Popular growling boxing character Miguel ‘Iron Dog’ Ray is set to take on youngster Kestna Davis in the first of two professional bouts in the Wray & Nephew Fight Night series tonight at Alpart Sports Club in St Elizabeth.

Known for his ‘dog like’ character, Miguel Ray’s story is one of great determination against the odds. Ray’s fighting spirit was nurtured during his childhood. He experienced a rough and fatherless upbringing in the streets, where he constantly had to defend himself in the tough environment.

In 2002, Ray discovered boxing. He trained with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) for several years until he met up with boxing coach Carl Grant in his Stony Hill Gym. In 2013, he turned professional and entered the Wray & Nephew Contender competition. He began training one year ahead of the competition. However, spine surgery almost brought his preparations to a halt. Undeterred, Ray continued to work hard, and this carried him through to the event.

It has been challenging to maintain the lifestyle that professional boxing requires, says Ray. Travelling to Kingston from St Mary every day to train is not possible for him, due to the costs; he supports his boxing expenses by driving a taxi. Ray does everything with his much-loved son in mind. There is great pride in his voice when he says, “I am still my son’s hero.”

Currently, Ray’s professional record stands at a respectable three wins and three losses. He will be gunning for a fourth win in the bout against the younger Kestna Davis, whom he knows well personally and in the boxing ring. Ray acknowledges that Davis’ style differs greatly from his own – Ray is thicker set and packs more power in his punches – while Davis is quicker both on his feet and with his hands. Ray appears confident in his experience, however, proclaiming: “I know the game of boxing now. I know the tricks!” This, he believes, will carry him, victoriously, through the bout, underlining that he is not prepared to serve merely as a “stepping stone” for Davis.

 

22-YEAR-OLD KESTNA DAVIS

 

In the opposite corner, we find 22-year-old Kestna Davis – younger, less experienced professionally, but with a slightly more favourable record of two wins and no losses. His amateur record of 78 wins and only seven losses is even more impressive.

Although he has a very different boxing style to Ray, the two do share similar backgrounds and origins in the sport. Davis also joined Carl Grant’s Gym, but at the younger age of 14. After just two years, he declared that it was “his time” to turn professional.

Like Ray, Davis says that to make it as a boxer in Jamaica has been a struggle. He also comes from a background where resources were scarce but credits coach Grant with much of his success. Grant has provided him with virtually everything he needed to train at the right level for a professional athlete, Ray points out.

Kestna Davis has trained with his opponent, knows him personally and has studied his technique. He knows they have differing styles and energy levels but he is confident that, above all, his speed and endurance will earn him victory on the night.

On Ray’s style, Davis observes: “I can see everything coming from his shoulders. He will not catch me. He will get punches the whole time. I am always ready!”

This matchup is the first of two professional bouts billed for Saturday night’s event at Alpart Sports Club. Five amateur matches, in which Jamaican fighters will take on Guyanese opponents, will also take place, followed by an after-party with Wray Rum specials. The next Wray & Nephew Fight Night is set for St Thomas on Saturday, November 18.

 

Source: Jamaica Gleaner

A clash between middleweight boxer Kestna Davis and crowd-pleaser Miguel ‘Iron Dog’ Ray, over six rounds, will be the feature attraction on a seven-bout ProAm boxing card dubbed Wray and Nephew Fight Night, which will take place at the Alpart Sports Club in St Elizabeth, this Saturday.

In the other professional bout, which will be a lightweight contest, Toriano Nicholas will go against Doran Weir. On the amateur side of the programme, five of Jamaica’s leading amateur boxers will go up against boxers from Guyana.

The professional side of the promotion will be a joint venture between I-Fight Promotions and Creative Sports, while the Jamaica Boxing Board will be responsible for the amateur card.

 

Thrilling Night

 

“A thrilling night of boxing, which we are sure that our fans from St. Elizabeth and surrounding areas will thoroughly enjoy” was how Donald Lyew from Creative Sports saw the night’s programme, while Chris Joy from I-Fight Promotions saw it as “another of the two-fight cards that we are putting on now, with the goal of much bigger things to come later.”

