Jamaica Observer column published Monday 22, January 2024

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Our pastor at Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church, Father Richard Brown, shared a story that during last year’s magnitude 5.6 earthquake folks who had said they did not believe in God were calling out the name of Jesus. We had the usual cynical responses about the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast held last Thursday. However, we maintain that “more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of”.

In his message at the event, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen thanked the members of Planning Committee for their commitment to the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast: “Their dedication has been instrumental in making this event a beacon of hope and unity on our national calendar.”

He said the theme, ‘Choose Hope, Arise and Build’, emphasized the need to work together to create a future that aligns with the country’s highest aspirations. Despite challenges, such as crime and a departure from cultural values, Sir Patrick called on church leaders to provide wisdom and guidance to national leaders through prayer.

He exhorted the gathering to:

• Believe in a brighter Jamaica, where hope outshines despair
• Use hope as a beacon that can guide our nation back from the precipices of crime and disorder
• Hope for peace to reign in every heart, home, and community
• Hope for a day when leaders and citizens alike embrace the righteousness that uplifts a nation
• Believe in the transformative power of prayer

This year’s main speaker, Reverend Omar Morrison, pastor of the First Missionary Church emphasized the challenges leaders face. He referred to the biblical text at Mark 5:1-20, which narrates Jesus’s healing of a demon-possessed man, highlighting the destructive power of demons and the delivering power of God.

Acknowledging societal challenges, including crime, unemployment, and family issues, Rev Morrison contrasted despair with rays of hope seen in positive actions within the community. Rev Morrison called for the church’s urgent rescue and emphasised the importance of prayer and spiritual warfare. A call to action, he noted, is framed in the commissioning of the healed man to share his testimony and build hope.

He asserted hope for Jamaica despite challenges, emphasising the role of God, the Church, and citizens. The call to arise and rebuild relationships, institutions, and bridges of hope signal a commitment to a better future.

Our hearts warmed as we listened to youth speaker Kashief Barton, Campion High School sixth-form student and a youth leader at the Meadowbrook United Church. He described our existence as a tapestry of joy and sorrow, triumphs and trials. Like Nehemiah in the scriptures who rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem, he said choosing hope requires resilience and collective determination to overcome obstacles and actively contribute to society’s betterment.

“Choosing hope involves anchoring oneself in a foundation of faith,” he said, quoting Psalm 33:20-22: “We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and shield. In Him, our hearts rejoice for we trust in His Holy name.”

“Hope is not a passive sentiment,” he explained and shared a favorite verse, Isaiah 40:31: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”

The project selected to benefit from the funds collected at the breakfast is the Educate to Elevate Community Outreach, a back-to-school programme of Hope Gospel Assembly, which has been providing back-to-school resources and scholarships to hundreds of children and their families for several years.

President and CEO of sponsor VM Group, Courtney Campbell, acknowledged the relevance and sustainability of the event: “As described, this is an investment, one that we at VM Group are proud to make. Our support of this forum over the past 39 years reflects our recognition of the potency of faith and prayer and the role the breakfast plays in championing much-needed values in the society.”

AMENDED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT

With the continued reports of domestic violence, putting mostly our children and women at risk, Jamaica welcomes the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act, 2023, which comes into effect today, January 22, 2024.

The amended Act aims to provide greater protection for victims of domestic violence. The amendments include allowing the court to issue protection orders, increasing the penalty for breaching a protection order to a maximum of $1 million and up to one year in prison, and expanding the categories of people who can apply for a protection order.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange emphasized that the Government is serious about addressing domestic abuse and called for an end to this cruel cycle. She also provided helpline phone numbers for those experiencing domestic violence: for women, 876-553-0372 and 876-236-1713; for men, 876-553-0387.

IMF GIVES JAMAICA HIGH MARKS

In a Financial Times report headlined ‘The IMF’s Fave Pupil Gets Another Gold Star’, writer Robin Wigglesworth shared the IMF’s assessment of Jamaica’s economic progress.

