Jamaica Shares the Success of its Social Program with Caribbean Counterparts

Jamaica’s Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH) is an example of inter-sectoral collaboration at work that is allowing the government to implement a sustainable and impactful social protection program. From August 20 to 22, a delegation of Social Protection specialists from six Caribbean countries participated in a study tour in Jamaica to learn more about one of the country’s flagship program.

The cooperation exchange was coordinated by the OAS Inter-American Social Protection Network (IASPN) in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of Jamaica. The visit follows-up on the interest expressed by the group of countries to learn more about the program at the “Third Caribbean Workshop on Social Protection and International Cooperation” also carried out by the IASPN at the end of 2013.

Labour and Social Security Minister, Derrick Kellier, noted that the visit highlighted the importance of the program "as a credible strategy for reducing poverty”, describing PATH as a "hand up" and not a "hand out" to a local news source. The program is a conditional cash transfer initiative that has over 370,000 beneficiaries and is currently the largest social protection support system in the English speaking Caribbean.

During the Opening ceremony, OAS Representative in Jamaica, Jeanelle Van Glaanenweygel noted that by sharing knowledge and lessons learned in the implementation of its program, Jamaica and the OAS are contributing to building local capacity in the Caribbean.  “This will ensure that participating member states will save valuable time and money in their own implementation process” she added.

The study tour combined lecture presentations by experts from different PATH-funded initiatives, as well as field visits to areas where on-the-field coverage is offered. The hands-on learning experience provided participants with an opportunity to better understand the implementation process, and to hear beneficiaries’ perspective on the successes and challenges of the program.

During one of the field visits, participants traveled to St. Mary Parish, where they met a beneficiary of PATH’s “food for the poor” program who will soon receive a house for her and her three children. The social workers assigned to the family act as a support group and managers, ensuring that the children are attending school, receiving periodic health check-ups, and that the houses are built and delivered in a timely manner.

The delegation also visited the local offices of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in the same parish, where they met with 10 beneficiaries of the “Entrepreneurship Grant”. Grantees, 90% of whom are women, receive financial aid and training from the government to improve or start-up their businesses. The visitors heard success stories and inquired about technical details that will support the design and implementation of similar programs tailored to the needs of their own countries.

The study tour concluded with a visit to the Abilities Foundation, an NGO that works with the government to provide quality vocational education to persons with disabilities, enabling them to become more creative and productive citizens. Participants gained a better understanding on how to support this important interest group, which is demanding more attention and action from governments. 

As the region gains experience in the implementation of social protection programs, the demand for technical exchanges is growing. The IASPN is an ideal platform to support this exchange, facilitating regional cooperation in the area of social protection.