A young girl beams with joy while enjoying the see-saw with the support of Digicel Foundation CEO Charmaine Daniels at the Early Stimulation Plus Development Centre in Kingston on Wednesday.
DIGICEL Foundation made ‘Play Day’ extra special for the children at the Early Stimulation Plus Development Centre in Rockfort, Kingston, by spending a morning engaging in games and fun activities.
February has been designated as Play Month by the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), a celebration endorsed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Jamaica Office.This year’s theme, ‘Bringing Back the Game of Play Through Traditional Games — Out of Many, One People,’ highlights the importance of play in early childhood development while embracing Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage.
During the visit, Digicel Foundation staff and board members joined the children in classic Jamaican games such as dandy shandy and hopscotch.In addition to the interactive play activities, the Digicel Foundation also donated crayons and colouring books to the school, providing the students with creative resources to support their learning and development.
Charmaine Daniels, CEO of Digicel Foundation, emphasised the significance of supporting institutions like the Early Stimulation Plus Development Centre.“The Early Stimulation Plus Development Centre is dear to us, as it is one of the 21 special needs schools we renovated a few years ago. Play is an essential part of childhood development, and we are delighted to be part of this initiative that brings joy, inclusion, and learning to these children,” said Daniels.
She pointed out that the Digicel Foundation has been a longstanding advocate for children with disabilities, investing over US$11.8 million in special needs initiatives across Jamaica since inception.
Minister Williams noted Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ ASPIRE’ programme highlighting access, safety and security, people, infrastructure, reforms and economic resilience. She asked her audience to ‘take comfort that there has been investment in a police force that has been equipped and is undergoing training for engagement with the public.’ She noted that students now have an extra two years in high school to get them job ready and that the HEART programme offered training in various aspects of industry.
Commenting on the damage to infrastructure due to hurricanes and heavy rains, she said the government had the financial wherewithal to make significant repairs as good roads were an enabling factor for the country. She referred to Jamaica’s lowest ever unemployment rate and said that we had more broad-based opportunities instead of just a few industries. She noted that our Debt to GDP had moved from 147% to 70%, citing financial stability and fiscal responsibility.
She noted that the Government will be using AI and big data for greater efficiency. This cannot come too soon as one guest spoke about her frustration in getting land titles for her parents in Jamaica. After unanswered calls, she had to travel here, using the funds that would have been better spent on investment. Productivity continues to be a major challenge for the public sector.
We can never forget Dr Velma Pollard’s spirited dance to the live mento band at a CCRP outing to Milk River Hotel & Mineral Spa. Her joie-de-vivre, reflected in her warm smile, would charm her fellow members at various outings. The celebrated writer, who passed away at 87 on February 1, never rested on her laurels and was a mentor to many.
“Rest peacefully, Velma Pollard,” wrote the Observer’s Bookends coordinator Sharon Leach. “I will always remember your kindness, your interest in my writing, and your encouragement… and more than anything else, your relentless support of the Sunday Observer’s Bookends.”
In lauding Dr Pollard’s achievements, Culture Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange remarked on her affirmation of Jamaican patois and her publications From Jamaican Creole to Standard English: A Handbook for Teachers and Dread Talk: The Language of Rastafari.
“Along with her sister, Dr Erna Brodber, also a critically acclaimed author, Pollard organised an annualEmancipation watchnight vigil in Woodside, where members of the community and the wider Jamaica could come and reflect on the significance of Emancipation,” noted Minister Grange.
Blogger Emma Lewis wrote a memorable tribute, ending with: “… her delightful, sometimes sharp humour, her warmth and her encouraging and sympathetic manner endeared her to many. She will be missed by Jamaicans of all ages, especially younger writers. Her passing leaves a gap in Jamaica’s cultural narrative, which she so effortlessly and warmly expressed.”
My deepest sympathy to Dr Pollard’s beloved family and friends. May her great soul rest in peace.
Cedella Marley and her brother Stephen Marley are all smiles during their late father’s 80th birthday celebrations at Bob Marley Museum on Thursday, February 6, 2025.Garfield Robinson
Euphoria filled the air as we joined the throng to celebrate Bob Marley’s 80th birthday at Emancipation Park. The concert was laced with television interviews with the legend himself, who dropped lines such as, “Possessions make you rich? I don’t have that kind of richness — my richness is life forever.” We could see his ‘forever’ in the fans of all ages, dancing and singing along to his music.
