Source: Jamaica Gleaner | https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20230824/corporate-hands-bellevue-hospital-collaborates-eunoia-exhibit-clients-artwork
Elderly advocacy organisation, the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP), is condemning the cruel fire-bombing of a community in Gregory Park, St Catherine which has claimed the life of 72-year-old Naomi Gocul.
The CCRP, in a statement on Tuesday (August 22), indicated that Gocul, also affectionately known as ‘Miss Sweeney’ was seriously injured in the brutal attack which left another resident dead and several others hospitalised.
She succumbed to her injuries, leaving the wider community grieving and distressed. Neighbours remembered her kindness while Member of Parliament for East Central St Catherine Alando Terrelonge recalled that she was a devout Christian.
“CCRP demands justice for Miss Gocul and the victims of this heinous act. For a woman of such faith and generosity to face such horrific suffering is a sad commentary on the level to which some of our citizens have sunk,” the entity remarked.
“Our elders are constantly in fear, some facing extreme loneliness, especially those who live in violence-prone communities.
“Our elders deserve to live in peace, after many years of service to their communities, families, and organisations, but instead they are facing gang violence and marginalisation, amongst many other daily struggles,” the CCRP added.
The Jean Lowrie-Chin founded CCRP says it saddened by tragedy and called on supporting stakeholders to create a safer environment for Jamaica’s vulnerable elders.
With a grand vision of creating a society where no one is left behind, Digicel has made substantial commitments to fostering inclusivity through its unwavering support of the Special Olympics national organisations across the region.
For years, Digicel has stood as a dedicated sponsor of the Special Olympics, recognising the transformative power of sports in transcending barriers and empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities. Their ongoing sponsorship has paved the way for countless special needs athletes to showcase their talents and dreams on the international stage.
This year, Digicel’s philanthropic arm, the Digicel Foundation, reaffirmed its unwavering commitment by donating a generous sum of US$40,000 (J$6.2 million) to support the Special Olympics Jamaica team at the prestigious Special Olympics World Games, now underway in Berlin, Germany. As the international spotlight shines on these exceptional athletes, the digital operator stands as a pillar of support, enabling them to realise their dreams and aspirations.
Digicel’s transformative impact is not confined to the realm of sports alone. Since its establishment in 2004, the Digicel Foundation has sponsored an array of projects dedicated to youth development, skills training, agriculture, and social enterprise.
They have been a driving force behind empowering people with intellectual disabilities, investing a staggering $US10.9 million in special needs initiatives in Jamaica.
The company championed a range of projects since the inception of the Foundation, including the distribution of 1413 tablets to individuals with special needs and the construction or renovation of 20 special needs schools.
To gain further insight into Digicel’s expansive activities and initiatives supporting the Special Olympics and beyond, we encourage you to watch the video featuring Charmaine Daniels, CEO of Digicel Foundation Jamaica. In this captivating interview, she sheds light on the myriad endeavors undertaken by Digicel, truly exemplifying their commitment to fostering inclusivity and empowerment.
Source: Loop Jamaica | Digicel’s support for Special Olympics transforms lives
Jamaica Observer column published Monday 5 June 2023
by Jean Lowrie-Chin
Seldom surprised, our CCRP tour organizer could hardly believe the overwhelming response to our Calabash excursion. She had to stop taking bookings when the numbers topped 100. Last Sunday five busloads of these fun-loving folks arrived to find the perfect seating area reserved for them, great food stalls, and danced their way into the evening to Third World’s rousing music.
This Literary Festival, founded by Justine Henzell, Colin Channer and Kwame Dawes started in 2001 in the little town of Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth where Perry and Sally Henzell had made their home and created Jake’s Hotel. Beyond that, they nurtured the Treasure Beach Community and founded Breds Foundation which has been promoting education, entrepreneurship and sports. At the launch of the sports complex seven years ago, the conviviality or ‘livity’ among residents from all walks of life gave us an insight into what all Jamaica could be if we had that synergy between business and community.
Therefore what better place for Calabash than Treasure Beach, where locals and visitors could enjoy the warmth of the setting. The icing on the cake was the celebrity sighting of Angelina Jolie and Padma Lakshmi. Top Chef star Lakshmi found out that our Bombay mangoes were the most delicious she had ever tasted, posting photos and videos enjoying the fruit. Mutabaruka was the envy of the Jolie fans, pictured in an embrace with the world-famous star.
