Dr Garth McDonald, (third left), senior medical officer of the Victoria Jubilee Hospital, explains how the ultrasound and CTG machines works to (from left) Jean Lowrie-Chin, board director of Food For The Poor; Elder Paul Sutherland, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Elise Fairweather-Blackwood, senior director of nursing services of Bustamante Hospital for Children; Denise Cagley-Jefferson, executive director of Food For The Poor; Krystal Lee, state minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness; and Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Occasion was the official handover ceremony for the donation of 13 medical machines to the hospital in downtown Kingston on Monday.
As the country’s birth rates continue to fall, Jamaica is stepping up its fight to protect every newborn with a major technology boost at Victoria Jubilee Hospital (VJH) in Kingston.
The hospital, which is the largest referral maternity facility in the English-speaking Caribbean, has received a $32-million upgrade in life-saving equipment, including 13 cardiotocographymachines and state-of-the-art ultrasound system to strengthen the monitoring of mothers and babies during pregnancy and labour.
The donation, made through a partnership between Food For The Poor Jamaica and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was handed over on Monday, during an emotional ceremony at the hospital.
Junior health minister Krystal Lee said the investment in the VJH, which delivered 5,200 babies in the past two years, will help to improve early detection of complications and speed interventions.
“They represent reassurance for expectant mothers, confidence for our healthcare workers and, ultimately, better outcomes for babies and families across Jamaica,” Lee said.
She added: “These improvements come at a time when the ministry continues to prioritise reducing maternal and neonatal risks and advancing the quality of care available throughout our health system.”
Scores of members of the CCRP, a seniors’ advocacy organisation, were introduced to Jamaica’s central bank digital currency, JAMDEX, during an informative presentation hosted by the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) via Zoom on Thursday 28th May.
The presentation was led by Wayne Guthrie, Unit Head of Fintech Development and Implementation at the Bank of Jamaica, who has been instrumental in the implementation and development of JAMDEX. Mr Guthrie was introduced by Mario Griffiths, Division Chief with responsibility for Payment Systems at the BOJ.
During the session, members were educated on the features, benefits, and practical use of JAMDEX as Jamaica continues to advance its digital financial ecosystem. It was emphasised that JAMDEX is not intended to replace cash or bank notes, but rather to serve as another convenient payment option for Jamaicans.
Wayne Guthrie, Unit Head of Fintech Development and Implementation at the Bank of Jamaica
Presenters explained that one of the key motivations behind the initiative is to support Jamaica’s digital transformation agenda in alignment with the Government of Jamaica’s Vision 2030 strategy. The BOJ noted that it is seeking to keep pace with technological advancements to ensure that customers are not left behind in an increasingly digital society.
Members were informed that JAMDEX is quick, safe, and reliable and can be accessed through approved mobile applications or digital wallets available on smartphones. The presentation also highlighted enhanced financial inclusion as one of the major benefits of the introduction of JAMDEX, allowing more Jamaicans to participate in the formal financial system.
Participants were guided through the process of accessing JAMDEX through approved wallet providers, including the simplified onboarding and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. Members were also informed of the wallet and transaction limits currently in place for users.
The presentation highlighted that approximately 310,000 Jamaicans are currently using JAMDEX, while acknowledging that adoption has progressed gradually due to competing priorities among financial institutions and limited promotional activity.
Special emphasis was placed on the robust security measures incorporated into the platform, including strong multi-factor authentication designed to reduce fraud risks. Members also learned that JAMDEX offers transparent transaction histories, allowing users to better monitor spending and manage their finances.
Mario Griffiths, Division Chief with responsibility for Payment Systems at the BOJ
Mr Guthrie additionally outlined future developments planned for the platform, including offline transaction capabilities and the introduction of additional wallet providers aimed at improving accessibility and convenience.
CCRP welcomed the presentation as part of its ongoing commitment to ensuring that seniors remain informed and empowered as Jamaica’s financial and technological landscape evolves.
The organisation expressed appreciation to the Bank of Jamaica, Mr Wayne Guthrie, and Mr Mario Griffiths for engaging its members and providing valuable insight into the future of digital payments in Jamaica.
Brightstar Lottery Jamaica didn’t just fund the Made by Her workshop; they showed up for it! General Manager Debbie Green (second left) joins Kavelle Hylton (third left), CEO of STEM Builders Learning Hub, and supervisors from several of Brightstar’s After School Advantage Centres (ASAs), from left: Samika Prendergast, Zann Locke, Stacian Williams-Dyer, and Donique Nelson at the Summit in Kingston, where 27 ASA young women spent a full day learning soap production, branding, and pricing. The lab coats and pink gloves weren’t props. Neither was the commitment.