His ‘forever’ echoed from the stage with surprising acts like Jah Fabio and Antidoping from Mexico as well as Nonpalidece from Argentina declaring their love for Bob Marley and Jamaica. We heard the clean creations of Aza Lineage, Warrior King, and Bushman, taking forward the icon’s legacy of lyrical wisdom. We embraced Bushman’s appeal to our broadcast media to refrain from carrying vulgar lyrics, noting that the “bleeps” do not help, as young people will mentally fill in those blanks.
The Julian Marley we saw and heard was an impressive artiste, matured from his earlier years and projecting his father’s charisma. A Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) release quoted him on his recent tour with brothers Ziggy, Ky-Mani, Stephen, and Damian: “What we all walked away with was how our father’s music was really a godsend. Despite the passage of time, it still resonates with audiences in a powerful way…” Grandson Skip Marley, son of Cedella Marley, had the young ladies in the audience mesmerised with his love songs, reminiscent of Marley’s Turn Your Lights Down Low. They honoured Marley’s genius well.
This led us to ponder Marley’s challenging lyrics calling out hypocrites and ‘talking blues’. From Timothy White’s biography of Bob Marley, Catch A Fire: The Life of Bob Marley, we learn of the early trials of young Marley when he was sent to Kingston from Nine Miles, St Ann, for what his family thought would be a better life with a wealthier side of his family. He lived with and did chores for an elderly woman. When he was sent by her to Coronation Market, he saw a friend of his mother and tearfully begged to be sent back to Nine Miles. He was taken back to St Ann where he enjoyed harmonious family life until he moved to Trench Town as a teenager. White related the marginal conditions under which Marley lived, including the ragged bed which was provided for him at Clement “Coxsone” Dodd’s studio.Marley’s lyrics on inner-city living and society’s indifference to the poor’s suffering may have moved some in authority, but certainly not enough. At an event held last week, former Trench Town resident Owen “Ity” Ellis bemoaned the conditions of the community made famous by Marley in Trench Town Rock and No Woman Nuh Cry. These are laden lines:
“… I remember when we used to sitIn the government yard in Trench Town
Oba-obaserving the hypocrites
As they would mingle with the good people we meet.”
Such conditions there and in other poverty-stricken communities became a breeding ground for gangs, attracting desperate young people from fractured families. I give Prime Minister Andrew Holness credit for being one of the most vociferous leaders in condemning gang violence and Project Star, brainchild of Keith Duncan, for giving us hope for a more peaceful and equitable future. Let us have faith and realise Marley’s Redemption Song:
Jamaica said farewell recently to two pillars of education, St Lucia born Professor Sir Roy Augier and Dr Alfred Sangster. Only last December, an alert Sir Roy’s 100th Birthday was celebrated at Aquinas Centre. There was an outpouring of love and gratitude from his former students on social media as they commented on his mentorship.
In their tribute to Prof Augier, the Caricom Secretariat wrote: “Professor Augier was well known for his seminal contribution to advanced studies in history. He served in key leadership roles, guiding the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), a CARICOM Regional Institution, over many years. His distinguished service at The University of the West Indies included both the Cave Hill and Mona campuses. Sir Roy’s influence on the presentation, interpretation and perception of Caribbean history was solidified by his contributions to several important publications, including the pivotal work, ‘The Making of the West Indies’.
Dr Alfred Sangster
Dr Alfred Sangster was the visionary and dynamic head of the College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST) from 1970 to 1976, adding 50 academic programmes and growing the student population from 1,500 to 6,000. He brought CAST to University status with its renaming as the University of Technology UTECH, retiring the year after. Dr Sangster was the founding Chair of the Citizens for Free and Fair Elections, served on the Public Service Commission and played lead roles in regional and international groups.
In his tribute to Dr Sangster, UTECH President Dr Kevin Brown noted, “In addition to his administrative accomplishments, Dr. Sangster authored the influential book ‘The Making of a University – From CAST to Utech’ published by Ian Randle Publishers in 2010. This seminal work chronicles the evolution of the institution and provides invaluable insights into the challenges and triumphs of building a university.”
Our deepest sympathy to the loved ones of Sir Roy Augier and Dr Alfred Sangster.
The concern was palpable at Ambassador Audrey Marks’ first online ‘Let’s Connect’ meeting for the New Year. Ambassador Marks spoke on the Jamaicans who have been affected by the new US Immigration policy. Her keynote guest speaker was Finance Minister Fayval Williams whose presentation had notes of hope for those Jamaicans seeking to be repatriated.
