Spur Tree, Manchester – May 27, 2019 – May is Child Month in Jamaica, and this month’s theme: “Encourage, Enable, Include ME!” very much aligns with IGT Jamaica’s ongoing drive toward assisting students living with Autism through technology. As part of its After School Advantage (ASA) programme, IGT Jamaica recently donated a new assistive learning programme to Mustard Seed Communities. The equipment, valued at over J$250,000, was presented at the Gift of Hope children’s home in Spur Tree, Manchester recently. Several residents at the home are living with the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The equipment consists of a Tobii Dynavox Speech Case and an iPad, which work together to provide a unique solution for communication. With clear audio and a lightweight, user-friendly design, the Speech Case transforms the iPad into an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device that enhances listening and speaking abilities.

Administrator at Gift of Hope Ann-Marie Parker-Dale pointed out that their residents on the autism spectrum are all non-verbal. “We want to communicate with them, and they with us,” she said. “We have worked out a way to communicate, but it is mostly trial and error.” She pointed out that the children often get frustrated and express themselves through their behaviour. This new equipment is designed to supplement existing speech; in many cases at Gift of Hope it will replace speech where it is absent altogether. Mrs. Parker-Dale believes that this technology will transform the residents’ lives in terms of communication.

Gift of Hope was first a recipient of computer technology and equipment through IGT’s ASA programme in June 2016. IGT Jamaica’s General Manager Debbie Green emphasized the company’s ongoing commitment to providing technology and learning solutions for children who would not normally be able to access them. Five Mustard Seed homes are now equipped with ASA Centres.

“We remain motivated and committed to continue strengthening our relationship with Mustard Seed by providing technology solutions for their students and residents that face particular challenges. This specialized equipment meets a critical need, and is not readily available in Jamaica,” said Mrs. Green.

“We have seen where technology has enriched the learning experience for those with special needs. It is also an empowering tool for their dedicated teachers and caregivers. For this year’s Child Month, with its inclusive and empowering theme, we are proud to continue building our support by donating this software, designed for our very special children with ASD.”

Kingston, Jamaica – Monday, May 27, 2019: Some of Jamaica’s youngest citizens were among those benefiting from two Digicel Foundation Labour Day projects this year. The Foundation and its army of volunteers went to work at Wilmington Basic School in St. Thomas and Ebony Vale Community Centre in St. Catherine to upgrade buildings and secure premises in keeping with the theme for Labour Day 2019: “Child Safety…it’s you, it’s me, it’s all ah we.”

Just three miles away from the Morant Bay capital of St. Thomas, volunteers erected a much-needed perimeter fence, constructed steps and installed new doors and windows to make Wilmington safer for the little ones. At the same time, another crew was busy demolishing worn building parts before renovating bathrooms, painting classrooms and outdoor spaces, and installing several windows and doors to make the Ebony Vale Community Centre more secure. Both renovations were completed at a cost of J$1.63 million.

Overwhelmed by the Digicel Foundation’s support, Chairman of the Wilmington Basic School, Dennis Maragh, commented that the renovation work “will go a far, far way” towards the further development of the school and its students. Founded in the late 1990s as a part of the Wilmington Primary School, which is on the same compound, the Basic School was registered as an Early Childhood Institution fifteen years ago. It has continued to upgrade its premises, renovating and occupying the Primary School’s teachers’ cottage.

The school caters for 45 children from Wilmington and the communities of Red Hill, Lyssons and Morant Bay. Mr. Maragh paid tribute to the school’s principal, Tamika Edmondson, parents and teaching staff who wholeheartedly turned out to help. “I wish to express my appreciation to the parents and staff for their cooperation and support over the years,” said Maragh, also paying tribute to the Principal of the Primary School, Andrew Chambers.

Member of Parliament for Eastern St. Thomas, Dr. Fenton Ferguson, joined the activities and lauded the Digicel Foundation for this latest round of improvements to vital social infrastructure in the parish. He commented, “I believe that the Digicel Foundation is getting it right by coming here and taking on this project. We are extremely impressed, not just for what happened here at Wilmington, but we have been the beneficiaries of a computer lab at Duckensfield Primary, and only last year the Foundation upgraded the Centre of Excellence at Lyssons.”

Chief Executive Officer of the Digicel Foundation Karlene Dawson noted, “Through the work of both teams, we aren’t just producing secure and comfortable areas for young people to play, learn and thrive, we are helping to improve the surrounding communities that depend on these facilities. With the selection of these two institutions, we continue to make good on our promise to the community.” She added that the overwhelming spirit of volunteerism made a big difference: “As in previous years, it is cooperation and mutual support that makes things happen, and we are very thankful for the large outpouring of support. This is in the true spirit of Labour Day for us at Digicel Foundation.”

