Sleeping on the grounds of the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) for approximately 20 years, 64-year-old Castie Anderson had one recurrent dream, that was to live in a home again.

In 2013, her dream was realised when her daughter, Celine Collins-Bryan, from whom she had been separated for some time, launched a search and found her, desolate in downtown Kingston.

“I had been living unhappy knowing I don’t have a mother. When it comes around to Mother’s Day and I see people with their mother, mi always feel left out. I want to share my happiness with her just the same as how others share their happiness with their mother,” Collins-Bryan, a resident of St Thomas, said in an interview recently.

Like her mother, Collins-Bryan also had a dream about a house. The structure that she occupied  was tiny and a far cry from what she envisioned for her long lost mom. Her desire was for someone to help her to build a new house so she could better accommodate her mother when she found her.

Collins-Bryan’s joy of locating her mother pushed her to apply to Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica for one of the houses they were donating through their annual 5K Run/Walk.

After receiving the application, FFP Jamaica in partnership with The Honourable Douglas Orane, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, GraceKennedy Group, and his family members, decided to construct a house for the women.

“It’s really a heartrending story. She [Collins Bryan] went on a radio programme and appealed for anyone who knew her [Anderson]. She was able to find her and now they are reunited and needed somewhere to live, because where they were was very small,” Orane said in an interview on March 10 before handing over keys to Andersonfor her new home.

Orane added, “One of the things I have done in life, is to help those who are in need, and I have found Food For The Poor as a wonderful organisation to do this with, because they are very well organised, transparent in how they function.”

David Mair, Executive Director, FFP Jamaica, says his charity organisation is pleased that they have now made the life of Anderson and Collins-Bryan smoother, and will continue to support them with sustainable income earning initiatives.

“Our team is elated to have been able to offer these two women comfort, a new perspective on life and a house. We are now working towards helping 100 more persons with housing from funds we will raise in our upcoming 5K Run/Walk event on May 13,” Mair said.

Anderson and Collins-Bryan have high praises for FFP, Orane and his family members.

“We’re very grateful. I feel like I am one in a million. It’s been a long journey, a very long journey, and we just have to give God and Food For The Poor thanks,” Collins-Bryan said.

Anderson said the last time she lived in a house was in the 90s when she resided in Stony Hill, St Andrew with family members. She said she left because she felt she was being exploited. After leaving, she started sleeping on the streets of downtown Kingston and on the compound of KPH.

“Sometime I used to sleep outside of the hospital and inside. There were times when di bad boy dem run in and di people dem run we out. Sometimes me out deh and mek up mi cardboard pan di sidewalk,” Anderson said.

Orane is calling on members of the private sector to support FFP Jamaica’s upcoming 5K Run/Walk, because funds raised from the event will be used to construct houses for more needy Jamaicans.

“As a business person, now retired, I know from experience corporations help as much as they can. It’s wonderful for individuals and families to step up to the plate and make a difference in this world. I hope this will encourage other individuals and other families to help Jamaicans in need,” Orane said.

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Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170331/new-home-castie-anderson

Scores of soca lovers turned out for the Montego Bay Blow Out Fete as part of the Wray & Nephew-sponsored Jamaica Carnival islandwide series at Pier One in Montego Bay last Saturday.

Trinidad and Tobago-born soca sensation Iwer George was the main act, promptly throwing a case of water into the audience after his entry on stage, thus signaling what his set was all about. He reeled off several of his hits, including Take A Bathe and Water, much to the appreciation of the crowd.

DJ Spice of Team Soca, Supa Hype and DJ Scott The Supreme completed the night’s entertainment roster, playing popular hits from soca, dancehall and hip hop as they built a party-like atmosphere inside the venue.

Jamaica Observer West brings you highlights.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Montego-Bay-Blow-Out-Fete-_94012

More than 100 houses have been constructed over the past two years by Food For The Poor with money collected through its 5K Run/Walk.

The charity organisation said it has raised over $80 million through the 5K in the first two years of the fundraising event.

The third staging of the 5K Run/Walk will take place on Saturday, May 13 in Kingston.

“The goal of the event is to raise funds to construct 100 houses for needy persons in the 14 parishes of the island,” Food For The Poor said.

Source: http://jamaica-star.com/article/news/20170330/100-houses-needy

Morris Baxter (left), one of the 16 people who received a house from National Baking Company Foundation in partnership with Food For the Poor (FFP)-Jamaica accepts the keys to his new home from Lisa Tomlinson (right), promotions manager, National Baking Company Limited. Sharing in the moment are (from left): Marsha Burrell-Rose, FFP-Jamaica marketing and development manager and Junior Reid, FFP housing coordinator.

