Category: Giving Back

Despite the storms, give thanks, Jamaica

CCRP Living Legacy Awards recipients at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel. From left: Pixley Irons, Dr Lilieth Nelson, Dr Blossom Anglin Brown, and Steadman Fuller.

On this National Heroes’ Day, despite distressing news, let us remember the people who continue to bring light and hope to Jamaica.

Among those who will receive national honours today are my friends, whose talent and professionalism have made our country proud. Natalie Thompson, Order of Distinction, Officer class (OD), is an accomplished cinematographer, her latest work being No Time to Die. Andrew Mahfood, Order of Distinction, Commander class (CD), is not only a business leader, as managing director of Wisynco, but also the dedicated chairman of Food For the Poor Jamaica. Arthur Hall, OD, and Earl Moxam, OD, are journalism legends. Justine Henzell, OD, is the hard-working co-founder of the Calabash Literary Festival. Kudos to colleagues PB Scott, Order of Jamaica; Neville Garrick, CD; Colette Roberts Risden, CD; Dr Edwin Tulloch-Reid, CD; Dawn Azan, OD; and Lenford Salmon, OD.

Last week CCRP honoured five stalwarts who have served beyond the call of duty: Dr Winsome Anglin Brown; Pixley Irons, OD; Steadman Fuller, CD; Dr Lilieth Nelson, CD; and Dr Margaret Dingle Spence.

Dr Brown is the former director of The University of the West Indies (UWI) Health Centre, through her leadership, the health centre was the first in the region to be named a voluntary counselling and testing centre for AIDS. She was instrumental in making The UWI the biggest blood donor group in the country. She was head of the Department of Community Health and Psychiatry and coordinator for graduate studies and research at The UWI. During the pandemic she served as deputy chair on the Campus Emergency Committee.

A former president of Lions Club of New Kingston, she unstintingly supports the blind and is a volunteer with the Foundation for International Self Help Development (FISH) clinic. She is a perennial committee member for international sporting events, including the Cricket World Cup.

A number of Jamaicans will be recognised for service to the country at the Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards.

Fuller, an avid proponent of lifelong learning, has been a pre-eminent figure in the Jamaican book industry for almost 50 years. An entrepreneur and philanthropist, he is chairman and managing director of the nation’s leading booksellers, Kingston Bookshop. His wife of 40 years, Sonia, has been his business partner as director of administration.

Fuller has served as custos for the parish of Kingston for over 13 years. He is chairman and co-founder of the Kingston and St Andrew Development and Homecoming Foundation Limited. He is a recipient of the Mico Gold Medal Award and is chairman of the board of both the Tulloch Primary School in St Catherine and Mona High School in St Andrew. Fuller’s community outreach sees his entire staff preparing hundreds of seasonal care packages for the imprisoned as well as back-to-school bags for needy children.

Irons exemplifies mentorship, service, and community involvement, whether in his own enterprise or in his participation in a variety of service and developmental organisations. His company, Iron’s Mechanical Services, is sponsor for scores of sporting events in St Ann. Irons was also affiliated with the Land Divestment Committee and the Rural Electrification Programme as a board member.

A dedicated Rotarian, Irons received the Rotary Service Above Self award three consecutive years. He is a passionate advocate for youth development, serving on the HEART/NSTA Trust’s Management Advisory Council and other youth-oriented interventions. Irons is the volunteer convenor of the CCRP Northeast Chapter. He says none of this would have been possible without his wife and family members.

Dr Nelson is an award-winning educator, published poet, musician, and entrepreneur who possesses a dual passion for the arts as well as the sciences. She has served as musical director of the University Singers, working with musical stalwarts Noel Dexter and Marjorie Whylie, among others. On the science side, Dr Nelson was a beloved teacher of chemistry and general science in Jamaica and The Bahamas.

Dr Nelson’s invaluable contribution to Jamaica’s energy sector includes the production of the Energy Coordinators Handbook for the Ministry of Mining and Energy in 2012. She has also served as managing director of Jamaica Laboratory & Industrial Suppliers Limited. She is the dynamic president of the Business and Professional Women’s Club, Jamaica branch.

