Month: October 2016

GraceKennedy awards $17.5 m in scholarships

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Former head boy of Charlemont High School in St Catherine Avaughn Prendergast has won the GraceKennedy/Jamaica Scholarship for 2016, while Stephan Pitterson, formerly of Campion College, has copped the Douglas Orane award.

Both Prendergast and Pitterson are students of The University of the West Indies (UWI) where the former is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in actuarial science, while the former is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in bio chemistry.

Prendergast obtained nine grade ones in the recent CSEC examinations and completed 12 units of CAPE with 11 grade ones and one grade two. He is passionate about maths and represented Jamaica at the Math Olympiad in Nicaragua earlier this year. Pitterson, meanwhile, has eight CSEC subjects, with seven grade ones and one grade two. He has eight units of CAPE, including seven grade ones and one grade two.

The two are among over 75 students who were presented with scholarships and bursaries at GraceKennedy Foundation’s inaugural Scholars Awards Ceremony on October 20. Seven scholarships were presented to first-time recipients, while existing scholars who maintained at least a ‘B’ average, had their awards renewed. The entire package totalled $17.5 million.

Former GraceKennedy Chairman and CEO, Raf Diaz, was on hand to present a scholarship, named in his honour, to Shanike Josephs, a first-year accounting student at UWI. Her extra-curricular involvements include membership with the Jamaica Automobile Association, United Nations Club, Girls Guides and Interact (VP). Shanike has nine CSEC subjects, eight with grade ones and one grade two. She also completed eight units of CAPE, including seven grade ones and one grade two.

Other scholarships presented include the GraceKennedy/University of Technology Jamaica Scholarship, which went to Shanika Spencer; the Edna Manley College Scholarship, which went to School of Drama student Waldane Walker; and the Bruce Rickards Scholarship, specifically for former Kingston College students, went to Kadeem Campbell and Mark Lewis.

Final year student Withney DaCosta received the GraceKennedy/Caribbean Maritime Institute Bursary. The GraceKennedy Foundation also awarded several other bursaries to students attending UWI, UTech, Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts, and Northern Caribbean University.

The scholarship applications open May 1 to July 15 each year.

At the awards ceremony, Grace Burnett, CEO of GK Financial Group, spoke of GraceKennedy’s investment in education through its two foundations which she said was aimed at bringing about a change for Jamaica’s future.

“All of our scholars are exceptional students with most coming from low income households and would not have been able to afford university education without assistance,” she said.

“Education is a very important area of focus for GraceKennedy, which is why our two foundations, the Grace & Staff Community Development Foundation and the GraceKennedy Foundation invest so heavily in our children. We want to be the game changer- changing the structures in inner city communities, from dons to doctors or engineers or accountants and the many other professions, developing a strong workforce for Jamaica’s future,” she added.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/career/GraceKennedy-awards–17-5-m-in-scholarships_78753

 

Lloyd’s Basic Undergoes Construction

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Lloyd’s Basic School in the parish of St Thomas is being constructed with the financial support of Donette Chin-Loy Chang, in memory of her late husband, G. Raymond Chang.

According to Samantha Mahfood, executive director of Food For The Poor Canada, “Ray was FFPC’s advocate and patron. His wisdom and vision are missed. However, Donette, as co-chair of the board, continues to uphold Ray’s focus on education. We continue to support Food For The Poor’s commitment to early childhood education and are excited to be building the 20th school funded by Canadians. Food For The Poor Jamaica has built 80 schools in the last four years, funded by donors from Jamaica, the US and Canada.”

Like his wife, Ray Chang was born in Jamaica and spent most of his adult life in Canada, but always had a passion and commitment to his homeland. Humanitarians with a focus on sustainability and education, the Chang family continues a legacy of helping to build communities through the Raymond Chang Foundation and organisations like Food For The Poor.

The school serves a community of about 2,500. Lloyd’s Basic School is currently in a small, one-room building that shares space with other community services, including a church. The new construction will include an office, sick bay, kitchen, three classrooms, and a brand new playground, offering children from ages three to five a more ideal space in which to learn.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20161029/lloyds-basic-undergoes-construction

Kirk Brown Turns Digicel Imagine Run 5K Into Own Street Party

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KIRK BROWN is turning the Digicel Imagine 5K Night Run into his own little spectacle.

For the third time, Brown proved to be master of the streets and alleyways of downtown Kingston and in cool conditions on a wet road, he decimated the field to take the men’s title in the fifth staging of the annual event, which raises funds for ‘special needs’.