Ambassador Marks noted that of the thousands being repatriated in the Caribbean, only .5% is Jamaican. Of the 56 who arrived in Jamaica last week, only seven had criminal records while the others had immigration offences. Those with immigration issues, she emphasised, should not be regarded as criminals and every Jamaican will be welcomed home. She noted many Jamaicans have been calling for instructions on how to get home without being subject to deportation and they have been receiving assistance from the Embassy and Consulates.
Attorneys at Law Sekou Clarke and Xavier Francis spoke on immigration concerns. Clarke has expanded his legal services in Florida and was named by Forbes magazine as one of the ‘Top 40 Entrepreneurs to Watch’ in 2025. Xavier Francis has been running a leading immigration firm for eight years.
Clarke said there was collateral damage when undocumented immigrants are separated from their blended families. He noted that in one ICE operation, they went to a location to take an illegal immigrant with a criminal record and ‘scraped up’ others. He advised that getting married to an American citizen is not the only way to become a legal immigrant. He said the T Visa could be applied for by persons suffering from discrimination while the U Visa can be used for victims of crime who would have to furnish a police statement.
There is also the EB-5 Visa available for investors or those who have an existing business. Francis also noted that holders of the F1 Student Visa could self-sponsor themselves for Green Cards if they have awards for outstanding performance or are members of professional organizations.
Francis gave three tips to cope with the new zero tolerance position:
– Don’t overstay your visa
– Legal immigrants should carry a copy of their documentation on their phones as every immigrant is at risk of being taken into custody
– Reconsider the alternative pathways that exist.
Ambassador Marks said that Jamaicans who wish to return to their country should communicate with the Embassy and via Diaspora organizations. The Jamaican Embassy website has been recently loaded with specific information on immigration matters.
Members of the Jamaican Diaspora continue to preserve our culture and want to give back to their homeland. Florida Consul Oliver Mair announced that the fourth annual celebration of Marcus Garvey would be held on February 18. Young Tiffany Haynes expressed her wish to do more for Jamaica and asked for a more intentional programme to strengthen ties.
Investor Peter Charrington was also on the call and Minister Williams announced that his joint Project with the Government, Harmony Cove had moved forward with a presentation ready for Cabinet review on Monday, February 3rd. This is a US$1 Billion luxury resort project slated for Trelawny.
Meanwhile, Sandals Resorts, Riu and the newly opened Princess Hotel have been enjoying excellent occupancy rates, ensuring continued employment of thousands of Jamaicans hotel workers. Incentives such as housing and insurance will make hotel careers attractive.
In a report on the opening of the Princess Hotel by Observer writer Anthony Lewis, the prime minister is quoted as saying: “We are going to create the best tourism corridor in the Caribbean when we have completed that bypass from Montego Bay straight through to Negril …“We have some excellent plans for Negril, including a new airport [and] two parks — one will be a beach park and the other will be an Eco park.”
The rapidly growing tourist industry offers opportunities for repatriated Jamaicans. Ambassador Marks assured that there are plans in place to assist them to reintegrate, with the assistance of NGOs.
Congratulations to celebrated poet, editor, musician and storyteller Professor Kwame Dawes on his investiture as Poet Laureate of Jamaica last week. He is the son of novelist and Institute of Jamaica Executive Director Neville Dawes. The Jamaica College graduate was moved by a presentation by students of his alma mater at the event. He holds a BA in Literatures in English at UWI and as a Commonwealth Scholar earned a PhD at the University of New Brunswick.
Professor Dawes has won prestigious awards for his over 30 collections of poetry and is a co-founder of the Calabash International Poetry Festival. The Musgrave Silver Medallist is a professor of Literary Arts at Brown University and lecturer in the Master of Fine Arts Programme at Pacific University in Oregan.
Jamaica’s First Poet Laureate was Tom Redcam (his nom-de-plume was his surname spelled backwards – MacDermot), who was so honoured posthumously, from 1910 to 1933. J.E.C McFarlane served from 1953 to his death in 1962. After it was re-instituted in 2014, we have been blessed with legendary Poet Laureates: Mervyn Morris, Lorna Goodison and Olive Senior.
I remember the late Ralph Thompson advocating the teaching of poetry, pointing out that when we develop imagination, people will have the ability to discern consequences before endangering themselves. Besides the grandeur of great lines, what better reason is there to teach and enjoy poetry?
“Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds.”
As we celebrate Marcus Garvey’s words made famous by Bob Marley, we ponder how, as we celebrate President Biden’s pardon of Jamaica’s first National Hero, we still have communities living under the whip of mental slavery, in the form of gangsters.
“They carry my son to the barber,” declared a community member who protested Police action against gangs in Spanish Town last week. Roads were blocked after an alleged gang leader was killed in a shootout with the Police. Our courageous JCF officers, supported by JDF soldiers were able to bring calm to Spanish Town in 24 hours. Their biggest enemy however is the mental slavery imposed on our poor and illiterate by these gangs, initially supported by politicians on both sides, now beyond their control and dictating to the most vulnerable among us.
One school principal said a student explained that he has to pretend to be tough when he returns from school to his gang-controlled community, or he would be a laughingstock. For decades, admirers of Garvey have been petitioning the Government to include Garvey’s teachings in the school curriculum: his messages of discipline, dignity, self-reliance, self-esteem. While we sympathise with PM Dr Andrew Holness as he pleads for peace, we ask again that we immerse our children in Garvey’s philosophy so these values can be foundational in their formation.
Ken Jones curated Marcus Garvey’s quotes, presenting them under various headings in his book, “Marcus Garvey Said ….” That book should be required reading for every Jamaican high school student. Garvey was a voracious reader. We have fine librarians in every parish of Jamaica, ready to guide our children in skilled reading. My love of literature started at the Savanna-la-mar Library where our shopkeeper mother would send my sister and me regularly. Librarian Miss Ottey would make reading exciting. When my mother remarried and we were leaving for Kingston, Miss Ottey invited her two little fans (seven- and nine-year-old) to dinner, so close we had become.
Our libraries are free and welcoming. Could our MPs please encourage their inner-city constituents to send their children to the library and sponsor reading competitions for them. This is a national emergency and as Education Minister Dr Dana Morris-Dixon explains, it is a challenge for every single Jamaican. However, we elect our leaders to lead. The invective coming out of tribalists on social media calls for better monitoring. What kind of example are we setting for our young people when they see actual vulgar words being used in these posts? Garvey used no curse words yet became the leader of millions in the Jamaican and African Diaspora.
Lee Henderson (left) and Anna Horndahl (centre), co-founders of the Kingstad Serendipity Fund, are seen with Miguel “Steppa” Williams, director of strategic planning and community development at Digicel Foundation, at the recent handover of a state-of-the-art football field at Pembroke Hall Primary School.
Pembroke Hall Primary in St Andrew has unveiled its upgraded football field, a US$100,000-project that has transformed the school’s outdoor space into a safe and functional environment for students.
The initiative was made possible through a collaboration between the Kingstad Serendipity Fund and Digicel Foundation — which contributed a US$20,000 grant as part of its 20-for-20-for-20 Community Development programme.
The project involved the procurement and installation of 19,065 square feet of high-grade synthetic turf and related materials, providing a state-of-the-art facility for sports and physical education.
The field was dedicated to the memory of Estreana Rebecca Morrison, the grandmother of Lee Henderson, the Jamaican-raised US businessman and co-founder of the Kingstad Serendipity Fund.This project is deeply personal to me — it’s a way to give back to the school and community that were instrumental in shaping the person I’ve become,” said Henderson.“As a child, I played on this very field, which was made of dirt and uneven patches. It posed safety risks and became unusable during rainy periods,” added Henderson. The Kingstad Serendipity Fund plans to establish the Kingstad Football Club, giving young athletes a platform to develop their talents while learning life skills such as teamwork and discipline.“Every dollar generated by the football club and field will be reinvested into the school. These funds will support the team, provide upgrades in technology, and enhance the school’s infrastructure, ensuring Pembroke Hall remains a beacon of excellence for generations to come,” declared Henderson.
In the meantime, Charmaine Daniels, CEO of the Digicel Foundation, emphasised her organisation’s commitment to empowering communities through strategic partnerships.
“The Digicel Foundation is thrilled to support Pembroke Hall Primary in creating this modern football field. Sports play a vital role in youth development, teaching critical values like discipline, teamwork, and resilience.
“By partnering with the Kingstad Serendipity Fund, we’re ensuring students have a safe space to grow and to dream big,” said Daniels.
Jamaica Highlights 