The announcement of the card was made at Usain Bolt’s Tracks and Records, last Friday afternoon.

Boxing Board president Stephen ‘Bomber’ Jones was pleased that for the third time in 12 months, a team of amateur boxers from overseas, will be taking on boxers from Jamaica.

Most of the attention at the launch was focused on the clash between 23-year-old Davis and the 39-year-old Ray.

Davis, who is a boxer with good technical skills, does not see Ray as being much of a challenge for him.

“I am going to give him a boxing lesson. I am going to hit him with a barrage of punches from all angles and then knock him out,” he predicted.

Ray took all of this in with a smile.

“He is young and has everything to lose, while I have everything to gain. I am going in there to win, and if I catch him, he is going down.” he said. He then gave his trademark growl, pointed at Davis and said, ” I am coming for you, Kestna.”

The promoters also announced that after the boxing event, there will be entertainment, and an after-party.

 

Source: Jamaica Gleaner

A healthy and balanced diet helps children grow and learn, and for Sydia Smith, administrator at the Garland Hall Memorial Children’s Home, fish supplied by Rainforest Seafoods is a welcome addition to the menu that they might not otherwise have been able to provide on a regular basis.

“Rainforest delivers sliced fish for our children every month and the children do enjoy it – with rice and vegetables. It is a nourishing meal for them,” Smith said.

Founded and operated by the Jamaica Baptist Women’s Federation, the home is situated on a hillside opposite Anchovy High School, a few miles from Montego Bay in St James. It is named after Elisabeth Garland Hall, a Baptist missionary and the founder of the Jamaican Women’s Baptist Federation.

 

ORPHANED

 

Hall was orphaned very early in her life and decided to run an orphanage in her own private home.

The cozy buildings provide a safe shelter for around 26 children, mostly girls ages six to 18 years, who need care and protection. Many have suffered from abuse in their families.

Smith, who has been managing the home for the past five years, said her team works hard to provide comfort and a homey atmosphere for the children. “Rainforest also organises treats for the children at Christmas and special holidays, which we all look forward to. The children really appreciate the fun and games – and the food,” Smith said.

She also indicated that Rainforest may also offer cooking lessons to the children. “They will really love this. It will be a great opportunity for them to try something new and acquire a skill,” Smith said.

“We at Rainforest Seafoods recognise that good nutrition is extremely important for our children’s physical and mental development,” said Brian Jardim, chief executive officer at Rainforest Seafoods.

“For vulnerable children who have not had the best start in life, it is even more important. We are very happy to support Garland Hall Children’s Home by providing fish for the young residents’ health and for their enjoyment,” Jardim added.

Source: Jamaica Gleaner

“How can we survive without one of the basic needs – shelter? It just leaves one feeling helpless, hopeless and dysfunctional when one has no roof over their head,” said Gary ‘Butch’ Hendrickson, chief executive officer of the National Baking Company.

The critical issue of shelter is of great concern to Hendrickson and with the recent onslaught of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the region, he has underlined its importance as a fundamental human need.

The successful and innovative businessman has donated 24 homes in the past three years to Food For The Poor Jamaica’s 5K Initiative, through the National Baking Company Foundation.

This generous donation has transformed the lives of 72 Jamaicans, who were living in intolerable conditions. The homes were built mainly in the hilly interior of the island in the parishes of St Catherine, Manchester, St Elizabeth, St Thomas and Trelawny.

The company Hendrickson leads has become well known for its corporate social responsibility and community spirit. Just two years ago, the National Baking Company Foundation was established to formalise the manufacturing giant’s already well-established tradition of giving back. Through the foundation, Hendrickson believes he is fulfilling his duty as a Jamaican to partner with others in helping his fellow Jamaicans out of poverty.

Since 2015, the foundation has also made donations to several local charities. Food For The Poor, he said, reflects the foundation’s own goal to improve the lives of those who are especially disadvantaged in society, including the indigent, seniors, orphans and at-risk children.

As patron of the foundation, Hendrickson plays a proactive role in his support for education. For Food For The Poor’s 30th anniversary drive for school furniture, Hendrickson pledged $20 million to the cause. His donation inspired other private-sector players to join in the initiative, contributing to its success.

