Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, March 07, 2022
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
An article by journalist Arwen Armbrecht on the World Economic Forum’s website several years ago asked: “In which country is your boss more likely to be a woman?” The data showed that there are three places in the world where you are more likely to have a female rather than a male manager — Jamaica, Colombia, and St Lucia.
Folks, it has not been easy, especially for those of us who are working mothers. We have two jobs — one at the workplace and one in the home.
We salute the supportive partners who have helped us maintain balance, and ask for compassion for single mothers who carry so much of Jamaica’s future on their weary backs.
On International Women’s Day, which is being celebrated today; Tuesday, March 8, Amina Blackwood-Meeks of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts has invited three women who were part of the Carifesta 76 team to “ Electric Slide” down memory lane – Vilma McDonald, Lorna Goodison, and yours truly.
Amina reminded me that it was the successful staging of Carifesta 76 which inspired the creation of the college. It should be a great morning. As for the Electric Slide, I will be bringing up the rear.
Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, March 07, 2022
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
We, 1970s graduates of The UWI, Mona, may not have got there were if not for the highly subsidised fees. Since then, these fees have been so steep that I remember speaking to a brilliant young lady in the business of selling motor vehicles, who explained that, after the first year at The UWI, she could not manage the fees so she was taking a break to “hustle” so she could get back to her studies.
And, of course, it is well known that those who take student loans have a rough time with repayment, while having to also take care of their basic living expenses.
Observer reporter Romardo Lyons wrote: “The medical students had to choose between Jamaica, the land of their birth, and Ukraine, which is thousands of miles away from everyone and everything they know. At The University of the West Indies, tuition for medicine is US$28,000… Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the tuition ranges from just US$3,500.”
We took a look at the Report of The UWI Chancellor’s Commission on Governance of The UWI, July 2020. The Commission on Governance of The University of the West Indies is chaired by Sir C M Dennis Byron, former president of the Caribbean Court of Justice.
The introduction of the report noted: “The macro-environmental challenges include the political tension between the regional character of The UWI and its national remit, competition from foreign education providers, underdeveloped funding mechanisms for tertiary education throughout the region, a disturbing demographic shift in the tertiary education landscape in favour of foreign universities… With respect to financial management, the commission identified specific governance gaps which exacerbate the weak financial health of The UWI.”
The report lays out in detail these gaps, which we hope will be addressed to make higher education more accessible for our students.
Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, March 07, 2022
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky (Photo: AP)
As I write this, Ukraine is experiencing its 10th day of the Russian invasion, and President Volodymyr Zelensky has not left the city of Kyiv, despite offers of extraction from the US. His response: “I need ammunition, not a ride,” will go down in history. Via online platforms, he has addressed crowds of anti-war demonstrators throughout Europe, as well as US senators last Friday. His eyes are those of a sleep-deprived man, but his words remain strong and inspiring.
“Do prove that you will not let us go. Do prove that you indeed are Europeans, and then life will win over death, and light will win over darkness,” he said as he addressed the European Parliament.
The crowds of people in Russia who have been protesting the war are among the world’s bravest.
Emma Lewis shared a Washington Post report on 80-year-old Liudmila Nikolaevna Vasilyeva, who joined a group of young protestors in Petersburg and was arrested. She told the reporter, “We had a delightful crew in the paddy wagon,” and encouraged the group to shout anti-war slogans.
What a lesson for the world and for us here in Jamaica. Too long have we tolerated the invasion of gangs in our peaceful communities. Thank goodness for the increasing efforts of our security forces and our judiciary in bringing these gang leaders and members to justice.
Awakened by the dignity of the Ukrainians, we Jamaicans should keep monitoring all those who put themselves up as leaders, whether in community or country.
I am looking forward to the presentation by Jeanette Calder of the Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal (JAMP) to the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) members and friends this Wednesday.
Now that we see how precious our democracy is, let us take personal responsibility to protect it.
Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, March 7, 2022
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
Minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Leslie Campbell (right) welcomes Jamaican students who were studying in Ukraine. JIS Photo
As our Jamaican students in the Ukraine posted about their fears of an impending invasion by Russian forces, we became fully engaged, moved by appeals, interviews with their tearful parents, their hazardous journey to Ukraine and finally, their arrival in Montego Bay last Wednesday. Many of us had no idea that there were so many Jamaican medical students in Ukraine; they explained that one year’s fee at The University of the West Indies (UWI) would cover them for six years in Ukraine.
