Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 14, 2022

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

Soon, we hope, the position of Governor General will give way to President of the Republic of Jamaica. I hear there is much grinding of teeth about changing out all our Police and Soldier’s buttons and various seals; I hope that is just a joke. Yes, we want to have distinguished citizens still serving as Presidents, because we have to give credit to our current and former Governors General for being exemplary leaders and for creating excellent affirmation programmes.

It was the late Sir Howard Cooke who started the Governor-General’s Awards of Achievement (GGAA) 30 years ago, honouring unsung heroes doing valiant work in their respective parishes. His successor, Sir Kenneth Hall, in 2006, expanded the Governor General’s Achievement Awards to include young standouts in education and volunteerism. In 2011 our current Governor General Sir Patrick Allen launched the “I Believe Initiative”, inspiring strong values in Jamaican youths islandwide, and in 2014 he brought the two projects together under the Governor-General’s Programme for Excellence (GGPE).

Congratulations to the National Coordinators for these programmes, Henri Hendricks, Roy Dickson and Larkin Hall of blessed memory; Hugh Morris, Major (ret’d) Effiom Whyte, Sonja Simms and the current Coordinator Abrahim Simmonds. May the programmes remain to enhance our Republic.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 14, 2022

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

So many times we hear about ‘the jewels in our backyard’ – tourism, agriculture, manufacturing. However the finest jewels in our backyard and indeed everywhere are our young people. This has not been an easy time for them. They have graduated and have started their careers but student loan repayments and the expectations of family are heavy burdens. Some of the vitriol that they post on social media comes from stress and even despair.

Imagine, the beautiful 2019 Miss USA Cheslie Kryst took her life at the age of 30. When she was crowned Miss USA, there were criticisms that she was “too old’ at 28 and there were calls for lowering the age for the contest. Did these brickbats make this brilliant young attorney-at-law believe that turning 30 was ‘old’? Our false values have made young people worry about their address, their dress and the make of their motor vehicles. It is only by constantly reinforcing strong values in our youth, that they can overcome these challenges to their self-esteem.

One of our schoolmates migrated to the US in the seventies and when we asked her how she coped with racism, she answered, “My parents always told me I was precious, so all the insults were like water off a duck’s back.” In contrast, I remember a bright co-worker who always seemed to doubt herself. She said when growing up her parents compared her to her high-achieving cousins, until she started to believe that she was not good enough.

The Prime Minister’s Awards of excellence to high-achieving young Jamaicans is a great programme, highlighting role models who have striven for excellence, despite unbelievable challenges. However, there are too many children who are ‘falling through the cracks’ and in need of urgent help. Of course they must be disciplined, but this should not descend into constant haranguing. Interviews with some delinquent young men reveal that they were constantly being compared to ‘yu wutless father’ and getting harsh punishments. I remember a troublesome fourth form student I taught, handing in a poem he wrote called ‘Lonely Boy’ – it was a plaintive call for help. When I had a private chat with him, he broke down and explained that he was being beaten mercilessly by his father. Thank goodness for his wonderful stepmother who intervened and made life more bearable for him.

Ordinary folks may not have the resources to offer scholarships but we can all spare a little time weekly to mentor a child. Your alma mater will guide you in choosing a student who could blossom if they had this one person in their lives who would listen to them and look out for them. There are children left in yards to fend for themselves – their parents may have gone abroad or have been imprisoned. I remember on such child being assisted by a group of caring women. They organised boarding for her with a retired teacher. Her grades shot up and after she did well in her CSEC exams she wrote a thank you note, saying this was the first time that she ever experienced kindness. I heard that there was not one dry eye in the group.

This Jamaica that we are crying down still has a great deal to offer. Our service clubs – Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions and Optimists work extremely hard for our people. Resolute members of past students’ associations are struggling to keep their schools renovated. Food for the Poor just built yet another house for a couple with special needs. There are countless opportunities to serve.