“Over the last years,” the report stated, “Jamaica has successfully reduced public debt, anchored inflation, and strengthened its external position. It has built a strong track record of investing in institutions and prioritising macroeconomic stability. This allowed Jamaica’s response to recent global shocks to be prudent, agile, and supportive of growth.”

It continued, “The economy continued to recover in 2023. After two years of rapid post-pandemic recovery, GDP (gross domestic product) growth is projected at 1.7 per cent in FY2023/24,with tourism well above pre-pandemic levels and unemployment falling to a record low of 4.5 per cent by mid-2023….Projected strong tourism inflows are expected to result in a current account surplus for FY2023/24, supporting a sound international reserves position.”

Don Anderson’s recent survey of business confidence shows a level of timidity, but this report should help boost our outlook.

A STRONG YEAR FOR CCCD

At last Tuesday’s annual general meeting for 2023, attendees were impressed by the achievements of the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf (CCCD) after challenging times during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chairperson Carol Robertson commended the staff at the organization’s three campuses in Kingston, Manchester, and St James led by Leon Samms.

They noted successful performances in examinations, the enrolment of 138 students, and the employment of 52 deaf staff members. CCCD’s initiatives have been focused on recruitment, infrastructure renovations, partnerships with local businesses, and ongoing projects with the Jamaica Red Cross. CCCD emphasises student involvement, spiritual development, and support through mentorship programmes and intentional parenting.

TOP AWARD FOR DAVID HERON

Actor and playwright David Heron has won the 2023 Broadway World Rhode Island Award for Best Supporting Performer for his role in Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The production, which received critical acclaim, was part of the Shakespeare in The Park Festival in Rhode Island.

Heron triumphed over almost 30 other nominees in a crowded field. The Broadway World Awards are prestigious regional theatrical awards announced annually by Broadwayworld.com.

In another big career move, Heron recently joined the production team for the upcoming HBO series Get Millie Black as a Jamaican acting and dialogue coach. Congratulations, Wolmerian David Heron – Age Quod Agis.

The National Leadership Prayer Breakfast Committee, organisers of the annual National Leadership Prayer Breakfast, has announced that the 2024 event will focus on a message of hope for Jamaica’s future.

The 44th staging of the Prayer Breakfast, scheduled for Thursday, January 18, and sponsored by the VM Group, will be hosted under the theme, ‘Choose Hope: Arise and Build’. It will again be held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, starting at 7:30 a.m.

Rev. Omar Morrison, pastor of the First Missionary Church, will be this year’s main speaker, while representing the youth interest will be Campion’s sixth-form student and a youth leader at the Meadowbrook United Church, Kashief Barton.

The project selected for the 2024 Breakfast is the Educate to Elevate Community Outreach, a back-to-school programme of Hope Gospel Assembly, which has been providing back-to-school resources and scholarships to hundreds of children and their families for the past several years.

Links will be shared with churches and interested institutions to broadcast the breakfast to their congregations, via YouTube and Facebook, in an effort to expand the reach and to engage a broader audience.

Reiterating the significance of the theme, Rev. Sam McCook, chairman of the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast Committee, emphasised that the theme serves as a call to maintain faith amid numerous challenges faced by individuals, leaders, and the nation.

McCook expressed that “Choose Hope: Arise and Build” urges us to embrace hope despite recognizing challenges, acknowledging our imperfections and limitations. The call is to believe that, with God’s help, we can overcome these challenges. He further noted that this hope acts as an uplifting force, igniting our spirits and empowering us to arise and build.

VM Group President and CEO Courtney Campbell acknowledged the relevance and sustainability of the event. ” As described, this is an investment, one that we at VM Group are proud to make. Our support of this forum over the past 39 years reflects our recognition of the potency of faith and prayer and the role the Breakfast plays in championing much needed values in the society,” Campbell said.

The event will also be preceded by a Week of Prayer, beginning Thursday, January 11. A National Leadership Prayer Service is set for Sunday, January 14 at 9:00 a.m., at the Waltham Park New Testament Church of God. The focal point of that prayer service will be the Ministry of Education. Rev. Dr. Anthony Oliver, president, Caribbean Graduate School of Theology, will be the main speaker and Education Minister Fayval Williams, as well as ministry officials and principals from surrounding schools are expected to attend.