There were a few glitches in the initial communication between government officials and the students as the offer of a loan for transportation was met with howls of objections from the public. However, Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith and her ministry officials quickly took hold of the situation, with representatives at Jamaica’s embassy in Berlin keeping in close touch with the students.
We followed them as they travelled on the train to a town close to the Polish border, then on a bus which was forced to turn back. Consequently, they had no choice but to walk the remaining seven miles in the freezing weather to Poland.
Denise Sealy, chargé d’affaires at the Jamaican Embassy in Berlin, Germany, along with a Friends of Jamaica group welcomed them with hot meals and a heated bus. We held our collective breaths until we heard they had landed on Jamaican soil. What joy for the students, their parents, and for Jamaica!
Jamaica Observer staff reporter Horace Hines, who was on hand for their arrival in Montego Bay, wrote: “Shortly after arriving at the airport, Matthew DeSilva, an engineering student, expressed gratitude to the Ukrainians and solidarity with the Eastern European country.”
He quoted DeSilva: “I can only speak for myself right now. We entered Ukraine to study. We were welcomed by the Ukrainians. I also want to make this point clear to everybody, we wouldn’t have left the country without the Ukrainians. I mean, people whose sons are dying, whose fathers are dying, whose brothers are dying had no right to aid us, yet they did. We got so many lifts, there was food provided for us, and they didn’t have to do it, especially when their country is being destroyed right now.”
The alumnae of Convent of Mercy Academy “Alpha” are relieved that fellow alumnae Shavell Peart, Shenae Douglas, and Jada Comrie are safely back in Jamaica. Our alumnae associations here and in North America are rallying to offer support.
When news broke that 54-year-old Sandra Whyte, a disabled elderly resident of Upstreet, Belmont in Westmoreland was among several individuals who had lost their homes in a fire, the Bluefields Villas Foundation (BVF) team sprang into response mode to locate and bring well needed aid to the senior.
Not only did the fire render Miss Whyte homeless; her ordeal of living with polymyositis was made worse as her wheelchair, commode and medications were destroyed along with all her other valuable possessions and important documents.
Therefore, as part of its immediate response to help Miss Whyte pick up the pieces, the BVF paid a visit to her at her church sister’s home and presented her with a brand-new commode. Boxes and bags bearing food items and toiletries valued at $30,000 were also donated to Miss Whyte by the Foundation along with an additional $40,000 towards clothes and other essential expenses such as medical bills.
“I am thankful for them; they reached out to me very fast. I neva know seh they would reach out to mi so quick,” said Miss Whyte, expressing her delight and gratitude to members of the BVF. The team brought essential relief items to her a day following the catastrophic night of Saturday, February 12 when her two-bedroom house went up into flames.
Chairman and Architect of Bluefields Bay Villas Mrs. Deborah Moncure (standing right) is accompanied by Human Resources Manager Ms. Venisha Whitely (left) in presenting Miss Sandra Whyte with a stipend towards clothing. A commode, food items and toiletries were also provided through the company’s charitable arm, the Bluefields Villas Foundation. Owner of the Luna Sea Inn, Linda Chidester was able to source a wheelchair for the disabled senior at the Holy Spirit Clinic where she volunteers.
Vice-Chair of the Bluefields Villas Foundation, Houston Moncure noted: “Providing urgent assistance to Miss Whyte was an extremely crucial role for us. We are one of the closest charitable organizations in the community to where Miss Whyte resides and so we considered it morally appropriate and humane for us to lead the charge of being a good neighbour, especially in light of her crisis.”
He added, “Noting her medical and physical challenges, we wanted to ensure that the items we donated would provide comfort and convenience. Our members procured a commode, fruits, vegetables, nonperishable food items, ground provisions and put them together along with some funds for clothing and other items for Miss Whyte. We also reached our local partner, Ms. Linda Chidester, Owner of the Luna Sea Inn who responded kindly to our request and was able to source a wheelchair through the Holy Spirit Clinic where she volunteers to present to Miss Whyte.”
Moncure also pointed out that three school-aged children are among the family of nine fire victims who benefitted from a further donation of $15,000 from Ms. Chidester of Luna Sea Inn. The funds were to help with replenishing school supplies.