To date, Digicel Foundation has completed 561 community development projects across Jamaica.

May 30, 2019

Jean Lowrie-Chin

Kingston, Jamaica – Wednesday, May 29, 2019: The Digicel Jamaica Foundation is expressing its deep concern over a recent break-in at the Mickhail Betancourt Early Stimulation Centre of Excellence in Orange Bay, Portland. This is reportedly the second burglary in the past year. The criminals ransacked the building, stole small appliances and caused considerable damage to the building and equipment. School was suspended for two days afterwards.

“We are deeply distressed at this news,” said Chairman of the Digicel Foundation Jean Lowrie-Chin. “This Centre of Excellence, opened just three years ago, serves close to 100 children with special needs. This is particularly painful, because the building was named in honour of Donovan Betancourt’s beloved son Mickhail, a former Digicel employee, who passed away.”

“The heartless people who committed this criminal act are depriving some of our most vulnerable children of education, nutrition – the school provides two hot meals per day – and the services that this wonderful institution provides on a daily basis. We hope that the culprits will be apprehended in short order.”

Mrs. Lowrie-Chin expressed her sympathy to Mr. Betancourt and family, and to the students and staff who were traumatized and inconvenienced by this occurrence. She also reaffirmed the Digicel Foundation’s commitment to enhancing the lives of Jamaicans with special needs.

The Mickhail Betancourt Early Stimulation Centre of Excellence was opened in May, 2016 and is a partnership among Mr. Donovan Betancourt’s KB Foundation, the Digicel Foundation and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. It is one of ten centres mandated by Digicel Foundation’s Patron Denis O’Brien, who committed J$337 million to the building or extensive renovation of facilities islandwide that serve the special needs community.

 

Monday, May 20, 2019

When we consider to heights which our precious Jamaican girls can reach, we mourn Jamaica’s loss with the parents of Shantae Skyers, Trisha Morris and Stefika Smith. Five days after seven-year old Shantae was reported missing, her body was found on April 16 in Sterling Castle Heights, Red Hills. On April 30, the body of 11-year-old Trisha Morris was found in her community of Woodland, Hanover and on May 13, the body of 17-year-old Stefika Smith was found in Four Paths, Clarendon.

On Saturday evening, CVM news carried a report of the attempted abduction of a schoolgirl in central Jamaica. Her mother said the child was lured to a car by a woman offering her a gift. As she looked in the car, she saw a man with a knife and ran screaming for her life. Her mother says the child is traumatized.

Dr Mearle Barrett, President of the Business and Professional Women’s Club of St. Andrew (BPW St. Andrew) has expressed “alarm and concern at the recent spate of abuse and killings of young children, in particular, young girls … We call upon the authorities to vigorously investigate each incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. In addition, the need for more attention to be paid to the support services required to improve the family structure and parenting skills, must be recognized.”

The parents of Stefika Smith led a march in Clarendon last Friday, demanding greater protection for our children.  We must respond to the anguished cry of Stefika’s mother and the many heartbroken parents throughout Jamaica – our children must be saved from these heartless criminals.

True respect for LGBT persons

J-FLAG marked the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia with a roundtable discussion and a presentation of findings from a recent survey on the attitude of Jamaicans towards members of the LGBT community. The results were encouraging, but still cast Jamaica, including employers and politicians as being ambivalent about the rights of these, our fellow citizens.

Support for change to the “Buggery Law” showed that the majority was still against it, though there was slightly better support for the teaching of tolerance of LBGT persons.

Ambassador of Mexico, Juan Jose González Mijares noted that his country decided that it was not choice but an obligation, to legislate against discrimination.  He said that his country faced similar sociological issues as Jamaica, but passed a federal law against every kind of discrimination and established a National Council Against Discrimination. This upholds respect for all, regardless of race, creed, gender, age or sexual orientation.

Such laws would foster a more harmonious Jamaican society. Let us honour the “true respect for all” that we sing out in our Anthem.

Jean Lowrie-Chin

Monday May 20, 2019

Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw described the hard journey of the Reggae Girlz on the road to their historic World Cup campaign in France and promised “to make Jamaica proud” at last week’s press conference. We want to assure her that they have already made us proud. Imagine, they were two goals down in Haiti and managed to come back with a draw to move forward.