The early childhood sector is also a key priority for the foundation, specifically in the three- to six-year-old age group, through its Little Leaders programme.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20171006/butch-hendrickson-donates-24-homes-food-poor

MALABSORPTION Syndrome — caused by the body’s inability to absorb nutrients — is not a condition many know about. However, for the staff at the Mustard Seed Home, My Father’s House, in Kingston, the term forms a part of their daily lives.

This is because eight of the home’s wards have this condition, and therefore have ‘special needs’ in order to get nourishment each day, a release said on Tuesday.

For the past four years, the home has implemented a specialised feeding programme for wards faced with digestive issues. Since they are unable to absorb the nutrients naturally from food fed by mouth, they rely on gastro-tubes inserted into their throats or stomachs, and special food mixes in liquid form for their nutrition, the release said.

To ensure their total care, the wards visit dieticians, who provide them with individualised meal plans based on their age and body mass index, among other things.

Typically, based on their meal plans, the wards eat foods such as pumpkin, carrot and Irish potato, mixed with milk, the release said. They also drink apple juice, Ensure and milk.

The food mixes and gastro-tubes are very costly, with one tube priced upwards of $20,000, the release continued. It has therefore been very challenging for the home to purchase these tubes, and the different parts that sometimes break.

According to the release, that is why initiatives like the Digicel 5k Run for Special Needs is so important to the Mustard Seed Home, who was a beneficiary of the race in 2016.

The $1-million donation the home received from last year’s run has reportedly helped them greatly with purchasing the food and tubes for the wards.

This year, Mustard Seed is again set to benefit from the 5k race.

Executive Director of Mustard Seed Communities Darcy Tulloch-Williams indicated that the donation from this year’s run will also go towards the continuation of this programme, since it has to be sustained.

“The feeding programme, though expensive, is crucial for the wards. If they are not fed through this method their bodies will not be properly nourished, and this will lead to other life-threatening conditions. Caregivers receive special training in administering the meals,” Tulloch-Williams is quoted as saying in the release. “We have to train them so that they know how to insert the tube, how to prevent infections and the correct portions for the children.”

The Digicel 5K Run is scheduled for October 7, starting from the Digicel headquarters in downtown Kingston at 7:00 pm.

In addition to Mustard Seeds, proceeds from this year’s race will go to the Jamaica Autism Support Association, Early Stimulation Programme, Jamaica Association on Intellectual Disabilities, and Jamaica Down’s Syndrome Foundation

Source: Jamaica Observer

Malabsorption Syndrome – caused by the body’s inability to absorb nutrients – is not a condition which many of us know about. However, for the staff at the Mustard Seed Home, My Father’s House, in Kingston, the term forms a part of their daily lives.

This is because eight of the home’s wards have this condition, and therefore have ‘special needs’ in order to get nourishment each day.

For the past four years, the home has implemented a specialized feeding programme for these wards faced with digestive issues. Since they are unable to absorb the nutrients naturally from food fed by mouth, they rely on gastro-tubes inserted into their throats or stomachs, and special food mixes in liquid form for their nutrition.

To ensure their total care, the wards visit dieticians, who provide them with individualized meal plans based on their age, BMI etc. Typically, based on their meal plans, they eat foods such as pumpkin, carrot and Irish potato, mixed with milk. They also drink apple juice, Ensure and milk.

The food mixes and gastro-tubes are very costly, with one tube priced upwards of J$20,000 – a costly venture. It has therefore been very challenging for the home to purchase these tubes and the different parts that sometimes break.

That is why initiatives like the Digicel 5K Run for Special Needs is so important to the Mustard Seed Home, who was a beneficiary of the Race in 2016. The donation of J$1 million that the home received from last year’s run has helped them greatly purchasing the food and tubes for the wards. Mustard Seed will again benefit from the Digicel 5K this year. Executive Director of Mustard Seed Communities Mrs. Darcy Tulloch-Williams indicated that the donation from this year’s run will also go towards the continuation of this programme since it has to be sustained.

