Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday February 21, 2022
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
How exciting to hear the Beijing Winter Olympics commentator enthuse that Jamaica ‘punches above her size’ as we watched our Four-Man Bobsled Team whizzing down and around the icy course on Friday evening.
The 2022 Jamaica Winter Olympics Bobsled Team Photo credit: CBSNews.com
Last week, the cheery Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian raced down the course in the Women’s Mono-Bob event, and vigorously waved the Jamaican flag post-race. We are grateful to President of the Jamaica Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, Chris Stokes for persevering despite several administrative headaches and to the Sandals Group for their valuable sponsorship.
Last Thursday, our ‘Reggae Girlz’ triumphed over Bermuda 4-0 in the CONCACAF Women’s Championship Qualification round at our National Stadium. We had travelled to France in 2019 to see our Girlz play in the FIFA Women’s World Cup and it was sheer joy to see that goal from Havana Solaun against the highly ranked Australian team in Lyon. We were a happy crew with a few surprises – vuvuzelas were banned but somehow this sweet quiet lady in the group produced one when the goal was scored and didn’t we make noise!
We noted a quiet young Jody Brown giving her all in the games. What a joy to see her developing into a strong player, scoring the first goal for Jamaica, and now a valuable member of the Florida State University team, winners of the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Soccer College Cup.
Of course, the queen of the field was Kadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, who scored the last two goals, after being unjustly deprived of a penalty. Shaw is now a celebrated member of the Manchester City Women’s Football Team, scoring a hat-trick against Leicester City last October, to take her team into the FA Cup Semis. In that post event interview, she remained humble: “It’s a team effort. I’m scoring the goals but if it wasn’t for my team, it wouldn’t be possible.”
We remember what a hard time the Girlz had getting funding for the World Cup, and the dedication of Cedella Marley in obtaining support for them. We hope they will not be facing the same difficulties with the Jamaica Football Federation this time around.
A group of the Suttons farmers showcasing some of the items received as part of the project.
As part of a Food for the Poor Jamaica project, farmers in the Suttons area of Clarendon have been provided with training in crop production, best practices and farm business management to include plant nutrition, integrated pest management, harvest/post-harvest, record keeping.
This was done in partnership with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and Newport Fersan Jamaica Ltd.
Each farmer has the potential to produce 3,000 lbs of sorrel from two crop cycles annually. The sale of the sorrel will be a significant income generator for the farmer who can earn an income of more than $1.2 million annually.
3,000 RESIDENTS LIVING IN COMMUNITY
With the intervention of FFP and its donors, including Douglas Orane, CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank and others who supported the organisation’s Farm-To-Table event back in 2019, it was a huge success.
The fundraiser featured produce from small farmers and fisherfolk who received assistance through Food For The Poor’s Agriculture and Fishing Programme. Funds from that initiative have been used to execute a multi-element support project in Suttons, which will enhance the capacity of farmers to better manage their farm, and to alleviate some of the hardships faced by the community members.
Almost smack in the middle of the island, Suttons is a small rural upland farming community, bordering the Coxswain, Wood Hall, New Longville and Rock River districts. There are approximately 3,000 residents living in the community.
The area – so named for 18th Century plantation owner and Speaker of the Jamaican House of Assembly, John Sutton – has a long history in agriculture, and farming activities remain the main source of livelihood for men and women in the area to this day. The area has limited scope for other industries or economic activities.
In recent times their farming activities have been impacted negatively as the region has been experiencing droughts and changes in climate conditions.
General unpredictability in the weather has had a negative impact on all aspects of life, from the productivity to the unavailability of water for domestic use. Also, the region’s location and the general inaccessibility of the terrain has made the provision of piped water almost impossible. The pandemic, and the attendant logistic and economic issues, have also been a factor.
Ten farmers were given the resources and skill sets to improve their farm, making it a more sustainable income generating activity. The farmers were provided with rainwater harvesting and gravity fed drip irrigation systems, complete with 1,000-gallon water storage tanks, to establish 1/2 acre of sorrel. In addition, they were supplied with the necessary farming inputs to maintain the crop at maximum productivity. Some of the inputs received were seedlings, pesticides, fertilizers and small tools and equipment. They have also received 50 fruit trees as part of Food For The Poor’s Tree Planting Initiative, geared towards reforestation and food security.
“Food For The Poor thanks our donors for assisting us in this vital work of supporting our farmers and contributing to the stability of our rural communities,” said Nakhle Hado, FFPJ’s director of agriculture and Fishing.
