Howard Mitchell, PSOJ President; Endorsing the Launch of the JamaicaEye: The National CCTV System held at the National Indoor Sports Complex on March 14, 2018.
President of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) Howard Mitchell says there can be no progress nor prosperity unless the country develops our knowledge-based competence. Mitchell was speaking at the launch of the Ministry of National Security new initiative JamaicaEye.
“We live in a knowledge-based world, increasingly data gathering and the sharing of knowledge are critical to knowledge-based activities. We will not see progress nor prosperity unless we develop our knowledge-based competence. Communication is an integral part of knowledge-based activities,” said Mitchell.
President Mitchell went further to remind those in attendance that the PSOJ takes its responsibility as the premier based umbrella organization for the private sector very seriously. “We strive to be balanced and fair in our criticisms and we strive to be objective in our praise. It is no secret that we have been critical of the security management and strategy over the years that has been practicing in this country. And therefore, it is important that when we see a strategy worth action, that is comprehensively effective and that would make an impact that we endorse it; we give full praise to its originators.”
JamaicaEye is a three-phased implementation of a national closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance programme geared at a disaster response and public safety, which includes combating crime. Phase one of the project is the collaboration among key stakeholders and the MNS to establish a collective approach to CCTV surveillance.
Mitchell said that this programme is valuable, not only because of the impact it will have on crime, but is valuable because it serves as a template to show what participative democracy can do for the nation.
“I want to congratulate the Minister personally because I know of his commitment to participative democracy. He has never been shy to include all in his planning and in his deliberations and that alone makes this programme effective and it must serve as a template for all our activities in government and in civil society”, said Mitchell.
He further stated, “The PSOJ will be endorsing the system to our members individually and we will be supporting the Minister and this Ministry and all those involved in their promotion efforts.”
Jennifer McDonald, Chief Executive Officer, PSOJ; presenting at The UWI Mona Regional Disabilities Studies Conference on March 12, 2018.
The UWI Centre for Disability Studies (UWICDS) held its Regional Disability Studies Conference on Wednesday March
7, 2018. The theme for this conference is “Enhancing the Disability Agenda through Sports and Culture in the Caribbean.” The CEO of the PSOJ, Ms. Jennifer
McDonald, made a presentation at the Centre for Disability Studies regional
conference: “The importance of public-private partnership in the advocacy,
implementation and advancement of the lives of persons with disabilities in sports
and culture.”
McDonald informed the audience that addressing matters related to Disabilities is
one of PSOJ’s 4 core focus for 2018, which falls under Vulnerable Groups and
Gender Affairs. Other areas for advocacy includes: Innovation and Technology;
Climate Change; Crime and Public Safety.
“Jamaica possesses a strong platform with demonstrated excellence in Sports and
Culture locally, regionally and internationally” said Ms. McDonald. She reiterated
that “Our annual Boys and Girls Championships and the Jamaican festival
movement which have honed the skills of our athletes and artiste over the years.”
The actualisation of programmes and initiatives built through partnerships are
precedence of how public-private partnerships can work to improve these areas for
the advancement of Persons with Disabilities.
During her presentation McDonald quoted Sydney Thorpe, keyboard player of the
renowned Fab 5 – “People were fascinated because they had never seen a visually
challenged person playing three keyboards at a time, much less sitting on a revolving
stool, spinning and playing the keyboards … I didn’t have anything to prove to
anybody because I was in a band that was a top band,” he said.
Ms. McDonald, stated that, “the advancement of PWDs in sports and culture can
facilitate professional integration through the development of income generating
activities. These activities will also: promote increased participation of PWDs in
community life; increase the level of education of PWD through training; Educateand inform the wider public about PWDs and increase their chances of access to
basic social services.”
She further stated that, “members of the private sector can assist with the
advancement of PWDs in the areas of Sports and Culture by: having members of
their staff volunteer to work with institutions or organisations that provide services
to PWDs; making strategic decisions to support a particular sport, art form or
individual already engaging in either areas of discipline; making donations to
existing programmes or projects that will advance the exposure and improve on the
skills of PWDs in these areas.”
The UWI Centre for Disabilities Studies biennial conference is geared at bringing
together, the academic community, the public and private sector, civil society and
members from the community of persons with disabilities; in an academic
environment to articulate topics of critical importance to one of our most vulnerable
groups.
Since 1982, Food For The Poor donors have provided life-transforming work throughout the Caribbean and Latin American. Hundreds of thousands of the forgotten, the hungry and the poor have been blessed with a new opportunity in life, renewing that spark of hope for them and future generations.
Since inception, Food For The Poor donors have built more than 124,800 housing units, installed a total of 2,064 water wells, and sent more than 82,450 containers of essential goods to help people in the 17 countries where the charity serves.