The Child Protection and Family Services Agency will need more personnel to scour our communities and help place children in more nurturing surroundings. Perhaps they could check to see if retired persons would be willing to take in boarders and pay for their services. Churches now have permission to have larger attendance; we hope they re-start Sunday school to help inculcate strong moral values in our children. We applaud the JCF and the JDF for coming together to get the gangs, but if we do not create a strong safety net for our disadvantaged children, it will be an endless struggle. On this Valentine’s Day, we can resolve to love more, judge less, give more, talk less and make this beautiful country of ours a happier place for all. Have a loving day.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday February 7, 2022

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

Fellow Alpha alumna Maxine Brown shared this tribute to our schoolmate Claudette Grannum.

“The Convent of Mercy Academy “Alpha”, family, and dear friends are mourning the loss of our dear alumna Claudette Grannum, who passed away on January 11. She will be remembered for her valiant fight with the debilitating disease muscular dystrophy and having defied the odds of science, which projected a life expectancy of approximately 26 years Claudette celebrated her 72nd birthday in December last year.

“Although confined to a wheelchair from her teenage years, Claudette did not complain, but used it as a platform to help others who were in need. Tributes poured in from around the globe, particularly from young persons, who lauded her for having assisted them in moving on to higher studies, allowing them to attain professions in the medical and other fields as she either housed them in her family home in Harbour View, during their years of studies, and solicited funds from her long-standing friends and her alma mater community to facilitate their tertiary education.”

A service of thanksgiving was held for Claudette last Wednesday. May she rest in peace.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 7, 2022

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

The thanksgiving mass for Dorothy Harrison last Friday brought back memories of weekend outings to the sparkling seas at Bluefields. My sister Fran and I attended St Mary’s Academy (run by the Sisters of Mercy) in Savanna-la-Mar, and there we became friends with Patricia and Arlene Harrison.

Somehow Dorothy Harrison found out that, although we were going to a top private school, our widowed mother had little time for recreation, having to eke out a living at her shop. Mr and Mrs Harrison would pick us up and take us on outings. She was ever kind and gentle. As Arlene (now Harrison-Henry, our public defender) reminded us in her tribute, her mother treated all guests in their home equally, no preferential treatment for her or siblings, Pat or Phillip. “Her legacy is one of love… industry and respect for all,” shared Arlene. Her legacy is also the fine family she raised, who continue her tradition of kindness. Our deepest sympathy to the family. May her beautiful soul rest in peace.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 7, 2022

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding must have been pleased to hear his daughter, Government Senator Sherene Golding Campbell, piloting the Bill amending the Sisters of Mercy Jamaica Act. Golding attended Sisters of Mercy-run Alpha Primary School.

We are proud that the founder of Convent of Mercy Academy “Alpha”, Jessie Ripoll, was a Jamaican woman who bought the land at South Camp Road and welcomed the first orphan to Alpha Cottage on May 1, 1880. When the numbers grew, Sisters of Mercy arrived in Jamaica 10 years later to give their support and Ripoll took the name of Mother Claver.

Opposition and government senators were of one voice in praising the work of the Sisters of Mercy and agreeing to the amendment which does not ascribe the governance of the organisation to individuals, but to a body corporate.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 7, 2022

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

Dr Lucien Jones, vice-chair and tireless advocate for road safety, must be delighted that the Road Traffic Act is finally being implemented. In an open letter last month he reflected on the 482 road deaths in 2021 and the projected figure of 480 by outgoing head of Mona GeoInfomatics Dr Parris Lyew-Ayee Jr.

Alphea Sumner, Jamaica Observer senior staff reporter, gave the highlights of the new regulations, which came into effect on February 1. Among them: up to $150,000 for defacing, mutilating, obliterating, adding to, reproducing, duplicating certificates of fitness, licence certificates, licence decals, and certificates of title; fines of up to $250,000 for advertising for sale, selling, using, or installing a device which gives inaccurate odometer readings or altering their odometers; $10,000 fine for travelling in a vehicle with part of the body protruding or allowing a passenger to do so; $10,000 fine for driving a motor vehicle which causes a sound exceeding the noise limit; and up to $80,000 in fines for providing the services of a driving instructor without the relevant authority.