Suttons farmer Winston Williams (foreground) stands amid a patch of sorrel he is farming in the community.
Beyond the increased income and purchasing power, Hado notes, the project has the potential to create long-term development in the community; the farmers, being able to afford a better education for their children, which in turn increases the likelihood that they will enjoy better incomes in the future.Also, beyond the pure agro assistance, Food for the Poor has taken a multi-element approach, incorporating social intervention for some of the recipients found in desperate need, as well as the distribution of household, food and care packages. Some recipients will be submitted as potential housing recipients and the team is following up.
“These inputs are helping our fellow Jamaicans in Suttons to better provide for themselves and their families and to fill the ongoing need for quality produce as our commercial sector continues to seek to cope with the effects of the pandemic,” he said.
Most of the beneficiaries have been farming their entire lives and are also second and even third generation practitioners, often with little to no formal schooling. Howard Bailey, at age 41, has been farming from the age of 11, while Winston Williams, who is 55 years old, is also a 30-year farming “veteran”. Williams is the main breadwinner for his family, which includes three children.
For them, the project is a godsend and a strong support, as it provides the opportunity to overcome the limitations imposed by drought, unstable weather and the lack of market opportunities
Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 14, 2022
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
Old but never cold, members of the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) will gather on Zoom later today for “An Evening of Wine & Roses”, their Valentine celebration. We will have romantic poetry, delightful crooners and moving love stories. We will also be doing a bit of matchmaking, inviting our members to put their emails in the chat if they would like to hear from a new friend. Stay tuned to hear where this takes us.
Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 14, 2022
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
Remember, if you have queries and corrections regarding your digital Covid vaccine certificate, there are Data Entry Clerks at most vaccination centres who can assist you with making corrections and creating the certificate. Meanwhile, please ensure that you keep your card in a waterproof sleeve – it may be important to have both when you travel to certain places.
Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 14, 2022
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
Soon, we hope, the position of Governor General will give way to President of the Republic of Jamaica. I hear there is much grinding of teeth about changing out all our Police and Soldier’s buttons and various seals; I hope that is just a joke. Yes, we want to have distinguished citizens still serving as Presidents, because we have to give credit to our current and former Governors General for being exemplary leaders and for creating excellent affirmation programmes.
It was the late Sir Howard Cooke who started the Governor-General’s Awards of Achievement (GGAA) 30 years ago, honouring unsung heroes doing valiant work in their respective parishes. His successor, Sir Kenneth Hall, in 2006, expanded the Governor General’s Achievement Awards to include young standouts in education and volunteerism. In 2011 our current Governor General Sir Patrick Allen launched the “I Believe Initiative”, inspiring strong values in Jamaican youths islandwide, and in 2014 he brought the two projects together under the Governor-General’s Programme for Excellence (GGPE).
Congratulations to the National Coordinators for these programmes, Henri Hendricks, Roy Dickson and Larkin Hall of blessed memory; Hugh Morris, Major (ret’d) Effiom Whyte, Sonja Simms and the current Coordinator Abrahim Simmonds. May the programmes remain to enhance our Republic.
Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 14, 2022
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
So many times we hear about ‘the jewels in our backyard’ – tourism, agriculture, manufacturing. However the finest jewels in our backyard and indeed everywhere are our young people. This has not been an easy time for them. They have graduated and have started their careers but student loan repayments and the expectations of family are heavy burdens. Some of the vitriol that they post on social media comes from stress and even despair.
Imagine, the beautiful 2019 Miss USA Cheslie Kryst took her life at the age of 30. When she was crowned Miss USA, there were criticisms that she was “too old’ at 28 and there were calls for lowering the age for the contest. Did these brickbats make this brilliant young attorney-at-law believe that turning 30 was ‘old’? Our false values have made young people worry about their address, their dress and the make of their motor vehicles. It is only by constantly reinforcing strong values in our youth, that they can overcome these challenges to their self-esteem.
One of our schoolmates migrated to the US in the seventies and when we asked her how she coped with racism, she answered, “My parents always told me I was precious, so all the insults were like water off a duck’s back.” In contrast, I remember a bright co-worker who always seemed to doubt herself. She said when growing up her parents compared her to her high-achieving cousins, until she started to believe that she was not good enough.
