Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 14, 2022

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

Remember, if you have queries and corrections regarding your digital Covid vaccine certificate, there are Data Entry Clerks at most vaccination centres who can assist you with making corrections and creating the certificate. Meanwhile, please ensure that you keep your card in a waterproof sleeve – it may be important to have both when you travel to certain places.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 14, 2022

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

Soon, we hope, the position of Governor General will give way to President of the Republic of Jamaica. I hear there is much grinding of teeth about changing out all our Police and Soldier’s buttons and various seals; I hope that is just a joke. Yes, we want to have distinguished citizens still serving as Presidents, because we have to give credit to our current and former Governors General for being exemplary leaders and for creating excellent affirmation programmes.

It was the late Sir Howard Cooke who started the Governor-General’s Awards of Achievement (GGAA) 30 years ago, honouring unsung heroes doing valiant work in their respective parishes. His successor, Sir Kenneth Hall, in 2006, expanded the Governor General’s Achievement Awards to include young standouts in education and volunteerism. In 2011 our current Governor General Sir Patrick Allen launched the “I Believe Initiative”, inspiring strong values in Jamaican youths islandwide, and in 2014 he brought the two projects together under the Governor-General’s Programme for Excellence (GGPE).

Congratulations to the National Coordinators for these programmes, Henri Hendricks, Roy Dickson and Larkin Hall of blessed memory; Hugh Morris, Major (ret’d) Effiom Whyte, Sonja Simms and the current Coordinator Abrahim Simmonds. May the programmes remain to enhance our Republic.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 14, 2022

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

So many times we hear about ‘the jewels in our backyard’ – tourism, agriculture, manufacturing. However the finest jewels in our backyard and indeed everywhere are our young people. This has not been an easy time for them. They have graduated and have started their careers but student loan repayments and the expectations of family are heavy burdens. Some of the vitriol that they post on social media comes from stress and even despair.

Imagine, the beautiful 2019 Miss USA Cheslie Kryst took her life at the age of 30. When she was crowned Miss USA, there were criticisms that she was “too old’ at 28 and there were calls for lowering the age for the contest. Did these brickbats make this brilliant young attorney-at-law believe that turning 30 was ‘old’? Our false values have made young people worry about their address, their dress and the make of their motor vehicles. It is only by constantly reinforcing strong values in our youth, that they can overcome these challenges to their self-esteem.

One of our schoolmates migrated to the US in the seventies and when we asked her how she coped with racism, she answered, “My parents always told me I was precious, so all the insults were like water off a duck’s back.” In contrast, I remember a bright co-worker who always seemed to doubt herself. She said when growing up her parents compared her to her high-achieving cousins, until she started to believe that she was not good enough.

The Prime Minister’s Awards of excellence to high-achieving young Jamaicans is a great programme, highlighting role models who have striven for excellence, despite unbelievable challenges. However, there are too many children who are ‘falling through the cracks’ and in need of urgent help. Of course they must be disciplined, but this should not descend into constant haranguing. Interviews with some delinquent young men reveal that they were constantly being compared to ‘yu wutless father’ and getting harsh punishments. I remember a troublesome fourth form student I taught, handing in a poem he wrote called ‘Lonely Boy’ – it was a plaintive call for help. When I had a private chat with him, he broke down and explained that he was being beaten mercilessly by his father. Thank goodness for his wonderful stepmother who intervened and made life more bearable for him.

Ordinary folks may not have the resources to offer scholarships but we can all spare a little time weekly to mentor a child. Your alma mater will guide you in choosing a student who could blossom if they had this one person in their lives who would listen to them and look out for them. There are children left in yards to fend for themselves – their parents may have gone abroad or have been imprisoned. I remember on such child being assisted by a group of caring women. They organised boarding for her with a retired teacher. Her grades shot up and after she did well in her CSEC exams she wrote a thank you note, saying this was the first time that she ever experienced kindness. I heard that there was not one dry eye in the group.

This Jamaica that we are crying down still has a great deal to offer. Our service clubs – Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions and Optimists work extremely hard for our people. Resolute members of past students’ associations are struggling to keep their schools renovated. Food for the Poor just built yet another house for a couple with special needs. There are countless opportunities to serve.

