Old Harbour youth shares experience of JamCoders Summer Camp

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Aug 29, 2025 02:08 PM | News, Education
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From Left: Junier Bailey of Old Harbour, St. Catherine and Joshua McMahon of Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, both Computer Science majors at the University of the West Indies, Mona, were a part of the first cohort of students at the JamCoders Summer Camp established in 2022. This year they transitioned to chaperones, assisting students from various institutions to adapt to the month-long camp held at the University of the West Indies.

The JamCoders Summer Camp, hosted annually at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, is proving to be a transformative experience that extends far beyond the computer screen. Now in its fourth year, the camp has taught close to 200 students from across Jamaica, with its earliest beneficiaries now returning to guide a new generation.

Junier Bailey, a 19-year-old from Old Harbour, was part of the inaugural 2022 cohort. His experience was so impactful that he returned this summer, not as a student, but as a chaperone. Now a second-year Computer Science major at UWI, Bailey credits the camp with a vital lesson.

“I really enjoyed networking and developing my skills. During my time I had a great chaperone, and I wanted to pass it on to the students I was responsible for this year,” said Bailey, a former St Jago High head boy.

“Just be the best you. Do not beat yourself up if you have tried and you are not successful. Everyone’s journey is different.

As head boy of St. Jago High in his final year, Bailey naturally stepped into a leadership role, offering daily support to the six young men on his team. “We knew that our paths may never cross again, so we wanted our experience to be as memorable as possible,” he said.

Fellow camper Joshua McMahon also made the transition from student to chaperone this year. A Computer Science major from Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, and a graduate of Mt St Joseph Catholic High and DeCarteret College, McMahon found the new role rewarding despite its challenges.

“There were some challenges as I had many personalities that I had to encounter with. I am a bit introverted, but being here brought back a lot of memories of my time as a student. I am happy that I had the opportunity be a part of the camp again and in a different role,” McMahon note.

McMahon strongly encourages students unsure about a tech career to enroll. “We learn far more than just coding. There are so many areas of technology that we are exposed to,” he explained. “Be prepared to be challenged because none of it is easy; but you can do it. The teachers and teaching assistants are very tolerant and assist you through the processes.”

The camp was initially conceived through the philanthropic efforts of renowned reggae artiste Chronixx (Jamar McNaughton). After learning about the AddisCoder programme in Ethiopia, Chronixx’s Caring Hands of Rastafari (CHOR) Foundation made a generous founding donation to establish the Jamaican initiative.

The programme is coordinated by Dr. Daniel Fokum, a senior lecturer in Computer Science at UWI Mona, and Professor Jelani Nelson from the University of California, Berkeley, who is also the founder of AddisCoder, Inc. Their partnership ensures that JamCoders continues to provide a world-class, challenging, and supportive environment for Jamaica’s aspiring young technologists.