International Game Technology (IGT), through its After School Advantage (ASA) Programme just wrapped up an all-male virtual empowerment session for young men in its ASA Centeres across the Caribbean. Several male IGT Executives and other partners shared inspiring stories about professional development and technological literacy with the young men.
Seen in the photos below are: the event’s Emcee and Sales Manager at IGT, Nicholas Spence; Private Barro D., from the Barbados Defense Force and former IGT ASA beneficiary, Darren Awai, Systems Administrator and Daniel de Dannes, Market Research Analyst both with IGT in Trinidad & Tobago.
Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, November 14, 2022
It has been a joy to see our daughter Anita grow into one of the most versatile managers of both our comms and real estate development businesses. Besides that, she is a caring and pro-active daughter. Hubie the ‘girl Dad’ and Anita talk in code as their dietary choices differ from mine, but we like the same movies, so she is always ready to watch a weekly rom com with her Mom. We wish Anita a happy birthday and blessings for many more.
Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, November 14, 2022
Alpha Academy and Windsor University graduate Dr Denise Aloma (nee Wehby) was the recipient of the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership from the U.S. Department of Education earlier this month. The award recognizes outstanding school leaders and the vital role they play in guiding students and schools to excellence, frequently under challenging circumstances. Dr Aloma was nominated for her commitment to fostering successful teaching and learning at her school and doing “whatever it takes” to help students meet high standards.
Dr Aloma has been a faculty member of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale for over 40 years, serving as Principal for seven years.
Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, November 14, 2022
Jamaicans were cheering from afar when we learned that Democratic candidate for the governorship of Maryland Wes Moore had emerged victorious in last week’s US Mid-Term Elections, the first African American to do so. A video of Moore’s Jamaica 60 greetings to the state’s Jamaican community has been circulating. Here are some excerpts:
“I’m so proud to stand with the diverse and dynamic communities that make up the great state of Maryland but I have to tell you I’m specifically and particularly proud to stand with the Jamaican association of Maryland because yes I am …very very proud of my history, my culture where I came from . … It is my joy to be able to address all of you in a true celebration of Jamaica’s 60th year Independence knowing that the first sixty were great the next 60 lookout! … I look forward to partnering with you for the next decade, for the next 60 years and beyond.”
Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, November 14, 2022
Many of us have seen this: history being rewritten by mediocre successors in organizations; they take credit for the vision and accomplishments of their predecessors. I remember attending a function where the founder, one of Jamaica’s most brilliant women, was seated anonymously at her brainchild’s event while newcomers were preening themselves at the head table. I had to intervene, leading the lady to her rightful place after persuading a reluctant person to take a seat in the audience.
This is why we at CCRP (please know us by the acronym now), an organization for seniors take great care to research and prepare citations annually for our Living Legacy Awards ceremony. What we have discovered each year is that most high achievers are humble individuals; it is not until you insist that they share they life’s journey that you realize how much they have contributed to Jamaica.
Take Winniefred Chambers-Dyer. With a UWI degree in nursing administration, she gave 33 years of service to the Kingston Public Hospital retiring as Deputy Matron. After retirement, she was re-employed to KPH as Operating Theatre and Renal Unit Manager with responsibility for the efficient management of 15 operating theatres. She assisted in establishing the Eye Clinic at the Jamaica Society for the Blind (JSB), was a member of the Prevention of Blindness Committee of the Ministry of Health and was a member of the team which amended the current Opticians’ Act. One of her most challenging assignments was her trip to Montserrat during the island’s Soufriere Hills volcanic eruption in 1997, when she served as team leader of six nurses.
Then there is Beryl Chevannes, a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador. Her career in nursing and midwifery was the foundation of her career, leading to her appointment as Executive Director of the National Family Planning Board. She has served as a Consultant to Futures Group International providing technical assistance in the development of A National Youth Policy and the preparation of a national strategic plan for youth development. Mrs Chevannes has served in several roles including as an Examiner with the Nursing Council of Jamaica, Lecturer in the Maternal & Child Health Diploma Course of the Department of Social & Preventive Medicine at UWI, and External Examiner for Nursing & Midwifery with the Nursing Council of Nassau, Bahamas.
