Deaf and Thriving in Faith

As we arrived at the Montego Bay Campus of the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf (CCCD) last Thursday, we saw gatherings of students communicating soundlessly, with lively hands and expressions. This was the 67th Annual General Meeting of the organization, founded in 1958 by Rev. Willis Ethridge and his wife, Mildred from Ontario, Canada. CCCD Chair Carol Robertson shared that the couple was joined by Paula Montgomery, the first Deaf American missionary, and they set up a school for the Deaf in Manchester with eight students.

Now CCCD has four campuses: in Kingston at Cassia Park Road, the over 100-acre Jamaica Deaf Village in Manchester, Knockpatrick – also in Manchester, and Granville, Montego Bay. There is a staff of 105, serving 140 students. Acting Executive Director John Meeks noted that with approximately 54,000 Deaf individuals in Jamaica, it was important that more deaf children be enrolled at the three teaching campuses, which offer boarding facilities.

The Montego Bay and Manchester campuses were hard hit by Hurricane Melissa. Thanks to CCCD USA led by Ben Buekema and volunteers, operations resumed within weeks. Meeks noted: increased enrolment, increased job and internship placement – 86% success rate; 4H participation and achievement, high rate of certification in skill training courses/areas; continuation of spiritual focus – students and staff lead devotional exercises.

The meeting welcomed the news that a Deaf Police Youth Club would be established at the Montego Bay campus, and there is already one senior student who hopes to become a Police Officer. Last year, Jamaica’s first deaf Justice of the Peace was commissioned.

The education of our deaf children cannot be over-emphasised. This column has related the life story of Jamaica-born Claudia Gordon who became the first black deaf attorney-at-law in the USA. She said there was a deaf woman in her Cascade district of St. Mary who was called ‘Dummy’ and her mother moved to New York to access deaf education.

We have written about the rise of DeafCan Coffee Company from the Cassia Park Campus, piloted by Blake Widmer. Their mentor, Kent Mogler observed that of the 45 full-time employees, only two are hearing, showing the potential of our deaf once they are educated and guided by strong faith.

Every single presentation at the AGM acknowledged the guidance Christian beliefs which undergird the work of the CCCD. Financial executive Claudia Morgan-Senior spoke of God’s providence which had pulled them through both hurricanes – Beryl and Melissa. Board Directors Robertson, Beukema, Mogler, Patti Stoudt, Lola Wright, Pastor Sheldon Burkett and Troy Chambers channel this faith in CCCD’s leadership.

The Jamaica Deaf Village (JDV) was established by CCCD in 1984 to “serve as a safe place where Deaf adults and their families could live in community, attend worship, and find meaningful employment.”  Their website notes, “The three school campuses continued to run smoothly, and graduated class after class — but the Deaf graduating from high school still struggled to find employment. Employers did not have the time or resources to devote to learning to communicate with the Deaf, and did not hire them.”

“No job means no money, and no money means that, despite their education and potential, the deaf graduates were unable to provide for their own basic needs. Many turned to desperate means to obtain food, clothing, and shelter.”

Now, with farming, sewing and other projects, the JDV is self-sustaining. There has been ongoing training in tractor operation and the raising of small ruminants, though there have been setbacks due to praedial larceny. A HEART NSTA Trust Incubator project for crop production and rabbit rearing is now in progress.

John Meeks noted, “Statistics state that 90% of all Deaf children have hearing parents. Of those hearing parents, 80% have a very limited sign vocabulary or never learn to sign at all. Sadly, a large percentage of Deaf children do not have access to ASL/JSL and have very poor language models at home and in some cases, at school.”

If you have a deaf child or know of any in your community, please visit the CCCD website at https://www.cccdjamaica.org/ to give them a chance to achieve their full potential.

Twenty-seven Deaf and Hard of Hearing graduates who completed training in Farm Equipment Operations and Milk Technician skills recently at the CCCD Jamaica Deaf Village

Reggae Heartbeat of Jamaica

As we celebrate Reggae Month, we reflect on this cultural treasure, evolving from the ska beat and then the mesmerizing rock-steady. As an engineer with Total Sounds Ltd, a record manufacturing and distribution company of the seventies, my husband Hubie Chin interacted with legends like Rita and Bob Marley, Burning Spear, John Holt, Johnny Clarke and Bob Andy.

