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<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black'"><span style="font-size: 14pt">Sherwood Content Still In Neglect</span></span>
Published: Tuesday | August 14, 2012
<span style="font-weight: bold">While the birthplaces and special landmarks of many local heroes have been duly recognised by the state, Sherwood Content in Trelawny - the home town of international athletic sensation Usain Bolt - still lies in neglect.</span>
"Absolutely nothing has been done to symbolise his achievements," the track star's aunt, Lillian 'Aunt Lillie' Bolt told The Gleaner yesterday.
"The community has been without running water for years and although tourists continue to visit us on a daily basis to find out more about Bolt, the authorities have failed to capitalise on his success."
Community member Jeremy Downer, a 25-year-old teacher at William Knibb High School, said a sign to mark the locale is welcomed.
"Many (persons) are curious about the yam and come to sample what it is that is said to make Usain go so fast, and although we are not big on farming here, neither is there any structured arrangement or plan to facilitate this, not even a signpost to say this is Bolt's country," Downer stated.
"All it really takes is smart governance. Everyone would benefit and our economy would improve."
In fact, <span style="font-weight: bold">except for road work done on sections of the Martha Brae roadway leading into Sherwood Content, all improvements were done or spearheaded by Bolt.</span>
These include underwriting the $120,000 bill to rewire the Sherwood Content Basic School, and contributing $1.4 million of the $3.5 million used to refurbish the Sherwood Content Health Centre.
Bolt also donated fire-safety equipment to five basic schools in and around his community.
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black'">Plans for playing field</span>
The six-time Olympic gold medallist also has plans to renovate the community centre and playing field, but sources close to the situation said he was yet to receive a requested proposal for the project.
Bolt first proved his credentials on the world stage by winning the 200 metres before a home crowd in Kingston at the IAAF World Junior Championships in 2002. He later rose to international prominence after shattering the 100m and 200m world records during the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, in 2008. He repeated the feat during the World Championships in Berlin, Germany, the following year, becoming one of the world's most popular athletes in the process.
But the 25-year-old phenom was not finished, securing his sixth Olympic gold medal and eighth world record, after anchoring Jamaica's men's 4x100m relay team to a 36.84 seconds win, making them the first team to breach the 37 seconds barrier at the just concluded London Olympics.
However, his dream for Sherwood Content is to construct a multi-purpose complex, which would include a museum, that would not only display his achievements, but also provide employment opportunities for residents in the community.
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black'">Pit latrines</span>
The sprinter's alma mater, Waldensia Primary School, still relies on pit latrines for its teachers and students, and is without a playing field.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Bolt aside, the community has a strong ecotourism or heritage-tourism potential, having a rich post-colonial history and several dilapidated 19th century houses dating back to the days of William Knibb.</span>
"Well, it is left to be seen, what will happen this time around," commented 'Aunt Lillie' as she supervised work on her soon-to-be-opened gift shop.
"He has done us proud. He wants to do more for his community but it is unfair to even think of him doing it alone."
[email protected]
Published: Tuesday | August 14, 2012
<span style="font-weight: bold">While the birthplaces and special landmarks of many local heroes have been duly recognised by the state, Sherwood Content in Trelawny - the home town of international athletic sensation Usain Bolt - still lies in neglect.</span>
"Absolutely nothing has been done to symbolise his achievements," the track star's aunt, Lillian 'Aunt Lillie' Bolt told The Gleaner yesterday.
"The community has been without running water for years and although tourists continue to visit us on a daily basis to find out more about Bolt, the authorities have failed to capitalise on his success."
Community member Jeremy Downer, a 25-year-old teacher at William Knibb High School, said a sign to mark the locale is welcomed.
"Many (persons) are curious about the yam and come to sample what it is that is said to make Usain go so fast, and although we are not big on farming here, neither is there any structured arrangement or plan to facilitate this, not even a signpost to say this is Bolt's country," Downer stated.
"All it really takes is smart governance. Everyone would benefit and our economy would improve."
In fact, <span style="font-weight: bold">except for road work done on sections of the Martha Brae roadway leading into Sherwood Content, all improvements were done or spearheaded by Bolt.</span>
These include underwriting the $120,000 bill to rewire the Sherwood Content Basic School, and contributing $1.4 million of the $3.5 million used to refurbish the Sherwood Content Health Centre.
Bolt also donated fire-safety equipment to five basic schools in and around his community.
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black'">Plans for playing field</span>
The six-time Olympic gold medallist also has plans to renovate the community centre and playing field, but sources close to the situation said he was yet to receive a requested proposal for the project.
Bolt first proved his credentials on the world stage by winning the 200 metres before a home crowd in Kingston at the IAAF World Junior Championships in 2002. He later rose to international prominence after shattering the 100m and 200m world records during the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, in 2008. He repeated the feat during the World Championships in Berlin, Germany, the following year, becoming one of the world's most popular athletes in the process.
But the 25-year-old phenom was not finished, securing his sixth Olympic gold medal and eighth world record, after anchoring Jamaica's men's 4x100m relay team to a 36.84 seconds win, making them the first team to breach the 37 seconds barrier at the just concluded London Olympics.
However, his dream for Sherwood Content is to construct a multi-purpose complex, which would include a museum, that would not only display his achievements, but also provide employment opportunities for residents in the community.
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black'">Pit latrines</span>
The sprinter's alma mater, Waldensia Primary School, still relies on pit latrines for its teachers and students, and is without a playing field.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Bolt aside, the community has a strong ecotourism or heritage-tourism potential, having a rich post-colonial history and several dilapidated 19th century houses dating back to the days of William Knibb.</span>
"Well, it is left to be seen, what will happen this time around," commented 'Aunt Lillie' as she supervised work on her soon-to-be-opened gift shop.
"He has done us proud. He wants to do more for his community but it is unfair to even think of him doing it alone."
[email protected]
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