The Digicel Foundation will get underway with renovations to the Catherine Hall Special Education Unit this July, marking the Foundation’s 8^th renovation project with the Special Education Unit of the Ministry of Education and Youth. Digicel Foundation Board Director Joy Clark visited the school on Wednesday, June 29 with Construction Manager Carnel Campbell to tour the facility and sign off on the scope of work for the extensive renovations.

Originally built in 1982, the Catherine Hall Special Education Unit is located on the same grounds as Catherine Hall Primary and Infant School in West Green, St. James. As the building approaches 40 years since its original construction, there are several areas of improvement needed to better serve the students – particularly reroofing and repairs to termite and water damaged areas in the facility. 

“I’m very excited that the Digicel Foundation has undertaken this project – it’s a very meaningful one and a very special one because this project will go a long way to make our Special Needs students more comfortable,” said a very excited Marcia Donaldson, Acting Principal for Catherine Hall Primary and Infant School. The team at the school has already begun looking ahead and making preparations for the project’s completion – this includes engaging community members to participate in the maintenance of the facility.

Speaking on behalf of the West Green Community Development Committee, Judith Whyte, who is the current President, said, “After this renovation we plan to come on board and make sure that the unit is kept clean and well put together. We’ll continue to give our service in cash and kind.”

The Catherine Hall Special Education Unit serves students with varying intellectual and developmental disorders – providing a two-year intervention programme to address learning gaps. By tailoring the education programme to suit the needs of students in a way that accommodates the students’ individual needs and differences, these kinds of schools empower students with Special Needs and enable them to reach their full potential.

“It’s very important for us to continue working with the Ministry of Education and Youth to support these initiatives,” said Charmaine Daniels, CEO of the Digicel Foundation. “The Special Needs community is often underserved and resources are especially scarce outside of the Kingston Metropolitan Area, but we see the work that the Ministry, teachers and administrators are doing to create a world where no one gets left behind. We hope this investment will help to advance that mission while providing an inclusive learning environment for all.”

Work will begin on the facility in July with the goal of welcoming students to a newly renovated space in September.

The Missionaries of the Poor (MoP), operators of Bethlehem Home for persons with Special Needs in downtown Kingston, can breathe a sigh of relief as the Digicel Foundation makes plans to renovate the facility. During a site visit on Monday, June 6, Digicel Foundation CEO Charmaine Daniels toured the facility, which is currently at risk of losing its certification from the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) due to health and safety concerns flagged during its last inspection by the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW). The Digicel Foundation has confirmed that it will complete the necessary upgrades to keep all 60 residents – most of whom have multiple disabilities – housed at the facility.

Bethlehem Home provided lifelong care to persons with moderate to severe disabilities, offering therapy, access to education and enabling them to have a better overall quality of life. The home is operated and maintained through donations made to MoP, however, financial support dwindled during the pandemic.

“It has been especially challenging recently to maintain the home, but we are grateful for donations from overseas and locally, which will help us to keep the infrastructure in good shape,” explained Rev. Brother Premsagar, Director of the home which is located on High Holborn Street in downtown Kingston. 

The Foundation will commence work this June, renovating the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room to meet health and safety standards.  Additional renovations will also be done to windows, doors and partitions in the dormitories.

“This home really caught our attention because of its amazing work and the care that it offers to the wards,” explained Daniels. “Finding this haven for persons with Special Needs, and then discovering that it could potentially lose its registration and funding was devastating for us, because Special Needs support is such a critical part of the work we do to help create a world where no one gets left behind.”

CPFSA is the governing body for the licensing and regulation of over 40 private residential child care facilities island-wide. “Children’s homes have to comply with 29 standards before being certified. They must obtain approvals from Jamaica Fire Brigade, Municipal Corporations, and other entities. Final approval is given by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information,” noted Chief Executive Officer Rosalee Gage-Gray. “The Bethlehem Home plays a critical role in caring for our most vulnerable children. This support from Digicel Foundation will go a far way in ensuring that the Home’s license is renewed.”

Renovations to the facility are projected to be completed in September, with residents and caregivers equally excited for the end result. “We are really blessed at this time to have assistance from Digicel Foundation,” said Premsagar.