I remember the evening when Hubie brought home a sample record. He said Bob Marley wanted a handsome advance and his boss, Herman McDonald wanted my opinion – at that time I was theatre reviewer for the Jamaica Daily News. On listening to the record, I immediately suggested that he pay him double. It was ‘Rat Race’ and it was Number One on the charts for six weeks.

While serving on the Board of Alpha Boys School (now Alpha Institute), I learned much of the history from the legendary Sister Mary Ignatius Davis of the Sisters of Mercy. Founded in 1880, Alpha Boys School became the cradle of Jamaican music. It was to have been ‘a school for wayward boys’, but became a sought-after music school with a rich history. Johnny “Dizzy” Moore, who was a member of the legendary Skatalites, said that he wanted so much to study music at Alpha, that he played pranks at home just to be sent there.

When Sister Ignatius passed away in February 2017, this column celebrated her 60 years, graduating two hundred students per year, titled “The Mother of Many Sons”. I wrote: “I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw a music video a few years ago on TVJ showing Sister Ignatius shaking hands with one of her many sons, reggae singer Leroy Smart. When I called to tease her, she said in her slightly dry tone, ‘My dear, Leroy came by to visit and as I greeted him and looked up, there was the camera!’ But you could hear the pride in her voice – yet another of her boys had done well.”

Sister Ignatius’ “children” include the late great Lennie Hibbert, Don Drummond, Tommy McCook and Leslie Thompson who conducted the London Symphony Orchestra, Cedric “Im” Brooks, “Dizzy” Moore, Bobby Ellis, Eddie Thornton, “Sparrow” Martin, who taught at the school, and the dance hall sensation, Yellowman.

‘Alpha Boys School – Cradle of Jamaican Music’ by Heather Augustyn and Adam Reeves

Reggae boosts ads

Of course, reggae sells everything well, so at our agency, PROComm we collaborated with several amazing artists. We learned that Flourgon had mentioned Lasco in his lyrics, so we collaborated on lyrics for the first Lasco Food Drink ad. The jingle was so popular that he had to get cases of the product to distribute at his shows. Lovindeer sang a popular Lasco Whole Milk jingle for us, and Freddie McGregor and young Stephen (Di Genius) gave us a lively Lasco LaSoy jingle.

For the Electoral Office of Jamaica, we promoted voter registration with Lovindeer and Dean Fraser in a singalong by over fifty leaders from every walk of life. We commissioned “Peace Love and Unity”, Tony Rebel’s inspiring composition for the 1997 General Elections. The music video featured our Reggae Boyz, Coach Rene Simoes and Olympic Gold Medalist Deon Hemmings lip-syncing the lyrics. Louise Fraser-Bennett, the late President of the Sound Association said selectors would play that song to ease political tension at dances.

For another General Election, we wanted to affirm good behaviour at Elections with Jimmy Cliff’s “Wonderful World, Beautiful People”. We asked our church brother Dwight Richards if we could get a call to the iconic composer. I nearly lost my voice when Dwight called and said, “Hold on for Mr. Cliff.” I asked if we could use his song for the Elections and he immediately agreed. When I asked if there would be a fee, he replied that there would be no charge. Bless his great heart.

Then came the launch of Digicel in April 2001. Marketing Director Harry Smith called us to help find talent, as the singer they planned on was not available. The year before, I had been in talks with Sly Dunbar about a project and found him to be good-natured and approachable. He agreed to meet us at our Kingsway office and as we put our case to him, his eyes lit up. “Let me call Maxi Priest,” he said. Then and there, he called him and confirmed that the star agreed to appear at the launch. What a magical night it was!

In my talks with Sly Dunbar, he related that he and Robbie Shakespeare were invited regularly to TV and movie studios in the US and elsewhere, to create music for themes and continuity in a variety of movies and TV series. Listen closely – you will hear those recognizable beats in the most unexpected places.