We usually see Howard Hamilton on the sports news as president of the Jamaica Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, authoring the publication, “My Journey With Thoroughbreds”. This dynamic Jamaican headed the Shell Company and created the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) in 1991. The SDF has built sporting infrastructure around the island and also supported administrative capacity in several sports. Serving as Chairman of the then Metropolitan Management and Transport Holdings, Mr Hamilton oversaw the development of bus depots in Portmore and the Corporate Area, including the Metropolitan Transport Centre in Half-Way-Tree.
Gary ‘Butch’ Hendrickson is in his own league as a Jamaican philanthropist. He received a special Award named for the late Michael Fraser, a generous board director of CCRP. Hendrickson has been heard warning his 1000 strong team “Make the money please – you know I plan to give it away.” With his colleague Glen Christian, the model Union Gardens School was created. His National Baking Foundation has donated millions to early childhood education and more recently to the UWI STEM Project. Hendrickson sponsored the “Bold Ones of Manufacturing Project” which gave small manufacturers a marketing boost including mobile fixtures for expositions, the production of promotional videos, exposure at JMEA EXPO shows. Two of those companies, AMD Packaging and Spur Tree Spices are now listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. He created a mobile training classroom complete with teacher and driver and the Jamaican Made Christmas to promote local organizations. He lends his organizational brilliance to the Council of Voluntary Social Services as their Chairman as well as to several high-powered boards. Meanwhile National Baking continues its 70-year journey, now creating an ultra-modern facility in Montego Bay and widening its range of products.
This column has dubbed Eleanor Jones an ‘Angel of the Environment’. The former UWI Lecturer grew impatient with the conferences exploring environmental problems and so she left academia to co-found Environmental Solutions. As we constantly weigh the balance between development and environmental protection the company’s initial mission was applying disaster risk management and environmental conservation to the wider public sphere, encompassing Government, private sector and civil society. More than 30 years on, ESL has one of the largest environmental labs and consultancies in the Caribbean, certified to the ISO/IEC Standard, and is continuing to expand through volunteer and community activism. The brilliant Eleanor Jones remains a well-loved empathetic individual, high in EQ as well as IQ. She is also very proud of granddaughter Rachel Jones who has joined the Reggae Girls World Cup Team, playing for the first time against Paraguay over the past week.
Next week, I will continue to share with you the achievements of more legendary Jamaicans.
Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, November 7, 2022
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
The first fan letter I ever wrote was to Leonie Forbes after watching her play the mother in Trevor Rhone’s ‘Old Story Time’. In her over sixty years on Jamaica’s stage she slipped easily into a range of characters, riveting us with her every expression and movement on stage. She inspired and mentored generations of broadcasters and actors. Indeed I was surprised to see the comments of young journalists whom she would call when they mispronounced words and would guide them until they got it right.
Leonie Forbes’ contribution to Jamaican theatre is immeasurable. Dahlia Harris recalled that she was nervous at the thought of performing with Forbes but found her to be a patient mentor. We felt the love when her theatre family staged Basil Dawkins’s ‘Hide Your Husband’ on her 85 th Birthday in June. She was radiant with joy. As Jamaica opens up, the theatre community can summon up her profound style to preserve our grand theatre tradition.
Members of the Chinese Cultural Association (CCA) would look forward to the presentations of our former president Dr Kai Meng Lui. The well-travelled doctor who used traditional and Chinese medicine to attract a host of faithful patients would ply us with fascinating stories accompanied by great photographs. It was only after his passing at a memorial gathering that we realized what a multi-faceted individual he was.
The loving husband, father and grandfather was a valued member of several organizations including the Photographic Club, the Natural History Science Club, and the Jamaica Amateur Radio Association. He was an energetic organizer of China tours and as colleague Winsome Mowatt noted, “We just had to show up – Kai Meng took care of everything.” The tributes offered by his daughter Shu Yin Lui-Morgan and office attendant Jennifer Douglas spoke of a caring family man and a humble doctor who chose to serve in Kingston’s inner city where he felt no danger, only love from his patients. Our condolences to their friends and families of Leonie Forbes and Kai Meng Lui; may their souls rest in peace.
Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, November 7, 2022
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
From the moment you get to the reception desk you are greeted by friendly and professional staff at Club Mobay. The service and environment are impeccable; it makes one proud that our visitors can enjoy this aspect of our Jamaican hospitality at arrival and departure. Kudos to the founder of VIP Attractions David Hall who rolled out services at the Donald Sangster Airport and Club Kingston at the Norman Manley Airport. General Manager Shelly- Ann Fung-King inspires her team to give of their utmost; now one needs to book ahead for their sought-after service.
Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, November 7, 2022
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
When we see the reports of fights in our high schools, we wonder what kind of homes produced these children. This is not an uptown-downtown issue. I remember interviewing our former World Boxing Champion Michael McCallum in the eighties. He came from a very humble home in the inner city but his mother was so watchful that she took him to church every night. Then there was the wonderful lead story in last week’s Jamaica Observer where young Alexia Hibbert turned up at her mother’s workplace in her graduation gown to show her the UWI BA Certificate. The workplace of her mother Makeisha Walker is at Crab Circle adjacent to National Heroes’ Park and the photo of the two features a huge pot of crabs, the means by which Walker has been raising and educating her two daughters.
The report by Brittny Hutchinson, quotes Hibbert: “I remember one time she got burnt by the soup but she got up for work … She wrapped it up and came out here. Sometimes even when it’s raining heavily she is out there doing her thing.” It is said that every child needs that one person who loves them unconditionally, who reminds them how precious they are, who makes sacrifices for them to give them the best life possible. In our Jamaica this is not necessarily a parent: grandparents, elder siblings, aunts and uncles have stepped in and have done wonderfully. However, there are still too many of our children who do not have that one caring guardian; it now falls on the society to step into the breach. We can talk and wring our hands but what is really needed is a strategic plan involving school, church and civil society. There are active alumni associations which could be brought on board to do one-on-one mentoring of troubled children. This country has more churches per capita than most others in the world. There are retired seniors who could conduct after school homework sessions in those beautiful empty church halls and engage the children in practical and inspiring discussions.
Child abuse is taking place in all types of households. Parents suffering from diverse types of addiction are neglecting their children. Internet addiction may prevent us from focusing on our children’s concerns. Bullyism is rife and if parents are not aware and do not take action, their children could be scarred for life. It can be a tough challenge for working parents but instead of having their children waiting until dark with a security guard before being picked up, other arrangements can be made for after-school care. Those poor little hearts depend on their parents and guardians to look out for them and should never feel that no one cares. Another severe problem is the constant criticism that some children face, being compared with others.
I remember a competent co-worker always shrinking in the background and never standing up for herself; she shared that her parents were constantly comparing her with high-achieving cousins and she developed an inferiority complex. Another young lady kept standing behind others in a group photo and when we asked her why she was hiding herself she said she was too ugly to be photographed. We could not believe our ears. This was a beautiful lady and when we kept complimenting her, she burst into tears and said apart from men trying to pick her up, it was the first time that she received sincere affirmation; she had been told repeatedly as a child that she was ugly. Our offhand remarks can be cutting to a child as can our lack of focus on their needs.
Our children who we keep saying are our future have urgent and present challenges. We are reaping the whirlwind and we need to act before it becomes a dangerous hurricane.
Al Webb Scholarship
For the past four years, retired banker Al Webb has been funding one-year scholarships for UWI students based on their first- or second-year performance. Along with UWIDEV Project Officer Francine Kidd-Warren I have been interviewing these students and have been moved by their resolve and perseverance in the face of unimaginable challenges. The hardest part is to select one from the four worthy candidates. Congratulations to Zanya Lawes now in her second year pursuing a social sciences degree. She is an ardent volunteer for environmental projects and participates in various extra-curricular activities. We wish her every success.
Jamaica Highlights 