There was jubilation in the air on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, in Hatfield, Manchester. Representatives of the Sisters of Mercy, Digicel Jamaica and Digicel Jamaica Foundation joined Custos Garfield Green, Board members, educators, staff, students, parents and supporters for the official opening of the St. John Bosco Vocational Training Centre (SJBVTC).

Prime Minister, The Most Hon. Andrew Holness was the keynote speaker, unveiling the official plaque and cutting the ribbon alongside Sister Susan Frazer, Area Administrator at Sisters of Mercy and Executive Director of SJBVTC, Digicel Foundation Chair Jean Lowrie-Chin and two students of the Training Centre. The talented students of the Alpha School of Music provided tuneful interludes.

With funding from Digicel Foundation (its third partnership with Sisters of Mercy) and with support from additional sponsors Paul and Margo Hooker, infrastructural development at the Centre is proceeding in three phases. During the now completed first phase, the original two-story residential building has been modernized and upgraded to house administrative offices, classrooms, and training labs with new outdoor spaces (the Sr. Susan Frazer RSM Educational Complex). Subsequent phases will see the construction of the Sr. Noreen Gray Hospitality Centre for culinary arts instruction, scheduled for January 2023; a Cosmetology Trade Building with service road; and finally, plans are in the works for the redevelopment of the existing football field and adjacent land space into a sports area, and for the renovation of a food preparation lab and other training areas.

Saying he was “simply amazed at the tucked-away secret of St. John Bosco” on his first visit there, Prime Minister Holness declared: “I need more John Boscos” to mould and train Jamaica’s youth. While lauding Sister Frazer’s strong leadership and her love for the students, he pledged his full support for the Centre’s focus on technical and vocational training and teaching critical skills. He said, “We must pay attention to the training…that is aligned to the institutions that are
growing…changing to meet the needs of industry.”

Moved by the testimony of two former students, Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of building character. “The boys and girls I am seeing here are being shaped… They will take away from here that your ambition will change your circumstances. Watch the human being who is going to come out of this process,” he said.

He thanked Digicel Jamaica and the Digicel Foundation for being “such a good corporate partner in our social undertakings.”

Jean Lowrie-Chin, Chair of Digicel Jamaica Foundation, commented that the Foundation has enjoyed “a productive year,” completing projects in every parish on the island. She pointed to the front cover of the Foundation’s newly released Annual Report, showing a student’s face that “reflects the joy of learning, the joy of seeing a future where no one gets left behind, which is our mission.”

A registered independent school, the St. John Bosco Vocational Training Centre was established as St. John Bosco Boys’ Home in 1960 by the Sisters of Mercy, serving juvenile and remand children referred by the Ministry of Justice and the then Child Development Agency of Jamaica. The institution trained thousands of young men to become self-reliant entrepreneurs, skilled labourers, and responsible Jamaican citizens. In 2017 the home transitioned to a Vocational Centre, offering a range of two-year trade programmes to 120 male – and now female – students. The Centre will include the Ministry of Education and Youth’s newly expanded Sixth Form Pathways Programme and is planning to partner with the HEART/NSTA Trust.

Digicel Foundation’s Jean Lowrie-Chin, in recognizing the hard work of the Centre’s Executive
Director said, “Sister Susan Frazer’s plan for this Vocational Training Centre is in perfect alignment with our mission. We emphasise sustainability, and Sister Susan has proven this in the amazing expansion of St. John Bosco under her stewardship.”

Written by Chantell Guthrie

Two senior Marubeni executives from Japan recently visited Jamaica. Mr. Yuji Sato, Senior Operating Officer and Mr. Ryota Kobayashi, General Manager of Marubeni Power engaged with the management teams and toured the facilities of Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) and South Jamaica Power Company (SJPC), in which Marubeni holds significant ownership.

Marubeni is one of the majority shareholders of Jamaica Public Service Company. Since its acquisition in 2007, Marubeni and its partners have directed the investments of more than US$1.2 billion in installation, repair, maintenance and upgrade of the electricity grid as well as equipment needed for the integration of more renewable energy assets. These funds have significantly improved the reliability of the generation, transmission and distribution assets, security in the streets, the integration of renewable assets and the preparation for the influx of electric vehicles in Jamaica.

JPS installed more than 100,000 LED street lights and hundreds of thousands of Smart Meters, converted the Bogue power station from oil to gas, installed the largest energy storage using batteries, and is in the process of locating 20 public EV Charging Stations islandwide. These massive investments have significantly improved the lives of Jamaicans over the years.

