The National Housing Trust launched a competition on April 26, to identify the best NHT schemes island-wide. Managing Director Earl Samuels at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville made the announcement of the 2007 Best Schemes Competition.
The aim of the competition is to encourage community development through the implementation of projects in the areas of health, culture, education and the environment. When the year long competition is over, the top scheme will earn for itself a $1 million share of over $3.5 million prize money set aside by the Trust.
Each community has environmental and educational concerns
According to Mr. Samuels, developments in Jamaica and elsewhere were forcing
small communities to accept responsibility for their own well being. “Right here in Jamaica we have our own environmental concerns. There is the malaria outbreak for example. There is water shortage in some areas and the need to protect our remaining forest areas. In your immediate communities there might be education issues; children who are not going to school; schools that are under-performing, young people in need of mentors. All of these present opportunities for community action and involvement.” he said.
NHT Best Schemes since 1993
The NHT has organized the Best Schemes Competition since 1993. The activity has given birth to several community- based programmes such as homework centres, programmes for the elderly and community beautification projects.
For more information about NHT schemes, visit our website at: www.nht.gov.jm