Dr Spence, renowned expert in both clinical oncology and palliative medicine, has brought relief and dignity to Jamaica’s cancer patients. She is the senior medical officer of the Hope Institute Hospital, Jamaica’s only dedicated oncology and palliative care unit. She is also an associate lecturer in the Department of Medicine at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, and is currently the acting head of the Department of Radiotherapy at the Kingston Public Hospital.

Dr Spence’s fellowship in international pain policy at the University of Wisconsin focused on improving opioid accessibility in Jamaica, resulting in the immediate release of morphine tablets in 2012, not previously available.

She is currently working with the medical school at The University of the West Indies to develop a diploma in palliative medicine and to have palliative care medicine recognised as a medical specialty in Jamaica.

Farewell, dear Heather

Heather Arnella (right) and her daughter Dr Aimee Norman

We said a fond farewell to a star of the Digicel family, Heather Arnella (nee Hodgson) last week. Heather will always be the truest expression of active love. She was a lady of brief words but countless generous deeds.

Heather served as chairperson of the Governance Committee for the Digicel Jamaica Foundation and led by example. She travelled extensively as the group administrator for Digicel and was the go-to person not only in Jamaica but for the company’s international locations. Nevertheless, she remained humble and approachable. She respected everyone and stood up for humble folks. No wonder there has been such an outpouring of love for this warm-hearted lady who found time for everyone.

How she managed so many projects and still maintained her joy of life was amazing. Our dear fashionista friend Heather always carried herself beautifully, but it was her inner beauty that made her shine even brighter.

Her love of family, especially her dear daughter Dr Aimee Norman, and her mother Sybil Hodgson, was inspiring. She adored her grandchildren and would flash out photos on her phone as soon as anyone asked about them.

At the thanksgiving service, the tributes of Digicel Chair Denis O’Brien; CEO Oliver Coughlan; a reading by her son-in-law Evangelist Renaldo Norman; the blessings of Rev Al Miller, her pastor; and the music of Ashe brought comfort to family and friends.

Rest in peace our unforgettable Heather.

Source: Jamaica Observer https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/despite-the-storms-give-thanks-jamaica/

SOS Children’s Village Barrett Town residents shine with IGT computer room upgrade

Tisha Wilson, IGT’s Administrative Supervisor, and youngsters at SOS Children’s Village Barrett Town display some of the books donated by the IGT team on Friday, September 22, 2023. Standing at the back of the room are house mothers Marcia Whyte (left) and Juliet Campbell. (Photo: Contributed)

Hewitt Walker, SOS Children’s Village director, is impressed with the progress of his residents after a comprehensive upgrade by International Game Technology (IGT) of their After School Advantage (ASA) computer lab at SOS Barrett Town, St James.

“Previously, students lacked convenient access to information to complete their assignments but now we are grateful to have a dedicated space where the residents can efficiently access resources needed for their academic tasks,” said Walker. 

Generous donation

SOS Barrett Town was first equipped with an IGT ASA computer centre in 2013.  In a recent upgrade, the company replaced previously installed desktop systems with 10 brand-new laptops equipped with updated software. In addition, IGT has provided a laptop storage cabinet and versatile multipurpose printer.

In observance of International Literacy Month, representatives of IGT made a generous donation of books to SOS Barrett Town earlier this month, engaging residents in a reading session.

Hosted under the theme ‘#IGTreads,’ this initiative reflects the organisation’s commitment to supporting education while emphasising the importance of literacy and reading. The theme was created for an IGT read-aloud initiative last year.

Debbie Green, IGT general manager, says she is elated to see the progress and growth in the IGT decade-long partnership with SOS Children’s Village Barrett Town under its After School Advantage programme.

“We remain committed to partnership and continued support of our centres under our After School Advantage programme, and we embrace the opportunity to nurture lifelong reading among our students, understanding that in the pages of books, we venture into a world of possibilities,” said Green.

Tisha Wilson, IGT’s administrative supervisor, along with two team members, were welcomed by a host of youngsters at the children’s village, who were thrilled to receive this book donation. Upon seeing the range of books being donated, the youngsters could not contain their excitement.

Support United Nations SDG

This positive reaction was a major goal as IGT is encouraging reading and awareness around the significance of literacy. This is also in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Good Health and Well-Being, Quality Education, and Reduced Inequalities. 

