Office of the Prime Minister

     Jamaica

Jamaica House
Kingston

MESSAGE FROM THE HONOURABLE PRIME MINISTER

JAMAICA COLLEGE OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION TORONTO CHAPTER

FUNDRAISING DINNER 2009

It is always heartening to see the ‘fire’ of nationalism that still burns in the hearts of members of our Jamaican Diaspora. The many years and miles that separate us, have failed to ‘out’ the ‘flame’ of commitment to building Jamaica and the lives of its people.

The Jamaica College Old Boys’ Association, Toronto Chapter, has demonstrated its own unwavering love and patriotism to its Alma mater, Jamaica College, as well as Jamaica, through its work and service over the years. The successes that many of us claim today, are rooted in our early and formative years at “J.C.;” where we were privileged to be beneficiaries of education of distinctive quality; and which served as a spring board for greater things to come.

I recall my own years at J.C. well; where as young boys, we would gather at every opportunity, to engage in enlightening discussions surrounding local and world issues. Regrettably, times have changed drastically, since those early years. Many of our young boys are no longer interested in taking up a book, but instead, opt to take up a knife or gun. Many of our young boys are no longer interested in ‘fighting’ with their minds – as we did, by engaging in very intense debates on critical issues – instead, they fight with their hands.

This situation places squarely in front of us, the serious challenges with which we are confronted; and reinforces how much we need organizations such as yours, to assist in positively influencing the lives and changing the mind set of our young people, especially our young men.

It is not just through the sole efforts of your organization, or even that of the Government that this change will happen – as no one entity or party can do it alone. It will take a concerted and sustained collaborative effort from all stakeholders – Government, private sector companies, organizations, schools, churches, families and individuals, to effect the kind of long-lasting change that we want to see – that we must see!

This Fundraising Dinner, affords not just an opportunity for much needed financial resources to be raised, but also for a reconnection with ‘old’ school mates and friends, if even for a short time, as you all bask in the nostalgia of your youthful days at J.C. and relive the “good old days.”

I am confident that the Jamaica College Old Boys’ Association, Toronto Chapter, will continue to enjoy success in all its endeavours.

Bruce Golding

Honourable Prime Minister