The Student Christian Fellowship & Scripture Union which, for generations, has helped to foster Christian youth leadership, was the 2023 beneficiary of the breakfast contributions in support of its efforts to improve the values and attitudes of students, particularly through enhancing school devotions.

Since its start in 1981, the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast has facilitated unity and fellowship through prayer among the nation’s leaders.

Source: Our Today – https://our.today/2024-prayer-breakfast-to-share-message-of-hope/#google_vignette

Jamaica Observer column published Monday 15, January 2024

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

This year comes with promises and problems, but two events last week reminded us that courage and perseverance will make it a successful one. Last Monday’s opening of the $6.2-billion plant in Montego Bay by Butch Hendrickson and last Tuesday’s celebration of Denis O’Brien’s Digicel journey are lessons in relentless perseverance.

At the Launch of the National Baking Company’s new factory, the 94th birthday of patriarch Karl Hendrickson was also celebrated. Karl started his career at his parents’ bakery in Magotty. He studied at Jamaica College and McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where he met his beautiful wife, Nell. They returned to Jamaica and bought the premises at Central Avenue, where they set up National Baking Company and started their family: Lori-Ann Lyn, Gary “Butch”, Kevin, and Cathy Kerr.

With the guidance of their parents, the four embarked on their own entrepreneurial voyages. Lori-Ann with CB Foods; Butch with the expanded, retrofitted National Baking Company and the Coconut Bay Beach and Spa Resort in St Lucia; Kevin with the Pegasus, Courtleigh, Yummy, and other hospitality interests; and Cathy with Holiday Inn, Palms at Negril, among other initiatives.

Every parent will ask, how did Karl do this? He explained that he and Nell identified his children’s strengths and guided them to make the best of them.

His children have also emulated his social consciousness, which has resulted in them being indefatigable supporters of outreach programmes such as early childhood and The University of the West Indies STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, Missionaries of the Poor, Sister Mary Benedict’s Laws Street Trade Training Centre, Food For the Poor, and other great causes.

The first project I worked on with Karl was the former Primary Health Foundation as he believed that by strengthening primary health care there would be a reduction in non-communicable diseases and less pressure on our hospitals. Now we are hearing the same pronouncements from the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

We have seen Butch shut down his National Baking Company plant so the entire staff could pack over 2,000 school bags for early childhood institutions at the beginning of each school year. Then off went the trucks throughout Jamaica to deliver the bags. Butch and his close friend Glen Christian also built the multimillion-dollar model basic and primary school at Union Gardens. National’s ‘Bold Ones of Manufacturing’ saw over 30 companies selected for marketing packages and had their ads emblazoned on its trucks. The company is currently funding the building of 12 houses. Indeed, he has declared to his staff, “Work hard and make the money because you know I plan to give it away!”

Celebration for Denis O’Brien

The Digicel Jamaica Foundation has been run with the same spirit of nation-building for the past 20 years. Even as the telecoms business became more competitive, its patron Denis O’Brien insisted on investing US$45 million to fund education, special needs, community development, and environmental protection.

The focus on special needs was inspired by O’Brien’s chairmanship of the Special Olympics World Games, the first of its kind held outside the US. At the Tuesday celebration at the AC Hotel Kingston, Special Olympics Global Chair Tim Shriver recalled O’Brien’s leadership of one of the most spectacular events of its kind.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness lauded O’Brien for his landmark investment, making telecommunications possible for the humblest Jamaican. In turn, O’Brien thanked the Holness Government, specifically Minister Audley Shaw, for inspiring the building of their global headquarters on the Kingston Waterfront. He paid tribute to the P J Patterson Government for being “the architects of the telecoms liberalisation in 2000 in Jamaica… Jamaica’s inspired liberalisation policy was then copied by nearly all countries in Caricom and regionally”.

