The Founder and Chairman of a visiting US-based Jamaican humanitarian organization, Mentoring Thru Sports Professionals (MTSP), Dennis Blake, has cautioned Liberians to value the country’s rich and enviable heritage by adapting a genuine sense of ownership for the growth and development of the younger generation.
According to Blake, Liberia is endowed with countless natural resources, in contrast to many African nations, including Jamaica, and if the positive mindset is cultivated Liberia will live out its full potential.
He pointed out that the challenge to get Africa’s oldest republic (Liberia) from its current dire state of despair must require the commitment of its leaders and ordinary citizens.
According to the MTSP Chairman, while much is expected of national leaders in the direction of prescribing workable policy that will positively affect the living condition of those they govern, ordinary citizens must also be cognizant that they, too, have a responsibility to join in the policymakers’ effort for the betterment of the country.
Sharing the experience of his recent visit to the National Museum, Blake pointed out that Liberia possesses several important artifacts the can be used to attract tourists, generate revenue and, most importantly, serve as educational materials for Liberia’s younger generation.
He did not fail to mention the worth and uniqueness of Liberian cuisine. According to him, the quality in the varieties of Liberian dishes can also be used as a means of boosting tourism—if only policymakers will see the urgent need to invest more in agriculture.
According to Blake, there are many untapped sectors in Liberia that can be used as significant sources of income generation, placing keen emphasis on tourism.
Blake also noticed the stockpiled of garbage littering the major street corners of the city, and urged the municipal authority to institute mechanism aimed at addressing the situation.
He also entreated citizens to be responsible in handling wastes, as the influx of despicable substances in communities is a recipe for producing communicable diseases.
The MTSP Chairman, along with his wife, Barbara Blake, and a five-person delegation, is visiting Liberia on the invitation of the General Overseer and Senior Pastor of the Christ Redemption Outreach Ministries, Apostle Joseph G. Neufville.
The MTSP’s delegation to Liberia includes, Barbara Blake, President; Valerie Anderson, Vice President; Stacyann Jackson, Secretary; and Rochelle McKnight, Treasurer.
Blake and his team’s second visit to Liberia is in commemoration of MTSP’s tenth anniversary celebration, which commenced on August 1, 2022 and ends on August 10, 2022, under the theme, “Refocus, Reset, Restart”, Isaiah 43:19.
The MTSP Camp 2022 Tenth Anniversary Celebration, which was held on the premises of the Christ Redemption Outreach Ministries, Brewerville, brought together nearly three hundred children who benefitted from mentorship training.
Speaking to the Hot Pepper’s reporter at the climax of the MTSP Camp 2022, Blake expressed gladness that he encountered Apostle Neufville in the United States of America, who encouraged him to include Liberia as a focus country for what he termed “a successful initiative”.
Blake, affectionately referred to as ‘Coach Blake” by his mentees, is a renowned Jamaican athlete, a bronze medalist for the Jamaica Track and Field team, and as well a motivational speaker.
MTSP is a faith-based organization founded by Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Blake. The non-for-profit initiative uses sports to support marginalized schools in challenged communities. MTSP’s primary focus is to encourage, motivate, inspire and provide hope to the youths in disenfranchised communities through sports engagement.
The organization uses various sporting activities as the medium of encouraging children to get involved and participate in daily activities. Through the assistance of sports personalities and other professionals to share their personal experiences, children are better able to understand and believe that they can be great citizens and use the value of sports to pull themselves out of poverty and adversity.
MTSP was established in 2012 with a passionate phone call to the principal of Morningside Primary School, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. Barbara and Dennis spent the next few months praying and planning to bring the summer camp to fruition. It was during this period they realized that a sports-based summer camp would be a good way to motivate and uplift the students, especially those who were less fortunate.
MTSP places significant emphasis on the three paths of happiness: “We sing to uplift their heart”, “Pray to empower their Spirit”, and “Use words of wisdom to change behavior”. The vision bearer of the organization is of the strongest convention that exercising the inward parts of children is the gateway to a positive lifestyle, and that children with great physique develop stronger self-esteem and greater self-confidence.
