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World Bank/JSIF Fighting
contribution Crime and
Strengthening Violence in
Community-Based
Tourism in Jamaica Jamaica
By Emily Bartels Bland, World Bank External Communication By Emily Bartels Bland, World Bank External
Communication
Visitors taking the tour which is offered by the Rastafarian Indigenous village.
Joseph Collington was raised in
an abandoned building without
electricity or running water
in East Kingston, Jamaica.
Violence was pervasive, and
there were ongoing feuds in
the neighborhood. “I was a very
negative and aggressive child,
and I’ve done some things
that I would definitely love to go back and undo, but of course I
can’t,” says Joseph.
Crossing a shallow river, intensifying drumming and chanting In the Kingston Metropolitan Area poverty has doubled in recent
welcomes you to the Rastafari Indigenous Village in Portobello, years, more than half of the young people are unemployed,
Jamaica. There you can contemplate your life in a meditative and the homicide and other violent crime rate are among the
labyrinth and learn about living in harmony with nature, highest in the Latin America and Caribbean region.
medicinal herbs and spices and Rastafarian culture.
The village is one of many projects supported by the Rural To help Jamaicans like Joseph, the $US42 million ‘Integrated
Economic Development Initiative (REDI), implemented by the Community Development Project’ financed by the World Bank
Jamaica Social Investment Fund and financed by the World and implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund, has
Bank. Since 2009, the initiative has been improving market been fighting crime and violence in Jamaica since 2014.
access for micro and small-scale rural agricultural producers
and tourism providers throughout Jamaica. REDI strengthens In 18 vulnerable inner-city communities, the initiative has been
the capacity of rural groups to be able to plan and implement fostering a more inclusive society by improving the quality of
income generating projects. To date, more than 850 direct new life of marginalized city dwellers By providing 3,128 pieces of
jobs have been created in rural communities receiving project equipment and supporting infrastructure to assist with solid
assistance. waste management, as well as engaging youth in public safety
initiatives and providing them with job skills training to reduce
The Rastafari Indigenous Village diversifies Jamaica’s crime and violence. So far, 10,906 Jamaicans have participated
offerings to visitors by tapping into the growing market for in the educational and skills training program, and 2,605 have
community-based tourism as a viable opportunity for economic participated in employment programmes and obtained formal
investment. Community-based tourism has become one of the certifications.
fastest-growing tourism segments globally, as new generations
of travellers seek more meaningful experiences; to immerse Through the initiative, Joseph found his creative outlet in
in the nature, heritage and culture of the destinations they poetry, public speaking and event planning, and received the
visit. Jamaica has some of the world’s most beautiful natural training and mentorship required to develop a business plan for
settings and a rich history and culture that make it uniquely his nascent creative arts enterprise.
poised to take full advantage of this growing trend.
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