Videos and short messages marked the milestones of O’Brien’s impact in the Caribbean, Central America, Papua New Guinea, and islands in the South Pacific. His dedication to the development of Haiti was noted by former US President Bill Clinton and actor Sean Penn. The Digicel Haiti Foundation has built 192 schools in Haiti, rebuilt the Iron Market, and assisted survivors of the 2010 earthquake.

Here in Jamaica, the Digicel Foundation has created or significantly expanded 12 special needs schools, transformed the Alpha Institute, the St John Bosco Vocational Training Centre, several Mustard Seed residences, and Bethlehem Home for the Missionaries of the Poor.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation donated thousands of tablets to schools for online learning and has been steadily creating smart computer centres in schools throughout Jamaica.

Similar projects are also being managed by the Digicel Papua New Guinea and Digicel Trinidad and Tobago foundations. The foundation’s Global Chair Maria Mulcahy spends months commuting and directing country CEOs Serena Sasignan, Sophia Stransky, Penny Gomez, and Charmaine Daniels as well as chairs Josefa Gauthier, Desha Clifford and yours truly (serving my final year).

O’Brien took the time to congratulate all who had contributed to the group since 2000, too many to mention here. However, we have to remark on the joie de vivre of Frank O’Carroll; investors Leslie Buckley, Lucy Gaffney, and Seamus Lynch, the first CEO; the brilliance of the late group CEO Colm Delves; David Hall’s positivity; communications whiz Antonia Graham; spirited Peter Lloyd; and Pauline Murphy.

We can be proud of the experience and class brought by our fellow Jamaicans, including Anthony Chang, board director; Lisa Lewis; Harry Smith, now chairman of Digicel Jamaica; Ken Mason; Krishna Phillips; Donovan Betancourt; and the late Heather Asphall, who was dearly missed at the event.

Not ready to rest on his laurels, O’Brien has initiated the Repair Campaign, which is vigorously pursuing monetary reparation for the plundering of Caribbean countries by our former colonial masters. Kudos to Gaffney for leading the charge and for the support of Sir Hilary Beckles and Professor Verene Shepherd.

O’Brien expressed gratitude to his wife Catherine for her support and caring for their four children while also participating in another aspect of their business.

On a serious note, he said, “The telecoms industry is in a difficult place right now and investors are pulling back. This is because the industry is being forced to meet higher and higher investment demands in network capacity, both in LTE and fibre network, to carry traffic for OTTs [over-the-top media services] such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Google, YouTube, and Netflix and many others. This traffic carried free of charge represents 70 per cent of network throughput. The 10 largest Caribbean operators have come together to put forward a cost recovery plan to Canto and Caricom to force big tech to pay their way.”

He thanked Daryl Vaz, minister of science, energy, telecommunications and transport “for his leadership and support at a Caricom regional level, in drawing other governments’ attention to this serious issue with OTTs”.

As he will be demitting the chair, while still serving as a director of the group, O’Brien welcomed the new chair, Rajeev Suri, noting that he is “highly talented [and bringing] new ideas and a proven international track record from his time as CEO of Nokia and Inmarsat”.

It has been an honour to serve and be inspired by both National Baking Company and Digicel. Here’s wishing them continued success and O’Brien a happy and fulfilling semi-retirement.

After the bloody 1980 elections, where more than 800 Jamaicans were killed, the first National Leadership Prayer Breakfast (NLPB) was convened by the Church in an attempt to unite a nation torn apart by political tribalism.

Forty-four years later, Rev Sam McCook, chairman of the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast Committee, acknowledges that the state of affairs has changed but maintains that the event remains relevant.

“We are less divided overtly, we are less tribal, but the need to have an activity that provides a common space for us to share fellowship, for leaders who would not normally meet in the same space to hear a word from God through the message … we believe it is necessary,” he said.

McCook was addressing journalists during a media briefing yesterday.

Stating that the challenge of continued importance is an issue the event faces, he noted that the committee had taken steps to address this.

“We are trying to be relevant, we are trying to get younger people on our committee, and not just as window dressing. We’re going to give them responsibilities. We are making changes in format and programming that we believe will make it more relevant,” he said.