Needed shelter is on the way for eight of the island’s homeless and most destitute families, as National Baking Company Foundation will fund the construction of units in partnership with Food For the Poor (FFP)- Jamaica, through the charity’s annual 5K Walk/Run event, which will be launched at the Spanish Court Hotel on April 4.

The Food For The Poor annual 5k aims to build 100 units for indigent people in Jamaica this year. A release from FFP said, achieving this target would equal the total number of houses built for families from the event since its inception three years ago.

It said National Baking Company Foundation has been a contributor to the annual event since it was instituted. In 2015 and 2016, the foundation donated eight houses for each year, and for 2017 they decided to continue the tradition with eight more houses.

“Guided by the generosity of our patron, Gary “Butch” Hendrickson, the National Baking Company Foundation remains committed to partnering with FFP on this socially responsible housing initiative. As the foundation endeavours to enrich the lives of the disheartened, this project aligns perfectly with our mantra of assisting the disadvantaged in our society to realise a basic dream, that of owning their own home,” Christine Scott-Brown, executive director, National Baking Company Foundation, is quoted as saying in the release.

Meanwhile, executive director of FFP-Jamaica David Mair is extremely grateful that the foundation is among the organisations which Walk/Run have pledged to donate ahead of the event’s launch.

“Pledging before the launch of Food For The Poor’s 5K not only demonstrates loyalty, but shows that our partners are satisfied with the work our charity organisation has been doing and the lives changed, with their help, in the last two years through funds raised at the event,” Mair said recently.

The executive director also said that the last two 5KWalk/ Run events raised approximately $100 million, and over 100 houses have been constructed with those funds.

“Traditionally, we have always hosted our 5K event on the eve of Mother’s Day, starting and ending at Emancipation Park. For 2017, the concept remains the same. Proceeds from the 5K will be used to assist families in the 14 parishes of Jamaica.

“Adequate shelter is a basic human need, and we at Food For the Poor believe that this need should be fulfilled for all families, including the poorest of the poor,” Mair said.

The next 5K will be held on May 13, starting at 6:00 am. It will start and end at Emancipation Park in Kingston. The funds raised will be matched equally by Food For the Poor Florida, the release said.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/National-donates-8-houses-ahead-of-FFP-5K-Walk-Run_94021

Ahead of the start of the 2017 campaign, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has formed a ‘perfect blend’ with the announcement of a new partnership with NESTLÉ in Port of Spain on Wednesday.

C.E.O, Mr. Michel Beneventi and Head of Consumer Marketing, Mrs. Elisa Doldron – NESTLÉ Trinidad and Tobago Limited (Anglo-Dutch Caribbean) and West Indies World T20 champions Samuel Badree and Carlos Brathwaite, joined representatives from the Hero CPL at the official launch.

“This is a very exciting time for us”, said Mr. Beneventi. “Nestlé, through its brands, is committed to encouraging sport as a key element to the development of our youth in the communities in which we work.  Sport develops both the mind and body and, as I’ve learned in the Caribbean, cricket in particular, brings people together for both entertainment as well as camaraderie. And we are very happy to be a part of this.”

Through their globally popular NESCAFÉ® brand, the new two (2) year partnership will see fans and players alike benefit from engaging coffee-inspired experiences with barista stations at matches and through fun promotions based around the Biggest Party in Sport; inclusive of various supermarket and in-store promotions.

NESCAFÉ® and Hero CPL will host a series of breakfast events around the fifth instalment of the Hero CPL, scheduled to take place between 3^RD August and 9^TH September 2017.

The Company will keep players well stocked with their famous MILO® brand, as well as providing NESCAFÉ® in their dressing rooms and hotels. In addition, match timings will now be known as ‘NESCAFÉ® Start Times’, a hat-tip to the brand message of “It all starts with NESCAFÉ®.”

Welcoming the announcement, Mr. Jamie Stewart, Commercial Director of the Hero CPL said, “The Hero CPL is a long and demanding tournament and coffee is one of the core ingredients that helps the players and event production teams make it through what is often a gruelling schedule. On behalf of all at CPL I’d like to thank NESTLÉ for their support, in particular via theNESCAFÉ® and MILO® brands, and we look forward to a happy and successful partnership.”

Head of Consumer Marketing – NESTLÉ Trinidad and Tobago Limited (Anglo-Dutch Caribbean), Mrs. Elisa Doldron, echoed the sentiments of the Commercial Director of the Hero CPL Mr. Jamie Stewart adding, “This partnership represents a perfect alignment between a Premier League and a premium range of coffees under the NESCAFE® brand.”