“The children were just so excited,” said Wilson. “The goal is to raise awareness for reading and improve literacy among our children. With technology and the Internet, we don’t have many readers, so for me, I was very surprised when we came in and the students were picking up books to find their favourite stories – even without us planning to engage them at that level. It was heart-warming to see students still having that interest to read.”

Walker believes that this initiative has the potential to ignite a passion for reading among the residents, particularly in an era dominated by technology, where reading is less common and social media use is more prevalent.

“I think it was a very good initiative because we live in a technological age and a lot of children use technology for social media, as opposed to reading, so a donation of books to the SOS Children’s Village is a good venture. This is a very important donation because it allows the kids to be exposed to books so that they can delve into stories and read more,” said Walker.

He, too, was impressed by the reaction of the youngsters.

“I think the kids are quite happy. They are looking for the books that they like and are enjoying them so far. I am very happy to see this because this is not something that you see very often in the village,” said Walker.

Improved literacy

House mothers at SOS Children’s Village Barrett Town Juliet Campbell and Marcia Whyte were also impressed by the initiative taken by IGT. For Campbell, IGT’s push for improved literacy plays an active role in their homework sessions.

“There are times when we have problems getting books at their reading level and I see that they have received a lot of those, so we are happy for them. We will engage them with more reading in the evenings after school,” Campbell said.

“I think this initiative will enhance the children in their vocabulary and help them to know new words,” said Whyte.

IGT shows its commitment to supporting education and technology access for youth through its After School Advantage (ASA) programme.  The gaming technology firm has established 15 ASA computer labs in NGO-run institutions in Jamaica, including those in SOS Children’s Village Barrett Town and Stony Hill, Mustard Seed Communities – Matthew 25:40, Spring Village Development Foundation, Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation Mandeville and Savanna-La-Mar and Sunbeam Children’s Home in St Catherine.

SOS Children’s Village Barrett Town provides an alternative home for 38 children and young adults up to 22 years old who have lost parental care. SOS Children’s Villages International comprises more than 130 national associations around the world and has helped over four million children worldwide since its inception in 1949.

Five UWI students get engineering scholarships from Marubeni

Mohamed Majeed (second right), managing director of Caribbean operations for Marubeni Power International, shares words of encouragement with UWI electrical engineering students and Marubeni scholarship recipients Daniel McGregor (left) and Rochelle Stephen during the scholarship presentation ceremony at The University of the West Indies, Mona campus on September 27, 2023. Also present is Damian Obiglio, senior vice-president, Marubeni Power International.

FIVE students pursuing engineering degrees at The University of the West Indies, Mona campus received a funding boost in their journey courtesy of scholarships totalling US$20,000 provided by Marubeni Power International in collaboration with The UWI Development and Endowment Fund (UWIDEF).

The students, Brianna Smith, Daniel McGregor, Martin McDonald, Dwight Simpson, and top performer Rochelle Stephen, were presented with their scholarship cheques during a brief ceremony at the Principal’s Council Room on September 27.

Addressing the gathering, Managing director of Caribbean operations for Marubeni Power International Mohamed Majeed praised the exceptional quality displayed by the five recipients, highlighting the proven benefits of higher education in enabling individuals to increase their earning power.

Marubeni, he said, was pleased to enable the students to take their rightful place as problem-solvers of the future. “We commend your accomplishments thus far and anticipate the impact you will undoubtedly have as you progress both academically and in your future careers,” he said.

His Excellency Yasuhiro Atsumi, Japanese Ambassador to Jamaica, in his address, said all Japan stood in support of the development efforts of the Jamaican Government and people for continued progress. In praising Marubeni for its generosity in funding the scholarships, the ambassador noted several previous occasions in which the company had given generously to support education, most notably in donating tablet computers to enable virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ambassador Atsumi said he looked forward to many more acts of support for Jamaica’s development both on the part of Marubeni as well as the Government of Japan.

Representing the Ministry of Education, National Mathematics Co-ordinator Dr Tamika Benjamin spoke to the growing importance of engineering and other STEM subjects in the modern development model. In congratulating the recipients, she likewise encouraged them to become problem-solvers on the national level and expressed the hope that their performance would in turn encourage greater participation in STEM education.

Reynold Scott, board director of UWIDEF, also urged the students to continue to do their very best, adding that programmes such the scholarship presentation are at the heart of the fund’s function.

