The United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, has signed grant agreement valued at J$20.7 million with Fight for Peace – a non-governmental organisation that supports young people in communities plagued by crime and violence.
According to the junior minister of National Security Pearnel Charles junior, his Ministry plans to implement similar programmes aimed at preventing young people from getting involved in criminal activities.
Fight for Peace – which has its headquarters in Brazil, is open to young people ages seven to 29 years who live in Corporate Area inner city communities that are targeted by the programme.
It uses boxing and martial arts combined with education employability, youth leadership and supporting services to help youth from these communities realize their potential.
The methodology has proven effective in Rio de Janerio and London by assisting 140 partner organisations in 25 countries to better service the young people in their communities.
This year, FPP opened an office in Kingston to expand its work in Jamaica and bring together a network of community-based organisations and national stakeholders.
The objective is to develop, test and codify a model for a collaborative approach to youth violence prevention that can be replicated in other communities and other countries.
