After three years of being forced to stay indoors, Jamaicans now have the opportunity this coming Labour Day to engage in traditional national volunteerism and collective acts of service for 2022.

With the national holiday being observed on Monday, May 23, here are a list of activities you and your family can partake in for Labour Day 2022, held under the theme: Mek Jamaica Cris and Clean.

National Project

Renovation of the Mandela Park (Kingston and St. Andrew)

The national project for this year will be the renovation of the Nelson Mandela Park, more popularly referred to as the Mandela Park.

Minister of Culture and Entertainment Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, noted that in light of the celebration of Jamaica 60, it would be appropriate to begin refurbishing the park.

Mandela Park, she said is in, “a very shabby condition and we felt it was necessary during this year when we celebrate our 60th and when we are recognising our brothers and sisters across the world — we thought it would be appropriate to start the refurbishing of Mandela park.”

Persons volunteering can engage in activities such as landscaping, masonry, carpentry, painting, electrical works, lighting as well as disinfecting and sanitising.

The park was named in honour of late South African president and anti-apartheid hero, Nelson Mandela.

Tree planting

The Forestry Department, ahead of Labour Day, has encouraged Jamaicans to plant more trees around their homes and communities.

2022 marks the third and final year for the Forestry’s department goal to plant three million trees, in three years.

As is customary, the department will issue free seeds to the public. Those wanting to participate can visit nurseries at the Forestry Department Head Office in Kingston, Moneague, St Ann and Williamsfield in Manchester, as well as the regional offices in Montego Bay, St James and Port Antonio, Portland.

Those interested in planting 10 or more seedlings for Labour Day 2022 are asked to send an email to the Forestry Department at [email protected] with their requests.

Constructing rainwater harvesting system

This is the perfect task for families. The household is able to come together to create a rainwater harvesting system. This technology collects and stores water.

With phenomena such as water shortage and droughts, rainwater harvesting is very important as it allows persons to store water for future use or in any other case of emergency.

Other parish projects

School renovation (Portland & St Ann)

For this year’s Labour Day, the parish of Portland will focus on renovating the Buff Bay High School. The scope of work will include painting and beautification of the school.

In St Ann, the focus lies on the Grants Bailey Basic School. Work includes painting, updating fixtures and roofing renovations.

Infirmary renovation (Hanover, Westmoreland, St Mary & St Thomas)

This will include painting and building renovations to an old ward. Infirmary renovation will be taking place in at the Lucea Infirmary, the St. Mary Infirmary and the St. Thomas Infirmary.

Cleaning (Clarendon & St Catherine)

Clean up will take place at the Kellits Town Centre in Clarendon. The scope of works will include but is not limited to the brushing of verges and the cleaning of drains leading into the town of Kellits, as well as the painting of curb walls and the green area wall.

For St Catherine, the parish focus will also be cleaning their Natural Bridge in Riversdale. This will include general cleaning and garbage removal.

Charles Gordon Market District Cleanup (St James)

Work at the Charles Town Market District will entail the covering of roadways, rehabilitation of sanitary conveniences, painting, power washing and all other repair works connected to cleaning of the market and its immediate surroundings.

The Municipal Building, Water Square & pedestrianised areas of Falmouth (Trelawny)

Here, beautification upgrades, painting, washing down and sanitising and white washing of areas will be done.

The Junction Area (St. Elizabeth)

Work at the Junction areas will include the construction of sanitary conveniences.