ABOUT THE HERO CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE:

Since its inception in 2013, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere. Over 149 million fans watched the 2016 season, combining broadcast and digital viewership, to make it one of the fastest growing leagues in world cricket. Jamaica Tallawahs are the current Hero CPL champions and the other competing teams are Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots, St. Lucia Stars and Trinbago Knight Riders.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:

Mobile: +1-(758)-7287500 (Caribbean)
Mobile: +353-85-7205752 (Ireland)
Skype: pbreen67

It was an adrenaline-pumping experience at the Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum Jamaica Carnival MoBay Blowout at Pier 1 in the tourist capital on Saturday night.

Soca rockers from across western Jamaica and international guests came out in droves to the highly anticipated fete that gave a night to remember.

The Jamaican way to carnival was on full display as ravers got down, partying to songs such as Hands in the Air by Alison Hinds, It’s Carnival by Destra, We Ready For The Road by Bunji and other soca hits.

Turning Things Up

The atmosphere was kicked into overdrive with the energetic DJ Supa Hype and DJ Spice from Team Soca on the turntable, giving the people all their personal playlists of carnival songs with a mixture of dancehall, reggae and R&B to keep the vibes going.

Their energies were further complimented by the electrifying performance of Trinidad’s very own Iwer George, who gave patrons Water, among other songs from his vast soca catalogue including, Come To Meh, Carnival, Come Back Again, and Take Ah Bathe.

Soca fans were left spellbound to the beat, the glitz and glamour, the carnival costume parade, the dance-offs between local and foreign guests, and all other activities that contributed to a fun-filled night.

“We love Jamaica and Jamaica carnival, and we were so happy to be here,” said one visitor from the USA. “We came here to enjoy ourselves because nobody parties like Jamaicans,” she added, vowing that she and her friends will be back next year.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20170327/adrenaline-pumping-experience-mobay-carnival-blowout

Here are some highlights of the event.

The Spanish-Jamaican Foundation (SJF) awarded five bursaries each valued at $50,000 to young Jamaicans in need, who demonstrate passion and dedication in their study of the Spanish language. This is the third-consecutive year that they have made this award to the UWI Development & Endowment Fund (UWIDEF) bringing the total value of collection to $750,000 to date.

Vanessa Meggoe, project manager of the SJF, visited the UWIDEF office at the Mona Campus on Friday and handed over the donation to Karl Wright, UWIDEF board director, during a ceremony to mark the event.

UWIDEF has committed to continued support of the advancement of The University of the West Indies, Mona, acting as a “bridge” between the university and the wider community. The fund provides support for the welfare of students, including scholarships, scientific and academic research and development including ongoing contributions to the University Hospital of the West Indies.

Meggoe congratulated UWIDEF for its ongoing efforts in seeking assistance in the provision of scholarships. Successful recipients of the SJF award will also be afforded the opportunity to “give back” as they will be made SJF youth ambassadors. In this capacity, they will participate in SJF-supported community service projects.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/career/Spanish-Jamaican-Foundation-donates–250-000-to-UWIDEF-in-support-of-the-study-of-Spanish_93562

There is no stopping the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Carnival team as they continue to spread excitement and revelry across the island. The first in the series of events, ‘Soca In Da City’ was a massive hit, and now the team is heading to Montego Bay for a ‘Blow Out’ fIte tomorrow at Pier 1.

Dubbed Carnival the Jamaican Way’, the fIte kicks off at 10 p.m. and goes up to 4 a.m. Supa Hype and friends, and DJ Spice from Team Soca NY, will be at the turntables delivering non-stop hits and madness with a special performance by soca sensation Iwer George.

DELIVERING GREATNESS

“I am happy to be a part of the return of the real Jamaica Carnival, since I was a part of the beginning with the great Bryon Lee and the Dragonaires, together with the crazy super blue Admiral Bailey, Tiger Colin Lucas and many others. I’m coming to deliver greatness. I’ll be performing all my favourite songs, like Nah Do That, Do The Iwer, Carnival Come Back Again, Up To Take A Bath, plus more,” Iwer George said.

“Soca people, link up. We’re coming to ‘shell dung’ Pier 1. There’s gonna be crazy vibe, fun and excitement from we touch the stage. Everyone come out in your numbers. We’re gonna show you how we fIte in Kingston,” Supa Hype added.

An excited Julianne Lee, director at Jamaica Carnival, said her team is looking forward to spreading soca across the island.

“I’m extremely eager to give western Jamaica a taste of what we will bring to the streets of Kingston on carnival Sunday on April 23. We’ve been having a successful season thus far, and I really have to thank everyone for their continuous support. MoBay, get ready because we’re on our way,” she said.

Source: http://jamaica-star.com/article/entertainment/20170324/iwer-george-brings-soca-fever-mobay