University of Bolton graduate’s ambitious plan to tackle poverty and violence in Jamaica
9:21am Monday 21st October 2013 in News
By Neil Robertson, reporter
MISSION Kerry Adams
A UNIVERSITY graduate and youth worker flew to Jamaica on Saturday to tackle poverty and violence as part of her new volunteering role.
Kerry Adams, aged 45, from Halliwell, graduated from the University of Bolton in July with a BA honours degree in youth and community.
She is starting her new role with the charity Optimist International after raising more than £1,000 to pay for her flights. She will stay there until the beginning of March.
Miss Adams decided on her trip after she witnessed the “murkier” side of street life Jamaica while on holiday in Kingston last year.
“It was so upsetting seeing what people have to go through every day,” she said. “When I saw what it was like, I felt humbled.
“I felt guilty that I’d moaned about life in England — it makes you realise how lucky we are to live in this country.” Tourists in Jamaica are advised not to leave their complexes or hotels, but Miss Adams wanted to see the country in a different light to what is shown on television.
She said: “Everybody has these preconceived ideas about the Caribbean being complete paradise, but when I ventured out into the streets, I found out that it was not.”
During her stay, Miss Adams will support young people in five schools and deliver formal and informal education in basic maths and English.
She will stay with the youth chairman of Jamaica’s Optimist International Group in Kingston.
This will not be the first time Miss Adams has helped young people tackle the struggles of everyday life.
Before going to university, she was a youth worker for 10 years and says that the issues in Jamaica struck a chord with her based on previous experiences.
Miss Adams, who has received donations from various local businesses, as well as family and friends, is a Spiritual Practitioner at the Kashyapa Buddhist Centre in Silverwell Street, Bolton.
Clarks Shoes in Bolton has also donated a bag of children’s shoes for Miss Adams to take with her.
She said: “Young people need a lot of care and attention. I see a lot of young people in England who have the same issues as those in Jamaica.
“I want to deliver these all-important life skills to young people in Kingston to increase their self-esteem and enhance their life and career prospects.
“Above all else, I want to show people in Jamaica that there is a way out.”
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University of Bolton graduate"s ambitious plan to tackle poverty and violence in Jamaica
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