“Priority Pass Executives and the Club Kingston team”
In a major win for Jamaica’s tourism and aviation sectors, Club Kingston has been named “Lounge of the Year” for the Latin America & Caribbean regionby Priority Pass; rising above more than 350 airport lounges across the region to earn the prestigious title.
The recognition comes at a meaningful moment for Jamaica as the country continues to strengthen and rebuild its tourism momentum following the impacts of Hurricane Melissa. The award not only highlights the quality of Jamaica’s hospitality product, but also reinforces global confidence in the destination and its ability to deliver world-class visitor experiences.
Priority Pass is the world’s leading airport lounge and travel experiences program, with access to more than 1,800 lounges and experiences across 725 airports in over 145 countries worldwide. Its millions of members regularly rate and review their airport experiences, generating more than 700,000 reviews and surveys annually; making the awards among the most respected and data-driven recognitions in the global travel industry.
This year, travelers from around the world spoke clearly: Club Kingston stood at the top.
“This recognition is incredibly special because it comes directly from the travelers we serve every day,” said Tanya Beckford, the CEO of VIP Attractions Limited, Club Kingston and Club Mobay. “To be recognized by global passengers in this way is a tremendous honor not only for our team, but for Jamaica. It reflects the warmth, resilience, and excellence that define our people and our tourism product.”
At the award presentation on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Jeremy Dalkoff, Vice President of Partnerships at Priority Pass, praised the achievement, noting that the recognition reflects genuine traveler sentiment from across the globe.
“Club Kingston consistently delivers a standout experience for our members,” said Dalkoff. “What makes this award especially significant is that it is driven by direct feedback from travelers themselves. Earning the top spot in the Latin America and Caribbean region is a remarkable accomplishment and speaks volumes about the team’s dedication to service excellence.”
For the Club Kingston team, however, the award represents something even deeper; the opportunity to showcase Jamaica to the world through hospitality.
“Every guest who walks through our doors gets a chance to experience the spirit of Jamaica before they even board their flight,” Ms. Beckford added. “This award proves that those moments matter.”
The award arrives at a critical time for the country, as Jamaica continues efforts to drive visitor confidence, strengthen air connectivity, and enhance the overall travel experience. The recognition positions Jamaica even more strongly within the competitive Caribbean tourism market and highlights the importance of investing in quality guest experiences from arrival to departure.
Ahead of the highly anticipated Caribbean Premier League Draft, all six franchises have confirmed their mandatory pre-draft Breakout Player retentions, locking in a group of emerging Caribbean stars who represent the next generation of regional cricket excellence.
Under the CPL’s player draft and acquisition regulations for the 2026 season, each franchise was permitted to retain one player ahead of the draft, with that player required to be selected from the team’s Breakout Player category. The retained players – Joshua James, Ramon Simmonds, Quentin Sampson, Navin Bidaisee, Ackeem Auguste, and Nathan Edward – have each earned recognition for their performances, potential, and growing impact across Caribbean cricket.
The six retained Breakout Players are:
Antigua & Barbuda Falcons – Joshua James
Barbados Royals – Ramon Simmonds
Guyana Amazon Warriors – Quentin Sampson
St Kitts & Nevis Patriots – Navin Bidaisee
Saint Lucia Kings – Ackeem Auguste
Trinbago Knight Riders – Nathan Edward
Each franchise will name a total of three Breakout Players in their final squad for the 2026 season, reinforcing the CPL’s continued commitment to developing emerging Caribbean talent and providing young players with opportunities on the region’s biggest cricketing stage.
As part of the tournament regulations, every team will also be required to field at least one Breakout Player in every match throughout the season.
With only one pre-draft retention allowed – and that retention reserved exclusively for a Breakout Player – the remaining squad positions for all six teams will now be filled during the CPL Draft, setting the stage for one of the most competitive and exciting player selections in league history.
The Caribbean Premier League continues to serve as the premier platform for Caribbean cricket, combining elite entertainment with a proven pathway for the next generation of players to develop and succeed on the global stage.
Curious students at Constant Spring Primary School gather around Sharika Miller, volunteer and Customer Care Team Leader at Digicel, as she reads from the SIT Squad comic and interactive activity book during Read Across Jamaica Day on May 5, 2026. The school was among four visited by Digicel Foundation volunteers as part of efforts to promote online safety and responsible digital behaviour
In recognition of Read Across Jamaica Day 2026, the Digicel Foundation brought literacy to life through a series of interactive reading sessions in primary schools across the island, delivered under its Safer Internet Together (SIT) programme.
More than 20 Digicel employees volunteered their time to support the initiative, visiting St. Richards Primary, Rollington Town Primary, Spanish Town Primary and Constant Spring Primary, where they read with students and facilitated engaging discussions focused on online safety.
