Month: February 2026

Food For The Poor Jamaica celebrates Canada Week with rapid housing relief in St Elizabeth

Food For The Poor volunteers constructing a house in this undated image. Photo pre-dates Hurricane Melissa. (Photo: foodforthepoorja.org)

Food For The Poor-Jamaica observed Canada Week by highlighting an impactful show of international solidarity as two homes were constructed and handed over in a single day in St Elizabeth for families affected by Hurricane Melissa. 

These housing projects were spearheaded by Food For The Poor-Canada, with the Canada team led by Geraldine Isaac, executive director of Food For The Poor-Canada. The funds used to execute this week’s building initiatives were achieved through the generosity of donors contributing to Food For The Poor-Canada’s support of hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica. 

The funds raised were directly applied on the ground in Jamaica this week, allowing for the swift construction of safe, secure homes for vulnerable families who lost or sustained severe damage to their residences during Hurricane Melissa.

“After Hurricane Melissa hit, many Canadians came out in droves to show their love and support. As we observe Canada Week, we are especially grateful to show our donors how their love and care is bringing change to the breadbasket of Jamaica,” said Isaac.  

Canada Week at FFTP-Jamaica serves as a moment to recognise the strong and enduring relationship between Jamaica and Canada, and the continued willingness of Canadian partners and donors to support humanitarian initiatives across the region.

The successful completion of two homes in one day underscores the efficiency, dedication, and shared mission of both Food For The Poor-Jamaica and Food For The Poor-Canada. Food For The Poor-Jamaica remains committed to supporting hurricane-affected communities through housing, food assistance, and other critical interventions, while continuing to work alongside international partners who share its mission of alleviating poverty and improving lives.

Food For The Poor Jamaica Hosts Successful Health Fair in Ramble, Hanover

A touching moment: At the Ramble, Hanover health fair, a member of the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) personally hands a box of supplies to a woman in a wheelchair. Her joy says it all. These essential items brought comfort and relief, showing the power of community care and support. This health fair ensured hundreds of residents had access to essential health services and support, underscoring the power of partnership in strengthening community wellbeing.

Food For The Poor Jamaica recently hosted a community health fair in Ramble, Hanover, on January 10, 2026 serving more than 500 residents from the surrounding areas and reaffirming its commitment to improving access to essential healthcare services in western Jamaica.

The health fair provided a wide range of free services, including eye examinations, general medical care, dental services, and mental wellness support. Residents benefited from consultations and screenings aimed at promoting early detection, prevention, and overall well-being.

The initiative was made possible through the support and collaboration of several corporate, nonprofit, and public-sector partners. Participating organizations included JAM for Jamaica, JAMBISCO, Island Grill, National Water Commission (NWC), Jamaica Public Service (JPS), National Bakery, Wisynco, A&E Ambulance Services, Lions Club, KFC, Sean Paul Foundation, the Ministry of Health & Wellness, Sign Xpress, Jamaica AIDS Support For Life, the University of the West Indies (UWI), and the University Hospital of the West Indies.

Through these partnerships, the health fair delivered vital services directly to the community, reducing barriers to care and providing much-needed support to residents in the west. Food For The Poor Jamaica continues to work alongside partners to uplift vulnerable communities by addressing critical needs such as healthcare, food security, and social support.

Smile Awhile: Demonstrating good spirits, Food For The Poor Jamaica’s Agricultural & Fisheries Manager, Othniel Carby (left) poses for a quick picture with a woman and her baby at the recent health fair in Ramble, Hanover. The event, which served over 500 people, provided free medical, dental, eye care and mental wellness services, made possible through strong partnerships across the public and private sectors.

Historic Manning’s School to benefit from 2026 National Leadership Prayer Breakfast

Flanking Pastor Claudia Ferguson, chair of the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast Committee, are Jonathan Brown (left), Manning’s School board member, and Courtney Campbell, president & CEO of the VM Group.

THE historic Manning’s School in Westmoreland, which was ravaged by the October 28, 2025 Hurricane Melissa, will get a rebuilding boost for its wellness centre from this year’s National Leadership Prayer Breakfast (NLPB).

The 46th staging of the NLPB will focus on western Jamaica, with the historic Thomas Manning Building structure, which is believed to be the oldest-surviving part of the institution that was built in the early 20th century, being the focus.

“This year the VM Group and the NLPB have identified simultaneously the charity for sponsorship as the Manning’s School, and we are focusing again on the sick bay which requires significant rehabilitation,” said secretary for the NLPB Committee Reverend Wayneford McFarlane during media briefing on Wednesday.

Past chairman of the NLPB Committee, Reverend Sam McCook, said the project, which is valued at $2.8 million, will be undertaken in collaboration with the Manning’s School Past Students Association.“The project involves spending roughly $2.5 million on a modular structure, $300,000 on some ancillary aspects which they regard as a baseline. That is in excess of what we have traditionally done as a breakfast, and we indicated to the past students that we may not be able to fully fund that, but they welcomed the support and the efforts will be made to compliment what was done,” said McCook.