The 44th annual NLPB, which McCook said aims to foster greater unity in the country, will be held on January 18 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in a hybrid in-person and online format under the theme, ‘Choose Hope, Arise and Build’.

McCook further emphasised that the event is an important part of the country’s social infrastructure that helps define the country and reaffirms the good in society.

“I think a simple question to ask would be, if we did not have the breakfast and needed something like this, how would we go about doing it? And I believe it is better for us to have it, maintain it, so that if we end up being more polarised in the future, there will still be this common space that we share,” he said.

“Jamaica is a Christian country, and no matter what, we always resort to prayer, and so even from that perspective, it’s always relevant,” Pastor Claudia Ferguson, vice-chairman of the NLPB Committee, underscored.

McCook noted that the breakfast is inclusive, despite its exclusion of non-Christian faiths.

“I want to make the point that the breakfast is non-partisan, non-governmental, non-denominational, which means that what we do is really being done by persons who have a heart for our mission and have a heart for the nation,” he said.

VMBS SATISFIED WITH IMPACT

Victoria Mutual Group has been a sponsor of the NLPB for nine years. Its president and CEO, Courtney Campbell, expressed his satisfaction with the impact of the event.

“We are pleased that our nation’s leaders have committed to remain constant in prayer, and we call on them to go about the work of this great nation with even greater effort, passion, and commitment,” he charged.

A week of prayer, which started yesterday, precedes the main event next Thursday. Each day, divine intervention will be sought for a specific sector of leaders. On Sunday, committee members will gather to pray for a specific area of national life, as well as a series of pastoral visits to national leaders.

“A theme that has emerged very strongly out of our interactions this year is a recognition that the crises facing us as a nation reside a lot in the values we have, or in the declining value, and a recognition that the Church has an integral part to play in restoring the values that we desire to characterise Jamaica as a nation,” McCook stated.

Contributions garnered from the event will go towards supporting the work of the Educate to Elevate Community Programme – a back-to-school initiative of the Hope Gospel Assembly. Last year’s contributions, totalling more than $750,000, went to supporting the Students’ Christian Fellowship and Scripture Union.

Source: Jamaica Gleaner – https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20240112/committee-declares-natl-prayer-breakfast-still-relevant

Marubeni Power International brought welcome Christmas cheer to two St Andrew primary schools, Drews Avenue Primary School and Mountain View Primary School, delivering scores of food/care packages. Marubeni’s outreach programme in collaboration with Food for the Poor supports educational institutions, including direct assistance to vulnerable persons in various communities. This year’s sponsorship was $1 million.

Earlier this year, Marubeni awarded scholarships totalling US$20,000 to five UWI Electrical Engineering students.

Photos include Marubeni Power International executives: Mo Majeed, Managing Director, Caribbean Operations, Damian Obiglio, Senior Vice-President, Keisuke Harada, Senior Manager, Caribbean Operations, Takuya Kokowa, Associate, Caribbean Operations.

Marubeni Scholars with representatives from UWI Development & Endowment Fund, Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Yasuhiro Atsumi, and Marubeni Senior Executives.

Marubeni executives hosted five electrical engineering students of The University of the West Indies, whom the company has awarded scholarships totalling US$20,000 at the South Jamaica Power Centre (SJPC) in St Catherine on Thursday, December 7.

The five students, Rochelle Stephens, Daniel McGregor, Brianna Smith, Martin McDonald and Dwight Simpson, were greeted at the SJPC plant by Mohamed Majeed, managing director of Caribbean operations for Marubeni; Damian Obigio, Marubeni Caribbean vice-president and chairman of JPS; along with Marubeni executives Keisuke Harada and Takuya Kokawa.

Leisa Batiste-Whyte, SJPC general manager, gave a preliminary overview of the 194MW facility, the largest of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean, supported by plant manager Noel Watson, who provided technical details and also led the tour of the facilities that followed. Watson pointed out several features and installations on the site, as well as the surrounding area, including the floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel unit anchored some three kilometres offshore, instituted through a precedent-setting arrangement with LNG supplier New Fortress Energy.  