In her review of the Festival for Essence Magazine, writer Kristin Braswell quoted a fan of Calabash, who described it as the “greatest likkle festival in the greatest likkle district in the greatest likkle country in the world.”
She explained, “Calabash is not a festival of pomp and who knows who. It’s an experience where you’ll sit next to a Pulitzer Prize-winning author or Oscar-nominated actress, share a rum punch and move into a midnight concert replete with dancehall and Afrobeat tunes. Here it’s art, not titles, that takes center stage.”
Jamaica shone at the Festival, and we must single out Justine Henzell who, like the movie was ‘everything, everywhere all at once’ for her beloved Calabash. She and her team garnered support from Amazon Audible, Jakes Hotel & Villas, The Jamaica Tourist Board, The Tourism Enhancement Fund and Wisynco Trading, the Embassy of the United States, the Canadian High Commission and individual donors including author Beverley East.
Marubeni celebrates with JPS
Senior executives of Marubeni Power Company in Japan Ryota Kobayashi and Yuji Sato journeyed to Jamaica to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), in which they are significant investors. Regional and local Marubeni senior representatives Mohamed Majeed, Damian Obiglio and Keisuke Harada accompanied their colleagues for courtesy visits to Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith, PSOJ President Metry Seaga and PSOJ CEO Imega Breese McNab. Their discussions centred around continued cooperation between the two countries, which have well established diplomatic relations since 1964.
Minister Johnson Smith was pleased to know that Jamaica’s Ambassador to Japan Shorna-Kay Richards is well known to Marubeni, who have supported some of her activities. The Minister noted on social media, “we discussed Marubeni’s global work in renewables and #GreenTransition, as well as the correlation between #SustainableDevelopment, private sector investments and social cohesion.”
The issue of the cost of electricity supply to the commercial sector was discussed at the PSOJ meeting, against the backdrop of massive investments by Marubeni in
increasing available capacity while reducing carbon footprint – in particular the South Jamaica Power Plant in Old Harbour.
Mr Seaga noted the ongoing process of incorporating emerging technologies in Jamaica and opportunities for Marubeni to further contribute to the Jamaican economy through the sharing of its longstanding and diverse global operating expertise. Founded in 1858, Marubeni is one of Japan’s largest industrial conglomerates.
A special Pentecost Sunday
I could not be at Calabash because it was Pentecost Sunday and a very special moment for our family, as my brother Sydney ‘Tony’ Lowrie was ordained a Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church. Tony is a retired Lecturer in Communications from Utech and a well-known public relations executive. As Deacon Ronnie Thwaites commented, we know our late mother and special minister of the Eucharist Maisie Lowrie was “dancing in heaven” as she saw her son vested by her daughter Sandra.
We also witnessed the ordination to the priesthood of former Deacon Patrick Muchiri Kihugi, and to the diaconate of Kurt Andrews, Colin Christie, Andrew Daley, Mark Hitchener, Anthony Jones, Andrew Thomas, Glendon Thomas and Dario Wilks.
Led by Archbishop Kenneth Richards, clergy, religious and congregants from parishes across Jamaica gathered at the National Arena for a day long celebration of one of the most important feasts of the Christian church. The event was addressed by both the Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Leader of the Opposition Mark Golding. Coincidentally, they both attended Catholic high schools: St. Catherine High, founded by the Sisters of Mercy and Campion College, founded by the Jesuits.
The combined choirs of the churches gave resonance to the worship. We were happy at the turnout of young people and the strong cadre of clergy including lead organizer our Pastor Father Richard Brown. Now, to use the spirited energy which graced to arena to nurture the values needed to bring comfort and hope to our people. There is a lot of work to be done and our churches have the schools, the services, the Sunday schools where they can make a meaningful impact. The real celebration of Pentecost is meaningful participation in the upliftment of our people.
Corpus Christi Procession
St Thomas Aquinas is hosting a Procession to celebrate the Solemn Feast of Corpus Christi on Sunday, June 11 together with Christ the King, Sts Peter and Paul, St Martin de Porres, Stella Maris, Holy Cross and other parishes. The Procession starts at St Thomas Aquinas and ends at Sts Peter and Paul Church.
“We are looking forward to this marvellous opportunity to give public witness to the wonderful mystery in the Sacrament of the Eucharist celebrating the true presence and Divinity of Christ,” noted Pastor Father Clifton Harris.