We also engaged Tessanne Chin and Agent Sasco for the peppy and instructive Road Safety Council music video, ‘When You’re On The Road’.

Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore after receiving the 2025 CCRP Living Legacy Award with fellow honouree Joan McDonald.

Memorable day with Cat Coore

Last November we met our ‘Reggae Ambassador’ Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore, when he was celebrated by CCRP (Caribbean Community of Retired Persons) as a recipient of the 2025 Living Legacy Award. He was in good spirits and got into a party mood when our songbird CCRP member Sandra Crawford sang the Third World hit “Rhythm of Life.”  

His Citation reads, in part:

Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore is a legendary Jamaican musician whose career spans over five decades, leaving an indelible mark on Jamaica’s cultural and musical heritage worldwide. Born in Kingston, his musical journey began early when he performed at age ten for Princess Anne on her visit to Jamaica.

He later joined Inner Circle, before co-founding the iconic Third World Band as Artistic Director, guitarist, cellist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer. Under his leadership, Third World achieved international acclaim, blending reggae, soul and funk, touring globally, signing with Island Records, and releasing hits including “Now That We Found Love.” The band earned nine Grammy nominations, the United Nations Medal of Peace, and multiple lifetime achievement awards.

We are glad to have given him his flowers when he could enjoy them.

Food For The Poor Jamaica celebrates Canada Week with rapid housing relief in St Elizabeth

Food For The Poor volunteers constructing a house in this undated image. Photo pre-dates Hurricane Melissa. (Photo: foodforthepoorja.org)

Food For The Poor-Jamaica observed Canada Week by highlighting an impactful show of international solidarity as two homes were constructed and handed over in a single day in St Elizabeth for families affected by Hurricane Melissa. 

These housing projects were spearheaded by Food For The Poor-Canada, with the Canada team led by Geraldine Isaac, executive director of Food For The Poor-Canada. The funds used to execute this week’s building initiatives were achieved through the generosity of donors contributing to Food For The Poor-Canada’s support of hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica. 

The funds raised were directly applied on the ground in Jamaica this week, allowing for the swift construction of safe, secure homes for vulnerable families who lost or sustained severe damage to their residences during Hurricane Melissa.

“After Hurricane Melissa hit, many Canadians came out in droves to show their love and support. As we observe Canada Week, we are especially grateful to show our donors how their love and care is bringing change to the breadbasket of Jamaica,” said Isaac.  

Canada Week at FFTP-Jamaica serves as a moment to recognise the strong and enduring relationship between Jamaica and Canada, and the continued willingness of Canadian partners and donors to support humanitarian initiatives across the region.

The successful completion of two homes in one day underscores the efficiency, dedication, and shared mission of both Food For The Poor-Jamaica and Food For The Poor-Canada. Food For The Poor-Jamaica remains committed to supporting hurricane-affected communities through housing, food assistance, and other critical interventions, while continuing to work alongside international partners who share its mission of alleviating poverty and improving lives.

Food For The Poor Jamaica Hosts Successful Health Fair in Ramble, Hanover

A touching moment: At the Ramble, Hanover health fair, a member of the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) personally hands a box of supplies to a woman in a wheelchair. Her joy says it all. These essential items brought comfort and relief, showing the power of community care and support. This health fair ensured hundreds of residents had access to essential health services and support, underscoring the power of partnership in strengthening community wellbeing.

Food For The Poor Jamaica recently hosted a community health fair in Ramble, Hanover, on January 10, 2026 serving more than 500 residents from the surrounding areas and reaffirming its commitment to improving access to essential healthcare services in western Jamaica.

The health fair provided a wide range of free services, including eye examinations, general medical care, dental services, and mental wellness support. Residents benefited from consultations and screenings aimed at promoting early detection, prevention, and overall well-being.

