Category: News

USE ROADS WITH CARE

THE National Road Safety Council (NRSC) is appealing to motorists, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and pillion riders to be extremely careful, responsible and courteous on our roads for the last quarter of 2016 and even beyond.

According to Paula Fletcher, NRSC executive director, as at Wednesday, September 14, there were 273 people who died as a result of 225 fatal road crashes since the start of 2016.

“Two hundred and seventy-three deaths due to road crashes in Jamaica is unacceptable. We need to be more responsible on our roads for the last quarter of 2016 and onwards. Together, as a nation, we have the power to play our part to record less than 300 road fatalities for 2016. Taking personal responsibility for our safety is the first step in this direction. We can do this by obeying all rules of the road, including: driving within the speed limit, not overtaking recklessly, using pedestrian crossings, or if there is none, cross only when and where it is safe to do so. We should also desist from using cell phones while walking or driving. Using safety devices is critical to safe travel. Too many persons are being flung from vehicles and suffer severe injury as they hit the pavement and/or are run over in a secondary crash. In addition, motorcyclists and their pillion must wear their helmet,” said Fletcher.

As we open the new school year, NRSC is urging road users to observe all the rules of the road and to look out for our children.

“The council believes parents and guardians should teach their children a safe route to and from school, schools should have talks on this subject as part of their orientation exercise and road safety should be a key item on the agenda at PTA meetings. Additionally, the council is imploring of schools to make arrangements with the Police Traffic Headquarters to schedule a date for road safety presentations at their schools,” said Fletcher.

NRSC is also appealing to parents and guardians to not send young children unaccompanied on the road, as children do not always have the ability to safely navigate the complex and ever- changing traffic environment.

“It costs Jamaica approximately $2 billion in hospital expenses per annum for road crashes. This is not the full cost of crashes, as it doesn’t include costs such as funeral and rehabilitation expenses, insurance and funds to replace damaged road furniture. Most of all pain, grief and suffering also has its associated costs,” she said.

NRSC wants us do all we can to reduce the bloodletting on our roads as we cannot continue to lose our loved ones, friends, neighbours, community members and co-workers. We are losing our potential leaders, workers, and importantly contributors to the development of safe and secure families.

Let us all do our part to make road safety a way of life.

Source: Jamaica Observer | ‘Use roads with care’

ASPIRING DOCTOR CELEBRATES AWARD OF CARLTON ALEXANDER BURSARY

encouraging-academic-excellence

Catherine Kennedy (right), Director of the GraceKennedy foundation, presents a Carlton Alexander Memorial Bursary to Peta-Jhay Shelly, student of Immaculate Conception High School. Sharing in the moment is Peta-Jhay’s mom Dionne Henry (left), employee of Dairy Industries Jamaica Limited.

 

 

Describing herself as a hard worker who has lofty ambitions of changing the world through medicine, Peta-Jhay Shelly has continued to make her mother, Dionne Henry, proud. Henry watched happily as her daughter accepted her Carlton Alexander Bursary Award earlier this month from the GraceKennedy Foundation.

Shelly’s consistent excellent academic performance since she was first granted the award in 2010 has merited her continued inclusion as a bursary recipient for six consecutive years.

The Immaculate Conception High School student, who started sixth-form at the prestigious school this month, has many reasons to celebrate.

The aspiring medical doctor recently received excellent results in the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) examinations, attaining nine ones in the nine subjects she sat.

“I was excited when I got my results because I continue to outdo my own expectations and I was also very happy to make my mother proud,” the student stated.

Shelly, who is focused on the sciences, was rewarded with a $60,000 bursary for her first year of sixth-form. If she continues to perform at a high standard, she could receive a similar amount in upper six. The Carlton Alexander Bursary Award offers a bursary of $40,000 to students in grades 7 to 11 while there is an increase to $60,000 per year for awardees who are in sixth-form. Students attending tertiary level educational institutions receive an award of $100,000 per annum.

The increase in the bursary has been welcomed with relief by Shelly, given the mounting expenses that come with matriculating into sixth-form at her institution. She sang praises of the Award which is in its 26th year.

“It is a great initiative and has helped my mother a lot over the years especially this year because the books are very expensive and now that I am in sixth form, my school fees have gone up,” explained Shelly who will be pursuing Biology, Chemistry and Spanish in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

The 17-year-old, who says she is not daunted by the expected challenge that sixth-form will present, is optimistic about matching her performance at the CSEC level in CAPE.