The 29-year-old, who also won last year, was 11 seconds faster than 23-year-old Oshane Archibald, the second-place finisher. Dwayne Graham clocked a respectable 17 minutes and three seconds to take third place in the men’s category.

“My aim was to come out here and win it another year. The wet roads made it a bit more challenging, but I’m glad I made it though.”

The women’s segment was dominated by teenagers, two of whom placed among the top three.

JUNIOR TEAM

Llori Sharpe, only 16 years old, but distinguished as a junior Team Jamaica triathlete, crossed the finish line at 21 minutes and 47 seconds, ahead of her closest rival, 14-year-old Chantay Chamberlain. Road race veteran Arieta Martin, who is 36 years old, was third in 22 minutes and 48 seconds.

“My objective was to make sure that I got out ahead of the pack that usually forms early in the race and then get into my rhythm, increase my pace and cross the finish line,” said Sharpe.

The win, she says, gives her confidence to go farther as a triathlete.

There were over 13,500 participants, the largest number ever for the fast-growing event.

In the coming weeks, Digicel will announce the total sum raised from the 5K and will hand over the monies to the nine beneficiaries, namely, the Jamaica Autism Support Association, Jamaica Down’s Syndrome Foundation, Early Stimulation Plus, Jamaica Association on Intellectual Disabilities, Mustard Seed Communities, Special Olympics Jamaica, Jamaica Paralympic Association, Abilities Foundation and the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf/Deaf Can Coffee.

The Digicel Imagine Night Run was sponsored by Mello FM, Marksman, PayPak, Jamaica Producers Group, Urban Development Corporation, Express Fitness, Logo Stitch, Main Event, National Outdoor Advertising, Dairy Industries Jamaica Ltd., Honeybun, Innovative Signs, Jamaica Producers, ARRC Media, ProComm, The Lab, Courts Ready Cash, Courts Optical, Running Events, Urban Development Corporation, Pure National Ice, Logostitch, Gatorade and KSAC. The media sponsors are Bess FM, Irie FM, Zip FM, Loop, Nationwide News Network, Love, Suncity, Sportsmax, and members of the RJR Group, including Power 106, Hitz 92 and TVJ.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20161026/kirk-brown-turns-digicel-imagine-run-5k-own-street-party

CIBC donates $3.2m to Haiti relief

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CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank announced on Friday that it has donated $3.2 million (US$25,000) to the Haiti Relief Fund to help the country recover from Hurricane Matthew, which hit the island on October 3, 2016.

Half of the sum, $1.6 million, was donated through Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, which is working to distribute food and other supplies to Haiti. The other half, equivalent to BDS$25,000, was presented to the United Caribbean Trust (UCT) in Barbados to facilitate the purchase and distribution of water filters for the community tanks in the areas hardest hit by the hurricane.

The filters, which will be installed in schools, orphanages, prisons and churches, will give close to 1 million Haitians access to safe drinking water, the bank said.

CIBC FirstCaribbean, Managing Director, Nigel Holness said that the bank was “very concerned for the well-being of our neighbours in Haiti”, in spite of the fact that the bank does not operate in that island.

Speaking at the presentation of the cheque to Food For The Poor Executive Director David Mair, Holness said that FFP and UCT both have a respected history of relief work in Haiti, and that was one of the reasons his bank decided to enter the partnership.

He noted that “clean water, food and shelter are a major priority after a national disaster, and we are proud to do our part in ensuring our Haitian brothers and sisters are provided for”.

“CIBC FirstCaribbean must be applauded for their generosity,” said Mair, noting that the humanitarian response from Jamaica has so far resulted in over seven container shipments of canned food, water, and a host of non-perishable items.

Food For The Poor headquarters in Florida, he said, had shipped multiple amounts of relief items as well, and the organisation’s representatives in Haiti were focused on feeding and providing shelter for displaced Haitians and helping them develop sustainable incomes.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/CIBC-donates–3-2m-to-Haiti-relief_78127

First Global Bank Using Technology For Banking Solutions

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Banking on the Go!  GraceKennedy Group CEO Don Wehby holds up a mobile phone to emphasise the ease of doing business on the go.  He was speaking at the official opening of First Global Bank’s Liguanea Branch on October 9, 2016.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kingston, Jamaica – Thursday, October 13, 2016: GraceKennedy Group CEO, Don Wehby has said relevant, cutting-edge technology is central to improving controls, drive operational standards and customer service across all subsidiaries.

