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.

Our elders deserve to live in peace

CCRP, an advocacy organisation for seniors, has condemned the cruel firebombing of a community in Gregory Park which has claimed the life of 72-year-old Naomi Gocul.

Gocul, lovingly called Miss Sweeny, was seriously injured and hospitalized after the brutal attack which left another resident dead. She succumbed to her injuries Tuesday, leaving her community and others grieving and distressed.

Neighbours remembered her kindness while Member of Parliament Alando Terrelonge recalled that she was a devout Christian.

“The CCRP is demanding justice for 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.

“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 organizations, but instead, they are facing gang violence and marginalization, amongst many other daily struggles,” said the advocacy group.

“We at CCRP are saddened by this tragedy and call on supporting stakeholders to create a safer environment for Jamaica’s vulnerable elders,” it said.

Source: Jamaica Observer | published Thursday August 24, 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.

Corporate Hands | Bellevue Hospital collaborates with Eunoia to exhibit clients’ artwork at ‘Mind Art’

Dominic Drysdale (centre), a former client of the Bellevue Hospital, shows off one of his drawings to (from left) Bellevue Hospital’s Jhnell Reid-Bowen, occupational therapy manager; Dr Diana Thorburn, board chairman and Suzette Buchanan, CEO; and Deborah Gordon, Eunoia founder and Miss Universe Jamaica 2023 second runner-up. They were in attendance at Mind Art – an exhibition put on to showcase past and present clients’ artwork in Oo Park at the Bellevue Hospital in Kingston. The event raised funds to support the hospital’s Occupational Therapy Department, which engages residents in creative and routine activities as part of their psychiatric care.

Source: Jamaica Gleaner | https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20230824/corporate-hands-bellevue-hospital-collaborates-eunoia-exhibit-clients-artwork

Japan Parliamentary Delegation Visit the South Jamaica Power Centre

Japan Parliamentary Delegation Visits the SJPC Plant: Takuya Kokawa (1st left), Associate, Marubeni Power International points out features of the South Jamaica Power Centre (SJPC) plant in Old Harbour, St Catherine to Hiroshige Seko (centre), Secretary-General for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the Japan House of Councillors and Former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and Members of the Japan House of Councillors, Iwao Horii (2nd left), Yasutada Ohno ( partially hidden), and Yasuyuki Sakai (5th left). Also present were H.E. Yasuhiro Atsumi (left), Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, Noel Watson (2nd right), Plant Manager, SJPC, Damian Obiglio (1st right), Senior Vice-President, Marubeni Power International and Leisa Batiste-Whyte (4th left), SJPC General Manager. The SJPC plant, which uses Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), has been operating at a world-class standard since commencing commercial operations in December 2019. It is 68 per cent more efficient and produces 59 per cent less emissions than the previous plant.

Japan Parliamentary Delegation Visits the SJPC Plant: Hiroshige Seko (4th left), Secretary-General for the LDP in the House of Councillors, Former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry along with Members of the Japan House of Councillors, Yasuyuki Sakai (right), Yasutada Ohno (2nd right) and Iwao Horii (3rd right) on a tour of the South Jamaica Power Centre (SJPC) plant in Old Harbour, St Catherine on August 7, 2023. Accompanying them were H.E. Yashiro Atsumi (left), Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, Leisa Batiste-Whyte, SJPC General Manager (2nd left), Damian Obiglio (3rd left) Senior Vice-President Operations, Marubeni Power International, Noel Watson, (5th left), Plant Manager, SJPC and Takuya Kokawa (6th left), Associate, Marubeni Power International.

Inside the SJPC Control Room: Member of the Japan House of Councillors Yasuyuki Sakai (centre), discusses a feature of the South Jamaica Power Centre (SJPC) Control room with Hiroshige Seko (left), Secretary-General for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the Japan House of Councillors and Former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and Noel Watson, (right) Plant Manager, SJPC. They were on a recent tour of the SJPC in Old Harbour, St. Catherine with Members of the Japan House of Councillors, Yasutada Ohno and Iwao Horii and H.E. Yasuhiro Atsumi, Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica. Also present were Damian Obiglio (2nd left), Senior Vice-President, Marubeni Power International, Takuya Kokawa (partially hidden), Associate, Marubeni Power International and Leisa Batiste-Whyte, SJPC General Manager.

