C.Palmer Project of Hope, Jamaica celebrated 10 years of operations in 2016 April. Mr. Cartland Palmer had worked hard for decades as a successful contractor and enjoyed the fruit of his labour in Canada. He and his wife Mildred were serving faithfully as elders at Queensway Cathedral in Toronto. With retirement in full view and their children grown and on their own, a practical course of action would have been for them to relax their pace and adjust to a new season- the beginning of their “golden years”.  However, they had long sensed God calling them to something more. They had an increasing burden for the young people of Jamaica, their country of origin, and knew that God wanted to use them to address the urgent need for skills training. Youth caught in a cycle of poverty would benefit from an opportunity to develop hidden talent and increase their chances for employment.

In 2005, the Palmers responded to God’s call, and in 2006 were formally appointed to Jamaica as Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC) global workers. With their own financing, they started the construction of the CPalmer Project of Hope Skills Training Centre, a 13,000-square feet facility, and subsequently enlisted additional financial aid from a number of Canadian churches and supporters. The school recently celebrated 10 years of operations. Hundreds of youths and adults, many of whom also first needed and received help with a stronger foundation in English and Mathematics, have been trained in areas such as Information Technology, Welding, Woodworking, Cosmetology and Office Administration. Courses in Electrical Installation, Computer Repairs, Webpage Design and Beauty Therapy have also now been introduced, increasing the capacity for each semester’s trainees to 140.

The unemployment rate in Jamaica is about 13.2% (April 2015, Statistical Institute of Jamaica), with youth unemployment more than twice the national route (38%). However, the Project of Hope offers youth from the communities served, a chance they would otherwise never receive- an opportunity to experience God’s love and concern for boasting their sense of purpose, self-esteem and optimism for the future. Heavy involvement of both Canadian PAOC churches such as Tweedside Baptist Church has ensured that the communities and students alike are also exposed to the gospel, an important influence in the operation of the school. Nine young people from the Queensway Cathedral held a two-day Vacation Bible School (VBS) there in the summer of 2015 with over 100 children from the school community.