The initiative was made possible through the support and collaboration of several corporate, nonprofit, and public-sector partners. Participating organizations included JAM for Jamaica, JAMBISCO, Island Grill, National Water Commission (NWC), Jamaica Public Service (JPS), National Bakery, Wisynco, A&E Ambulance Services, Lions Club, KFC, Sean Paul Foundation, the Ministry of Health & Wellness, Sign Xpress, Jamaica AIDS Support For Life, the University of the West Indies (UWI), and the University Hospital of the West Indies.

Through these partnerships, the health fair delivered vital services directly to the community, reducing barriers to care and providing much-needed support to residents in the west. Food For The Poor Jamaica continues to work alongside partners to uplift vulnerable communities by addressing critical needs such as healthcare, food security, and social support.

Smile Awhile: Demonstrating good spirits, Food For The Poor Jamaica’s Agricultural & Fisheries Manager, Othniel Carby (left) poses for a quick picture with a woman and her baby at the recent health fair in Ramble, Hanover. The event, which served over 500 people, provided free medical, dental, eye care and mental wellness services, made possible through strong partnerships across the public and private sectors.

Historic Manning’s School to benefit from 2026 National Leadership Prayer Breakfast

Flanking Pastor Claudia Ferguson, chair of the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast Committee, are Jonathan Brown (left), Manning’s School board member, and Courtney Campbell, president & CEO of the VM Group.

THE historic Manning’s School in Westmoreland, which was ravaged by the October 28, 2025 Hurricane Melissa, will get a rebuilding boost for its wellness centre from this year’s National Leadership Prayer Breakfast (NLPB).

The 46th staging of the NLPB will focus on western Jamaica, with the historic Thomas Manning Building structure, which is believed to be the oldest-surviving part of the institution that was built in the early 20th century, being the focus.

“This year the VM Group and the NLPB have identified simultaneously the charity for sponsorship as the Manning’s School, and we are focusing again on the sick bay which requires significant rehabilitation,” said secretary for the NLPB Committee Reverend Wayneford McFarlane during media briefing on Wednesday.

Past chairman of the NLPB Committee, Reverend Sam McCook, said the project, which is valued at $2.8 million, will be undertaken in collaboration with the Manning’s School Past Students Association.“The project involves spending roughly $2.5 million on a modular structure, $300,000 on some ancillary aspects which they regard as a baseline. That is in excess of what we have traditionally done as a breakfast, and we indicated to the past students that we may not be able to fully fund that, but they welcomed the support and the efforts will be made to compliment what was done,” said McCook.

In the meantime, president and CEO of VM Group Courtney Campbell said its organisation stands in support of all the objectives and the virtues promoted by the NLPB.“We believe in the power of faith, we believe in the effectiveness of prayer, we believe in the importance of unity, and we believe, like many others, righteousness exalts a nation,” Campbell said.

Underscoring Melissa’s devastation to western parishes, the NLPB Committee announced on Wednesday that the annual National Week of Prayer for this year will be launched in that section of the island, with the first service being held at the First Church of the Open Bible in Montego Bay, St James.

The week of prayer will culminate on the morning of January 15 with the NLPB, which will be held under the theme ‘Caring for our neighbour’.

Data Privacy Week: A Reminder to Protect What Matters

Charmaine Daniels, CEO Digicel Foundation

Every year, Data Privacy Week gives us a good reminder about something many of us
don’t think about daily: how much of our personal information is floating around online.
Most people have no idea how their digital activity is tracked, stored, or shared. And
honestly, it can be overwhelming. This week creates a moment for all of us to pause,
reflect, and take back control of our online footprint.


Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to join the Digicel Foundation team as we
visited schools across the island through our Safer Internet Together (SIT) programme
to provide interactive presentations about safe internet use. Being on the ground has
been eye‑opening. What our volunteers hear from students mirrors what I’ve seen
firsthand: children are sharing everything online.

Photos, their location, personal
updates, you name it. They jump onto platforms without thinking twice, and most aren’t
even aware that privacy settings exist, much less how to use them.
And the truth is, they are not being reckless on purpose. For them, the internet is just a
normal part of growing up. But the consequences of what they post can last much
longer than they realise.


We warn our children about so many dangers, but sometimes we forget to talk about
digital ones. The reality is that once something is online, it rarely disappears. That’s why
it’s so important for us as parents, guardians, teachers, and community leaders to help
guide them.

