Gleaner ( Jamaica )
21 October 2024 ( Page 10 )
Kedesha Campbell Rochester passionately dedicated to community development, nation-building
Published October 18, 2024
WITH AN infectious spirit and inspirational passion for service, Kedesha Campbell Rochester leaves a lasting first impression on those afforded the good fortune of meeting her. Rochester, who heads the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Management Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister, has spent more than 16 years wearing multiple hats in service to her country.
Her dedication to nationbuilding is being recognised on National Heroes Day, October 21, when she will be conferred with the Order of Distinction (Officer Class) for Public Service and Community Development, during the Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards at King’s House.
Rochester, a daughter of Bog Walk, St Catherine, and proud graduate of St Jago High School in the parish, firmly believes she is living her purpose to make the change she desires
“I transfer skill sets that I would have learned and I pull from entities to help other ministries, departments and agencies in the public sector, so that we can operate in a simultaneous way rather than in siloes.”
for Jamaica.
“I never saw myself leaving. I saw myself staying here and contributing in a positive way to make Jamaica better. I think there is a slogan that says there is nothing wrong with Jamaica that cannot be fixed, and I ultimately lived by that,” she said.
Her affinity for service surfaced during her youth, as even before finishing her studies at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, she participated in volunteer efforts through the Jamaica Foundation for Lifelong Learning.
“I used to teach at Providence Methodist Church before I left UWI, when I was doing my classes. Those guys at the stoplight in the evenings, they would come and I would teach them the basics – phonetics, sounds, syllables and how to form words.
“Some of them couldn’t read … couldn’t write … they were at the basic level; but giving back is a part of me. When I started my career journey, I realised that I can’t escape my calling and my purpose,” Rochester said.
Leveraging her skills in management and corporate governance, she has served at multiple levels from her beginnings as an administrator at the Jamaica Public Service Company to serving on the board of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund.
AN AGENT OF CHANGE
Rochester also served as executive assistant to the minister of education, executive administrator in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, and technical assistant to the prime minister.
Known as an agent of change, her expertise has led to the improved operational compliance of implementing agencies, by establishing memoranda of understanding with 26 CDF programme partners.
She was also key in the recovery of $75 million of unspent funds and instrumental in increasing the compliance of members of parliament executing their constituency consultations by 70 per cent.
Throughout her years of service and specialisation in project management, Rochester has been known for facilitating knowledge transfer across key government groups.
“I transfer skill sets that I would have learned and I pull from entities to help other ministries, departments and agencies in the public sector, so that we can operate in a simultaneous way rather than in siloes. When I’m implementing a project or system, [my aim] is to ensure a mistake or an error would not have been repeated because the knowledge … or the experience was not shared,” she explained.
A Christian who believes in following the direction of God for her life without resistance, Rochester is a devoted wife and mother of three daughters.
Her husband, Fitzroy Rochester, said his wife has contributed to nation-building in a significant way, especially with the work she has done behind the scenes.
He described her as a strategic thinker with a heart of gold, who always utilises emotional intelligence.
“She is admirable and rare, and has touched so many lives. Sometimes I wonder how she gets so much done with all her responsibilities. I have watched her grow and mature in so many areas of her life. She possesses all the qualities of a nation-builder – loyalty, integrity and respect for all, and I am truly blessed to have her as my wife,” Mr Rochester said.
Rochester says she feels humbled and honoured to be selected for the national award.
“While I’ve humbly accepted it and embrace this national recognition, I was reminded that the service that I have dedicated was not motivated by accolades or any personal reward,” she pointed out.
An eternal optimist, Rochester believes the work she is doing in the lives of Jamaicans will lead to the country’s overall improvement.
“I believe that what I am doing now will transcend to the future – the lives we’re touching now in the communities that we are working with, especially Zone of Special Operations communities that are vulnerable to crime and unemployment, by going in and training persons, putting in the infrastructure to make spaces safer and more accessible, and even just changing their whole outlook on how they see life – I believe that what I’m doing now, in time to come, will impact the future,” she said.