Students were introduced to the “SIT Squad” by Kavelle Hylton, CEO of STEM Builders Learning Hub. The interactive comic and activity book promotes safe, responsible and positive internet use. By blending reading with practical digital lessons, students learned how to protect their personal information, recognise online risks and make informed decisions when navigating digital spaces.
Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Charmaine Daniels, CEO of the Digicel Foundation, highlighted the need for early and inclusive digital education. “As children become increasingly connected online, it is essential that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world safely,” said Daniels. “The Safer Internet Together programme goes beyond
students, it engages teachers, parents and even senior citizens, ensuring that entire communities are empowered to use technology responsibly and confidently.”
The Safer Internet Together programme is a year‑long national initiative designed to educate and empower students, teachers, parents and the elderly on digital literacy, online safety and emerging technologies. In its pilot year in 2025, the programme directly reached more than 34,000 students across 150 schools and impacted over 2,000 senior citizens through digital literacy and artificial intelligence workshops.
Building on this success, year two of the Safer Internet Together programme begins in May 2026, with an expanded focus on deepening digital awareness and creating safer online environments for all Jamaicans.
Students of Montego Bay High School for Girls, winners of the Girls in ICT Day AI and Climate Change Hackathon, pose with Digicel Foundation Board Directors Avryl Francis (left) and Antoinette Heirs (centre), along with Dianne Plummer, Engineer and Director of STEMSpark Solutions, on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The team captured top honours for their winning app, Pulse‑Rescue AI, an instant location‑sharing solution that connects people in danger directly with emergency responders during hurricanes and severe storms.
Girls from several secondary schools across western parishes came together to prove that innovation has no age or gender limit at the Girls in ICT Day AI and Climate Change Hackathon, where participants developed AI‑powered solutions aimed at tackling serious climate change challenges and improving hurricane preparedness in Jamaica.
The hackathon, organized by STEMSpark Solutions and sponsored by the Digicel Foundation, formed part of the global observance of International Girls in ICT Day 2026, celebrated under the theme “AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future.” The event brought together the girls for a hands‑on innovation experience focused on artificial intelligence and climate resilience. Working in teams, the girls were challenged to design AI solutions that address the impact of hurricanes before, during and after a storm, from early warning systems and evacuation planning to emergency response and post‑disaster recovery.
Top honours went to Pulse Rescue AI, an innovative, AI powered emergency response solution built by six students from Montego Bay High School. The winning team impressed judges with a practical and lifesaving concept: an instant location sharing application that connects people in danger directly with emergency responders during hurricanes and severe storms. Designed with Jamaica’s hurricane realities in mind, Pulse Rescue AI enables rapid communication during emergencies, helping to close critical gaps in response time when lives are most at risk. For team member Gabrianna Smith, the experience was transformative on both a technical and personal level.
“Listening to the speakers share their experiences as women in ICT helped me to understand how a creative approach of a woman to a male dominated field cantransform if we work together. I am so grateful to have been a part of this experience. This opportunity showed me that AI is not just a short cut tool, but something that can actually develop our ideas into something innovative and intentional,” Smith shared. Chair of the Digicel Foundation Board, Joy Clark, described the initiative as both timely and deeply relevant.
“This initiative is especially meaningful as our communities continue to feel the effects of climate change. By equipping girls with digital skills and exposing them to AI, we are empowering them to become problem solvers and leaders who can help shape solutions for Jamaica’s future,” Clark said. The focus on climate resilience resonated strongly with participants, particularly as parishes across western Jamaica are still recovering from the October 2025 passage of Hurricane Melissa. Many teams developed ideas inspired directly by their personal experiences during the storm.
Speaking on the impact of those lived experiences, Dianne Plummer, Engineer and Director of STEMSpark Solutions, underscored why this year’s hackathon focused so strongly on hurricanes and disaster response.
“Jamaica is still recovering from Hurricane Melissa, and with hurricane season just months away, this felt like the right moment to put that experience to work. These girls lived through it, they felt the fear, the disruption and the gaps in support firsthand. That lived experience is powerful. It means they are not just hypothesising solutions; they are designing answers to problems they have personally faced. My goal was to give them the tools, the space and the confidence to turn that experience into innovation,” Plummer said.
She added that the hackathon aligns directly with the global Girls in ICT Day theme, reinforcing the importance of early exposure and inclusion. “When girls are given the tools, guidance and space to innovate, they bring forward solutions that are creative, practical, and impactful. This hackathon is about showing them that they belong in these spaces.”
Beyond building technical skills, the hackathon aimed to strengthen digital literacy, encourage creative problem solving and inspire participants to pursue careers in ICT. Girls also benefited from motivational and career talks delivered by Digicel women in technology and leadership, who shared their journeys and advice on navigating the tech sector.