The Child Protection and Family Services Agency will need more personnel to scour our communities and help place children in more nurturing surroundings. Perhaps they could check to see if retired persons would be willing to take in boarders and pay for their services. Churches now have permission to have larger attendance; we hope they re-start Sunday school to help inculcate strong moral values in our children. We applaud the JCF and the JDF for coming together to get the gangs, but if we do not create a strong safety net for our disadvantaged children, it will be an endless struggle. On this Valentine’s Day, we can resolve to love more, judge less, give more, talk less and make this beautiful country of ours a happier place for all. Have a loving day.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday February 7, 2022

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

Fellow Alpha alumna Maxine Brown shared this tribute to our schoolmate Claudette Grannum.

“The Convent of Mercy Academy “Alpha”, family, and dear friends are mourning the loss of our dear alumna Claudette Grannum, who passed away on January 11. She will be remembered for her valiant fight with the debilitating disease muscular dystrophy and having defied the odds of science, which projected a life expectancy of approximately 26 years Claudette celebrated her 72nd birthday in December last year.

“Although confined to a wheelchair from her teenage years, Claudette did not complain, but used it as a platform to help others who were in need. Tributes poured in from around the globe, particularly from young persons, who lauded her for having assisted them in moving on to higher studies, allowing them to attain professions in the medical and other fields as she either housed them in her family home in Harbour View, during their years of studies, and solicited funds from her long-standing friends and her alma mater community to facilitate their tertiary education.”

A service of thanksgiving was held for Claudette last Wednesday. May she rest in peace.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 7, 2022

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

The thanksgiving mass for Dorothy Harrison last Friday brought back memories of weekend outings to the sparkling seas at Bluefields. My sister Fran and I attended St Mary’s Academy (run by the Sisters of Mercy) in Savanna-la-Mar, and there we became friends with Patricia and Arlene Harrison.

Somehow Dorothy Harrison found out that, although we were going to a top private school, our widowed mother had little time for recreation, having to eke out a living at her shop. Mr and Mrs Harrison would pick us up and take us on outings. She was ever kind and gentle. As Arlene (now Harrison-Henry, our public defender) reminded us in her tribute, her mother treated all guests in their home equally, no preferential treatment for her or siblings, Pat or Phillip. “Her legacy is one of love… industry and respect for all,” shared Arlene. Her legacy is also the fine family she raised, who continue her tradition of kindness. Our deepest sympathy to the family. May her beautiful soul rest in peace.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 7, 2022

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding must have been pleased to hear his daughter, Government Senator Sherene Golding Campbell, piloting the Bill amending the Sisters of Mercy Jamaica Act. Golding attended Sisters of Mercy-run Alpha Primary School.

We are proud that the founder of Convent of Mercy Academy “Alpha”, Jessie Ripoll, was a Jamaican woman who bought the land at South Camp Road and welcomed the first orphan to Alpha Cottage on May 1, 1880. When the numbers grew, Sisters of Mercy arrived in Jamaica 10 years later to give their support and Ripoll took the name of Mother Claver.

Opposition and government senators were of one voice in praising the work of the Sisters of Mercy and agreeing to the amendment which does not ascribe the governance of the organisation to individuals, but to a body corporate.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 7, 2022

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

Dr Lucien Jones, vice-chair and tireless advocate for road safety, must be delighted that the Road Traffic Act is finally being implemented. In an open letter last month he reflected on the 482 road deaths in 2021 and the projected figure of 480 by outgoing head of Mona GeoInfomatics Dr Parris Lyew-Ayee Jr.

Alphea Sumner, Jamaica Observer senior staff reporter, gave the highlights of the new regulations, which came into effect on February 1. Among them: up to $150,000 for defacing, mutilating, obliterating, adding to, reproducing, duplicating certificates of fitness, licence certificates, licence decals, and certificates of title; fines of up to $250,000 for advertising for sale, selling, using, or installing a device which gives inaccurate odometer readings or altering their odometers; $10,000 fine for travelling in a vehicle with part of the body protruding or allowing a passenger to do so; $10,000 fine for driving a motor vehicle which causes a sound exceeding the noise limit; and up to $80,000 in fines for providing the services of a driving instructor without the relevant authority.