According to Wehby, “Technology-based solutions are expected to reduce operating costs while providing convenience and value-added services to our customers.”

He was speaking on Sunday, October 9, 2016 at the official opening of First Global Bank Limited’s new Liguanea branch.

He highlighted some recent tech developments in several of the Group’s financial services companies including: multicurrency machines, interactive teller machines, a mobile banking app, internet-based solution at First Global; the roll out of GKGOnline at GK General Insurance Ltd; and the introduction of TeleSend and Deposit Direct at GraceKennedy Money Services. TeleSend makes money transfers via mobile phone and online functionalities possible, while Deposit Direct allows customers to receive remittances from overseas directly to their bank accounts.

Wehby believes one method through which GraceKennedy can continue to make worthwhile contributions to Jamaica’s growth, is through investing heavily in new technology.

“The Group has made significant investment in technology in all segments. This is expected to improve controls, drive operational efficiency and improve our customer service. We strongly believe that in addition to our hardworking staff members, we can continue to realise growth and success through using new technology as a business strategy that is in keeping with emerging trends and customer demands,” he affirms in an interview recently.

For years, the GraceKennedy Group has kept apace with new and advancing technology in all of its operations.

Wehby said within the GraceKennedy Group, First Global Bank boasts one of the major examples of how technology has totally revamped the operations of the entity.

He stated, “First Global Bank continues to be at the forefront of technology in the banking and financial services sector. Our hardware and software are continuously on the cutting edge and our human resources are second to none,” Wehby stated.

Wehby said the context of Jamaica’s social environment makes investment in technology essential as a way of reaching the unbanked, closing the digital divide and promoting financial inclusion.

“We note the steps being made by the Bank of Jamaica towards facilitating agency banking, with the latest element being the 2016 Banking Services Enforceable Code of Conduct. The sector is eager for all essential components to be put in place as, the convergence of both a sound structure to support and the technology to facilitate agency banking hold great potential for allowing more people to participate in regulated financial channels,” said Wehby.

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Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20161024/first-global-bank-using-technology-banking-solutions

Brown, Sharpe top Digicel Imagine 5K Night Run

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Amidst cool conditions and a wet course, 29-year-old Kirk Brown and 16-year-old Llori Sharpe emerged the men’s and women’s champions, respectively, at the fifth staging of the annual Digicel Imagine 5K Night Run for Special Needs in downtown Kingston on Saturday.

Brown, the 2015 champion and three-time winner of the event, was 11 seconds faster than 23-year-old Oshane Archibald, who was the second-place finisher, while Dwayne Graham clocked a respectable 17 minutes and three seconds to take third place in the men’s category.

Although the 2016 win was not one of his best winning times, Brown focused. “My aim was to come out here and win it another year. The wet roads made it a bit more challenging, but I’m glad I made it though.”

His female counterpart, Sharpe, who is also a junior Team Jamaica triathlete, crossed the finish line at 21 minutes and 47 seconds ahead of her closest rivals, 14-year-old Chantay Chamberlain and 36-year-old Arieta Martin, who came in 22 and 48 seconds later, respectively.

The teen was undaunted by wet surface conditions and held her composure all the way to the finish.

She reflected: “My objective was to make sure that I got out ahead of the pack that usually forms early in the race, and then get into my rhythm, increase my pace and cross the finish line.”

The win, she said, gives her confidence to go farther as a triathlete.

Brown and Sharpe lead a field of over 13,500 participants — the highest-ever for the fast-growing annual event.

In the coming weeks, Digicel will announce the total sum raised from the 5K and will hand over the monies to the nine beneficiaries, namely, the Jamaica Autism Support Association, Jamaica Down’s Syndrome Foundation, Early Stimulation Plus, Jamaica Association on Intellectual Disabilities, Mustard Seed Communities, Special Olympics Jamaica, Jamaica Paralympic Association, Abilities Foundation, and the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf/Deaf Can! Coffee.

The Digicel Imagine Night Run was sponsored by Mello FM, Marksman, PayPak, Jamaica Producers Group, Urban Development Corporation, Express Fitness, Main Event Entertainment, National Outdoor Advertising, Dairy Industries Jamaica Ltd, Honeybun, Innovative Signs, Jamaica Producers, ARRC Media, ProComm, The Lab, Courts Ready Cash, Courts Optical, Running Events, Pure National Ice, Logostitch, Gatorade, and Kingston & St Andrew Corporation.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Brown–Sharpe-top-Digicel-Imagine-5K-Night-Run_78191

Tanto Blacks is Cash 4 Life face

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Celebrated dancehall ‘Real Rich’ sensation Tanto Blacks is named ambassador and the face of the 2016 staging of J Wray & Nephew Limited’s ‘Q is the Key to Cash 4 Life’ competition.