They will have a special focus on the youth and anticipate strong participation from our First Communicants and Confirmation candidates.
The schedule is:
• Eucharistic Adoration at St Thomas Aquinas at 2:30pm
• Corpus Christi Procession starting from St Thomas Aquinas at 3:00pm
• Final Benediction at Sts Peter and Paul Church Hall at 5:30pm.
The procession route is about two and a half miles and will take about two hours. They will have two Altar Stations for Benediction on the route. You may join at any point along the route or for the Final Benediction at Sts Peter and Paul Church Hall.
Jean Lowrie-Chin is Executive Chair of PROComm and CCRP
Observer column published Monday 12 June 2023
by Jean Lowrie-Chin
I can hardly repeat it: a cruel parallel of Jesus’ journey to Calvary. First, we hear of a child abducted from Braeton Primary School (reports are that it could be two children). An evil thug slashes her throat; she is driven to Vineyard Town where she is thrown out of the car on a busy road. (Yes, weep with me.) She wanders in shock and bumps into a car; the merciful motorist speeds her off to Bustamante Children’s Hospital. There is a call for blood donations in a desperate attempt to save her precious life. But on Saturday morning we learned that eight-year-old Danielle Rowe had succumbed to her injury.
This brings back memories of the murder of nine-year-old Gabriel King last January in Montego Bay. Reports are that he was being driven by his mother when she slowed down to navigate some potholes and was pulled from the vehicle. Later the child was found dead with his throat slashed in the abandoned vehicle. To date the mystery of that murder has not been solved. When our children become prey for evildoers, we have entered into a sad chapter. It is horrific enough when children lose their lives as innocent bystanders, but for children to be targeted and wilfully murdered is the foulest of crimes.
Last month we joined the Kingston and St Andrew Metropolitan Corporation (KSAMC) at their Secret Garden monument memorialising our murdered children since 2015. There were over 780 plaques bearing the names of children from 0-years-old upwards. As I visit various schools, I hear the children singing one of their favourites, “I am a promise, I am a possibility.” Now the voices of hundreds of children have been silenced, their promise and possibilities transformed into loss and mourning. In his statement, describing Danielle’s murder as “Deeply disturbing and barbaric,” Prime Minister Andrew Holness noted that since the start of the year, eight children had been killed, including three under 12 years old. And so since 2015, we have lost nearly 790 children.
This is a heavy column to write. This criminal behaviour shamefully includes the deeds of men whose “church” is a place of abuse. Over 20 children had to be rescued from one such property in Montego Bay last week by the Child Protection & Family Support Agency (CPFSA). This column has been calling on the Umbrella Group of church organizations to have a registration process; then we can check the bonafides of churches and pastors alike. Government may have to step in and demand this.
There has been embarrassment and anger at the news that Jamaica would not be included in the recently announced list of countries whose citizens would no longer be required to have visas to travel to Canada. We should be embarrassed indeed. This country with so many paid servants of the people in Government, Opposition, parish councils, public service; this little rock – population 3 million, has the majority of us living behind bars because the criminal minority is having a field day terrorizing us. We will not make the grade until we get crime under control.
Special Needs Centre in Santa Cruz
Thanks to the Ministry of Education and the Digicel Foundation, a new learning centre for special needs children was launched in Santa Cruz last Thursday. The centre is the first of its kind in the Ministry of Education and Youth’s Region 5 and will positively impact the over 800 students with special needs in St. Elizabeth and Manchester who need special intervention and support.
“With an investment of more than US$280,000 into its renovation and expansion,” noted Foundation CEO Charmaine Daniels, “the Centre accommodates 62 students across three classrooms. …. But beyond the dollar figure, this expansion represents
partnership and new hope. Partnership with the Ministry of Education and Youth, which we have of course maintained since 2004; partnership with HEART Trust/NSTA, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, the Jamaican Association on Intellectual Disabilities (JAID) – all organizations with which we have been collaborating since the Foundation’s inception.”
State Minister in the Ministry of Education and Youth Marsha Smith enthused, “Through your Foundation you have shown your corporate responsibility in embracing the vision for education for all and we thank you for the significant investment that you have made in supporting our schools islandwide.”
