but it’s more than just music. The beat of the drums signals a deeper transformation taking place among students, thanks to the Drumming Intervention Initiative introduced by the Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA). Since the programme’s launch in April this year, teachers and administrators have observed remarkable changes in behaviour

Alex Shaw (centre) student receives a cheque from Barrington Harvey (left), chairman of the CC Old Boys Association . Also present is Principal Michael Ellis of Cornwall College. The Cornwall College Mentoring and Tutoring Initiative, launched in 2022, is helping to transform the lives of students through structured mentorship, tutoring, and personal development. The programme was established following a call from principal Michael Ellis to address behavioural and motivatio