All the fines are on conviction and also carry an alternative term of imprisonment.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 7, 2022

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

When we tried to download our digital vaccination certificates, we saw that our second shot was not recorded. On a friend’s recommendation, we went to the Stony Hill Vaccination Centre at the Heart Academy complex, and were greeted by a most helpful team. As we waited for them to input our information, we overheard a health aide counselling an elderly gentleman who had just been vaccinated. You would have thought he was her grandfather from the gentle tone of her voice.

Congratulations to public health nurse Fiona Ellis, data entry clerk Sakeena Ledgister and community health aide Andrea Frankson. With all the complaints about our health facilities, we need to remember the good-hearted people who choose to stay here and give of their best. In a couple of days all was sorted, and we now have our digital cards.

Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, February 07, 2022

By Jean Lowrie-Chin

These past two weeks have given us hope that we are moving ahead in Jamaica.

The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) through the dedication of previous chair, Professor Maureen Samms Vaughan, and current Chair Trisha Williams-Singh has roused us to the importance of the first 1,000 days in a child’s life, and have been certifying early childhood institutions and training teachers. They have also created the 1st 1000 Days, a free app, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.

Additionally, under the leadership of Executive Director Karlene Deslandes, the commission has established 115 Brain Builder Centres at early childhood institutions throughout the island, closing in on their target of 126.

ECC Commissioner David Salmon was the ideator for the Year of Early Childhood in Jamaica, resulting in Governor General Sir Patrick Allen’s proclamation on January 25. It reads in part: “I …do hereby proclaim the year two thousand and twenty-two as the Year of Early Childhood Development and encourage all citizens of Jamaica to support the Early Childhood Commission in its efforts as we commit the resources of our country to ensure that Jamaica’s children receive the best education in the world.”

We welcome the tabling of legislation for the Jamaica Teaching Council by Education Minister Fayval Williams. According to Jamaica Information Service ( JIS) reporter Latonya Linton, the legislation “seeks to establish a governing body for the teaching profession and a licensing and registration regime for all government-paid teachers”.

Standards must be established for those in whom we entrust so much. However, let us not forget the heroines and heroes in our teaching profession. Recently TVJ‘s Ray of Hope featured principal of Central Branch All-Age Michael Sutherland, who conducts classes for parents and teaches them catering skills. My post on social media brought dozens of positive comments from his past students at Westwood and Queen’s.

By Michael Edwards

iCreate Institute, the digital skills training institute which previously launched a multimillion-dollar Digital Awareness training programme to improve digital proficiency for thousands, is looking to the secondary as well as tertiary sectors and also aspiring entrepreneurs.

The company, through its iCreate Institute, has trained and certified over 4,500 individuals to date throughout the Caribbean region and has to date developed over 20 different digital, tech and creative courses, a number which head of digital training Dominic Summers, expects to increase exponentially. “Owing to our partnerships with these world- renowned training institutions we will, in short order, be offering over 1000 courses.”

Head of iCreate Institute, Dominic Summers, said the company was committed to equipping  students with the digital mindset and tools needed to develop and succeed in today’s digital economy. A principal element of this thrust is the development of several partnerships with recognized entities in the field of digital education and training. This includes EdX, an online joint venture between US universities Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), each of global renown. The EdX venture uses open source software platforms that allow for university-level courses in a wide range of disciplines to be offered online.”

The company has also partnered with Code Fellows, a northwestern U.S.-based training institute that operates code-building camps and other software instruction worldwide, the Digital Marketing Institute, billed as the world’s largest digital marketing community, and the Kingston-based University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC), which offers training to thousands of Jamaicans online as well as through its seven physical campuses.

Retirement coach and Board Director of the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons(CCRP), Patricia Reid-Waugh completed the digital awareness course offered by iCreate. “I found the course to be a comprehensive exploration of the business and social applications of the Internet today.”  Reid-Waugh, whose published titles include “Retirement: A New Adventure” says she hopes that future course offerings will feature more local presenters.

“The economy we are living in today requires digital awareness in every field. We can no longer operate without basic digital skills,” Mr. Summers said. “In order to grow and be successful it is imperative that we harness these skills and use them to our advantage.” This imperative, he adds, has been heightened by the persistence of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to digital training, iCreate is building out its Opportunity Ventures division, which is focused on building ventures that are aligned with its digital training and preparation vision. These include the Creative City multi-disciplinary complex as well as media production and advertising enterprises