Miss Venisha Whitely (left) Human Resources Manager at Bluefields Bay Villas is pictured here with Miss Sandra Whyte sitting in her new wheelchair, which was donated by the Holy Spirit Clinic through Linda Chidester, owner of Luna Sea Inn, who volunteers at the Clinic. The Bluefields Villas Foundation provided a commode, food items, toiletries and cash donations to Miss Whyte and her family who lost their homes in a fire on February 12.
Recounting Losses and Lingering Distress
While evidently grateful for this extension of kindness from the Bluefields Villas Foundation and others, Miss Whyte admits that she remains distressed about her and her relatives losing their homes (three in total) and all their belongings in the fire.
She recounted moments leading up to the menacing flames on the night of February 12 which rapidly engulfed the three houses, including hers which was donated by Food for the Poor some 15 years ago.
“When it happened, all of us was talking and wi hear when something go bow, bow! I hear my daughter-in-law seh: “Fire!” I say, where is this fire and she told me that it was at my sister’s house. By mi fi open fi mi door an get outside, di whole place jus a…” she paused. “Mi couldn’t save nothing because the houses so near to each other,” said a distraught Sandra Whyte.
Being confined to a wheelchair, Miss Whyte indicated that two of her sons lifted her out of the burning house to safety. She pointed out that no one had a second to spare, but to get out of the dwellings leaving everything behind.
It is not clear what caused the blaze, but Miss Whyte noted that she heard about three or four explosions on the night of the fire that were as loud and frightening as the sounds of bottle bombs.
With their homes crumbled to ashes, the family of nine including Miss Whyte, her sons, her mother, and at least three grandchildren (one in high school and two at the primary level) are now living scattered among neighbours and friends.
“We stay all ova di place. I am at my friend’s house, my mother deh bottom-side mi and my son dem deh all over di place,” explained Miss Whyte.
Beyond these partially parched leaves is a scene of fallen zinc and debris where Miss Whyte’s house once stood.
Hopes for Further Assistance
Among the things that Miss Whyte hopes to be further assisted with are the rebuilding of her house, a bed and a stove. But as anyone would imagine, the 54-year-old is also hopeful for the same kind of assistance for her relatives, including her grandchildren who lost all their school supplies in the fire.
Bluefields Villas Foundation’s Vice-Chair, Houston Moncure commented, “The team responded firstly to Miss Whyte due to her level of vulnerability in this situation, but we understand that the children in the mix are equally vulnerable. While we encourage others to chime in and give additional support, we will be doing all that we can to help Miss Whyte and her family emerge from this disastrous experience and get on with their lives.”
A week after the blaze, the Foundation also donated $15,000 to Miss Whyte’s mother, Nolan Spence to help with her daily expenses.
The Bluefields Villas Foundation is the charitable arm of the Westmoreland based luxury resort, the Bluefields Bay Villas. Since 2009 the Foundation has piloted several philanthropic initiatives to include community building, educational, healthcare, environmental and social welfare projects.
Charitable organisation Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica donated 30 tablet devices to the National Education Trust (NET) in support of the Jamaican Government’s ‘One Laptop or Tablet Per Child’ initiative.
The donation, made on Tuesday (February 15), was made possible through a Canada-wide collaborative effort with the Jamaican Consul General in Toronto, office of the High Commissioner of Jamaica to Canada, Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations (AJAA), Food For The Poor Canada, and members of the Jamaican Diaspora who all came together to raise funds to source the tablets.
The ‘one laptop or tablet’ initiative, a project of the education ministry amid the negative impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, seeks to ensure needy Jamaican students have the tools to maximise learning in an increasingly digital environment.
Education Minister Fayval Williams, alongside State Foreign Affairs Minister Leslie Campbell, endorsed the partnership between FFP Jamaica and the Government.
Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 21, 2022
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
Over seventy journalists were nominated for the Press Association of Jamaica’s (PAJ) 2021 National Journalism Awards which will be held on Saturday evening. The nominees are from virtually every media house in Jamaica, including the new Kalilah Reynolds Media.
People are always beefing about the media, mostly when we do not agree with what is said or written; however, let us be proud that Jamaica remains in the top ten countries for press freedom, made possible by our professional and probing journalists.