Japan Parliamentary Delegation Visits the SJPC Plant: Damian Obiglio, Senior Vice-President, Marubeni Power International, greets Hiroshige Seko, Secretary-General for the LDP in the House of Councillors, Former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry along with Members of the Japan House of Councillors, Yasuyuki Sakai (right), Yasutada Ohno (2nd right) and Iwao Horii (3rd right)  prior to the tour of the South Jamaica Power Centre (SJPC) plant tour on August 7, 2023. Accompanying them was H.E. Yashiro Atsumi, Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica.

Japan Parliamentary Delegation Visits the SJPC Plant: Noel Watson (2nd right), Plant Manager, SJPC discusses key features of the South Jamaica Power Centre (SJPC) plant in Old Harbour, St Catherine to Hiroshige Seko (centre), Secretary-General for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the Japan House of Councillors and Former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and Members of the Japan House of Councillors, Iwao Horii (2nd left), Yasutada Ohno ( partially hidden), and Yasuyuki Sakai (5th left). Also present were H.E. Yasuhiro Atsumi (left), Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, Noel Watson (2nd right), Plant Manager, SJPC, Damian Obiglio (1st right), Senior Vice-President, Marubeni Power International, Takuya Kokawa (1st left), Associate, Marubeni Power International and Leisa Batiste-Whyte (4th left), SJPC General Manager. 
The SJPC plant, which uses Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), has been operating at a world-class standard since commencing commercial operations in December 2019. It is 68 per cent more efficient and produces 59 per cent less emissions than the previous plant.

Children gain robotics skills at Digicel Foundation’s summer camp

Nichoy Moses displays a VEX IQ robot he helped to build at the Digicel Foundation-sponsored iRobots summer camp held recently.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Over 30 children at the primary level learned about robots and coding, as well as teamwork and creative problem-solving, at a recently held robotics summer camp.

The camp was organised in partnership with the Digicel Foundation, KRW Tronics and Jamaica Theological Seminary.

Director of Strategic Planning and Community Development at the Digicel Foundation, Miguel ‘Steppa’ Williams shared that the camp has served as a launching point for young people interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) careers.

He said, “The camp offers hands-on experience in robotics technology and equips them with the necessary tools to inspire the next generation of young inventors, scientists, and engineers. The children were introduced to the exciting world of robotics, fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and teamwork.”

Robotics camp instructor, Jerome Morrison, shared that the camp’s curriculum was expertly crafted to provide a hands-on and interactive learning environment.

“The children learned about the VEX IQ robot and how to programme it from a device. They also used the Scratch platform to build their own game. Most of the tasks given were completed collaboratively to help build team-building skills. Overall they showed high levels of interest in robotics,” said Morrison.

Morrison explained the importance of teaching children robotics skills from an early age. He noted, “We live in a much-computerised era now. They call this era the 4th industrial revolution which also involves STEAM education. Therefore, it is good for students to learn about these skills from a young age because, in the future, robots are going to be very common, almost as common as the laptop and smart devices that we use on a daily basis. It will be very beneficial to the children to learn about robots from now so it doesn’t become strange to them and as they grow, they will have an opportunity to enhance the knowledge and skills they developed from that young age.”

For 10-year-old Kiszey-Anna Clarke, the robotics camp allowed her to meet and interact with other kids. “I gained a lot of new friends who have similar interests as me. We can operate robots as a team and we learned a lot together.,” she said.

Meanwhile, for Nichoy Moses, a nine-year-old budding scientist, the robotics camp provided him with an opportunity to explore new skills. He said, “I learned a lot of things for the first time such as programming. I really enjoyed assembling the robot and making it move and do things at our command.”

Source: Jamaica Observer | https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latest-news/children-gain-robotics-skills-at-digicel-foundations-summer-camp/

CCRP demands safer environment for elders after retiree dies in Gregory Park attack

Jean Lowrie-Chin, founder and executive chair of the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP), warmly addresses the audience at the March 2019 launch of the CCRP western Jamaica chapter in Montego Bay, St James. (Photo: Facebook @CCRPOnline)

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. 

Source: Our Today https://our.today/ccrp-demands-safer-environment-for-elders-as-retiree-dies-after-gregory-park-attack/#:~:text=%E2%80%9COur%20elders%20deserve%20to%20live,struggles%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20CCRP%20added.