New Inductees in BPW St. Andrew
The Business & Professional Women’s Club (BPW) of St. Andrew inducted three new members at their recent Annual General Meeting Chaired by President Dr Lilieth Nelson. The organization is part of the worldwide BPW International and promotes professional development. They are co-founders of the Jamaica Women’s Political Caucus which encourages the participation of women in politics and conducts seminars for their guidance
Founded 49 years ago by attorney-at-law Mavis Watts, BPW St Andrew Club’s senior members were happy to welcome young inductees, designer and musician Carol-Ann Dexter Dwyer, engineer Tandose Samba and student member from UWI, Brianna Hinds. Special honours went to Dr Mearle Barrett, Monica McNeil and Venita Walker while appreciation gifts were presented to Alassandra Chung and Dr. Marcia Williams.
I must make special mention of Gloria Langrin who assisted CCRP in researching model legislation for the care and protection of the elderly. We shared the information with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security five years ago and we are hoping that Jamaica will very soon migrate our National Policy to meaningful laws.
The Mavis Watts Award will be presented by the Club to an outstanding Jamaican woman next month, so watch this space for the name of this phenomenal woman.
ECC Board completes term
The Board of the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) recently completed their three-year term under the fine leadership of Chairman Trisha Williams-Singh. Other members who also gave active service on several sub-committees were:
Dasmine Kennedy, MoEY’s representative
Easton Williams, PIOJ’s representative
Ann Marie Rowe-Mittoo, MoLG’s representative
Marcia Faulknor, MoFP’s representative
Dr. Melody Ennis, MoHW’s representative
Suzette Morris, MoLSS representative
Ms. Samara South, Minister’s nominee
Carlene Lecia Edwards. Minister’s nominee
Nicole McLaren-Campbell, Minister’s nominee
Dawn Woodstock, Minister’s nominee
Kemesha Swaby, Minister’s nominee
David Salmon, Minister’s nominee
Jerome Palmer, Minister’s nominee
Patricia Duncan-Sutherland Leader of the Opposition’s nominee
It was an honour to serve on this Commission as the Minister’s nominee. The ECC celebrated 300 certified early childhood institutions last October with another 70 well on their way to achieving the 12 required standards. The Early Childhood Commission’s staff is headed by Mrs Karlene DeGrasse-Deslandes and have also established Brain Builder Centres and Parenting Places islandwide. We wish them continued success, because a strong early childhood foundation is critical to the preparation of our children for a successful future.
Jean Lowrie-Chin is founder and Executive Chair of PROComm and CCRP
Digicel Foundation has announced that the application window for its ‘Good Energy Clean Environment’ grants is now open.
Registered community groups, youth and farm groups, educational institutions and social enterprises can apply for a share of $35 million in grants to fund their eco-friendly projects.
Miguel Williams, director of strategic planning and community development at the Digicel Foundation said the grants aim to support innovative and sustainable projects that address critical environmental challenges and promote conservation efforts.
“The Digicel Foundation recognises the importance of fostering collaborative efforts and empowering community-based organisations who are actively working towards environmental sustainability. The grants will provide financial assistance and valuable resources to help bring these projects to life.”
Williams added, “Projects eligible for funding encompass a wide range of areas, including, but not limited to renewable energy, waste reduction and recycling, ecological restoration, and sustainable agriculture.”
Digicel Foundation is inviting community groups to join them as they visit communities across the island. The first will be in Mandeville, Manchester on July 14.
Interested applicants are invited to visit the official Website of Digicel Foundation and access the application form. The deadline for submissions is August 31. The selection committee will carefully review each proposal based on its environmental impact, feasibility, innovation, and potential for community development.
The ‘Good Energy Clean Environment’ grant falls under Digicel Foundation’s Build Jamaica grant programme. These grants are issued to community-based groups to tackle the most pertinent issues impacting people locally while creating positive change in Jamaica’s most vulnerable communities. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded a total of 846 grants, impacting over 250,000 people across the island.
For more information about the ‘Good Energy Clean Environment’ grant application process and eligibility criteria, visit https://www.digicelfoundation.org/jamaica/en/home.html
Source: Jamaica Gleaner | Digicel Foundation offers $35m grant funding for environmental projects
THE new liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant at Old Harbour, St Catherine, has helped reduced the carbon footprint from power generation in Jamaica by almost 60 per cent and will go a far way in helping the country to come into alignmemt with the climate change goals, according to minister with responsiblity for water, environment and climate change, Senator Matthew Samuda.