“I just want to stay focused and hope that I can come out of lower sixth with straight ones,” said Shelly.

SISTERS OF MERCY LAUNCH WEEK OF MERCY

As the Roman Catholic Church worldwide celebrates the Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Sisters of Mercy in Jamaica will be hosting a Week of Mercy from September 16-23.

The Week of Mercy, which will be held for the first time, will feature several events geared towards celebrating and imparting values of Mercy and Justice across Jamaica,

The Sisters of Mercy, who originally came to Jamaica from Bermondsey, England, have been on the island since 1890.

They joined with Jamaican Jessie Ripoll who, with her friends had bought the property at South Camp Road in 1880, and later became a Sister of Mercy, Superior Mother Claver.  The Sisters of Mercy and Alpha have been nation-builders, advancing education, medical care and music, islandwide.  Indeed, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Most Hon. Andrew Holness and The Roman Cathoic Archbishop, Most Rev. Kenneth Richards are both graduates of St. Catherine High School, founded by the Sisters of Mercy.

Mercy Week begins on Friday, September 16 at McAuley Hall, Alpha, 26 South Camp Road, Kingston, with the  launch of a Mercy Historical Centre to depict the history of the Sisters of Mercy in Jamaica and illustrating their significant and continuing impact on the cultural, social and educational development of the country.

Guest speaker will be the Deputy High Commissioner of Britain, Mr. Graham Glover.

The Centre, which will be at South Camp Road in downtown Kingston, is a part of the Sisters of Mercy’s efforts to make a significant contribution to the revitalization of the entire area, which is now being undertaken by the Government of Jamaica and the private sector.  A Mercy Award is also being established as an annual activity to laud students and Jamaican citizens who demonstrate Mercy values and who perform acts of mercy.

Today, Alpha and other Mercy-led institutions stand as seats of learning for thousands of students in Kingston, Mandeville and Hatfield where the John Bosco Home for Boys is located. These Mercy-led institutions will be host to a Combined Mercy School concert as a part of the week-long celebration.

Another special feature will be presentations in Kingston, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay.  This includes a public discussion, “The Force that Reawakens to New Life,” on Tuesday, 20th September chaired by Dr. Leith Dunn, Dean, Gender & Development Studies at 5:00pm at UWI.

PETERSFIELD PRIMARY AWARDS 62-YEAR-OLD GUARDIAN

Principal emphasizes need for parent involvement in student life

62-year-old Vioris Griffiths, grandmother of Omar Hill, a student at Petersfield Primary School, Westmoreland has received the ‘Most Involved Parent Award’ in the recently concluded literacy training initiative at the institution.

The initiative was held with the aim of increasing parental involvement in their child(ren)’s academic life, especially in the area of literacy and numeracy.  In the four-day workshop parents and guardians of the school were exposed to the curriculum their children will be taught this academic year, along with guidance on how to prepare healthy meals and make useful items children need for their day-to-day activities.

“Vioris Griffiths attended every session. She showed the greatest interest of all the parents and assisted us when we had summer school. Because of this our team decided to award her the ‘Most Involved Parent’ for our programme,” said Susan Rattray Hammond, principal of Petersfield Primary School.

“I really enjoyed the programme. I can’t read and write good but I did drawing and took part in the programmes in the kitchen such as learning to prepare meals, affordable ‘one-pot meals’ and sandwiches. Now I can at least help him [Omar] with his homework. Plus I can learn a thing or two as well in my old age so it really will make both of us better,” shared an enthused Griffiths who is a retired household.

Rattray Hammond emphasized the need for parental involvement much like Griffiths’, “It has been proven multiple times that students show improved performance when parents are more involved in their school life. It can be a simple act as reviewing their assignments or even practicing their time-table with them. I encourage parents to get involved this school year.”

The training initiative is a part of the Enrichment Programme which a partnership between the Digicel Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The programme promotes literacy and numeracy, it also undertakes the building of the Enrichment Centres in schools that are then equipped with Digicel 4G Broadband, desktop and laptop computers, literacy and numeracy software such as Hooked on Phonics, Phonics Pad and Early Success and Math Manipulative Audio Visual headsets.

To date, there is a total of 231 primary schools across Jamaica benefitting through the Enrichment Programme. The Enrichment Programme is an island-wide information and communication technology partnership with the Ministry of Education.

 

FFP DONATES OVER $400,000 WORTH OF BLOOD PRESSURE KITS & STETHOSCOPES TO THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH

On August 24, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica handed over medical instruments valued at over $400,000 to the Ministry of Health as part of the charity’s ongoing support for the health sector in Jamaica.