Responding on behalf of the quintet, Rochelle Stephen reiterated the “life-changing” nature of the scholarship, adding that she was unable to fully express the importance of being able to continue on their respective educational journeys. She pledged to heed the call for continued excellence and bring honour to the institution, to their families and the nation.

UWIDEF Project Officer Francine Warren-Kidd, who presided over the ceremony, thanked Marubeni and all the partners involved in bringing the scholarship presentation to fruition. The ceremony, she said, marked not the end of the collaboration, but a new beginning.

Marubeni, in seeking to contribute to the development of Jamaica, has been supporting worthy initiatives in a number of areas, education being primary among them.

Source: The Jamaica Observer https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/five-uwi-students-get-engineering-scholarships-from-marubeni/

A week of hope and suffering

It was a week of hope, starting with Yasus Afari’s Jamaica Poetry Festival which sparkled with the classic poetry of Professor Edward Baugh, the youthful voice of octogenarian Boris Gardiner, and a surprise performance by our renaissance Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett.

Yasus had us chanting phrases such as “poetry can nyam!” – his response to his mother’s criticism of his career choice – and “mek it ‘tan deh” to those who would misappropriate people’s money.

This year’s festival, the 13th, was dedicated to legends Louise “Miss Lou” Bennett Coverely, Harry Belafonte, and Kahlil Gibran. Their biographies set the stage for the event, challenging us to bring excellence to the stage.

Ten-year-old Jazmin “Jazzy J” Headley wowed us with a grown-up This Woman’s On Fire! and a capella Impossible Dream for an encore. We understand we will see her on the Hollywood big screen next year- she deserves it all – this child who raised a grand sum for the Jamaica Society for the Blind the show’s charity.

Professor Baugh had the audience in awe with his memories of Portland, his birth parish, and chuckling along with Carpenter’s Complaint about “that mawga foot boy” who passed him by, despite building his father’s house, to give the making of his late father’s coffin to “that big belly crook who don’t know how him ass from a chisel”. At the end of his performance we were on our feet with sustained applause.

Boris Gardner gave us the story of his world-famous song, Every N****r is a Star. He said it was the theme song for a movie of the same name which failed after two nights at the Carib Theatre. Then a few decades later he got a call from Kendrick Lamar who introduced his album with the song’s chorus, which racked up 5 million in sales. But that was not the whole story. Seven years ago he got a call from a top Hollywood production house that wanted to use a song in a movie, that movie was Moonlight, which won eight Oscars, including Best Picture of the Year at the 2017 Academy Awards. Those are amazing royalties for the king of Jamaican balladeers.

Minister Bartlett took the opportunity to share a publication in which he contributed, discussing Jamaica’s creation of a tourism resilience programme in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I presented it at the UN, ” he said, “and before I was finished the endorsements were coming in from other countries. And at the end, 94 countries were signatories for what Jamaica has given to the world.”

Hats off to all the performers -it was an honour to share the stage with (in order of appearance): master drummer Calvin Mitchell, poet Ossie Gee, singer Sotera, Prof Clinton Hutton, Dr Emerson Henry, and Ras Jaja.

The Soft Side of Law Enforcement

It was a morning of joy last Thursday when the Jamaica Constabulary Force, in collaboration with the Jamaica Defence Force; Jamaica Fire Brigade; Jamaica Customs Agency; Department of Corrections; and the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency handed over $4 million to Special Olympics Jamaica, collected during the three months of running with the Special Olympics Torch in the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) throughout every parish of Jamaica.

Lead representative of the Caribbean LETR, Senior Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay, reminded us that our law enforcement agencies have been dedicated to this project since 1986, raising tens of millions of our Special Olympians.

JCF’s head of the Community Safety and Security Branch, Assistant Commissioner of Police Charmine Shand, and Senior Superintendent Natalie Palmer Mair have given sterling service to the LETR over the years.

The video of the law enforcement officials starting each parish race shoulder to shoulder, then joined by citizens of every walk of life shows the genuine good-heartedness of Jamaicans of our special needs community. Special Olympics of Jamaica (SOJ) Chair Aldrick McNab and Executive Director Coleridge “Roy” Howell thanked the organizations profusely for the boost to SOJ’s funds.

