Governor General's Charge to National Volunteer Corps
Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning: on the occasion of the inaugural swearing-in ceremony by
His Excellency The Most Hon. Sir Patrick L. Allen, ON, GCMG, CD, Governor-General
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at King’s House
PROTOCOL & SALUTATIONS
I welcome all of you to King’s House and it is with deep appreciation that I stand here before you to bring greetings, having been given the responsibility to encourage all of you to be diligent in carrying out the mission upon which you will embark.
When I was sworn-in as Governor-General and gave my inaugural speech, I encouraged all Jamaicans to deepen their confidence in themselves, their country, and to work for change. It is with pleasure that I note your theme, ‘I Believe…We Can…We Must’. It is not only a theme, but a way of life, that must be embraced personally and corporately, and deliberately practiced if we really want to see change.
The Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning has, since its inception helped to increase adult literacy from 45% to 85%. This is a marked increase, and yet your goal is to achieve 100%! You have been charged with the responsibility to assist in creating a knowledge-based society, one that is informed, and one that is empowered by the capabilities of its citizens.
Your work will surely create
- A society that has a high esteem,
- A society that believes in itself,
- A society that foresees a bright future for itself
- A Jamaica that will be encouraged to do more for others, after seeing the good that you do.
The work you do is integral and very close to my heart as I look forward to a Jamaica that is full of knowledgeable people…People who are prepared for the local and international workforce, and are significantly competitive to our international counterparts.
After the September 11, 2001 tragedy in the United States of America, several persons rallied in the New York City area to assist those who were pinned under the wreckage of the Twin Towers. Kofi Annan, then Secretary General of the United Nations declared the year as the ‘Year of the Volunteer’ and said:
“Volunteers can help transform all our societies for the benefit of all people. They put their hands and their minds and most of all, their hearts at the service of others. Their courage and dedication should be an inspiration for others, for all of us, to act.”
Continuing he said:
“Their motivation can be summed up in one word: ‘Sharing!’ Volunteers share their time. They share their skills and talents, even their money. But above all, they share human experience. They know that this attitude is the true measure of success in life and it makes society strong and healthy.”
Your work as volunteers is important for nation-building, but is also significant to character building. As volunteers your work will also contribute greatly to the nation’s economy by creating a trainable labour force.
I hope that all of you will remain committed to your work that you have started, I believe that you will. I believe that you will remain steadfast in your commitment to rebuild Jamaica. I believe that you are a generous part of what is right with Jamaica so we can fix some of the wrongs in Jamaica.
You will foster and participate in making Jamaica a literate society. I believe that you form a part of Jamaica’s decent, dedicated, hardworking members. Despite declining values you remain resilient.
I CHARGE YOU…to labour without seeking reward, to serve without seeking oay, unloved, unsought, unknown, to bear rebuke, experience slights and loneliness; labour in the service of your fellowman, for you shall pass this way but once.
Any good deed that you can do now to make a difference in your communities, towns, parishes and impact all of Jamaica…do it now. Do not defer, for you will not pass this way again.
God bless you!