“The feeding programme, though expensive, is crucial for the wards. If they are not fed through this method their bodies will not be properly nourished, and this will lead to other life-threatening conditions. Caregivers receive special training in administering the meals, “Tulloch-Williams explained. “We have to train them so that they know how to insert the tube, how to prevent infections and the correct portions for the children,” she added.

Source:  Loop Jamaica

When the students of Chester Infant School in St Ann returned to begin the new school year last Monday, they found an entirely new school building.

That’s because during the summer, using funds donated by 12-year-old US golfer Rafe Cochran, Food For the Poor (FFP)-Jamaica built classrooms, a kitchen, bathrooms, a sick bay, and an office.

The new building, which was handed over on September 1, makes for a more comfortable and spacious teaching and learning environment.

The infant department was added to Chester Primary School in 2015 after it became clear that parents could not afford to send their children to privately owned basic schools, a factor which impeded the children’s readiness for primary school. The only problem was, there was not enough space to accommodate it. So the school administration applied to FFP-Jamaica for a new school structure, which was approved.

The young golfer, who has been donating to programmes in Haiti since he was nine, raised the funds for the St Ann project from the Second Annual Rafe Cochran Golf Classic in Palm Beach, Florida.

“I am so excited to be back in Jamaica with all of you,” said Rafe, who had visited the school back in March. “It was so rewarding to see the Chester Infant School come to life.”

In March, he saw the crowded conditions that the students experienced in their classrooms. On his return visit, he saw his vision for a better learning environment realised.

When the students of Chester Infant School in St. Ann returned to begin the new school year on Monday, they were delighted to find an entirely new school building.

During the summer, Food For The Poor (FFP)-Jamaica built classrooms, a kitchen, bathrooms, a sick bay and an office, funded through a generous donation from 12-year-old U.S. golfer Rafe Cochran.

The new building, which was handed over by FFP-Jamaica and Rafe on September 1, creates a more comfortable and spacious learning and teaching environment.

The Infant Department was added to Chester Primary School in 2015, after it became clear that parents could not afford to send their children to privately owned basic schools. This was impeding the children’s readiness for primary school. The inclusion of an Infant Department was deemed necessary, despite a shortage of space to accommodate it. Subsequently, the school administration applied to FFP-Jamaica for a new school structure, which was approved.

The young American golfer, who has been donating to programs in Haiti since he was 9, was happy to support this project. His donation was a result of his fundraising golf event, the Second Annual Rafe Cochran Golf Classic in Palm Beach, Florida.

“I am so excited to be back in Jamaica with all of you,” said Rafe, who had visited the school back in March. “It was so rewarding to see the Chester Infant School come to life.”

In March, he saw the crowded conditions that the students faced in their classrooms. On his return visit, he saw his vision for a better learning environment realized.

At the handover, Rafe reminded the students to keep their eyes on their goals and to be agents of change, despite their tender age.

“This school will change lives, and my advice to the students is to focus on your goals and never give up,” Rafe said. “You are never too young to take action and make a change in people’s lives.”

Delane Bailey-Herd, Senior Field Representative at FFP Inc. who has worked closely with FFP-Jamaica and Rafe Cochran, applauded the 12-year-old golfer.

“Rafe, so far, has built nine houses in Haiti and he has also built this school through his funding. This is a young man who is dedicated and determined and inspires me to go on. He golfs with a purpose, to transform people’s lives,” she said.

Bailey-Herd recalled how Rafe became associated with FFP Inc.

“Three years ago, I visited Palm Beach Day Academy in Florida and I spoke to the third-grade class about being a world-changer and helping people,” she said. “Rafe, who was 9 years old at the time, got up at the end of the class and said he wanted to help. He visited Food For The Poor’s head office sometime afterward and started contributing to the charity.”

Maxine Headlam, Regional Director of Region 3 at the Ministry of Education, thanked FFP for its assistance, saying, “Of all the schools that are built and funded by partners, those from Food For The Poor best meet our expectations in terms of reaching certification. When we receive a school built by Food For The Poor, we are at least 80 percent at the readiness level for certification, as the building would have already met the required standards.”

Source: Loop News