The Journalism Week Forum will be held virtually this evening on the topic “Balance in the Covid 19 pandemic: Should Anti-vaxxers Have a Voice?” A release from the PAJ states, “This discussion will focus on the ethics of media reporting in the context of what some regard as a dilemma – whether some views and opinions should be shut out of media. This has emerged as a significant problem during the Covid-19 pandemic as well as in other crises, such as climate change. It raises the issue of false equivalency, and freedom of expression.”
Congratulations to the PAJ led by President George Davis, which has weathered the pandemic, continuing to support and celebrate the achievements of its members.
Excerpt from The Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 21, 2022
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
The 25th Bob Marley Lecture entitled “‘The Harder They Come’:50 Years of Film Legacy” was presented by Justine Henzell, daughter of the novelist and film-maker Perry Henzell in conversation with Dr Rachel Mosely-Wood, Lecturer in the UWI Department of Literatures in English. Perry Henzell adapted the screenplay from his novel, loosely based on the story of the notorious Rhygin, a Jamaican outlaw of the fifties, and produced this classic movie, starring legendary Jimmy Cliff, with a soundtrack as riveting today as the first time we heard it.
Following in her Dad’s footsteps, Justine is an independent film producer, founding member of the Jamaica Film and Television Association (JAFTA) and the Calabash Writers Festival. The conversation pointed to the increased production of local films by talented creatives. Kudos to the dedicated Justine, always more interested in making others shine but well deserving of this spotlight on her work.
Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 21, 20221
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
(L-R) CEO of GraceKennedy Group, Don Wehby and TV host/Communications Specialist, Simone Clarke-Cooper on set during the virtual launch of GK100.
Photo credit: gracekennedy.com
The strong and steady GraceKennedy Group of Companies last week celebrated their 100th anniversary, growing from a distribution company to an innovative manufacturing, exporting and financial giant.
CEO Senator Don Wehby, in commenting on the company’s achievement, noted, “GraceKennedy’s story is one of resilience and longevity … From a little island in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, to the world, a small Jamaican trading establishment transformed into a global consumer group with over fifty subsidiaries, serving millions of customers and employing thousands.” He referred to the Group’s core values of “Honesty, Integrity and Trust, and “the timeless words of our late great Chairman, Hon S. Carlton Alexander, ‘What is good for Jamaica is good for GraceKennedy’.”
The company’s philanthropic contribution through the GraceKennedy Foundation has been remarkable, with well-run homework centres, generous scholarship programmes, environmental projects and their enlightening GraceKennedy Annual Lectures.
Congratulations to Team GK – here’s to the next grand century!
Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 21, 2022
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
We celebrate Jamaicans with Jamaicans living with disabilities, the long hard road to getting the Disabilities Act finally implemented. When we consider the talented and well-educated people with disabilities who are contributing to our national development, we look forward to the review of hiring policies by human resources managers in both the private and public sectors. When there is inclusivity, organisations blossom as their staff members collaborate and develop emotional quotient (EQ) now acknowledged as being on par with intelligence quotient (IQ).
Chairman of Digicel Jamaica Foundation, Mrs. Jean Lowrie-Chin (right) and Television Producer, Sharon Schroter (left) are pictured here with Paralympics Gold Medalist, Mr. Alphanso Cunningham.
Last year the Digicel Jamaica Foundation created a series of videos on Jamaican companies who hire persons with special needs. We always think of our Paralympics Gold Medalist Alphanso Cunningham in the context of sports, but we saw that he is a diligent employee at the Sir John Golding Centre’s prosthetics operations. We learned in a Jamaica Observer feature by Josmar Scott, that Digicel’s human resource executive Daveanna-Kay Reid who uses a wheelchair started as a ‘POWER intern’ with the company seven years ago. The company belongs to the ‘Valuable 500’ group of companies worldwide who practice the ‘Power Intern Programme’. Daveanna-Kay oversaw the retrofitting of the Digicel global headquarters in downtown Kingston to accommodate people with special needs.
Kudos to Dr Floyd Morris, Jamaica’s first blind senator and Head of the UWI Centre for Disabilities Studies, Dr Christine Hendricks, Executive Director of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) and UNICEF, who have advocated assiduously for the Disabilities Act. UNICEF supported in the islandwide registration of persons with disabilities (PWDs), which gives them access to a range of helpful benefits accessible through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
The JCPD, has cited the main objective of the Disabilities Act as “encouraging all Jamaicans to recognise and accept the principle that PWDs have the same fundamental rights as any other person.”
Jamaica Highlights 