This is exactly why programmes like Safer Internet Together are so important. SIT takes
the conversation beyond the warnings and delivers real, practical, age-appropriate
solutions. We go into classrooms not just to tell children what not to do, but to show
them exactly how to protect themselves by using relatable examples from the apps and
platforms they use daily. We show them how to turn on their privacy settings, how to
recognise warning signs, what is safe to share, and what really should not be online at
all.
And the change in their attitude is almost immediate. You can see the lightbulbs go on
when they realise how one small decision today can affect them for years down the
road.

Here are a few of the tips we share with students that we can all use:

  1. Think before you post. Would you be okay with your teacher, future employer, or
    family seeing it?
  2. Check your privacy settings often. Apps update frequently, and defaults are not
    always in your favour.
  3. Don’t share personal information publicly. This includes your school, address,
    location, or daily routine.
  4. Use strong passwords and avoid using the same one for everything.
    Be careful with friend requests. Not everyone online is who they claim to be.

At the end of the day, our goal is to help young people enjoy the internet safely and
confidently. Data Privacy Week is a great reminder that we all have a role to play.
Remember to educate our children about data privacy and how to be S.M.A.R.T online.


S- Say kind things, don’t tease or send mean messages. Block or report someone who
is unkind.
M-Manage time online, take breaks and spend time offline playing or reading.
A- Ask for help from a parent or trusted adult if you feel unsafe.
R- Responsible – Think about your actions online. If you wouldn’t do it face to face, don’t
do it online.
T-Tell a teacher or parent if someone or something online makes you uncomfortable.

TICKETS FOR REPUBLIC BANK CPL 2026 FINALS GO ON GENERAL SALE 7 FEBRUARY

Tickets for the highly anticipated Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026 Finals will go on general sale from Friday 7 February, available online at www.cplt20.com.

Cricket fans will have an opportunity to secure early access to tickets ahead of the general sale.

  • CPL mailing list subscribers will receive an exclusive early-access link on Tuesday 4 February. You can subscribe for the mailing by clicking here
  • Visa cardholders will be able to purchase tickets during a dedicated presale window on Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 February.

All four knockout matches, including the CPL Final, will be staged at the iconic Kensington Oval in Barbados, promising an unforgettable climax to the 2026 tournament.

As an added incentive, fans who purchase tickets for all four knockout matches will be automatically entered into a prize draw to have their tickets for the CPL Final upgraded to a fully inclusive VIP experience.

Pete Russell, CEO of the Caribbean Premier League, said: “The CPL Finals are always a special occasion, and bringing all four knockout matches to Kensington Oval gives fans the chance to experience an incredible week of world-class cricket in one of the game’s most historic venues. We’re delighted to offer multiple early-access opportunities for supporters and to add something extra with the VIP upgrade prize draw for those attending all four games.”

Republic Bank CPL 2026 Knockout Schedule

(All matches at Kensington Oval, Barbados)

Wednesday 16 September 2026 – Eliminator

3rd place team vs 4th place team

Thursday 17 September 2026 – Qualifier 1

1st place team vs 2nd place team

Friday 18 September 2026 – Qualifier 2

Winner of Eliminator vs Loser of Qualifier 1

Sunday 20 September 2026 – CPL Final

Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2

With the Caribbean’s biggest cricket festival building toward a thrilling finale, fans are encouraged to secure their seats early to avoid disappointment.

For tickets and more information visit www.cplt20.com

CCRP in Darliston

CCRP Westmoreland representative Charmaine Allen (third left), Hubie Chin (left), Faye Smith and David Spence prepare to distribute care items to the elderly in Darliston, Westmoreland

Charmaine Allen, Westmoreland representative of CCRP (Caribbean Community of Retired Persons), had a frightening experience at her house in Darliston when Hurricane Melissa caused widespread destruction in the town. She and her sister, who was visiting from abroad, tried to secure the house as much as they could, but as her roof peeled off and her house flooded they had to escape to her car, which had debris around it, but, thankfully, no direct hit.