The Marubeni executives toured the SJPC power plant with a sense of satisfaction. Marubeni and its partners have invested more than US$330 million to build this largest, most efficient power plant in the country.  The South Jamaica Power Company’s 194MW plant came online in late 2019, providing cheap and reliable power to homes, businesses and institutions in Jamaica.

Mr. Sato and Mr. Kobayashi toured JPS’s advanced Hybrid Energy Storage and the state-of-the-art System Control Centre. Both facilities are critical in maintaining efficient functioning of the electricity grid and in supporting renewables integration. 

Looking forward, Marubeni and its partners are committed to providing low cost, clean energy to the country and expect to invest up to half a billion USD to build new electricity assets to replace some aging power plants.

The Marubeni executives also met with the JPS board of directors and the executive management team. Mr. Sato and Mr. Kobayashi acknowledged the challenges in providing impeccable service to customers as well as low cost, reliable power despite the prevalence of electricity theft and a challenging regulatory environment. The senior executives expressed their confidence in the directors and management team of JPS and SJPC and the tremendous progress made in recent years but they advised that a closer collaboration with the government, the regulator and other stakeholders remains paramount to further improving the standards of care to Jamaicans while containing the cost of electricity.

Currently, JPS has two major investors: Marubeni Corporation and Korea East-West Power each hold 40% of shares in JPS. The Government of Jamaica, through the Development Bank of Jamaica holds the remaining 19.9% and the remaining less than 1% is held by private shareholders.

Written by Chantell Guthrie

President & CEO of Marubeni Power International, Mr. Daisuke Arai recently visited Jamaica and engaged in meaningful discussions with several stakeholders about Marubeni’s operations, plans for further investment in the local economy, and the overall development of Jamaica and its citizens.

Marubeni’s subsidiary is one of the majority shareholders of Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS). Since its acquisition, Marubeni through its ownership in the utility, has invested significantly in upgrading the grid as well as preparation for renewables integration. One such investment is the Hunts Bay Hybrid Energy Storage System.  This system is a combination of 21.5 megawatts Lithium-ion battery and 3 megawatts Flywheel.  The company is also in the process of installing 10 public EV Charging Stations.

Marubeni is also one of the majority owners of South Jamaica Power Centre (SJPC), the largest and most efficient power plant in Jamaica, with a total generation capacity of 194 megawatts. Since it started commercial operation in December 2019, SJPC has accelerated energy diversification in Jamaica.

Mr. Arai’s one-week trip included five courtesy calls with Government officials and heads of public and private sector organisations.  He was accompanied by Mr. Mo Majeed – Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Marubeni Power International/Managing Director of Marubeni Caribbean Operations, and Mr. Keisuke Harada, Senior Manager of Caribbean Operations at Marubeni Power International.

On his visit to Senator Leslie Campbell, State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Mr Arai congratulated him and the Government and people of Jamaica on the celebration of their 60^th Anniversary of Independence. Senator Campbell commented on the excellent relations between Jamaica and Japan. He expressed his appreciation for the continued investment of Marubeni and pledged the Government’s ongoing support.

The group visited Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) President Diane Edwards who assured the representatives that Marubeni was an important part of her presentations when discussing investment opportunities in Jamaica. Mr Arai noted that Marubeni is pursuing further investments, having committed their support 15 years ago and are now focused on environmentally friendly projects.

At the American Chamber of Commerce Jamaica (AMCHAM), the Marubeni team discussed Jamaica’s challenges and opportunities with President Ann-Dawn Young Sang and CEO Jodi-Ann Quarrie. The AMCHAM team was buoyant on US-Jamaica partnerships and assured Mr Arai of Jamaica’s great potential.  

Mr. Arai and his team also met with the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) President John Mahfood, discussing energy usage and recycling in Jamaica. The visit ended on a positive note with Mr. Mahfood expressing his admiration for Marubeni’s operations and giving his commitment of partnership in any future endeavours on which Marubeni would like the JMEA’s collaboration.

The courtesy visits ended with Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) Vice-Presidents Jacqueline Sharp and Adrian Stokes, who is also chair of the PSOJ Economic Committee. Mrs Sharp and Mr Stokes noted the PSOJ’s commitment to investor-friendly policy development and stated that they were in alignment with Marubeni’s focus on environmental sustainability.