In the meantime, president and CEO of VM Group Courtney Campbell said its organisation stands in support of all the objectives and the virtues promoted by the NLPB.“We believe in the power of faith, we believe in the effectiveness of prayer, we believe in the importance of unity, and we believe, like many others, righteousness exalts a nation,” Campbell said.

Underscoring Melissa’s devastation to western parishes, the NLPB Committee announced on Wednesday that the annual National Week of Prayer for this year will be launched in that section of the island, with the first service being held at the First Church of the Open Bible in Montego Bay, St James.

The week of prayer will culminate on the morning of January 15 with the NLPB, which will be held under the theme ‘Caring for our neighbour’.

Data Privacy Week: A Reminder to Protect What Matters

Charmaine Daniels, CEO Digicel Foundation

Every year, Data Privacy Week gives us a good reminder about something many of us
don’t think about daily: how much of our personal information is floating around online.
Most people have no idea how their digital activity is tracked, stored, or shared. And
honestly, it can be overwhelming. This week creates a moment for all of us to pause,
reflect, and take back control of our online footprint.


Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to join the Digicel Foundation team as we
visited schools across the island through our Safer Internet Together (SIT) programme
to provide interactive presentations about safe internet use. Being on the ground has
been eye‑opening. What our volunteers hear from students mirrors what I’ve seen
firsthand: children are sharing everything online.

Photos, their location, personal
updates, you name it. They jump onto platforms without thinking twice, and most aren’t
even aware that privacy settings exist, much less how to use them.
And the truth is, they are not being reckless on purpose. For them, the internet is just a
normal part of growing up. But the consequences of what they post can last much
longer than they realise.


We warn our children about so many dangers, but sometimes we forget to talk about
digital ones. The reality is that once something is online, it rarely disappears. That’s why
it’s so important for us as parents, guardians, teachers, and community leaders to help
guide them.

This is exactly why programmes like Safer Internet Together are so important. SIT takes
the conversation beyond the warnings and delivers real, practical, age-appropriate
solutions. We go into classrooms not just to tell children what not to do, but to show
them exactly how to protect themselves by using relatable examples from the apps and
platforms they use daily. We show them how to turn on their privacy settings, how to
recognise warning signs, what is safe to share, and what really should not be online at
all.
And the change in their attitude is almost immediate. You can see the lightbulbs go on
when they realise how one small decision today can affect them for years down the
road.

Here are a few of the tips we share with students that we can all use:

  1. Think before you post. Would you be okay with your teacher, future employer, or
    family seeing it?
  2. Check your privacy settings often. Apps update frequently, and defaults are not
    always in your favour.
  3. Don’t share personal information publicly. This includes your school, address,
    location, or daily routine.
  4. Use strong passwords and avoid using the same one for everything.
    Be careful with friend requests. Not everyone online is who they claim to be.

At the end of the day, our goal is to help young people enjoy the internet safely and
confidently. Data Privacy Week is a great reminder that we all have a role to play.
Remember to educate our children about data privacy and how to be S.M.A.R.T online.


S- Say kind things, don’t tease or send mean messages. Block or report someone who
is unkind.
M-Manage time online, take breaks and spend time offline playing or reading.
A- Ask for help from a parent or trusted adult if you feel unsafe.
R- Responsible – Think about your actions online. If you wouldn’t do it face to face, don’t
do it online.
T-Tell a teacher or parent if someone or something online makes you uncomfortable.

TICKETS FOR REPUBLIC BANK CPL 2026 FINALS GO ON GENERAL SALE 7 FEBRUARY

Tickets for the highly anticipated Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026 Finals will go on general sale from Friday 7 February, available online at www.cplt20.com.

Cricket fans will have an opportunity to secure early access to tickets ahead of the general sale.

  • CPL mailing list subscribers will receive an exclusive early-access link on Tuesday 4 February. You can subscribe for the mailing by clicking here
  • Visa cardholders will be able to purchase tickets during a dedicated presale window on Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 February.

All four knockout matches, including the CPL Final, will be staged at the iconic Kensington Oval in Barbados, promising an unforgettable climax to the 2026 tournament.

As an added incentive, fans who purchase tickets for all four knockout matches will be automatically entered into a prize draw to have their tickets for the CPL Final upgraded to a fully inclusive VIP experience.

Pete Russell, CEO of the Caribbean Premier League, said: “The CPL Finals are always a special occasion, and bringing all four knockout matches to Kensington Oval gives fans the chance to experience an incredible week of world-class cricket in one of the game’s most historic venues. We’re delighted to offer multiple early-access opportunities for supporters and to add something extra with the VIP upgrade prize draw for those attending all four games.”

Republic Bank CPL 2026 Knockout Schedule

(All matches at Kensington Oval, Barbados)

Wednesday 16 September 2026 – Eliminator

3rd place team vs 4th place team

Thursday 17 September 2026 – Qualifier 1

1st place team vs 2nd place team

Friday 18 September 2026 – Qualifier 2

Winner of Eliminator vs Loser of Qualifier 1

Sunday 20 September 2026 – CPL Final

Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2

With the Caribbean’s biggest cricket festival building toward a thrilling finale, fans are encouraged to secure their seats early to avoid disappointment.

For tickets and more information visit www.cplt20.com