The Prime Minister’s Awards of excellence to high-achieving young Jamaicans is a great programme, highlighting role models who have striven for excellence, despite unbelievable challenges. However, there are too many children who are ‘falling through the cracks’ and in need of urgent help. Of course they must be disciplined, but this should not descend into constant haranguing. Interviews with some delinquent young men reveal that they were constantly being compared to ‘yu wutless father’ and getting harsh punishments. I remember a troublesome fourth form student I taught, handing in a poem he wrote called ‘Lonely Boy’ – it was a plaintive call for help. When I had a private chat with him, he broke down and explained that he was being beaten mercilessly by his father. Thank goodness for his wonderful stepmother who intervened and made life more bearable for him.
Ordinary folks may not have the resources to offer scholarships but we can all spare a little time weekly to mentor a child. Your alma mater will guide you in choosing a student who could blossom if they had this one person in their lives who would listen to them and look out for them. There are children left in yards to fend for themselves – their parents may have gone abroad or have been imprisoned. I remember on such child being assisted by a group of caring women. They organised boarding for her with a retired teacher. Her grades shot up and after she did well in her CSEC exams she wrote a thank you note, saying this was the first time that she ever experienced kindness. I heard that there was not one dry eye in the group.
This Jamaica that we are crying down still has a great deal to offer. Our service clubs – Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions and Optimists work extremely hard for our people. Resolute members of past students’ associations are struggling to keep their schools renovated. Food for the Poor just built yet another house for a couple with special needs. There are countless opportunities to serve.
The Child Protection and Family Services Agency will need more personnel to scour our communities and help place children in more nurturing surroundings. Perhaps they could check to see if retired persons would be willing to take in boarders and pay for their services. Churches now have permission to have larger attendance; we hope they re-start Sunday school to help inculcate strong moral values in our children. We applaud the JCF and the JDF for coming together to get the gangs, but if we do not create a strong safety net for our disadvantaged children, it will be an endless struggle. On this Valentine’s Day, we can resolve to love more, judge less, give more, talk less and make this beautiful country of ours a happier place for all. Have a loving day.
Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday February 7, 2022
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
Fellow Alpha alumna Maxine Brown shared this tribute to our schoolmate Claudette Grannum.
“The Convent of Mercy Academy “Alpha”, family, and dear friends are mourning the loss of our dear alumna Claudette Grannum, who passed away on January 11. She will be remembered for her valiant fight with the debilitating disease muscular dystrophy and having defied the odds of science, which projected a life expectancy of approximately 26 years Claudette celebrated her 72nd birthday in December last year.
“Although confined to a wheelchair from her teenage years, Claudette did not complain, but used it as a platform to help others who were in need. Tributes poured in from around the globe, particularly from young persons, who lauded her for having assisted them in moving on to higher studies, allowing them to attain professions in the medical and other fields as she either housed them in her family home in Harbour View, during their years of studies, and solicited funds from her long-standing friends and her alma mater community to facilitate their tertiary education.”
A service of thanksgiving was held for Claudette last Wednesday. May she rest in peace.
Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 7, 2022
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
The thanksgiving mass for Dorothy Harrison last Friday brought back memories of weekend outings to the sparkling seas at Bluefields. My sister Fran and I attended St Mary’s Academy (run by the Sisters of Mercy) in Savanna-la-Mar, and there we became friends with Patricia and Arlene Harrison.
Somehow Dorothy Harrison found out that, although we were going to a top private school, our widowed mother had little time for recreation, having to eke out a living at her shop. Mr and Mrs Harrison would pick us up and take us on outings. She was ever kind and gentle. As Arlene (now Harrison-Henry, our public defender) reminded us in her tribute, her mother treated all guests in their home equally, no preferential treatment for her or siblings, Pat or Phillip. “Her legacy is one of love… industry and respect for all,” shared Arlene. Her legacy is also the fine family she raised, who continue her tradition of kindness. Our deepest sympathy to the family. May her beautiful soul rest in peace.
Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 7, 2022
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding must have been pleased to hear his daughter, Government Senator Sherene Golding Campbell, piloting the Bill amending the Sisters of Mercy Jamaica Act. Golding attended Sisters of Mercy-run Alpha Primary School.
We are proud that the founder of Convent of Mercy Academy “Alpha”, Jessie Ripoll, was a Jamaican woman who bought the land at South Camp Road and welcomed the first orphan to Alpha Cottage on May 1, 1880. When the numbers grew, Sisters of Mercy arrived in Jamaica 10 years later to give their support and Ripoll took the name of Mother Claver.
Opposition and government senators were of one voice in praising the work of the Sisters of Mercy and agreeing to the amendment which does not ascribe the governance of the organisation to individuals, but to a body corporate.
Jamaica Highlights 