Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published, Monday, May 03, 2021

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

High notes of hope were sounded by the Alpha Boys’ School Band last Monday in the same week that Alpha celebrated its 141st anniversary. They heralded the opening of the new Colm Delves Centre named for the late CEO of the Digicel Group and sponsored by the Digicel Jamaica Foundation.

The Digicel headquarters in downtown Kingston was also renamed in honour of Colm Delves on Monday afternoon. As staff and friends spoke of their special relationship with this man and, as Chairman Denis O’Brien described his leadership in the global expansion of the company, it was clear that Colm Delves’ name would call us to a level of excellence and compassion which we can only hope to attain.

O’Brien also visited Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton to whom he presented US$1 million for the National Health Fund, led by Howard Mitchell, for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines for Jamaica as part of a continuation of the Digicel Foundation’s support in our fight against COVID-19.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published Monday, May 03, 2021

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

We could listen to these cases and lose hope, but then along comes Gary “Butch” Hendrickson, who takes them as challenges. Last Tuesday the National Baking Company chairman announced a $159 million sponsorship of the Building out our STEM Teachers (BOOST) Programme. Noting that the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report ranked Jamaica at 73rd out of 137 countries in terms of the quality of science and mathematics education, the company’s foundation, chaired by Brian Jardim, has entered into a “back-end incentivised scholarship scheme” with The University of the West Indies (UWI). Minna Israel, special advisor to The UWI vice chancellor, has played a dynamic role in spearheading this programme.

For each of the next six years a new cohort of National Baking Company fellows, representing the best science and education graduates from The UWI, will be placed in high schools to teach STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects. The fellows will receive a scholarship equivalent to the cost of one year of their university tuition for each year they spend in the programme, up to three years, and a further incentive payment for excellent performance. Fellows will also benefit from specially designed mentorship schemes, summer training, outreach programmes, and networking opportunities. The Mico University College is a collaborating partner on the programme, which has the full endorsement of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information.

“The aim of this donation is to literally ‘boost’ Jamaica’s development agenda through improving our competencies in STEM,” noted Butch Hendrickson. “There is a lot of work to be done. A revolving cohort of the best science and maths graduates is one way to increase the number of STEM teachers. This will eventually help to build empowered communities, besides enhancing the capacity of The University of the West Indies to assist and guide young Jamaicans towards a more prosperous future.”

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published Monday, May 03, 2021

By Jean Lowrei-Chin

Members of the Gender Advisory Committee (GAC) have released a statement, noting, “We are deeply troubled about the implications of the alleged abusive behaviour of MP [Member of Parliament] George Wright. The first context is the ‘physical altercation’ reported to the police by MP George Wright and Tannisha Singh on April 6, 2021. They are allegedly linked to the circulation on social media, of a violent battering of a woman by a man. The second context is the rising incidents of family and domestic violence. This incident brings to the fore the perpetuation of violence against women and girls (VAW). It amplifies the absence of effective institutional mechanisms to curb gender-based violence (GBV). We must do more to end this perpetual cycle of violence and abuse!”

They have requested an urgent meeting with Olivia “Babsy” Grange, minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport. “We must expedite specific actions that can accelerate the achievement of the goals and objectives of the National Policy for Gender Equality (NPGE),” they wrote. “This action is imperative to bring short-term and longer-term protection and relief to women, girls, and families affected, as well as to curb the escalation of GBV.”

I join them in urging “every Jamaican to do more to end the scourge of gender-based violence and all forms of violence in Jamaica”.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published Monday, May 03, 2021

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

Jenny Jones, senior researcher at the Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA), last week shared shocking findings on the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic on lower-income communities. She was speaking at a web forum presented by the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CaPRI) who, with the VPA, had gathered the information primarily from poor communities and nine hospitals serving these communities. She noted that in households with children there is “huge mental stress” related to being home from school with no school lunch or breakfast, insufficient devices, and sometimes no Internet access.

The most distressing part of Jones’ presentation was the discovery “of increased sexual abuse particularly by stepfathers at home while mothers are gone out to hustle”. She said the police have “intelligence that leads them to believe that some idle schoolboys, with more time to watch pornography, experiment on younger children”.

I am sorry to write this because it is sickening: “The May Pen Hospital saw a horrific increase in rapes of children between the ages of two to 10,” she disclosed. “For a whole year the SMO (senior medical officer) said he would normally see one, or at most two, of this age group. Now he saw nine in one month and some of these he said were vicious.”

Jones refers to “unexpected findings — the widespread acceptance of transactional sex in younger girls… This is under-age girls we are talking about — 12, 13, 14, 15 years old, some not even at a grade 6 in primary school”.

