HOPEWELL, Hanover — Fourteen-year-old Britannia Stephenson could not mask her joy when she turned up for classes at the Hopewell High School in Hanover on Monday, the start of the new academic year.

Sporting a broad smile and exuding confidence, the former Watford Hill Primary student gleefully told the Jamaica Observer West that she was very happy to be at the school at which she was placed, following her Grade Six Assessment Test (GSAT) last year.

“I feel happy to be here (Hopewell High). I always wanted to come to this school, so I am happy and thankful for the opportunity,” said a smiling Britannia.

The soft-spoken wheelchair-bound teenager, who was diagnosed with encephalopathy, and has never walked since birth, was unable to commence classes at Hopewell High at the start of the 2017/2018 academic year because the State-run educational institution was not equipped with a ramp.

In fact, Britannia started her high school education at the Dr Fidel Castro Campus of the Anchovy High School in the neighbouring parish of St James, more than two months after the start of that academic year, following a Jamaica Observer story highlighting her plight which spurred the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders into action.

The Observer story also prompted the Digicel Foundation to construct two ramps and to retrofit sanitary conveniences at the Hanover school.

But even though Britannia was placed at Anchovy High where classrooms and other facilities are located on the ground floor, her mother, Cecilia Hill, who resides in the deep rural community of New Milns in Hanover, could barely afford to send her daughter to the school, due to severe financial constraints.

On Monday, a team from the Digicel Foundation, headed by CEO Karlene Dawson, visited Hopewell High to get a first-hand look at the two ramps installed and the bathrooms that were retrofitted to accommodate students who are physically challenged.

Jennifer Spence Silvera, education and special needs programme officer at the foundation, who was a part of the team, explained why the Foundation decided to undertake the project.

“We decided to start the project because it (Britannia’s plight) came up as an item in the news — and of course everybody read the article — and when our chairman Mrs Jean Lowrie Chin, saw it, she immediately contacted our CEO and asked that we do something about it, because giving access to persons in schools with disabilities is very important in terms of the Foundation’s core values,” said Spence Silvera.

She added that the matter was taken to the Foundation’s board meeting, during which a decision was taken to construct two ramps at the school and to retrofit the bathrooms at a cost of $8 million.

Spence Silvera noted that the ramps give access to all the classrooms and other facilities at the school.

“The ramps are not simply ramps to enter a building.these ramps ensure that there is access to the second floor of the building, and that is where most of the classes are held, so persons will have access to all the areas of the building. So once a student comes here to Hopewell High, if they are wheelchair–bound, if they are using a walker, once there is any physical disability, then the person will be able to access everywhere on this compound, and that was what we really want— to make it truly inclusive so every child must be able to go to any department at the school,” she explained.

Dawson told the Observer West that the Foundation, will this year, collaborate with the Ministry of Education to construct ramps at about 10 other state-run schools across the island.

She noted that the Foundation has been constructing ramps at schools since 2014, stressing that “special needs is a big part of the Foundation’s mandate”.

Hopewell High Principal Byron Grant lauded the Digicel Foundation for undertaking the project at his school.

“At least we can now reach those students that are physically challenged to offer them educational opportunities.So we are very pleased that the Digicel Foundation came on stream and actually build two ramps and retrofitted the bathrooms at no cost to us. We are most thankful to Digicel,” Grant stressed, adding that the school currently has two physical challenged students.

Hill also commended the Foundation for undertaking the project.

“I really want to thank the Digicel Foundation for making this happen.

“Britannia really wanted to come to Hopewell High, so for her it’s like a dream come true,” said Hill, who also thanked the Jamaica Observer for bringing her plight to public attention, and the tremendous support that she has received from the general public over the past few months.

She stressed that the financial cost associated with sending her daughter to Hopewell High will be greatly reduced, as the Hanover school is “not too far” for her home.

Original article published in the Jamaica Observer West on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

 The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica (GoCD) – and by extension the people of Dominica – are poised for a major technology transformation with the news that ICT managed services provider, Digicel, has officially been selected as the winning bidder to provide the rebuild of the Telecommunications and ICT services to the GoCD.

