An all-expense paid month long trip to Jamaica; Yes Please!

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Did reading this headline get you excited? Of course, it did! Unfortunately, this article is for young people of Jamaican descent from the ages of 18-25, so if you fit this description, then I urge you to continue to read on because you have until November 30^th to be a part of this amazing opportunity.

In September of this year, Grace Kennedy Limited made an announcement that has the ability to change the lives of some very well deserving young people. They have started accepting applications from second and third generation Jamaica students for its 2020 Jamaican Birth Right Programme. The cultural immersion programme invites university students of Jamaican heritage from Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States of America to participate in an all-expenses paid month-long internship in Jamaica.

Since 1982, the Grace Kennedy Foundation has established themselves in the community as proponents of education and Jamaican culture. This is one of the reasons why in July 2015, The Jamaican Birth Right Programme was reinstated. The program was seen as a way to pass on to the future generation intangible cultural heritage, which includes the stories, music and traditions of their island. Understanding one’s cultural heritage allows a person to identify with other people who have a similar background and mind set. It provides our youth with an automatic sort of belonging and unity within a group, and also allows for a better understanding of previous generations in family genealogy.

Adolescents and young people yearn to discover themselves and their role or importance in the world, and many of the answers they seek can be found in studying their heritage. It is a great way to find a starting point in life and can help to determine what you have the potential of becoming. The internship allows students to work at Grace Kennedy subsidiaries linked to their study interests, and at the same time, they have an opportunity to learn about the land of their parents or grandparents.

Only four young people are picked for this coveted internship: two from the United States, one from the United Kingdom and one from Canada. The four chosen will participate in the 2020 Jamaican Birth Right Programme that will run from July 1^st, 2020–August 7, 2020. Qualifications for the program are as follows:

• Applicants must be between the age of 18 and 25 years old
• Applicants must be second or third generation Jamaican
• Applicants must be pursuing either an undergraduate or post-graduate degree
• Applicants must have a B average or higher
• Applicants must not have lived in Jamaica for more than six months and they must be eager to learn more about their Jamaican heritage

There has been much success with the program as reported by Executive Director of the Grace Kennedy Foundation, Caroline Mahfood, “The 2019 programme was very successful, and the interns had a well-rounded and fulfilling experience. With the support of our partners such as: Caribbean Airlines, Go Jamaica Travel, Island Car Rentals, the Jamaica Tourist Board, among many other government and private companies in Jamaica, the 2019 interns received a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the business’ undertakings as well as Jamaica’s vibrant cultural traditions, from our food to music, history and so much more! They really got the chance to anchor their roots from the minute they boarded the plane.”

Application forms are available at www.gracekennedy.com/birthright. Grace Kennedy Limited must receive applications no later than November 30^th. For further information, interested persons can either send queries via email to gkfoundation@gkco.com or call 1-876 932-3541.