Disturbingly, she notes, “Many in the community see nothing wrong with this. They see this as helping poor families. There is no concept of the fact that a 12- or 13- or 15-year-old child is not only legally not capable of consent, but also among the majority of the community there is no awareness of the emotional and psychological damage of early sexualisation.”

Interestingly, intimate partner violence has not increased, and interviewees shared that, with the curfew situation, men were afraid that if their partner left them they would have no company. I would add, they would have no one to wait on them, hand and foot.

“We need more social workers going into our communities… life in volatile communities is very harsh and stressful. Social workers can give a listening ear, they can counsel, they can point out other options, they can lead people to other support agencies,” suggested Jones.

She wants to see support units in hospitals to which child abuse cases can be referred immediately. In this emergency, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) may need additional staffing. We have to squarely face these issues and show that we are addressing them with urgency.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer Column published Monday, April 26, 2021

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

There seems to be hardly a family that has not been touched by COVID-19. Our turn came when our cousin, Delroy Campbell, was admitted to Savanna-la-Mar Hospital last month. As the days and weeks passed his condition worsened, despite the excellent care he received, and the fervent prayers said for his recovery. Sadly, we lost him two weeks ago and, like so many families all over the world, we will have to attend a virtual thanksgiving service.

He was only 59 years old; a gentle, steady family man who married his high school sweetheart Pamela and raised two lovely children.

This pandemic is causing so much heartbreak. We could feel the pain of Michael Sharpe’s colleagues in the RJRGleaner family. He was ever the gentleman and a thorough and daring journalist, but I did not realise what a great mentor he had been for others in the field, among them are Kirk Wright and Dadrian Gordon who remarked on his encouragement and guidance.

The threats to the nurse who gave Sharpe the COVID-19 vaccine, and other nurses, are shocking. How could we sink so low? Even in their grief, Sharpe’s family members have appeared on television appealing for good sense to prevail. Let us condemn anti-vaxxers and encourage vulnerable people to take the vaccine.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published Monday, April 26, 2021

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

Prime Minister Andrew Holness was one of the 40 world leaders invited to a summit on climate action hosted by US President Joe Biden on Earth Day, last Thursday.

“The need for meaningful climate action has never been greater,” said Holness. “Jamaica is heartened that the United States has rejoined the Paris Agreement — an important expression of global solidarity for climate action.”

He shared the plight of small island developing states (SIDS) like Jamaica in the face of the novel coronavirus pandemic, describing it as “a perfect storm… with the collapse of tourism, falling revenues, rising debt, limited access to vaccines, and with disasters continuously threatening lives and our sustainability.”

Still, he said Jamaica is committed to a 60 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030, “determined to build forward stronger, better, and greener”.

Holness called for “an accessible and equitable climate finance mechanism” to assist SIDS to advance their climate action goals.

Biden’s declaration was like a breath of fresh air: “The signs are unmistakable, the science is undeniable… the cost of inaction, it just keeps mounting. The United States isn’t waiting. We are resolving to take action, not only our federal Government, but our cities and our states all across our country, small businesses, large corporations, American workers in every field.”

He stated his commitment to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the US by 50 per cent to 52 per cent below its 2005 emissions levels by 2030.

The last time we visited the US we saw the casual use of plastic bags and plastic straws that had been banned in Jamaica. I wondered how the efforts of three million people could help our climate when the US population of over 300 million had no such regulations. Now, with President Biden in the White House, we can hope for better.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published Monday, April 26, 2021

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

It mattered. It mattered to everyone who cares about this family called humanity. And so, on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 20, the world stopped to listen for the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the monster who knelt on the neck of George Floyd for over nine minutes, even as he pleaded that he could not breathe, even after it was found that he had no pulse.

“Believe your eyes,” the prosecution had urged the jurors in their closing statement. They had to, thanks to 17-year-old Darnella Frazier who videotaped the cold-blooded actions of Chauvin. This is an incredibly special young lady because 10 minutes is a long time for a teenager’s busy fingers to remain still. From the witness stand she said, “When I look at George Floyd, I look at my dad, my brothers, my cousins, my uncles, because they are all black. I look at how that could have been one of them.” She told the court that she had many sleepless nights, feeling guilty that she should have done more to save Floyd’s life. She should know that any attempt on her part may very well have resulted in two murders.

It was Darnella’s video that got people of every colour and creed marching for justice all over the world. Yes, we had read and seen the news reports of previous police excesses, but this scene with Chauvin staring boldly at the video, hand in pocket while he squeezed the life out of George Floyd was a dagger in the heart of humanity.

When the jury retired to deliberate, social media comments reflected the tension of the people and of the state. In Minnesota, office buildings and stores were battened down. When it was announced that the jury had arrived at a verdict people flooded squares all over America. At the George Floyd Square, the scene of his death renamed in his honour, people arrived with flowers and waited anxiously.

