MAY PEN, Clarendon — Saskea Edwards is a life coach, public speaker, mentor and youth advocate. Her journey in community service began at 15 years old through her church youth group, where she played an instrumental role in organising outreach projects for the youth department. She is certified in the fields of public speaking and life coaching from the International School of Greatness. Her passion for helping others is reflected not only in her volunteer work but also in her efforts to empower those around her through motivational speaking and life coaching.

At 28 years old, she was the youngest awardee recognised during the Heroes’ Day Awards Ceremony in Clarendon on Monday.

“To say I’m overjoyed would be an understatement. It’s a great feeling. I was surprised when I got the call but I feel extremely good. Last Monday I got a call from the office that I was nominated and I was like, ‘Wait, what?’ And they said, ‘Congratulations and please be present on Monday to collect your award’. I was a nervous wreck; I was, honestly. I was surprised as I wasn’t expecting this. Yes, I’ve been doing a lot of work in my community but to be recognised on this day, that is a big thing, and that makes it all the more significant,” she said with a big smile.

Edwards’ work in community development started in high school where teachers would often ask her to monitor or teach their classes as they saw her as a mature and responsible leader.

She remains an active and valuable member of several key organisations including the Live Love Laugh Youth Foundation where she is the director of finance and fund-raising. At the Mocho Police Youth Club, she started out as the acting public relations officer then moved up the ranks to secretary and then vice-president.

She is also vice-president of the Clarendon Police Youth Club Council as well as the newly formed Dawkins Youth Club, where she participated in the planning and execution of the organisation’s first activity.

“Community service has always been in my DNA because my mom was a former president of the Mocho Police Youth Club so it has always been there,” Edwards explained.

She said she has always been a leader, even when it comes to interacting with her older brother.

“Whenever we go out people always think I’m the older one because I behave as if I’m the bigger one,” she said with a chuckle.