Newly installed president of Rotary Club of Downtown Kingston (RCDK), Shawna Brown, has hit the ground running with the announcement of two new projects under her tenure.

As part of her mandate, the new president announced a district-wide CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certification programme and the expansion of the club’s impactful CXC Scholarship Initiative. The two programmes embody the Rotary District theme, ‘Recognise needs, transform lives’, and are designed to uplift the vulnerable and create more resilient communities.

“My vision for the Rotary Club of Downtown Kingston this year is to truly live out our District Theme,” Brown stated.

“We are committed to recognising the most pressing needs within our community and implementing tangible projects that transform lives, pushing even our most vulnerable to surpass their challenges, whether it’s passing their CXCs or being equipped to save a life,” she continued.

How to save a life

The CPR programme marks RCDK’s push for community safety and preparedness, as the overarching goal of the initiative is to increase the number of individuals who are CPR certified across the district. RCDK will be seeking to partner with local organisations such as the Red Cross, HEART Trust/NSTA, and hospitals and clinics to offer the training.

Taking on various forms such as blended learning with online, workshops in schools and community centres, the programme targets key groups in the downtown Kingston area, including community leaders, staff, youth groups, parents, and the general public.

“In emergencies, immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chances of survival from a cardiac arrest,” Brown commented.

The more people are trained, the more lives we can potentially save within our community. This is about equipping our citizens with fundamental, life-saving skills,” the Norman Manley High School-based educator and realtor added.

Scholarships for future leaders and innovators

In the meantime, the new president explained that the CXC Scholar initiative is an expansion of the Bridging the Gap to Educational Success for Promising Students programme. It provides scholarships to high school students who want to sit Caribbean Examination subjects, but are facing financial hardship.

The goal is to provide funding for 30 students across three high schools in the downtown communities in which RCDK operates.

“For many, the cost of CXC exams is an insurmountable barrier, denying bright, hard-working students the opportunity to advance,” President Shawna explained. “This scholarship is about breaking those intergenerational cycles of poverty, ensuring that economic constraints do not derail academic dreams, and empowering our youth to become future leaders and innovators.” Beyond financial aid, the initiative also plans to offer mentorship and encouragement to recipients throughout their CXC journey.

Both initiatives underscore the Rotary Club of Downtown Kingston’s dedication to creating a more educated, healthier, and resilient community. The president invites individuals, corporations, and community partners to join in supporting “these vital missions”.