Denham Town resident finds new path through intervention

In 2020, Devaughn Plummer was one of 30 men detained in a random raid in the Denham Town zones of special operation in west Kingston.

Although he denies being involved in any wrongdoing, he spent an entire day sitting in silence under the supervision of members of the security forces. He says that day was a life-changing experience for him.

"It was when I met Karen McGlashin [of the Peace Management Initiative (PMI)] and she's like a mentor to me. She show me certain things, make me put down bleaching and start see the positive part a life," he said. "Cause a dat experience, I was recommended to [global non-government organisation] Fight for Peace. If a never for dem, I definitely saw myself heading down the wrong path."

Today, Plummer, who once sold sweets to earn a meagre living, is being ushered into what he believes is his calling as a musician and a welder.

His story, however, did not seem like it was heading for a positive turn. In 2017, Plummer left Dinthill Technical High School with no educational qualifications, and so he started selling sweets to residents in Denham Town. When he was not selling, Plummer would just sit idly at home. In 2019, he was among a group of men from inner-city communities in west Kingston who were invited to a retreat hosted by the PMI, aimed at violence reduction in the area. The workshop taught him anger management and conflict resolution. He also received counselling sessions. But with no steady income, Plummer needed something more in his life, and the recommendation to work with Fight For Peace came at the right time.

The European Union-funded programme is focused on supporting youth, like Plummer, who live in communities plagued by violence. According to Plummer, he has received strong mentorship from counsellors that has seen him adopting conflict-resolution skills, as well as improving his interpersonal skills. Now focused on completing a Level-2 certification in fabrication welding at Operation Friendship, which is a private, voluntary development agency that was established in response to the needs of inner-city residents. He is also completing Level-2 certification in metal work at the HEART TRUST/NSTA, and has intentions of operating his own workshop. He also plans to start a recording career, using the moniker Di Package.

"Me just try fi analyse things before me move to it, cause if you rush to it, you ago move with ignorance. Before dem time here, me would a fight you but Fight for Peace really help me be calm. Me could a be a most-wanted person but me realise that life is not for me," he said, while encouraging youth to get involved in community-based organisations that aim to steer them in the right direction.

"When me get my opportunity with the two a dem [PMI and Fight For Peace], a one a di best things weh ever happen in my life," Plummer said. " Maybe it can help out nuff other youth, too."