Love changes lives

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am in agreement with the sentiments and concerns raised in The Gleaner’s editorial of April 27, 2024, titled ‘Student Violence’. As the concluding paragraph posited, "a combination of efforts by all stakeholders is the ideal solution".

The organisation I lead, Praise Jamaica Foundation, has been piloting a social transformation programme, Love Changes Lives (LCL), in two Corporate Area high schools. The LCL programme uses the performing arts and other methodologies to transmit positive values and attitudes among students.

It includes parents and members of staff. All school administrators who have been introduced to the LCL programme have attested to its effectiveness in dealing with anti-social behaviour in schools.

I am aware that other organisations have pro-social programmes aimed at students and parents. However, because of lack of funding, these programmes are having limited impact on the widespread dysfunction the editorial highlighted.

The experience of Praise Jamaica Foundation during several years of operation is that there has been insufficient support from the State and the private sector for these kinds of programmes.

The Jamaica Stock Exchange has taken the lead to set up a Social Stock Exchange through which donors – personal, State and corporate – can support projects like LCL: stop the violence.

Can you image if this project, and others like PALS, were resourced in a sustainable way, the kind of positive transformation that would take place among our youths and student population!

Social transformation programmes cost less than correctional services programmes! We can save our children from school-based violence if the society, including Government, is willing to fund social transformation programmes.

DR DONALD RHODD