Mr Arai expressed his appreciation for the interest of the stakeholders in Marubeni’s current operations and future plans. He noted that the private and public sector leadership was outstanding and augured well for Jamaica as an investor friendly country.

The Marubeni Corporation, founded in 1858 in Japan and incorporated in 1949, encompasses a diverse range of business activities, including lifestyle, ICT & real estate business, forest products, food, agri-business, chemicals, power business, energy, metals and mineral resources, plant, aerospace and ship, finance and leasing business, construction, auto and industrial machinery, and next generation business development.

Excerpt from The Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, September 26, 2022

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

As I write, we are monitoring the track of tropical storm Ian as it moves closer to Jamaica, on its way to becoming a hurricane. The strengthening is due to the warming of the Caribbean Sea, through no fault of our own. Our little Jamaica has introduced climate-friendly measures which are still not enforced in some developed countries. Here we are with our neighbours in the Lesser and Greater Antilles, the sitting ducks of climate change, my description of SIDS (small island developing states), at the mercy of the big and powerful.

Up to late Friday evening, we received notices of Emergency contacts in each parish from ODPEM, and guidelines from the Ministry of Health. Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie reported that 900 shelters and shelter managers were on standby and that ODPEM was made operational day and night.

The Jamaica Public Service sent an advisory on the necessity for an islandwide power outage if the storm comes close. Much as we criticise the JPS, we have to be thankful that we have a resilient power supply in contrast to Puerto Rico which is again suffering power failure from Hurricane Fiona, after their ordeal with Hurricane Maria five years ago. The National Works Agency (NWA) has also advised that they have placed equipment in vulnerable locations for quick response if needed after the storm.

We are expecting between eight and ten inches of rainfall, which may cause dangerous flooding. Over the past weekend, with appeals from the PM and arrangements by his ministers and essential organisations, we are reassured that our public servants are doing their best to keep us safe from the storm.

Excerpt from The Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, September 26, 2022

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

We at CCRP welcome the Revised National Policy for Seniors which was unveiled at the launch of National Seniors Week last Wednesday. Congratulations to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) and its agency the National Commission for Senior Citizens (NCSC) on the strengthening of protection for the elderly.

In his address, MLSS Minister Karl Samuda noted that according to data provided by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) in 2012, 32 percent of all Jamaican households had a member 60 years old and over,” and called for care and respect of our seniors.

We join the Minister in congratulating the board and staff of the National Council for Senior Citizens for serving the nation in a “selfless and wonderful manner,” particularly Executive Director Cassandra Morrison who is enthusiastic about the welfare of Jamaica’s elders. Minister Samuda urged active participation of seniors in a society that “guarantees their rights … recognizes their capacities, their capabilities and contribution and facilitates their enjoyment of a life of fulfilment, health and security.”

CCRP has been invited by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Colette Risden Roberts to join a Working Committee that will focus on legislation for the care and protection of the elderly. The updated policy is welcome, but legislation will ensure that there will be consequences for the abuse of our elders.

A happy and safe National Senior Citizens Week to the stalwart Jamaicans on whose shoulders we stand.

Excerpt from The Jamaica Observer published on Monday, September 26, 2022

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

Imagine enjoying yourself at a friendly Sunday afternoon football match, when out of nowhere two vehicles drive close to you and friends, opening fire at a planned target, and continuing to shoot at others. After the mayhem, three were left dead, six injured and a community traumatized. “What am I hearing,” tweeted a friend who was away on a business trip, “Mass shooting in Jamaica?”

Bereaved relatives and friends have had to get counselling. A pastor shared that the mother of a victim, her beloved daughter, is in such a state that her church family have to be caring for her and ensuring that she takes her medication. So here we see the two sides of our beloved Jamaica: the cold-hearted murderous thugs, and the kind-hearted friends and neighbours. The kind may outnumber the cold, but we are not armed like them.

PSOJ President Keith Duncan aptly describes the level of crime we are experiencing as a national emergency, calling for consensus on crime fighting between Government and Opposition. We need to respect the recommendations of the JCF: they are the ones on the ground with the intelligence on which to act.

Please allow us to go for our morning walks and to leisure events without worrying about being attacked, robbed and murdered. Like too many of us, I write this with painful memories of much-loved friends who have died at the hands of criminals. Crime is the storm that we have the power to calm; now we must have the will to do it.