On completion of the tour, the students engaged the Marubeni and SJPC teams in a spirited dialogue covering the scale of the plant, the relative feasibility of greenfield renewable energy generation facilities vs conventional fuel-powered generation, including several other topics. 

Speaking on behalf of the students, Dwight Simpson said the visit gave them a better understanding of the workings of electrical power generation. “It was good to witness a power plant in operation at that scale, to see the features and the organisation that went into the facility and to have the technical aspects explained to us,” he said.  

Majeed said it was a pleasure to host the group and to provide the kind of perspective that only first-hand witness of the facility could provide.

He added, “We believe it’s important for the recipients to have this background as they look to become problem-solvers and contributors to development, both as Jamaicans and even further afield as future professionals.”

He also impressed upon the group the importance of having a solid understanding of the business implications in undertaking investments of the scale of the SJPC plant and focusing on the practical realisations of delivering power to Jamaicans in a cost-effective manner.

In addition to its US$350-million investment in the SJPC plant, Marubeni Power International is the majority shareholder of JPS. The company has also invested significantly in upgrading the grid. Marubeni has, since commencing operations in Jamaica, invested in social and community development, with a particular focus on interventions in the education sector.

Source: Our Today – https://our.today/marubeni-hosts-engineering-scholars-at-sjpc-plant/#:~:text=Marubeni%20executives%20hosted%20five%20electrical,Catherine%20on%20Thursday%2C%20December%207.

Jamaica Observer column published Monday 8, January 2024

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

The new year greeted us with the bluest skies. No wonder then that we have had thousands of visitors fleeing the cold North over the holiday season. In fact, Sangster International Airport (SIA) in Montego Bay recorded 5, 267, 820 total passengers in 2023, surpassing 2022 by 19.6 per cent. The traffic for December 2023 was some 500,000 and continued high passenger traffic is expected for January 2024 to March 2024.

VIP Attractions’ Club MoBay and Club Kingston lounges have been a favorite of visitors. Their dynamic CEO Shelly Ann Fung-King, who ensured a mix of charm and efficiency over the past 15 years, will be leaving the company and a new CEO, Tanya Beckford, has been appointed. VIP Attractions Chairman David Hall thanked Fung-King “for her years of committed and hard work to bring the company where it is today”.

There are increasing cruise ship arrivals in Jamaica. We met friends in Falmouth at Flava-Ville restaurant at the pier. A rocking, DJ kept a vibe going and the Jamaican menu items attracted a full house. Our African American friend, who made the Falmouth stop shared an entry in his journal: “As I stepped out onto the balcony of the ship, there was my homeland and something in me was completely settled and at peace. All my senses felt at home in that moment.”

American singer and actor Fantasia Barrino-Taylor, who stars in the latest version of The Color Purple, was recently interviewed by Variety magazine and asked about her favourite place to visit. Her response: “I love Jamaica. Oh my God! The food in Jamaica! I’m definitely gaining a couple of pounds. But I love to eat. I love to go to the clubs and dance all night. I just love Jamaica.”

Sandals Resorts International has thousands of repeat visitors at this, one of the world’s first all-inclusive resorts where service has raised the bar for the international hotel trade. They focus on professional development, now managed by former The University of the West Indies (UWI), Western Jamaica Campus director and Open Campus principal, Dr Luz Longsworth. It is this uncompromising focus on excellence which can make the tourism industry a ladder for professional achievement.

Winthrop Wellington has been celebrating Negril in his Throp Media series, featuring interesting interviews on his vlog on YouTube and Instagram. Wellington returned from the US to run his family business, Travellers Beach Hotel. His discussions with real estate experts reveal that Negril is one of the fastest-growing resort areas in Jamaica, not only along the seven-mile beach but also the West End along One Love Boulevard.

