Thousands of young people from the Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists are taking to the streets of Manchester today, March 15, as part of Operation Save a Youth (O-SAY) 2026, a massive youth-led initiative focused on service, compassion, and community transformation.
O-SAY, which began in 2015, calls on Adventist youth to dedicate their time, talents, and resources to serving others and sharing hope through practical acts of kindness. This year’s staging has already mobilized more than 2,000 registered youth volunteers who are working across communities in Manchester, Clarendon, and St. Catherine.
Throughout the day, volunteers are executing 65 community projects designed to improve living conditions, support vulnerable groups, and strengthen relationships between the church and the wider community.
Projects being carried out include:
1. Home Renovations: Approximately 30 homes receiving minor repairs and improvements.
2. Community Beautification: Painting and refurbishing schools, hospitals, and police stations.
3. Town and Market Clean-Ups: Volunteers cleaning markets, main streets, beaches, and public spaces.
4. Community Service Initiatives: Distribution of care packages, street feeding, and outreach to infirmaries.
5. Children’s Outreach: Visits to children’s homes with treats and activities for young residents.
6. Evangelism and Spiritual Support: Distribution of inspirational literature and prayer fellowship cards.
A major highlight of this year’s initiative is the Health and Education Expo, where members of the public can access free services including medical screenings, dental checks, eye testing, counselling services, and health education sessions. Government agencies and medical providers are also present to offer guidance and support services to community members.
In addition to service projects, O-SAY 2026 is investing directly in youth development through the presentation of 20 scholarships valued at approximately JMD $1 million, helping young people pursue educational opportunities and build brighter futures.
Youth leaders say the initiative is about more than a single day of service—it is about empowering young people to live out their faith in meaningful ways.
“O-SAY reminds our young people that ministry is not only inside the church walls,” organizers noted. “It happens in our communities, in the homes we repair, the streets we clean, and in the lives we touch.”
Through partnerships with corporate sponsors and community stakeholders, the initiative continues to expand its impact, demonstrating the powerful role that young people can play in nation-building.
As volunteers move through communities today, the message of the programme remains clear: service is one of the most powerful ways to share hope and build stronger communities.