With the competitive bid process complete, Digicel has been selected as the strategic provider of telecommunications and ICT services to the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica for a 15 year term. The awarding of this contract to Digicel comes upon approval from Cabinet after accepting the recommendation of the Bid Evaluation Committee.

As Dominica works to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria in September last year and focuses its renewal efforts on becoming a world leading climate resilient nation, this landmark agreement sees Digicel working in close partnership with the Government to deliver a highly resilient, state of the art network infrastructure, at a standard never seen before in the region.

Digicel will undertake the rebuilding and provisioning of telecommunications, internet, data, cloud and other ICT services to all of the Government sites – including every Government office, school, community centre and health centre, across the length and breadth of the island.

Alexander Matuschka, Digicel Group CEO, commented; “We are honoured to have been selected by the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica for this transformational project which will provide the foundation for the provision of new advanced digital services such as eGovernment, Safe and Smart Cities, Connected Health and Smart Education and make them a powerful reality for the people of Dominica.”

Commenting on the strategic partnership, Minister for Information, Science, Telecommunications and Technology, Honourable Kelver Darroux, said; “Telecommunications and ICT are vital necessities for all sectors in the Dominican economy. It is imperative that the role of telecommunications and ICT be seen as an economic resilience phenomenon and therefore a catalyst for economic growth and prosperity. This is a vital first step on the path towards Dominica becoming a world leading climate resilient nation. We are on a mission to ensure we are strongly positioned for the future and that we have the right ICT infrastructure in place to take full advantage of the benefits of a strong digital economy.”

Rainforest Seafoods Limited shipped off their first orders of 2,000 live lobsters to China via air this week.

The shipment is bound for Shenzhen.

“Consumers in mainland China will pay top dollar for their lobsters alive. Therefore, it is critical to ensure the best quality and the strongest animals are exported,” said Rainforest Business Development Manager Max Jardim as the lobsters were being crated for travel.

“Naturally, the best-quality lobster is supplied by our Jamaican fisherfolk who go to sea in the morning and return in the evening,” he said.

Rainforest Seafoods is the first Jamaican company to export this type of seafood to that region of China. The company is hoping to export one ton of live lobsters per week.

Jardim said there were some regulatory issues that Rainforest was working through with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture & Fisheries (MICAF), to further unlock the earning potential of seafood.

MICAF has been accommodating throughout the discussions and willing to facilitate the company, once food-safety standards were kept at paramount concern, he said.

Exporting live lobsters is a complex process, Jardim explained, requiring close collaboration

with suppliers, as well as training programmes and the supply of equipment to improve the handling of the lobsters.

Rainforest has also been working with Waterwheel Estate in Hong Kong for the past two years to get the specifications right.

“To further prepare and strengthen the animals for export, we must stabilise them in our state-of- the-art saltwater tanks prior to export. The lobsters are held at very specific cold temperatures and place under a strict monitoring programme before shipping out to ensure only the best quality is exported,” said Jardim.

“There’s a science, and our team in charge of this aspect is the best on island,” he added.

The lobsters departed from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay on Monday, and were transferred via Toronto’s WestJet airlines.

Rainforest is working with other airlines in the meantime “to find better routes,” Jardim said.

The shipment was witnessed by MICAF Minister Audley Shaw, who described it as the beginning of a transitioning of the blue economy, while urging others to capitalise on deep-sea fishing.

Story published by the Gleaner on August 29, 2018

KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Approximately 250 students from early childhood to tertiary institutions islandwide have received educational grants from Food for the Poor.

The students received cheques in varying sums during a presentation ceremony at the entity’s head office in Spanish Town, St Catherine, on Friday.

Executive Director, David Mair, told the youngsters’ parents that the provision was a “gift to your children, ensure that they work hard” in school.

Food for the Poor’s Social Outreach Officer, Myrtle Brown, said the organisation’s educational programme, established 15 years, serves students with needs.