CEDELLA MARLEY CUTS TIES WITH JIFF

In a letter published last week, Cedella Marley announced her resignation as Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Women’s Football Goodwill Ambassador: “I must express my disappointment and growing concern with the turn things have taken in recent months. After the World Cup, I was under the impression that we all were committed to working together to build on that success. However, the ever-widening rift between the JFF and the team is very alarming. Numerous overtures to each of you to voice my concern and try to assist with a resolution continue to be met with non-committal, generic response.”

The Bob and Rita Foundation also announced that it would cease funding the JFF partnership. Via the Bob and Rita Marley Foundations and other partners, Marley had raised US$2.7 million in support of our Reggae Girlz. Marley, described as the ‘Fairy Godmother’ of the Reggae Girlz, assured them that she will continue her support with her Football is Freedom initiative.

JAMAICANS SHINE ABROAD

Three Canadians with Jamaican roots have been appointed to the Order of Ontario for 2023: Gervan Fearon, president of George Brown College; retired internist, Dr Herbert Ho Ping Kong: and poet Dwayne Morgan.

Fearon, of Jamaican parentage, migrated with his family to Canada in 1968 and is president of George Brown College. He is the former dean of the Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education (named for the late Jamaica-Canadian business guru) at Toronto Metropolitan University, and also served at Brock University and Brandon University.

Dr Ho Ping Kong has been lauded as a legendary diagnostician. The UWI graduate in medicine was the founder of the first division of internal medicine at Montreal’s Royal Victoria Hospital. His book The Art of Medicine: Healing and the Limits of Technology is a best-seller: The University Health Network named an educational centre – The Ho Ping Kong Centre for Excellence in Education and Practice in his honour.

Morgan, son of Jamaican immigrants to Canada, is a celebrated poet of the spoken word. He was twice the Canadian National Poetry Slam Champion and was a 2016 finalist for the Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. In 2013 he was inducted into the Scarborough Walk of Fame.

Congratulations to my dear friend British-Jamaican Yvonne Wilks-O’Grady, who was recently conferred with the Order of the British Empire by King Charles, in recognition of “her remarkable impact on the media landscape in the United Kingdom and Jamaica”.

Yvonne’s media journey in the UK includes Root Magazine, The Voice newspaper, The Weekly Journal, Pride Magazine, Readers Digest, TV Guide, New Woman Magazine, and Weekly Gleaner. In Jamaica she played a pivotal role in the transformation of Radio Jamaica into the RJR Communications Group. Yvonne is dedicated to special needs projects, inspired by her daughter Savannah who is on the autism spectrum.

FAREWELL PROF EDWARD BAUGH

Those of us who were lucky enough to have sat at the feet of Professor Edward Baugh will always have that voice in our heads, delivering his own and heads, delivering his own and Derek Walcott’s lines. He was a generous mentor, reading countless manuscripts, including my own, for which I am forever grateful.

We last heard him at Yasus Afari’s poetry festival where memories of Portland, his birth parish. We delighted in Carpenter’s Complaint about “that mawga foot boy” who passed him by, despite building his father’s house to give the making of his late father’s coffin to someone else. At the end of his readings, we were on our feet with sustained applause. Prof Baugh’s beloved wife, Sheila, was ever at his side, a warm and elegant couple. Our deepest condolence to her, daughters Sarah and Katherine, and other family members. May his great soul rest in peace.

OUR 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Hubie and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary last month with family and close friends. Tony Lowrie was emcee; our children Anita and Noel gave the welcome; and Tony Chin raised the toast. Archbishop Kenneth Richards blessed the occasion; and our pastor, Father Richard Brown, blessed the cake baked and decorated by Anita.

We were entertained by Leslie Chin, who sang his own composition, Patrick Chin and a Hawaiian Dance by Valerie Chin Burman. Our friend who had introduced us, took us down memory lane recalling how we sang and worshipped together.

We thank God for taking us to this milestone, and our loved ones for their outpouring of good wishes.

MBJ Airports Limited (“MBJ”), operators of Sangster International Airport herby advises that vehicular traffic to the Departures and Arrivals areas of the airport will be as shown in the diagram below effective January 6, 2024. 

This temporary change is being made to alleviate the congestion landside. 