All the fines are on conviction and also carry an alternative term of imprisonment.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 7, 2022

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

When we tried to download our digital vaccination certificates, we saw that our second shot was not recorded. On a friend’s recommendation, we went to the Stony Hill Vaccination Centre at the Heart Academy complex, and were greeted by a most helpful team. As we waited for them to input our information, we overheard a health aide counselling an elderly gentleman who had just been vaccinated. You would have thought he was her grandfather from the gentle tone of her voice.

Congratulations to public health nurse Fiona Ellis, data entry clerk Sakeena Ledgister and community health aide Andrea Frankson. With all the complaints about our health facilities, we need to remember the good-hearted people who choose to stay here and give of their best. In a couple of days all was sorted, and we now have our digital cards.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 07, 2022

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

These past two weeks have given us hope that we are moving ahead in Jamaica.

The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) through the dedication of previous chair, Professor Maureen Samms Vaughan, and current Chair Trisha Williams-Singh has roused us to the importance of the first 1,000 days in a child’s life, and have been certifying early childhood institutions and training teachers. They have also created the 1st 1000 Days, a free app, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.

Additionally, under the leadership of Executive Director Karlene Deslandes, the commission has established 115 Brain Builder Centres at early childhood institutions throughout the island, closing in on their target of 126.

ECC Commissioner David Salmon was the ideator for the Year of Early Childhood in Jamaica, resulting in Governor General Sir Patrick Allen’s proclamation on January 25. It reads in part: “I …do hereby proclaim the year two thousand and twenty-two as the Year of Early Childhood Development and encourage all citizens of Jamaica to support the Early Childhood Commission in its efforts as we commit the resources of our country to ensure that Jamaica’s children receive the best education in the world.”

We welcome the tabling of legislation for the Jamaica Teaching Council by Education Minister Fayval Williams. According to Jamaica Information Service ( JIS) reporter Latonya Linton, the legislation “seeks to establish a governing body for the teaching profession and a licensing and registration regime for all government-paid teachers”.

Standards must be established for those in whom we entrust so much. However, let us not forget the heroines and heroes in our teaching profession. Recently TVJ‘s Ray of Hope featured principal of Central Branch All-Age Michael Sutherland, who conducts classes for parents and teaches them catering skills. My post on social media brought dozens of positive comments from his past students at Westwood and Queen’s.

By Michael Edwards

iCreate Institute, the digital skills training institute which previously launched a multimillion-dollar Digital Awareness training programme to improve digital proficiency for thousands, is looking to the secondary as well as tertiary sectors and also aspiring entrepreneurs.

The company, through its iCreate Institute, has trained and certified over 4,500 individuals to date throughout the Caribbean region and has to date developed over 20 different digital, tech and creative courses, a number which head of digital training Dominic Summers, expects to increase exponentially. “Owing to our partnerships with these world- renowned training institutions we will, in short order, be offering over 1000 courses.”

Head of iCreate Institute, Dominic Summers, said the company was committed to equipping  students with the digital mindset and tools needed to develop and succeed in today’s digital economy. A principal element of this thrust is the development of several partnerships with recognized entities in the field of digital education and training. This includes EdX, an online joint venture between US universities Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), each of global renown. The EdX venture uses open source software platforms that allow for university-level courses in a wide range of disciplines to be offered online.”

The company has also partnered with Code Fellows, a northwestern U.S.-based training institute that operates code-building camps and other software instruction worldwide, the Digital Marketing Institute, billed as the world’s largest digital marketing community, and the Kingston-based University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC), which offers training to thousands of Jamaicans online as well as through its seven physical campuses.