In turn, our Special Olympians have made Jamaica proud in the World Games, the most recent of which was in Berlin, where our United Team won the World Cup and gained 18 medals. On a personal note, it was wonderful to see Jamaica Customs Agency Comissioner CEO Velma Ricketts Walker as we consider ourselves daughters of our mentor Sister Mary Benedict Chung. In true Convent of Mercy “Alpha” of spirit, she vowed that she loved a challenge and was looking forward to contributing even more to next year’s LETR.

Maui Tragedy

The scale of the tragedy of the Maui fires kept growing over the past two weeks, and news reports showed the historic town of Lahaina literally burnt to the ground. The stories of families recused from the ocean, the only place they could flee, were harrowing. We understand that some Jamaicans live on that island, and though they lost property, they are safe with family members in another area of the island that was spared.

The death toll at press time was 114, but Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) representatives have estimated that over 1,000 people are unaccounted for. There has been criticism of the emergency management agency for not having sounded warning sirens earlier and also of the power company for not shutting down power lines. However, others believe that the speed of the fire, driven by hurricane winds, would have been inescapable.

Relief efforts have been compassionate, with citizens being given hotel accommodation for seven months and promises of assistance to rebuild their homes and businesses. Such tragedies are sobering reminders to small island slates like Jamaica that disaster preparedness requires knowledgeable professionals and well-informed citizens to maximise our safety.

Gregory Park Suffering

Natural disasters are heart-rending, but disasters wreaked by criminals against their fellow Jamaicans are infuriating. Now over 80 people are homeless because gang members firebombed their homes in the early hours nine days ago. Young children and the elderly have been injured in these fires, while one young man has lost his precious life.

I ask again, as this column keeps asking: What is the role of the Office of Disaster Preparedness (ODPEM) in such cases? These same designated shelters should be opened and a central operation established involving willing organizations, such as Food For the Poor and the Jamaica Red Cross, so that citizens can be housed and fed while permanent housing solutions are pursued.

Member of Parliament Alando Terrelonge has been working assiduously to bring relief, but it cannot be left on one person’s shoulders when there is so much to be done.

All Eyes on Budapest

Let’s cheer on Team Jamaica as they give of their best in Budapest! Medals there will be as our top athletes arrive with season’s best records. May they remain in good health throughout the World Games. Gratitude to our coaches, sports medicine experts, and organisers. Go Jamaica!

Jean Lowrie-Chin is executive chair of PROComm and CCRP.

Source: https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/a-week-of-hope-and-suffering/ Observer column published on Monday August 21, 2023.

Corporate Hands | PEP donates medical equipment, supplies valued at US$6,000 to Black River Hospital

Chief Executive Officer for the Black River Hospital, Diana Brown-Miller (left), accepts a donation of medical supplies and equipment from Parottee Enrichment Project’s (PEP) executive board member, Marilyn Bennett, during a handover ceremony on August 17. The organisation donated approximately US$6,000 worth of equipment and supplies to the facility.

Corporate Hands | 80 students to get Jamalco scholarships for 2023-24 academic year 80 students to get Jamalco scholarships for 2023-24 academic year

From left: Jamalco Managing Director Austin Mooney makes a presentation to scholarship recipient under the company’s Education Assistance Programme, Deanna Rosetta Samuels, during the August 16 presentation ceremony at the Wembley Centre of Excellence in Clarendon. Sharing the moment are Managing Director of HEART/NSTA Trust Dr Tanesha Ingleton and Jamalco Human Resource Manager Christopher Buckmaster.

Corporate Hands | Fire-ravaged Musgrave Market gets $2.5m from NCB Foundation

Anthony Tyrell, father of two and vendor for over 15 years, shares a friendly smile with Kayon Morrison, branch manager for NCB Port Antonio, as she purchases local produce outside the fire-ravaged Musgrave Market. Tyrell is one of over 200 vendors displaced by the recent fire. NCB Foundation contributed $2.5 million towards the rehabilitation efforts of the market.

Emotional Time At Food For The Poor Treat

Thursday, December 21, 2017 | 12:00 AM

It was deeper than having fun and eating lots of food. A treat hosted by Food For the Poor (FFP) yesterday left many wards of the State emotional as they were reunited with friends and even siblings.