Blacks will be the main character in all advertisements of the competition, which will give players a chance to win up to $30 million in prize money over the next 14 weeks.

The entertainer, who is well known for promoting a cash-rich lifestyle and positive lyrics, will encourage lovers of J Wray & Nephew Ltd brands to enter ‘Q is the Key’ by purchasing certain 200 ml products and texting the codes on the back of the Q’s label to the contact number provided.

‘Q is the Key’ will be launched today will offer players myriad opportunities to win cash by purchasing Qs (200 ml) of either: Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum, Charley’s JB Overproof Rum, Appleton Special or Campari.

Pietro Gramegna, marketing manager, J Wray & Nephew, said based on discussions, Blacks was selected to be Q is the Key to Cash for Life’s ambassador, because of his cash flow lifestyle that is in keeping with the goal of the competition.

Over the next 14 weeks there will be daily cash prizes of $10,000 and mobile phone credit and monthly cash prizes of $50,000, $100,000, $150,000, $250,000, and $500,000. At the end of January 2017, there will be a grand prize draw in which two lucky winners will be selected for the two prizes of $1,000,000 each year for the next 10 years.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Tanto-Blacks-is-Cash-4-Life-face_77859

Donation Overflow – Hurricane Matthew Contributions Exceed Those For 2010 Earthquake – FFTP

Local charity Food For The Poor has indicated that there has been an outpouring of support from Jamaicans for its efforts to deliver relief to Haitians who were displaced after Hurricane Matthew ravaged the island earlier in the month.

Chairman of Food For The Poor in Jamaica Andrew Mahfood told The Gleaner that the organisation has received $10 million dollars in goods and $5 million dollars in cash from individuals and companies.

“Already, we have received much more this year than we did when Haiti had the big earthquake,” he said, while providing an update on the donation drive launched by the charity after the passage of Hurricane Matthew.

According to Mahfood, the charity is currently preparing containers to be shipped to its offices in Haiti, from which they will be distributed to those most affected by the hurricane.

“I think the most important thing now is water, so we will be shipping out large supplies. We got a large donation of five containers of bottled water from a private-sector company, and we are going to procure more bottled water as well as more tinned food,” he said.

ADDITIONAL FUNDING

Mahfood also disclosed that a local private-sector company would be providing additional funds to the relief efforts through a campaign that would see the company matching funds through proceeds from the sale of its products.

New York-based Jamaican banker Gerald Wight Jnr, formerly of BCW Capital, is also to provide the charity with a sizable donation through his network with the chairman of Haiti’s only investment bank. Wight yesterday flew into Jamaica to host local private-sector interests and officials of the Haitian bank to kick-start fundraising efforts.

Mahfood further pointed out that Food For The Poor was well placed to lead the relief and recovery efforts as it has been working in Haiti for an extended period and has built numerous homes and schools since it set up operations there. Food For The Poor Haiti also feeds more than 200,000 Haitians each week.

From all indications, it would appear that Food For The Poor has become the de facto organisation for the relief efforts from Jamaica to Haiti. Even the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management has been channelling its assistance through the charity. It is for this reason that Mahfood has moved to assure Jamaicans that the charity is a faithful steward of whatever donations it receives.

“My family is associated with Food For The Poor. We have very strong directors on the board, and it’s those kind of people that are part of an organisation that when we say we are going to do something, we do it. So when we say goods are going to leave Jamaica and go to Haiti, if the public wants to see the bills of lading and pictures of the goods being delivered to the people in Haiti, they can because we do this every day in Haiti,” he said.

andre.poyser@gleanerjm.com

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20161020/donation-overflow-hurricane-matthew-contributions-exceed-those-2010

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Joy As Tower Hill Primary Gets New Building For Infant Department

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FOOD For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica recently handed over a new building it constructed for the Infant Department of Tower Hill Primary School in St James.

School’s administrators said they have, for years, been trying to have the old infrastructure replaced and finally had their prayers answered when FFP and donor Harriet Chapman of Atlanta, United States intervened and decided to construct a new building.

Principal Venessa Popkin-Addison, surrounded by happy students, was overcome with joy when the building was finally handed over recently.

“The hard work has finally paid off and our students can finally be in a more comfortable environment. We are truly blessed by the kindness of Mrs Harriet Chapman and Food For The Poor for our brand new infant building,” said Popkin-Addison in an interview immediately after the hand-over.