The donation of 400 single stethoscopes and 400 blood pressure kits with stethoscopes was accepted by the Minister of Health, Dr The Honourable Christopher Tufton, in a ceremony held at FFP’s office in Ellersie Pen, St Catherine.

TUFTON’S BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKED
Following the handover of new blood pressure kits and stethoscopes for free distribution in health care facilities in Jamaica, Susan Moore (left), Director of Recipient Services at Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, uses one of the instruments to check the blood pressure of Minister of Health Dr The Honourable Christopher Tufton at the charity’s Ellerslie Pen, St Catherine offices on Wednesday, August 24. Witnessing the moment are (from left) FFP Jamaica’s Executive Director, David Mair and Director of Distribution Services, Nakhle Hado.

David Mair, Executive Director of FFP, said this donation signals a continued commitment of the non-profit organization to play their part in improving Jamaica’s health system.

 

“Food For The Poor is pleased to provide this kind of support to the Ministry of Health as part of our continued efforts to improve patient care. We recognize the importance of good health and so we want to maintain the partnership with this donation of blood pressure machines and stethoscopes,” said Mair.

 

Minister of Health, Dr Tufton expressed gratitude to FFP Jamaica for their commitment to the ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Health and said the support would be beneficial to patients islandwide.

 

“The Ministry of Health appreciates this kind of partnership with Food For The Poor that will significantly benefit the Jamaican people. A number of patients are examined on a daily and yearly basis hence this type of top class equipment will be a useful addition,” Minister Tufton said.

 

He added, “We have over 320 clinics and over 23 hospitals plus hundreds of medical practitioners who utilize blood pressure machines and stethoscopes on a daily basis so the items will definitely be needed.”

 

This donation closely follows a contribution earlier this month by FFP Jamaica of  105 electric hospital beds and 250 wheelchairs to the Ministry of Health for distribution among hospitals across the island.

FFP TRAINS 50 STUDENTS AT SUMMER BAND CAMP

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Executive Director of Food for the Poor (FFP) Jamaica David Mair (right) engages in conversation with a student and parent who participated in the annual summer band programme. Band Director Jeffrey Brown and Sandra Ramsey (2nd left) FFP prison ministry administrator, look on .

THREE weeks and 16 lessons, that’s what it took for Food For The Poor(FFP) Jamaica’s Annual Summer Band Camp programme to transform 50 students from musical novices to trained musicians, after playing instruments of their choice.

The participants were trained to use drums, saxophones, flutes, trumpets, clarinets and trombones between July 18 and August 11 at the summer band camp, which was held at FFP’s headquarters in Ellerslie Pen, St Catherine.

David Mair, executive director at FFP, said the band camp, which is in its eighth year, was an important initiative for the charity organisation.

“The annual band camp is a very special aspect of our ministry here at Food For The Poor and one that is anticipated by both the participants and FFP staff. Music unifies us so every year we look forward to hosting the children and celebrating with them during their graduation,” said Mair.

He added: “Another amazing aspect of this programme, which we fully endorse, is the fact that past students actually return to assist and they also serve as an inspiration to the new crop of students.”

Attendees at the awards ceremony, which included several proud parents, were treated to multiple music pieces which the participants learnt over the three weeks. One proud parent, Sharonette Walker, whose son Nathan has been participating in the camp for two consecutive years, sang nothing but praises for the musical programme.

“For the past two years, I have been assisting with the programme in terms of monitoring the students. It has been an inspiring journey because you see the growth these students experience and how much they love what they do,” she stated.

During the graduation ceremony held on August 11, the participants were filled with much excitement upon receiving the news that they would be awarded with the instruments they used during the camp.

Band campers Christeena Henry and Daniel Myers expressed gratitude to band camp organiser and administrator for the prison ministry department, Sandra Ramsay, as well as music instructor Jeffrey Brown.

“We couldn’t have done this in three weeks without the dedication of Mrs Ramsey and Mr Brown. They constantly pushed us to be better even when we didn’t see it for ourselves,” they said.

Ramsey announced that on the last Saturday of each month, the 50 youngsters can return to the grounds of Food For The Poor to practice and better develop their musical talents and skills. They will also be given the opportunity to learn other musical instruments.