Observer writer Dwayne Richards quotes her: “A year ago today we were in Haiti and I am sure many of you guys would not have known what we have been through in this whole process of qualifying for the World Cup. We dealt with a lot of adversities.. It was tough, we managed to go through the first round and we played against the US  … the game didn’t go as what we wanted, but we knew that we had another game in hand, then we played against Panama … we knew that we had to go out there and win this game, we had to give it our all. As you can tell by our celebrations in the locker room, how proud we are to represent the country and to give it our best effort.”

Khadija’s dedication to her education is also exemplary. Recently, she completed studies for her degree at University of Tennessee, as she takes the long view of life: “I knew what I wanted and I knew at the end of the day my knees are going to get old and my muscles are going to get weary, but my brain won’t leave me, so at the end of the day, I just wanted to graduate and say when I walk across that stage, I gave it my best effort.”

Congratulations to Khadija on being named a Brand Ambassador for Puma – they have chosen well. Bonne chance Reggae Girlz!

Jean Lowrie-Chin

Monday, May 20, 2019

Who says good news doesn’t sell? We just can’t get enough of the praise being heaped on the humble Ackaisha Green for her honesty. It was the Jamaica Observer which broke the story on May 6, recounting Ackaisha’s actions when she found a bag stacked with $5000 and $1000 bills.

“On my way coming out with it I saw two police officers,” the Observer reporter quoted her as saying, “and mi say, ‘Sir, I found a bag of money and I don’t know what to do with it’.”

This from a woman who that very morning, had to ask her mother to lend her $200. As the story spread, there was an outpouring of support for Ackaisha. Businessman Douglas Halsall announced on social media that he had started an account for her, Digicel presented her with a phone and gift items and Wray & Nephew gave a million-dollar scholarship and $200,000 cash.

Last Friday, she was lauded by the Senate. The opposite sides of the Upper House may differ on many issues, but on the subject of Ackaisha Green, they were of one voice.  “We want to thank you for the inspiration that you are for a lot of young people, who look for direction in their lives…. We thank you for making the right choice; for demonstrating that honesty pays,” said Leader of Government Business Senator Kamina Johnson Smith

“Miss Green, you are an inspiration,” declared Leader of Opposition Business Senator Donna Scott-Mottley. “Your … decision is the pathway to having all of your dreams realised. Jamaica is behind you.”

 

Ackaisha Green has demonstrated to Jamaican scammers that honesty is indeed the best policy. While some of them were being arrested last week, Ackaisha was being applauded and assisted. May God continue to order the steps of this good woman.

 

Jean Lowrie-Chin

Clarendon, Jamaica (April 17, 2019) – “I can sleep comfortably now, and I don’t have to worry about the rain falling,” said Ms. Cassandra Francis, who moved into her new two-bedroom home donated by Food For The Poor-Jamaica through its generous donors.

“I love everything about it,” she said.

It has not been easy for the Clarendon mother and her three children. Life in her old, dilapidated house was especially challenging for the family.

“We used to live in an old-time cob house, the walls started falling apart and the roof leaked – a lot,” she said.

In an effort to keep everything dry when it rained, Ms. Francis explained how she had to put the beds up to protect their mattresses. She expressed concern about her family’s security and privacy in their ramshackle house, and that she had no proper bathroom or kitchen.

Now, her life and the lives of her three children have changed for the better. Her 18-year-old son is seeking employment, and her 8-year-old daughter attends primary school in Frankfield.  Francis also has a younger daughter, not yet 3.

“The kids are so happy now, and I especially enjoy the bathroom!” she exclaimed.

Ms. Francis feels she can plan for the future in her new home. While she currently does some subsistence farming, such as growing callaloo, tomatoes and other crops, she’s looking at other ways to boost her family’s income.

“I would like to take care of my family better, I would like to keep chickens,” she said.

But one important part of her dream already has come true.

“It has always been my dream to own my own home,” said Ms. Francis. “Words can’t explain how I feel. I’m feeling so thankful and grateful to Food For The Poor.”

Since inception, Food For The Poor has built more than 35,000 homes in Jamaica.

LOOKING BACK: The old house Ms. Cassandra Francis shared with her three children was in terrible condition. The roof leaked when it rained and the walls started falling apart. Thanks to its kind donors, Food For The Poor-Jamaica provided Francis and her family with a safe, new home.

BEFORE: An outside view of Ms. Cassandra Francis’ previous home in Clarendon. There was no proper kitchen, so the meals had to be prepared outside.

SAFE, NEW HOME: Ms. Cassandra Francis is happy to have a safe home for her family. Joining her for a photo are her 18-year-old son (right), 8-year-old daughter (front) and her 2-year-old daughter. Ms Francis’ new home was donated by Food For The Poor-Jamaica, through its kind and caring donors.