Samuda was speaking during a tour of the Old Harbour, Saint Catherine plant of South Jamaica Power Centre (SJPC), an affiliate of Marubeni Caribbean Power Company, on Thursday (April 27). The tour was led by SJPC Chairman Mohamed Majeed and included directors of the company and the shareholder representatives of Marubeni and Korea East-west Power Co Ltd. He praised the company and the facility for achieving the levels of efficiency, and said the ministry looked forward to ongoing contact with the company as the operation progresses.
“Our stated targets include cutting emissions by 40 per cent by 2030, and concurrently we intend to get to 50 per cent renewables usage in that period,” he said. “Against that background it has been very useful for us to be able to see the operation here first-hand and get an understanding of the process in our quest to maximise the opportunities for fuel source diversification.”
Majeed, in welcoming the minister, stated that the plant — a Us$350-million investment — would have a significant and positive impact on Jamaica’s long-term growth and development by providing cleaner energy and improving power supply reliability.
“This plant was constructed to be responsive to the need for more renewables to be added to the grid while being 68 per cent more efficient and producing 59 per cent less emissions than the retired plant.” He added that the plant has already been operating at a world-class standard since commencing commercial operations in December 2019, a fact of which Jamaicans could be justly proud.
Source: Jamaica Observer | JPS power plant cuts emissions 59 per cent
The Digicel Foundation is helping to improve students’ performances in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) areas with the donation of equipment and educational material to boost the Spanish Town High School’s science lab and STEM programme.
The donation was made possible through a $3,000,000 partnership between the Digicel Foundation and the University of the West Indies (UWI) Building Out Our STEM Teachers (BOOST) programme.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held recently, Dr Andre Coy, associate dean for external engagement in the Faculty of Science and Technology at the UWI, Mona, shared that the STEM kits will equip students with the tools and resources necessary to excel in the rapidly evolving fields of science and technology.
Dr Coy said, “We get the best STEM teachers and we put them in schools that want to do STEM but don’t necessarily have the resources to do so. They don’t have the number of teachers they need and they don’t have the equipment they need. The BOOST programme is aimed at nurturing these schools.”
The donated equipment includes advanced robotics kits, scientific laboratory apparatus, computer programming tools, and interactive learning materials.
According to Dr Coy, Digicel Foundation’s investment will contribute to the purchasing of STEM equipment benefiting participating BOOST schools across Jamaica. He said, “We recognised we needed a partner to help us with equipping the science labs and the Digicel Foundation did not hesitate. Once they heard STEM, they said yes.”
Acting Principal of Spanish Town High, Leopold Porter, expressed gratitude for the donation, emphasising the transformative effect it will have on the students and the community. “Thank you so much for coming to Spanish Town High and for seeing a need and filling that need. This is where the village, the community, the businesses and institutions make a marked difference in their lives. That out of this kind gesture, even more interest in will be taken in their academics in STEM and they will be the better for it, Spanish Town as a community will be better for it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Shadae Smith, the science teacher at Spanish Town High School, described her experience teaching science as ‘life-changing’. “I have learned to be patient and how I can use little and stretch it to be so much. I have been nurturing the minds of young scientists while also growing and developing the passion and love I have for STEM.”
Miguel ‘Steppa’ Williams, director of strategic planning and community development at the Digicel Foundation, said the equipment donation represents Digicel Foundation’s unwavering commitment to promoting equitable access to quality STEM education.
“STEM is something that is core in what we invest in. It’s good to invest in this level at the tertiary level, hitting the high school level, while we continue to work with the primary age, and continue to work across the community-based organisations.”
The UWI BOOST programme was conceptualised by the Faculty of Science and Technology to enhance STEM education in Jamaica by providing a continuous stream of quality science and mathematics teachers through an innovative ‘back-end’ incentivised scholarship scheme.
The programme is being executed in collaboration with the National Baking Company Foundation, the Faculty of Humanities and Education, the Office of Student Financing, The Mico University College, the Students’ Loan Bureau, the Jamaica Teaching Council, the National Education Inspectorate, the American Friends of Jamaica, NCB Foundation and Chemical, Medical and Scientific Supplies Limited.
Source: Jamaica Gleaner | Digicel Foundation donates STEM kits to Spanish Town High
Jamaica Highlights 