This year, Food For The Poor’s Summer Band Camp hosted students between six and 16 years of age. Since the programme started eight years ago, more than 200 participants have been trained.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/FFP-trains-50-students-at-summer-band-camp_71463

GRACE FOODS RECALLS SPECIFIC BATCHES OF CURRY PRODUCTS

GraceKennedy Limited has announced the recall of the following batches of its curry products in keeping with a recall by a former supplier, Miami-based Oriental Packing Company, Inc.:

Product Net Weight Best Before Date & Batch Number
Grace Mild Jamaican Style Curry Powder – in glass container 2 oz BB 03/11/19   OPCLOT # 030716

BB 03/28/19   OPCLOT # 032516
Grace Mild Jamaican Style Curry Powder –

in glass container

 6 oz BB 03/11/19  OPCLOT # 030716
Grace Hot Jamaican Style Curry Powder – in glass container

 

 2 oz BB 03/11/19  OPCLOT # 030716

 

BB 03/28/19  OPCLOT # 032516
Grace Hot Jamaican Style Curry Powder – in glass container 6 oz BB 03/11/19  OPCLOT # 030716

 

BB 04/11/19  OPCLOT # 040816
Grace Caribbean Tradition Hot Curry Powder – in plastic container 4 oz BB 12/14/19  OPCLOT # 121115

 

BB 12/14/19  OPCLOT # 120115

 

BB 03/11/19  OPCLOT # 030716

 

BB 03/28/19  OPCLOT # 032516

 

BB 04/11/19  OPCLOT # 040816

 

The products being recalled are packaged in the USA and distributed within the USA, Bermuda and the Bahamas.

 

The recall has been initiated due to the presence of lead in some variants of curry products which Oriental Packing Company, Inc. produced for GraceKennedy Foods (USA) and other companies.

 

Lead can accumulate in the body over time, and may cause serious and sometimes permanent adverse health consequences.    To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the products being recalled.

 

Consumers who may have purchased the Grace Curry products bearing the above best before dates and corresponding batch numbers, should not consume them.  Instead they should return same to point of purchase, where the full cost will be refunded. The best before dates and batch numbers can be found on the top of the product caps.

 

Mr Ryan Mack, President and CEO of GraceKennedy Foods (USA), stated that “GraceKennedy wishes to assure consumers that their safety is paramount and that providing safe, high quality products to our consumers remains our number one priority.”  He added that the recall did not include any other batches of Grace Curry products.

 

Consumers in the USA with questions pertaining to the recall may contact Linda Colon at GraceKennedy Foods (USA) at (201) 329-6260 Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. Consumers in the Bahamas and Bermuda may contact Steve Boucher at (954)774-2687. Questions may also be sent via email to  gracekennedy@gkco.com.

 

GRACEKENNEDY JAMAICAN BIRTHRIGHT PROGRAMME LAUNCHED

The excitement of the recipients of the GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright internships resounded at the media launch of the 2016 GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright Programme held on July 11, 2016. Intrigued at the prospect of living and working in Jamaica, the interns gathered at GraceKennedy Limited’s Headquarters to meet -the  GraceKennedy family, along with corporate and government sponsors, at the start of their cultural and professional programme. GraceKennedy’s Group CEO Senator Don Wehby, said he was pleased to be welcoming the 2016 cohort. “The goal of the programme is to connect bright and talented young people to their roots, improving their knowledge of their Jamaican heritage and give them a more complete sense of self,” he said.
 
 
The one-month internship is offered annually to students in the diaspora who have never lived in Jamaica. The programme is designed to give them a well-rounded experience of Jamaica as they work in a GraceKennedy subsidiary linked to their field of study and participate in cultural activities on the weekends.
 
Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, the guest speaker at the event, lauded GraceKennedy Limited for conceptualizing and implementing the GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright programme. “This Birthright Programme epitomizes the ‘We Care’ philosophy of GraceKennedy.  It is yet another initiative that demonstrates the Company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, not only in Jamaica, but in the jurisdictions   in which GraceKennedy is established –  the Diaspora locations of the UK, USA and Canada, in this context,” she stated.
 
The four interns, Kimberly Ann Stephenson, Casey Daley, Natasha Allen and Karis Edwards, are all eager to embrace their heritage. “To me, being Jamaican far surpasses an identity. It is a living spirit that reflects community, kinship, and a country that is rich in culture. I applied for the GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright Programme to embrace this spirit,” stated Stephenson.
Live Changing Experience - GraceKennedy Birthright Programme
Group CEO, GraceKennedy Ltd, Senator Don Wehby (left) join GK Birthright interns: (from left) Natasha Allen,from Toronto, Kimberly Ann Stephenson, from New York, Karis Edwards,from the UK, Casey Daley, from Florida and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator The Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith at the Official Launch of the 2016 GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright Programme
 
GraceKennedy provides the interns with airfare, housing, transportation and a stipend for the duration of their internship. Executive Director of the Birthright Programme, Caroline Mahfood, in expressing her confidence in the selected interns stated, “We have chosen four exceptional young people this year who we believe will be remarkable ambassadors for not only GraceKennedy, but for Jamaica on a whole. We are indeed thrilled by the outpouring of support from the Diaspora and our local partners.”
 