Khalidah Bryce, secretary at Windsor Lodge Children’s Home in Manchester, told The Gleaner that she broke down in tears several times after seeing the joy on the children’s faces as they had fun and fellowship with friends from all over the island.

“Sometimes it can be a little emotional. This morning, for example, one of our children saw her two brothers, and when they saw each other, they cried and hugged each other so tight I started crying, too,” she said.

“The children love the treat, but it’s almost like a reunion as well. This means a lot to the children,” she said at the event held on the lawns of King’s House in St Andrew.

Nordia Smith, a night worker and a class teacher for teenagers at the home, was also overjoyed by the event but advised persons to focus on the importance of family and Christ.

“I think it’s a good day to be out, and they look forward to the gifts, food, treats. Christmas is one of the best times for them because, thankfully, we have persons who see the need to give back, and they give good gifts. They (children) can also get to utilise their talents because they take part in a lot of events where they sing, dance, and act. Many people don’t know that our children (wards of the State) are very talented.”

David Mair, executive director at FFP, said that they catered to more than 1,000 persons, including children and caregivers. He said it was a day that brought joy for organisers and the children.

“Some of the orphanages have sisters and brothers split. So when they come today, they are all coming together as a family, which is what we really want because this is what we do – we give back,” he said.

“If you spend some time with them and walk around and just see how they are enjoying themselves, that is what jumps out at me and makes me satisfied.”

jodi-ann.gilpin@gleanerjm.com

Source: Jamaica Gleaner

Poor People Get Special Holiday Treat

Saturday, December 16th, 2017

Executive Director of Food For the Poor (FFP) David Mair has said that the annual mass feeding of the poor at Christmas time is one of the most impactful events locally that has grown from strength to strength in recent years.

Mair, who has headed the charity organisation for three and a half years, pointed to the increase in the number of volunteers as well as corporate support as the reasons for the improved event.

“We’ve had a lot of help from Salvation Army, and since I’ve been here, I’ve seen a definite improvement in how we bring them in and how we seat them. The volunteers have been crucial in directing and keeping order because 2,000 people is no small crowd,” said Mair, adding that the efforts of FFP, the Salvation Army, and others, resulted in more than 250 persons turning out to volunteer.

“We’ve seen a great response to our needs from corporate Jamaica. There’s always need for improvement because unfortunately, the poor and needy will always be with us, so we always accept and invite more sponsorship, but we are getting the support, and we’re very thankful for that,” Mair added.

The executive underscored that FFP was totally ingrained in the fabric of the country.

“We’re involved in a cross-section of every ministry. We’re involved in education through the building of schools; housing

ministry, through constructing houses for the less fortunate; agriculture because we have 18 fishing villages on the ground; we’re involved in all public hospitals. So we will continue to make a difference and alleviate suffering,” said Mair.

As part of its Christmas activities, FFP will next treat children from 26 orphanages on Wednesday, December 20.

‘I will remember this long after the food done’
All but forgotten by his family and subjected to public ridicule on a daily basis, Joshua Campbell, who prefers to look at the glass as half-full, was quick to share that “in everything, it’s the thought that counts.”

Campbell was among the hundreds of indigents who were fÍted by Food For the Poor and the Salvation Army at Emmett Park in downtown Kingston on Thursday.

“My family don’t give me a sweetie in over five years, so for a group of strangers to feed me, and a whole heap more, is amazing, and I will remember this long after the food done,” said Campbell, who was attending the treat for the fifth consecutive year.

The 62-year-old father of four told The Gleaner that he had been a carpenter until around 2010, when he developed a drinking problem and fell on hard times.

He stated that his inability to hold down work mixed with his love for alcohol resulted in his common-law spouse evicting him from a house they shared in east Kingston.

But in spite of the hand life has dealt him, Campbell pointed out that Christmas activities, the feeding of the homeless, in particular, is something that brings him joy each year.

“God knows best in everything, and I just hope that in years to come, I can be back here offering help, not being helped,” said Campbell.

Inside and outside the massive grounds, other persons could be heard praising the organisers of the event, none more so than an elderly woman with a walker, who exclaimed: “Thank you, Jesus! Bless them!” as she received her gift package.

syranno.baines@gleanerjm.com

Source: Jamaica Gleaner