“It was out of needs that we looked at your situation, and decided to help,” she stated.

Emphasising the importance of the students dedicating themselves to their studies, Brown said being diligent to reading and grasping what is taught in the classroom, will result in improved families and Jamaica becoming a better place.

Meanwhile, parent of one of the beneficiaries, Silvia Brown, who thanked the organization for its support to education, said parents should continue to do “whatever is possible to keep your children’s dreams alive” have ambition; and work towards it.”

For her part, grant recipient, Shenoya Brown, said the gesture has pushed her to take academics “very seriously”.

She said she wants to make the people who give her support, as well as her mother, proud of her achievements, while urging her colleagues to do their best as by “doing your best, you create opportunities for yourself”.

See original story posted in the Sunday Observer on August 26, 2018.

Former national player Ricardo Fuller will be a Digicel ambassador for the Manning Cup, the new title sponsors announced amongst a raft of innovative ideas for the upcoming schoolboy football season.

Fuller, who played for Camperdown High in the 1990s will be mentoring a number of Manning Cup players, and at the end of the season he will select a Digicel All Star XI.

Justin Morin, CEO of Digicel Jamaica, made the announcement at the launch of the schoolboy season on Wednesday at Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St Andrew.

“I am very pleased to announce another new addition to the 2018 competition. Digicel will partner with ISSA and their #ISSArealGOAL campaign to provide professional mentorship to select teams through our newly appointed programme ambassador, former national and English Premier League player Ricardo Fuller,” said Morin.

“A product of the Manning Cup and an inspirational figure, Ricardo will guide our young, aspiring ‘ballers on how to make it into the professional leagues after they’ve transitioned from the schoolboy football programme,” he added.

Morin, who played football for St George’s College, said Fuller’s impressive record, which included a total of 120 goals while playing for overseas clubs, is a great example for the young players to learn important life lessons by being part of his mentorship and leadership clinics throughout the season.

At the end of the season, the Digicel All-Star XI will receive special recognition for their outstanding performance from the sponsors.

The 38-year-old Fuller played 77 times for Jamaica and scored 10 goals. But the wily striker had a more profitable club career, netting approximately 120 goals. Fuller played for Tivoli Gardens FC in the Jamaica’s national premier league before moving overseas to play professionally. He represented Crystal Palace Hearts, Preston North End, Portsmouth Southampton and Stoke City, Charlton Athletic, Blackpool and Millwall before ending his playing career at Oldham Athletic in October 2015.

Meanwhile, this year marks the unveiling of a newly designed trophy for the Digicel Manning Cup competition, and to give everyone an opportunity to see it, Digicel will be launching a trophy tour — making stops at Digicel stores and pep rallies at corporate area schools.

“This will certainly add motivation to the teams and remind everyone of the glory of being crowned Manning Cup champion,” Morin pointed out.

“We are aware of the significance of schoolboy football to many Jamaicans and the emotions it evokes within everyone who becomes a part of it. And because we know you won’t want to miss a minute of the ballgame — whether you’re a player on the field, coach on the side lines or die-hearted supporter from near or afar — you can be assured that Digicel will be there to bring you all the excitement to your fingertips.

“For the very first time every Digicel customer will be able to watch the matches live on the SportsMax channel via our PlayGo streaming app and get match stats and updates from other providers like http://www.schoolboyfootball.com, LOOP and Digicel’s social media pages.

“We’ll be launching simple, affordable packages so that everyone will be able to watch a televised game while on the go,” said Morin.

Digicel promises to bring a new level of energy, fun and excitement to entertainment at the matches to include ‘Fan View’ videos for social media involving spectators, and also lots of on-the-spot surprises for the fans.

Photo: Daily Mail

See original story published in the Daily Observer on Friday, August 24, 2018

A new type one health centre opened in Moravia, Clarendon, on Friday, replacing the clinic that operated from the home of a community member.

The centre was constructed by Food For the Poor (FFP) with funds donated by Chicago resident, Denise Di Biase, and on land donated by the Moravian Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Assistance also came from Custos of Clarendon William Shagoury.

Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, who spoke at the opening, said, “How we live, what we consume or the lack of physical activity and knowing our health status will determine how we eventually come to an end.”

“So, focus more on prevention. Your health starts with you, not with the doctor, nurse or hospital bed,” he told the gathering.

The minister noted that seven out of every 10 Jamaicans die as a result of non-communicable diseases.

“If we start with the basic philosophy around public health and wellness, we would have a much healthier society, because many of the ailments that we encounter can be controlled if we accept some basic principles of public health,” he emphasised.

He listed two elements of public health that must be factored as part of the overall strategy and solution.

“The element of prevention, which is to take the necessary precautions to minimise the risk of being affected by any form of ailment, and the curative element, which means having been afflicted or affected, we must ensure that infrastructure is there to solve the problems we encounter,” he added.

Dr Tufton said in reality, the preventative side of health care is often overlooked and most times it is more important than the curative side, because prevention is cheaper than cure.

“Prevention does not bring pain and suffering. It avoids the need to be hospitalised, or take medication or stop from work, to watch loved ones suffer and costs you money,” he said.

Thanking all the stakeholders who made the clinic a reality, Dr Tufton said it is an example of partnership and a demonstration of the vision shared by many.

“This vision of public health and wellness, community development, sharing and caring, love for each other and being our brother’s keeper has come through a network of collaboration and cooperation from Chicago to Florida,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, director of Distribution Services, FFP Jamaica, Craig Moss-Solomon, encouraged prospective users to take care of the facility. He said that as the healthcare needs of Jamaicans increased, FFP would remain committed to providing whatever support it could.

“As we witness this vibrant and historic opening, FFP hopes this building will boost the service offerings at the centre, while continuing to provide child health, family planning, antenatal and curative services,” Moss-Solomon said.

Meanwhile, donor of the funds which built the clinic, Denise Di Biase, said her late husband Stephen, who was a scientist, knew the importance of medical care for all.

“God is good. He brought us all together — me from Chicago and all you wonderful people from Moravia and surrounding areas. We thank you for letting us be part of this wonderful project and we wish you all good things as you experience the love, compassion and healing of Jesus Christ,” she said.

On August 16, Di Biase also participated in the ground-breaking ceremony for another clinic at Rock River in Clarendon, for which she will also be donating funds.

Original story published in the Daily Observer on Tuesday, August 21, 2018

 

Failure to keep up-to-date with technology, coupled with poor maintenance of Jamaica’s health facilities, were among the main contributing factors to the problems being faced in the country’s health sector, noted Dr Christopher Tufton.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony for a solarised energy system to the Bustamante Hospital for Children yesterday, the health minister also stressed the importance of health facilities to being innovative in driving the energy needs of the sector.

“The idea of giving a technology-driven gift is also worth noting and is something in the public health system that we appreciate. Our public health infrastructure, frankly speaking, is lacking in keeping up with modern technology in order to benefit an advanced and more efficient approach to providing services,” he said, while expressing gratitude to the Guardsman Group for the donation.

“The history of that is clear, and that is largely because we have not had the resources, but sometimes also we have not applied the innovation and the creativity to benefiting from some of the technology driven devices that are necessary. I would like to see all our hospitals and indeed our health centres utilise the solar power technology that exists in order to drive the energy needs of those institutions.”

Explore Alternatives

He said while they were trying to advance their technological output, he urged hospitals islandwide to feel free to explore alternative avenues to drive energy needs.

The minister also bemoaned the fact that more must be done to maintain Jamaica’s health facilities.

“The other critical area is maintenance. We have demonstrated, frankly speaking, that we have done a poor job at maintaining our infrastructure. A lot of the challenges that we face today, Cornwall (Regional Hospital) being the most topical one, is as a direct result of poor maintenance of the infrastructure that we have,” said Tufton.

Vice-president of operations at Future Energy Solutions, Kwame Hall, said the donation to the children’s hospital is expected to result in savings of $28 million over the next 20 years.

See original story published in the Gleaner | Tuesday, August 21, 2018