The Governor General, His Excellency Sir Patrick Allen has declared The Source Savanna-la-Mar as an 'I Believe Initiative (IBI)' centre.

The IBI is a values-based initiative, born out of the inaugural speech given by the governor general at his swearing-in ceremony in 2009. The IBI seeks to inspire and motivate Jamaicans to believe in their God-given potential and to contribute to building a prosperous and peaceful nation.

"The Source is an initiative which responds to so many of the needs identified by communities across the nation," said the governor general as he addressed the official opening ceremony of The Source Savanna-la-Mar on Barracks Road in Westmoreland on September 26. "Its objectives resonate with my belief."

The Source Savanna-la-Mar, the largest Source Centre, was established by the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation, in partnership with the Y's Menettes; Digicel Foundation; the Citizens Security and Justice Programme of the Ministry of National Security; the Sugar Transformation Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Universal Access Fund.

Earl Jarrett, general manager of JNBS and chairman of the JN Foundation, said The Source provides an avenue for residents to achieve excellence, who may otherwise be considered unreachable by established social norms. He said that over the last five years, the JN Foundation, in collaboration with local civic and private sector partners, has established a chain of centres piloted in August Town, St Andrew; and then replicated in Maverley, St Andrew; Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, and Ocho Rios, St Ann.

Confidence

"We are certainly pleased that the governor general has agreed to endorse this Source centre as an IBI facility," he said. "There is no doubt that The Source embraces the tenets of the 'I Believe' Initiative which builds the confidence of the Jamaican people and puts them in a space where there is global access and confidence in their ability to achieve their goals."

Savanna-la-Mar resident Kenisha Pennycook, from the Grotto community, welcomed the new facility. She said, "It will inspire young people to achieve what they want to achieve in life, open their minds, keep them focused and teach them how to interact with their peers."

Shanice Grant, also from Grotto, is grateful that the centre will offer an opportunity for unattached youths to get training.

"The centre will take the young persons off the street and help them get certified," Grant said. "If more people get qualified, we will have a better Jamaica."

The Source Savanna-la-Mar will provide access to information technology and skills training and serve as a homework centre to the communities of Russia, Seaton Crescent, Barracks Road/Gully Bank and Grotto. It is equipped with business support facilities for small and medium-size businesses; hosts a Jamaica Business Information Centre; Wi-Fi Hotspot, along with conference, training and meeting rooms.