She said that students of the Infant Department were formerly housed in a cramped classroom but are now in a spacious environment. Three new classrooms have been constructed and suitably furnished. In addition, there is now an office, a sick bay, a fully equipped kitchen and sanitation facilities. Playground equipment were also provided and security fencing installed.

David Mair, executive director of FFP-Jamaica, hailed the continued support of the agency’s work across Jamaica by Chapman, who also funded the construction of the Hanover Education Institute in memory of her husband in 2015.

“Your contribution symbolises a genuine love for and belief in Jamaica’s children and this will never be forgotten,” Mair said.

He added that FFP Jamaica takes pride in focusing on education.

“Education is the most important tool to lift a nation out of poverty and create socio-economic development,” Mair said.

“Recognising this to be true, since our inception in 1982, Food For The Poor has been injecting significant support in the Jamaican education system. We have constructed schools and replaced pit latrines with flush toilet systems in 53 schools islandwide in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Jamaica National Foundation. Just last week, approximately 374 students from basic to tertiary level benefitted from back-to-school grants for the 2016/2017 school term,” Mair added.

Chapman, meanwhile, said she was spurred into action when she viewed how uncomfortable the students were in their old classroom.

“I was here at Tower Hill a year ago and I saw the little ones packed in one room in the school, a room that had been the library and computer room. When I came here today I just had to cry because it is such a difference, everything looks so refreshed and so new and it is such a privilege to be able to be part of this,” Chapman said.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Joy-as-Tower-Hill-Primary-gets-new-building-for-infant-department_77734

Digicel Jamaica Foundation reaches 800,000

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2016 annual report shows strong growth in outreach, impact

Over 800,000 Jamaicans were positively touched by the work of the Digicel Jamaica Foundation during the organisation’s previous financial year, the Foundation said in a news release Friday.

This amounts to nearly one in every four Jamaicans directly or indirectly benefitting from the Foundation’s partnerships in education, special needs, entrepreneurship, and community development.

A local private philanthropic entity, the Digicel Foundation invested US$3.6 million ($460.8 million) over the past year in schools and communities islandwide. The figure was disclosed at the launch of the organisation’s annual report held at the Digicel Building in downtown Kingston on Thursday.

The report highlights that the foundation gave more than it had originally planned for the medium term 2013 to 2016; in some cases tripling initial targets. As examples, allocations for special needs teacher training and the number of social enterprises funded were increased.

An original idea to positively impact the lives of 75,000 Jamaicans under the foundation’s community development agenda, instead recorded a total reach of 214,164 persons.

“The dedicated Digicel Foundation team members were inspired by our partners, local and international, Government, and private sector,” noted Digicel Foundation Chairman Jean Lowrie-Chin. “We saw their resolve and dedication, resulting in higher educational achievements, greater awareness, and respect for our special needs community and extensive job creation.”

In explaining why more lives have been positively influenced by the expanded focus, Chief Executive Officer of the Digicel Foundation Samantha Chantrelle stated: “We received unwavering support from our project partners and beneficiaries which aided us in having a stronger impact on the lives of our fellow Jamaicans.”

The organisation’s commitment to supporting the special needs community continued this year as it funded 14 significant projects across the island in coordination with local and international partners.

The parish of Portland felt the greatest impact, with over 507,000 lives being touched by the work of the organisation. A Centre of Excellence which was constructed to support a range of physical, behavioural and intellectual special needs was the centrepiece of the various projects executed in the parish over the past year.

Other landmark ventures included: the Ramps in School Programme; the provision of 32 mobile science laboratories to as many high schools; the training of teachers of students with special needs; and partnerships with several community groups to expand entrepreneurial activities.

In its 12 years of existence, the Digicel Foundation has successfully implemented 737 projects at a cost of over $3 billion;as the organisation continues to work with dedicated partners in order to achieve Jamaica’s development goals.

The Digicel Foundation, a non-profit organisation, was established in September 2004 and is committed to supporting the development of Jamaica through a number of socially impactful projects.

The main objectives of the Digicel Foundation include driving efforts to achieve Jamaica’s Millennium Development Goal of increased literacy; the use of information and communication technology (ICT) tools and equipment in primary schools and increased training for teachers; enhancing the care of special needs children across the island in a variety of ways, including training for teachers; and the pursuit of sustainable projects and partnerships for community development.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Digicel-Jamaica-Foundation-reaches-800-000_77299