Two days ago we took care packages donated by Food For the Poor Jamaica to elderly folks in Darliston. Allen, my husband, and I were assisted by officers David Spence and Faye Smith from the Darliston Police Station, also badly damaged by the storm. Although electricity had been restored on Friday to a section of the business area, neither Allen nor the police had power, as many lines were still down.

Despite this, Allen was more concerned about the elderly than for herself. She guided us to their homes, some difficult to access, and gave words of cheer to the elderly, two of whom were bedridden. One of the elderly women had been assaulted two years ago, and it was Allen who had organised with us and her pastor to give assistance and comfort.

A Manning’s School alumna, Allen is hoping that the distinctive spire at the front of the school will be rebuilt. On our drive through Savanna-la-Mar and Ferris, we saw new construction and heavy traffic. However, there are still many missing roofs and battered buildings. We hope that the construction plans announced will help our brave but suffering citizens.

Digicel Foundation Brightens Christmas with Hardware Vouchers to Support Rebuilding After Hurricane Melissa

Digicel Foundation CEO Charmaine Daniels (right) hands over $300,000 worth of hardware vouchers to Sadie Brisstell, administrative assistant at West Haven Children’s Home, during a visit to the facility in Hanover.

Throughout the Christmas season, the Digicel Foundation is bringing renewed hope to families impacted by Hurricane Melissa through the distribution of $30 million JMD in Hardware and Lumber Limited vouchers to support home repairs and rebuilding efforts, with a strong focus on western Jamaica, where communities were among the hardest hit.
This initiative forms part of the Foundation’s ongoing hurricane relief and recovery
programme, which has seen volunteers on the ground weekly, delivering critical
assistance to vulnerable families, schools, and special needs institutions since the
passage of the storm.
“Christmas is a time of hope and togetherness and we wanted to ensure that families
who were severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa are not forgotten,” said Charmaine
Daniels, CEO of the Digicel Foundation. “These hardware vouchers represent our
commitment to helping families restore dignity, safety, and stability as they move
forward.”
In addition to hardware vouchers, the Digicel Foundation has expanded its care
packages to include essential hygiene supplies, such as soap, deodorant, toothpaste,
and toothbrushes. The care packages also include solar lights, helping families navigate
ongoing power challenges. These enhanced packages continue to be distributed
alongside food assistance to communities still facing disruption months after the
hurricane.
To date, the Foundation’s hurricane relief efforts have reached 35 communities and
groups across the island, delivering over 6,000 food packages and more than 900
hygiene packages, with 1,000 hardware vouchers set to be distributed as part of this
phase of recovery.

Partnerships for recovery

Prime Minister of Jamaica Dr Andrew Holness (left) being greeted by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola at the start of the G20 Summit recently. 

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness commanded international attention as he spoke at session one of the Group of 20 (G20) Leadership Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday. He described our country’s economic progress over recent years, then soberly declared: “Yet one external shock can undo years of progress. Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, has devastated seven parishes, its impact will negatively affect our debt trajectory and the road ahead will be challenging. This is our reality today. But it is also the recurring story of vulnerability told by small island developing states across Caricom”.

“Global partnerships will be essential to our recovery,” he said. “The G20 commitment in 2021 to recycle SDR [special drawing rights] allocations led to the creation of the IMF [International Monetary Fund] Resilience and Sustainability Trust. This facility provides developing countries with relatively low-cost financing and longer maturities. We urge the G20 to preserve and strengthen this mechanism.”

The rage of Hurricane Melissa was brought on by the warming of our oceans, producing steady 185mph winds and a 252mph wind gust, the highest ever recorded on Earth. Even as our little island is controlling the use of single-use plastics and promoting climate responsibility, we are at the mercy of developed countries whose priorities differ.

Therefore, our prime minister has rightfully appealed for “innovative, flexible financing solutions” and called on the G20 “to advance a rules-based, equitable global trading framework that enhances predictability, flexibility, and resilience for small economies.” The sight of our devastated parishes and suffering people calls for a more compassionate and practical solution for the challenges facing small island developing states like Jamaica.