In a critical job in St Mary, hers is a life of giving and helping those in need
She is made for the job of leading the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Port Maria, St. Mary, office and helping people in need to access their benefits from the state. Pamiel Elaine Scott’s work helping those needing government assistance through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is only part of her service ito people, in the many social and voluntary roles she performs in the parish she calls home.
“When you’ve helped somebody and you’ve seen the joy on their faces, you’re not looking for anything in return. It is just a personal satisfaction for helping people,” Ms. Scott told the North Coast Times in an interview. “The salary is never remuneration for the work you do. Much of it is often times voluntary, because I’d be out on the road after ten at night if a fire occurs. People may ask what are you doing there so late, but you are trying to see how you can help someone in their time of need.”
Pamiel Scott’s service extends beyond her job as manager of the St. Mary branch of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to a lay reader and member of the out-reach committee at the Holy Trinity Church in Retreat; a member of the St. Mary Parish Library Board; member of the St. Mary Lay Magistrates Association, a Red Cross volunteer, a certified counsellor in pre and post HIV counselling, a certified counsellor through the Ministry of Justice, certified public speaker, member of the Kiwanis Club and a Justice of the Peace, for seven years.
Early Life
Though she knows the parish and its people and serves them so well, Pamiel Scott is not a native of St Mary but was born in Kingston on November 21, 1960 to Stanley and Gwendolyn Scott. She and her family first moved to St Ann before they went on to St. Mary in 1967. She attended Retreat All Age School and from there went to St. Mary High School where she represented the school’s track team in the 100-metres and 200 metres. In addition, she was a member of the Inter-School Christian Fellowship Club (ISCF). In sixth form she pursued secretarial studies and later worked as a legal secretary with attorney-at-law E.M. Robinson at his Port Maria and Ocho Rios offices. She continued further studies at Fitz-Henley Secretarial Institute and thereafter was employed as a Poor Relief Officer at the St. Mary Parish Council.
In November of 1984, she finally settled at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in Port Maria, St. Mary, where she has gone through the ranks to become manager of the office.
Her role at the Ministry
Miss Scott moved through the various posts to hold top post of manager in 2005. “I started off as a secretary and moved through the ranks becoming a data entry clerk, public assistance investigator now social worker and I became national insurance inspector, national insurance administrator and finally becoming manager of the St. Mary branch…in January 2005.”
As parish manager of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), Pamiel Scott has been the lead force in directing the efforts of the MLSS in aiding individuals with labour related matters, access to social programmes, National Insurance Scheme (NIS) benefits, Jamaica Council of Persons with Disabilities and National Council for Senior Citizens.
“Helping is lifetime thing for me, whether it is through work, in my community or at church, persons are always coming to me for help. Therefore you have to find the various avenues to channel the resources you have and find new resources to help persons. Whether it is a mattress, bed, food or clothing you have to help in the way you can.”
Though she has had a full work and social community life, Pamiel Scott continued to improve her academic qualifications: Diploma in Social Work in 1997 from the University of the West Indies, Diploma in Management Studies from Jamaica Institute of Management in 2003-2004 and many other certificates of achievement from reputable institutions are part of her preparation for the continuing work she does.
Community and church involvement
Pamiel Scott is a very active member at Holy Trinity Church in Retreat and holds many responsibilities which include being a lay reader, treasurer and a member of the women’s union. As a member of the Mother’s union at her church, she helps to spearhead housing assistance for persons in the community of Retreat. In the community, she extends her hands to help persons in all areas, on her own initiative. “Children and older persons always gravitate towards me. Parents will sometimes send their children to seek counselling and I will hold brief counselling sessions with them. You will also take in one child at a time to be a part of the family and help to spearhead other families by providing food.” Ms. Scott notes that she also assists many children with books, paying for exams and providing meals. However, she explained she prefers to be behind the scenes. “Awards and recognition don’t mean much to me and I like to be behind the scenes in helping as much persons as I can. When you see the smile on someone’s face, that is the satisfaction you get.”
Outlook on the future
Pamiel Scott’s outlook to the future was very simple.
“I have a reason to look forward to every day since my commitment to God in 1995…. I enjoy my job, working in the community, working as a Justice of the Peace and I enjoy living,” explained Ms. Scott to The Times. She attests to the fact that many persons have influenced and helped to groom her in being the person she is and will always be. “My father was a stickler for discipline and that kept me along the path to success.” She named persons from primary school through to high school, including Mr Cargill former principal of St. Mary High School. “Other persons who are influential in molding me were like Rev. Charles Manderson, Dean of the St. Mary Parish Church, Dunstan Smalling, Chaplin at Up Park Camp, Prince Taylor Younge, Minister of Retreat Holy Trinity Church, Brenda Phillppotts, former manager at the Ministry and Philson Pryce.”
Among the awards Ms. Scott has received was the distinguished President award for 2008-2009 from the Kiwanis Club in Port Maria, St. Mary. In her spare time she enjoys baking, cooking, travelling and is a nature lover. She has two children; Melisia Ford-Campbell and Nicolai Ford.
In her capacity as a certified counsellor, she said: “I urge persons to anchor themselves in the Lord Jesus Christ in these challenging times. It is hard yes, but only He alone can carry you through these difficult times.”
Pamiel Elaine Scott has demonstrated that she is a woman of worth (WOW) for 2015 by, through her paid work and voluntarism, over the years helping others, who are in need.