Denise Cagley-Jefferson has been appointed executive director of Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFTP Jamaica).
She brings more than 20 years’ experience in the international non-profit sector, with a record spanning donor engagement, programme leadership and organisational management. Her work has consistently focused on strengthening communities and advancing sustainable, people-centred development, the organisation said.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Cagley-Jefferson is a mission-driven executive whose career covers international development, non-profit leadership and humanitarian assistance. She has worked across programme management, donor relations and strategic planning in several regions, including the Caribbean, the United States, the Pacific and parts of Europe and the Middle East.
She previously served as executive director of the Blue Mountain Project, which seeks to remove barriers to education and basic services for students and families in rural communities. She has remained closely involved with the organisation as a board member, FFTP Jamaica said.
Cagley-Jefferson has also held leadership and advisory roles focused on sustainability, food systems and community empowerment. Her background includes work with service-based programmes such as AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps, as well as international humanitarian coordination.
Described by FFTP Jamaica as a collaborative and solutions-oriented leader, she is recognised for strategic thinking, accountability and a hands-on leadership style. “FFTP Jamaica is confident that this appointment will strengthen the organisation’s operational excellence, deepen donor and partner relationships, and further advance sustainable, mission-aligned programmes that support vulnerable communities across Jamaica,” the organisation said.
Charmaine Daniels, CEO of the Digicel Foundation (2nd left), poses with Digicel Foundation Board Directors (L-R) Antoinette Heirs Abbigail Plummer and Avryl Francis. The board directors, who also serve as leads for the volunteer corps, known as the SIT Squad, were presented with Plauques of Appreciation in recognition of their leadership and commitment throughout year one of the Digicel Foundation’s Safer Internet Together Programme
Thousands of Jamaicans have been empowered with critical digital literacy and online safety skills through year one of the Digicel Foundation’s Safer Internet Together (SIT) programme, a nationwide initiative designed to promote safer and more responsible internet use for Jamaicans of all ages.
The year‑long programme was officially launched on February 11, 2025, in observance of Safer Internet Day. Since its inception, SIT has delivered important and necessary conversations around online safety and digital literacy, reaching over 32,000 students across 150 schools, more than 2,000 senior citizens, and over 100 community members islandwide.
The Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP), in partnership with the Digicel Foundation, recently hosted a two-week virtual entrepreneurship seminar via Zoom designed to equip seniors with the skills and confidence to pursue business ventures and achieve greater financial independence.
Robert Scott, Jamaica’s first Certified International Trade Professional
The seminar opened with a presentation by Robert Scott, Jamaica’s first Certified International Trade Professional, who guided participants on leveraging social media for authority and client acquisition, translating corporate skills into entrepreneurial products, and strengthening export readiness and professional positioning. He also introduced the concept of “You LLC”, encouraging participants to think of themselves as their own corporate entity, a personal “limited liability company” where they manage their skills, brand, and opportunities as a business.
Miguel “Steppa” Williams, Director of Strategic Planning and Community Development at the Digicel Foundation
Miguel “Steppa” Williams, Director of Strategic Planning and Community Development at the Digicel Foundation, delivered remarks expressing appreciation for the opportunity to support the initiative and reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to empowering seniors.
Dr Kadamawe Knife of the University of the West Indies, Mona
Facilitator Dr Kadamawe Knife of the University of the West Indies, Mona, led the interactive sessions focusing on feasibility analysis, implementation and management, and harvesting business ventures. Participants also explored digitisation, business development, and identifying market opportunities, and were introduced to support systems such as the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) and other initiatives for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
CCRP Board Director Patricia Reid Waugh
A highlight of the seminar was a presentation by CCRP Board Director Patricia Reid Waugh, who shared how she built multiple income streams in retirement through her professional expertise and creative pursuits, demonstrating the viability of entrepreneurship at any age.
Participants developed and presented business ideas across sectors, including agriculture, tourism, and the creative industries, while receiving guidance on feasibility, market research, and strategic planning. Emphasis was also placed on resource planning, niche markets, digital tools, and collaboration with organisations such as the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ).
CCRP Executive Chair Jean Lowrie-Chin also highlighted the importance of empowering seniors and encouraged engagement in emerging business opportunities. “Age is no obstacle – many successful entrepreneurs started in their 60s and 70s,” stated Mrs Lowrie-Chin. She encouraged attendees to attend the briefing announced by Finance Minister Fayval Williams, as 20 per cent of Government contracts will now go to micro and small businesses.
The seminar forms part of CCRP’s ongoing mission to advance the silver economy by supporting active ageing, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning. Participants will continue to receive mentorship through CCRP’s network.
Jamaica Highlights 