Main sponsors of the GraceKennedy Birthright programme include: Jakes Hotel and Spa, FLOW Jamaica, the Jamaica Tourist Board, Grace Foods, Hi-Lo Food Stores and the Jamaica Cultural Development Centre (JCDC). Other sponsors include major tourist attraction companies. Further information on the Birthright programme can be obtained at www.gracekennedy.com/birthright.

MARS VOLUNTARILY RECALLS SPECIFIC VARIETIES OF COMBOS® FOR POTENTIAL UNDECLARED PEANUT RESIDUE DUE TO FLOUR SUPPLIER RECALL

Mars Caribbean & Central America (“Mars”) has announced a voluntary recall of two variants of COMBOS brand of products in Jamaica.

The products being recalled are COMBOS® Cheddar Cheese Pretzel and COMBOS®

Cheddar Cheese Cracker, which bear the code 613FAALB01. This can be found on the back of the package.

Mars has indicated that it initiated the recall after its supplier of flour, Grain Craft, recalled certain lots of wheat flour that have the potential to contain low levels of peanut residue. The COMBOS® Brand products subject to the recall may have been produced using the recalled flour.

Although no peanut residue has been detected in this product to date, consumers with severe peanut allergies are advised to avoid the recalled products. Mars advises that the USA-based Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that the amount of peanut exposure from the flour is low and not expected to cause adverse health effects in the vast majority of peanut allergic consumers.

 

To date, Mars has received no reports of illness related to the products covered by this recall. No other Mars products are impacted by this recall.

 

Consumers with any of the products being recalled in Jamaica are being advised to return the product to the point of purchase for a full refund.

 

Consumers with questions regarding the recall may contact World Brands Services, a division of GK Foods & Services Limited and exclusive distributor of Mars products in Jamaica, via email gracekennedy@gkco.com or by calling 749-9844 or 383-9511.

GRACEKENNEDY LENDS A HAND FOR FACELIFT TO THE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL OF THE WEST INDIES

GK Group CEO Don Wehby today handed over a cheque for $150,000 to the Emergency Medicine Division (EMD) of the University Hospital of the West Indies, in support of its upcoming Labour Day project.

GK Supports UHWI Labour Day Project
GraceKennedy Group CEO Don Wehby (2nd right) hands over GK’s contribution of $150,000, to representatives of the University Hospital of the West Indies representatives, Dr Jean Williams-Johnson (2nd left) and Dr Romayne Edwards (right). Cathrine Kennedy, GK’s Chief Risk Officer was also present for the cheque handover.

Shortly before handing over the cheque, Mr Wehby sat down with Medical Director of the EMD, Dr Jean Williams-Johnson, EMD Consultant Emergency Physician, Dr Romayne Edwards and Mr Keverly Henry, Patient/Client Representative with the EMD. The UHWI representatives shared with the Group CEO the needs of the hospital, and the important role the Labour Day Project represents in the achievement of future goals. According to Dr Edwards, “The Labour Day Project is just a start. There is much more to be done.”

 

“We were made aware that work was needed on the Casualty Section of the Hospital and we decided we wanted to help because of the tremendous work that is done by the hospital,” said GK Group CEO, Don Wehby. “We are happy to help in this way not only because we know a facelift would be good for the hospital, but because we know that it will help to lift the morale of the staff members who work there, who can feel good about the environment in which they work,” he continued.

 

The Emergency Medicine Division (EMD) is a section under the Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anesthesia and Intensive care at the Hospital, which sees approximately 54,000 patients per year in a fast paced challenging environment for learning and clinical practice.

The funds contributed by GraceKennedy will go towards the purchase of paint for the project. According to Dr Romayne Edwards, Chair of the Hospital’s Labour Day Committee, “We are there for care and we know people want to be cared for in a comfortable environment. We are appreciative of and grateful for the support of corporate entities such as GraceKennedy towards creating a better experience for all our stakeholders. This project will go a far way in helping us to deliver service with a smile, because we care too,” she added.