Community Development Centre

The Spring Village Training Centre

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“To empower residen= ts to achieve self reliance in order to improve their social, economic, spiritual= and educational wellbeing.”

The Spring Village Training Ce= ntre is a community based training centre operated by the Spring Village Develop= ment Foundation in collaboration with Cornerstone Ministries and Jamaica Broilers Ltd. Its goal is to provide t= rade and entrepreneurial skills to help prepare persons for self-employment. It allows people to upgrade their academic skills to better prepare them for t= he job market.

The Development program was founded in 1998 and was formed through the group “Residents of Spring Village Nightingale Committee”. With intervention of Cornerstone a non-government, non-denominational Christian organization, the foundation w= as established. Cornerstone has been offering skills training in Jamaica for over sixteen years.=

Training offered:=

Welding

Electrical Installation

Cosmetology

Garment Construction<= /i>

Food Preparation<= /b>

Computer studies<= /b>

CXC math and English exam preparation

Homework assistance

Life Skills Program

Senior Welfare Program

Contact:

          Director: Randy Finnikin.

Secretary: Racquel Morgan.

          Phone: 876 708-5020



          Mailing Address:

Spring Village Development Foundation

          Spring Village

Bushy Park PO

St. Catherine= .

Departments

Welding

The welding department provides theory and practical training to equip students= with the skills necessary to meet various demands within the job market. Students participate in areas like grillwork and heavy gauge steel projects to gain relevant experience.

The department has equipment s= uch as TIG, MIG, Electric Arc and gas units which helps students train with the most modern tools available. Thanks to a generous donation from Jamaica Broilers, most of the equipment was provided.

Recently, there has been a surge in demand for welders and this facility will play a key role in filling this g= ap. The goal of the department is to gain accreditation through the HART academ= y so students can be properly certified.



Ken Edwards chief welding instructor by his workshop

Pottery

As part of the centre’s effort to become self reliant, various projects are often in operation. The pottery section is one such project which is located on campus to help meet this challenge.

It is comprised of a mid-size = kiln and a small workshop, and is currently operated by Mr. Robert Campbell who = is the “artist in residence”. A potter’s wheel and some piec= es are shown. These pieces are from time to time sold at various venues.

Of all the departments this is= by far one of the most creative. It gives students a chance to try their hand = at something artistic and at the same time being able to generate income.



Garments

The garment department provides training in the construction of different apparel. Students are trained to become tailors or seamstresses in the latest designs. After their training,= they are able to work privately or with the various fashion producers available.= The program is currently run by Mr. Vernon Boothe w= ho is an accomplished expert in this field.

Food Preparation

The foods department covers ge= neral food preparation by means of various techniques used in the food industry. Recipe formulation is just one area covered by this department as students = are allowed to experiment with different recipes during their studies. Various baking and cooking techniques are studied. Jamaica has a sizable baking in= dustry and these students will be well equipped to fill those slots.

Student Novlette= Robinson exhibits the cooking facilities.

Life Skills

The life skills department is = the social arm of the centre. It provides community intervention programs which focuses especially on the youth. The program provides counseling in STD, HI= V, Child Abuse, Family life, self esteem and conflict resolution.

It emphases the 3C’s pro= gram dubbed, “Children & Community for Change”.

This program is coordinated by= Mr. Maurice Morgan who is also assisted by Christine Barnaby, teacher.

During the summer it holds workshops for children and sometimes takes them on trips to enhance their learning experience.

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Agriculture

Hydroponics

Hydroponics by definition means 'water-working." In practical use, it means growing plants in a water = and nutrient solution, without soil. Hydroponics allows a gardener to grow plan= ts in a more efficient and productive manner with less labor and time required= .

In hydroponics one provides the exact nutrients plants need so they can develop and grow. The nutrients are= fed directly at the root base, never stressing the plant due to lack of nutrien= ts or water.

This picture shows Mr. Orette Edwards tending his hydroponics garden. The nu= trient solution circulates through a network of PVC pipes and pumping system.

The science of hydroponics pro= ves that soil isn't required for plant growth but the elements, minerals and nutrients that soil contains are. Soil is simply the holder of the nutrient= s, a place where the plant roots traditionally live and a base of support for the plant structure.

Moringa and Neem Tree Planting Project

Click to r= ead more about the Moringa Tree           Click to read more about the Neem plant

The Morin= ga and Neem Tree Planting Project, was initiated b= y U.S. Peace Corps volunteers Kenn and Jeanne Miller. = This was done as a way of fostering sustainable development by the production of these trees. Residents would therefore be able to cultivate these trees as = a source of income.

The morin= ga tree has grown naturally in Jamaica since 1827. It is mostly used as fence posts as it grows fast, very straigh= t, and isn't good to make charcoal. It is high is vitamins, seven times more vitamin C than oranges, four times more vitamin A than carrots, four times = more calcium than milk, two times more protein than milk, and three times more potassium than bananas. “It truly is a miracle tree" says the Millers.

The neem<= /span> is a natural insecticide which works by inhibiting insects from reproducing= in humans. The oil from neem seeds can be made int= o a stick to rub on the skin and keep mosquitoes away. When mixed with other ascents oils, it can be used in place of DEET and other products which cause cancer.

In April 2006 127 neem seedlings were planted around the parameter of J= amaica Broilers Chicken Processing Plant in the Village to help purify the air and eliminate insects.

The Library

The Centre is also home to the= Spring Village Community Library. This is a library which is used by the students = but was setup with the help of Villagers abroad to benefit the entire community= .

To learn more about the library project visit h= ttp://www.springvillage.org/VillageLibrary.mht

News and Links:

05/15/2006 Spring Vi= llage Tra= ining Centre hopes for HEART accreditation.

Click to See News Link!

SPRING<= /span> = VILLAGE= DEVELOPM= ENT FOUNDATION FUTURE PLANS

The following are a list of documents which depi= ct the long term strategies for the Foundation. They outline their vision fo= r Spring Village o= ver the next five years.

Cl= ick to download:

Strategic Plan Retreat 2006

Vision For Spring Village over the next five years

Budget for 2006-2009

Deliverables=

Back to Main Page

05/15/2006 Spring Vi= llage Tra= ining Centre hopes for HEART accreditation.

Click to See News Link!