We seek the cooperation of all airport users to be guided by the directional signage and personnel where applicable as we seek to enhance the airport experience and improve service levels. 

In commemorating its 20th anniversary of operating the Sangster International Airport (SIA) in Montego Bay, MBJ Airports Limited (MBJ) launched its foundation by donating J$41 million to a nearby school as well as students and charity organisations from surrounding communities.

At an open-air celebration of its anniversary on Thursday, December 14, MBJ announced its adoption of the Flanker Primary and Infant School and presented a cheque for J$30 million to expand its early childhood department. MBJ also presented another J$11 million to over 180 students and three community organisations, all from the proceeds of its recent 10K and 5K run/walk.

Chief Executive Officer of MBJ Airports Limited, Shane Munroe, underscored the company’s commitment to philanthropic initiatives that support the development of early childhood and primary institutions in Montego Bay. Through its annual scholarships awarded to children from primary up to tertiary institutions. the airport operator has been demonstrating its commitment to the community’s well-being and education.

He described the 20th anniversary celebration as a momentous occasion and “a testament to the vision, determination, and hard work that have defined our journey over the past two decades. … It is your commitment and professionalism that have earned Sangster International Airport numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious title of the Best Airport in the Caribbean for 15 consecutive years from the World Travel Awards,” he assured the employees.

He said the period had been marked by remarkable growth and success for SIA as it played its role as the leading international gateway to Jamaica.

“Our commitment to connecting the island to the world, driving economic growth, and fostering tourism has been unwavering from the very beginning,” said Munroe, with Sangster International Airport now serving more than 45 direct destinations worldwide and playing a critical role as a hub for tourism travel.

“Our focus remains on expanding our network of destinations, enhancing passenger experiences, and promoting sustainable practices throughout our operations. We are not just an airport; we are a symbol of Jamaican pride, a vital gateway connecting Jamaica to the world,” he added.

Outlining MBJ’s history, Munroe identified iconic milestones and memorable achievements, leading up to the current year in which the company continues to excel.

In addition to US$309 million already pumped into the airport to upgrade infrastructure and to expand service areas,Munroe announced that “next year we have committed to over US$40 million in investments”. He said the airport is for the benefit of the people of Jamaica, “and unlike most companies we don’t just pay taxes, we also pay concession fees with US$349 million in concession fees and taxes directly going towards the Jamaican economy”.

MBJ crafted a new vision and mission in 2020 that commits to being “the steward of a key strategic infrastructure for Jamaica …to ensure a safe, passenger-centric, sustainable, efficient, and profitable airport operation” and “to be a leading tourist destination airport, exceeding the expectations of our passengers while being uniquely Jamaican”.

SIA has been voted the leading international airport in the Caribbean for 15 years. It is also one of a handful of Jamaican companies with multiple ISO certifications, having received ISO 9001 Quality Management System (QMS) Certification, and ISO 270001 Information Security Management System (ISMS)Certification.

In addition to improving its infrastructure, a customer experience (CX) programme has been launched for all stakeholders to improve the customer experience delivered by employees at the airport.

“Our aim is to deliver exceptional hospitality-class service to our passengers and guests and ensure their experience is stress-free, enjoyable, memorable, and seamless,” said Munroe.

Beyond that, he said MBJ recognised the importance of sustainability and its responsibility to the community. Its eco-friendly initiatives included a 3MW solar energy project, showcasing its dedication to reducing its carbon footprint.

“A new project is now underway to increase our solar PV system to 6MW, becoming one of the largest private solar PV installations in Jamaica and the region,” he announced.

Munroe paid tribute to the contribution of MBJ’s dedicated employees, SIA staff, partners and stakeholders for their respective contributions to the airport’s growth over the last two decades, with July 2023 being the first time that the airport had exceeded 500,000 passengers in one month and was looking forward to another memorable milestone of five million passengers before month-end.

Source: Our Today – https://our.today/mbj-marks-20-anniversary-with-41-million-donation/#:~:text=In%20commemorating%20its%2020th%20anniversary,charity%20organisations%20from%20surrounding%20communities.