The announcement brought tears of joy and celebration. Like so many Jamaican families, our family’s WhatsApp group was on the watch too. We worry about our relatives living in the US and so we were all invested in the results of this trial. We cried and called each other in relief. Yes, the evidence was clear, but in too many instances justice had not been served.

On Twitter, Darnella posted: “I just cried so hard. This last hour my heart was beating so fast, I was so anxious, anxiety bussing through the roof. But to know guilty on all 3 charges!!! Thank you God, thank you, thank you, thank you. George Floyd, we did it!! Justice has been served.”

Earl Moxam discussed the case with Francois St Juste the following day, and he reminded Jamaicans who were planning to migrate to the US that once they stepped off the plane their children would be in a different environment, one in which their race would differentiate them.

Well, do I remember the detailed planning that went into our son’s trip to his cousin’s graduation. He had to take the Knutsford Express to Montego Bay so he would have only one flight to my sister. Then they would fly together to his cousin. Growing up in Jamaica his experiences were, largely, friendly and easy-going. Sadly, children of colour in the US are given ‘the talk’ by their parents from a very early age. The stress on those poor little hearts is really a sad indictment on the racists that continue to pollute that great country with their narrow-minded stupidity. Let us hope that the worldwide reaction to the murder of George Floyd and the sound verdict of the jury will herald a new day for people of colour in America. Of note, American Asians have been under attack as well. We can navigate an instrument on Mars, now we need to navigate a better path to justice on Planet Earth.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published Monday, April 19, 2021

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

I remember the evening of April 19, 2001 when, after months of planning, Marketing Manager Harry Smith and I were going over the programme for the launch of Digicel at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

“Oh, my Lord, Harry,” I exclaimed. “We don’t have prayer on the programme!”

“Alright,” said Harry, “If you write it, I will say it.”

I wrote the words purposefully, asking God for His blessing on this brave new company.

I believe God heard us, and indeed that through His grace, Digicel Chairman Denis O’Brien became the answer to many prayers.

Overnight, even the humblest Jamaican could afford a phone; live-in household workers could stay connected to their families, seniors could call for assistance in emergencies.

It was exciting to attend the launch of Digicel in Trinidad, Barbados, and Haiti, and to see the energy of the teams, including our own Jamaicans rolling out the networks in the 32 countries in the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific.

The Digicel Foundation was launched in 2004 and has funded islandwide projects for education, special needs and community development to the tune of over $60 billion. The most moving area of its operations has been the building of special needs schools which ensure that no matter what learning challenges our children face they are given a chance to achieve their full potential.

In addition to Jamaica, Digicel Foundations have been established in Haiti, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad & Tobago, and have contributed to positive outcomes for over three million people to date.

O’Brien was inducted as an honorary member of the Order of Jamaica and received an honorary doctorate from The UWI in 2015.

“The proudest part of all of that we have achieved over the years is that, as a company, we have our roots here in Jamaica,” he said in the graduation address on the occasion. “Without hesitation, Jamaica is the cornerstone of Digicel growth and development of all our 32 countries.”

Here’s wishing Digicel a happy 20th anniversary and many more great years.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published Monday, April 19, 2021

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

Our environmental predicament is as serious as the social. Our very existence is threatened by both. We are one of the many small island developing states (SIDS) worldwide which are vulnerable to the deterioration of our environment.

Global warming may lead to rising seas that may obliterate our shorelines; consider the loss of our business districts, airports and resort areas. It pains me to see the thoughtless use of plastics in developed countries while we are here trying to do our part.

I remember our friend Professor Trevor Jackson, of blessed memory, remarking that Eleanor Jones would have been a professor of geology if she had not given up her position at The University of the West Indies (UWI) as a lecturer to start her business. Jones related that she had attended several conferences on environmental issues and decided, exactly 30 years ago, that it was time to stop talking about problems and begin to address them, thus founding her company, Environmental Solutions Limited (ESL).

The company’s mission “to harmonise development with environmentally sustainable practices through the application of science, and standards of excellence” has been invaluable to the built environment here and throughout the Caribbean. The company’s anniversary coincides with Earth Day 2021 to be celebrated this Thursday. ESL will mark the occasion with climate action, environmental health in schools, reforestation, and webinars.

Said she: “What a joy it is to have come this far and to have inspired many professionals, public and private sector leaders, and civil society to have contributed to the design and construction of environmentally sound projects in road, seaport, airport, sanitation, water supply and energy infrastructure, housing and resort development. To have championed international certification for health and analytical services in chemistry and microbiology.”

Congratulations to Eleanor Jones and her 30-strong staff of top professionals.