Retirement coach and Board Director of the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons(CCRP), Patricia Reid-Waugh completed the digital awareness course offered by iCreate. “I found the course to be a comprehensive exploration of the business and social applications of the Internet today.”  Reid-Waugh, whose published titles include “Retirement: A New Adventure” says she hopes that future course offerings will feature more local presenters.

“The economy we are living in today requires digital awareness in every field. We can no longer operate without basic digital skills,” Mr. Summers said. “In order to grow and be successful it is imperative that we harness these skills and use them to our advantage.” This imperative, he adds, has been heightened by the persistence of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to digital training, iCreate is building out its Opportunity Ventures division, which is focused on building ventures that are aligned with its digital training and preparation vision. These include the Creative City multi-disciplinary complex as well as media production and advertising enterprises

In the press – Written by Racquel Simpson

For over a decade, the Bluefields Villas Foundation (BVF) has been providing significant assistance to citizens of Bluefields Bay and adjoining communities in Westmoreland through social outreach projects.

The Bluefields Villas Foundation was established in 2009 to further effect and regularize charitable endeavors which were long undertaken by the proprietors of the luxury Bluefields Bay Villas, the Moncure family, who entered Jamaica’s tourism and leisure sector in 1982.

Environmental Protectors

A significant component of BVF’s mandate is environmental advocacy.  This includes the protection of both the physical surroundings as well as the Bay’s aquatic life.

As needed, the Foundation donates funds to the Bluefields Fisherman’s Friendly Society to offset the cost for oil, food and other essentials for members of the patrol team whose vigilance helps to prevent fishing in restricted areas of the Bay since it became an aquatic wildlife sanctuary in 2011. In previous years, the BVF team also played an active role in the Sea Turtle Protection Programme through cash donations to implement measures aimed at eliminating poaching of the endangered species.

The team has also been an influential force in advocating for proper solid waste management in Bluefields and surrounding communities.  The Foundation makes a generous monthly donation to the Bluefields Peoples Community Association which covers the cost of the community’s anti-litter programme. The initiative encourages proper garbage disposal amongst citizens and provides a fortnightly income for some individuals who clean the 3-mile stretch of the highway from Mearnsville to Belmont Academy.Trash cans and skips have also been put in place along the roadways by BVF.  The team has also been instrumental in organizing a coastline cleanup activity in previous years.

Healthcare Supporters

The BVF has established an ongoing and supportive relationship with healthcare workers in the parish. Last year, the charitable group provided over 300 lunches to nurses involved in over 20 COVID-19 vaccination drives in Savanna-la-mar, Bluefields and Whitehouse. The team also donated a computer to the Bluefields Health Center in 2021 to improve administrative services at the facility.

Education and Community Champions

Members of the BVF team have also championed the cause of educational and community development through impactful welfare and education outreach initiatives. 

Needy elderly citizens in Bluefields and nearby communities are able to access a stipend through the Foundation’s welfare programme to boost their NIS payouts. During the recent festive season, the team also distributed over 300 care packages to the elderly and needy individuals. 

Prior to the distribution of care packages, BVF donated 30 tablets to students at Belmont Academy who were without devices to access online classes. New furniture and modern flush toilets were also provided to Mearnsville All-Age School with funding by the Foundation. The breakfast and lunch programmes at Belmont Academy and Mearnsville All-Age School are also subsidized by the BVF.

Mr. Houston Moncure, Vice-Chair of the Bluefields Villas Foundation, stated, “Our team at the Bluefields Villas Foundation is serious about community and educational development as well environmental preservation.  People and planet are at the heart of what we do so we try to streamline our projects towards improving the quality of the physical surroundings and the life of the citizens.” 

He added, “The team is pleased to see that several individuals have been positively impacted by our charitable work over the past decade and we are optimistic about impacting more lives in the near future.” Between 2020 and 2021 the BVF has expended about J$11.4 million in outreach projects in Westmoreland.