A fisherman in Honduras proudly holds up one of many fish he caught in the Caribbean Sea. Food For The Poor’s Fishing Village program supplies destitute coastal villages with fiberglass boats with outboard engines, global positioning systems, fishing tackle, 100-quart coolers, safety equipment, a gear shed with a freezer, a generator and a powerful solar-powered street light for the village common area, as well as training in deep-sea fishing. There are 15 fishing villages in Jamaica, 39 in Haiti, 15 in Honduras and one in Dominica. (Photo by Food For The Poor)
One of the largest international relief and development organizations in the United States, Food For The Poor always has been about empowering families to become self-sustaining. The charity believes an education is an important key to breaking the cycle of poverty and is committed to providing children with an education. Over last three decades, more than 450 schools have been built, repaired or expanded.
“The mission of Food For The Poor is to link the church of the First World with the church of the Third World in a manner that helps both the materially poor and the poor in spirit,” said President/CEO of Food For The Poor Robin Mahfood. “Everything that this organization has done in these 36 years has been to transform and equip people to help themselves and their families. All of this is made possible with God’s blessing. Our donors and our staff are an extension of our Lord’s mercy, and they are the ones who make helping the poor possible.”
Volunteers for the Episcopal Church in Puerto Rico assemble relief items sent by Food For The Poor donors to help families recovering from Hurricane Maria. (Photo/Food For The Poor)
When it comes to natural disasters, Food For The Poor is eager to offer assistance. The charity has provided aid at the onset of the destruction caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, and remains involved in the ongoing recovery work. Thanks to its generous donors and partners, thousands of families in Puerto Rico are getting much needed aid, four months after Hurricane Maria destroyed much of the island. So far, Food For The Poor has shipped 69 tractor-trailer loads of aid to Puerto Rico.
Food For The Poor is working with the Catholic charity Caritas to distribute relief. Caritas Puerto Rico started in 1969 and has 200 parishes in 60 municipalities on the island. Food For The Poor also is working with the Episcopal Church to assure the distribution of the relief items. The church has 52 parishes throughout the island, warehouses and transportation, which are vital for reaching the rural communities.
Previously, Food For The Poor provided aid following Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
The charity also is keeping its promise to the people of Haiti to be there for the long haul following the 2010 earthquake. Since the Jan. 12, 2010, disaster, Food For The Poor has built 8,717 permanent two-room concrete block homes with water and sanitation, built or restored 44 schools in the Port-au-Prince area, and has installed 151 water filtration units. Each water filtration unit purifies and chlorinates up to 10,000 gallons of water a day for a total of 1,510,000 gallons of clean water daily.
“Food For The Poor is honored to be able to help as many people as possible to rebuild their lives following tragedies caused by natural disasters, we understand that a natural disaster can take aim at any of us at any given time, but the road to recovery is nearly impossible for poor families in rural communities,” said Mahfood. “This is why we always will do what we can for as long as we can to provide assistance for families recovering from the catastrophic disasters in the Caribbean, the United States and in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. We will continue to do this as we celebrate 36 years of service.”
Food For The Poor donors also build hospitals and community centers that provide technical training. The charity has implemented animal husbandry, agricultural and aquaculture projects. These projects, such as beekeeping and fishing villages, are not only a food source but they are helping the poor to generate income.
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor primarily in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance. Over the last 10 years, fundraising and other administrative costs averaged less than 5% of our expenses; more than 95% of all donations, including donated goods, went directly to programs that help the poor. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.
The draft for the 2018 Hero Caribbean Premier League will take place on 1st March. This will be when the teams will select their lineups for the sixth edition of the tournament which will take place between 8th August and 16th September this year.
As ever, the Hero CPL will have the best cricketers taking part in the tournament, from around the world as well as from across the Caribbean. The window for this year’s event means that there are no West Indies fixtures that clash with the Hero CPL so the very best West Indian players will be available for selection.
This year the draft will take place in London, which is a reflection of the global nature of the tournament. With owners and sponsors from around the world investing in the Hero CPL and the Caribbean as a whole having the draft in London helps from a logistics point of view and helps sell the region to a global audience.
Speaking about the upcoming draft Damien O’Donohoe, CEO of Hero CPL, said: “Our draft is such an important date in the Hero CPL calendar. It is when we get to find out who will be coming to join the Biggest Party in Sport. We know that the quality of players that we have coming to this year’s tournament will generate a huge amount of excitement.
“While the Hero CPL is about bringing the Carnival atmosphere to cricket, the quality of the sport on display is just as important. The world-class cricketers that will be selected on 1st March are what make the cricket at Hero CPL so special.”
ABOUT THE HERO CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE:
First started in 2013, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere. Combining broadcast and digital viewership over 197 million fans watched the 2017 season to make it one of the fastest growing leagues in world cricket. This year’s tournament takes place between 8th August and 16th September 2018. Trinbago Knight Riders are the current Hero CPL champions and the other competing teams are Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots, St. Lucia Stars and Jamaica Tallawahs. For further information visit www.cplt20.com.
The Forward Step Foundation is striving to make a difference in the municipality of Portmore, St Catherine.
Founded ten years ago by Gregory Park resident Miguel ‘Steppa’ Williams, the foundation is now benefiting from the support of the Digicel Foundation, which provided a grant of US$1.2 million over two years to expand its work in social enterprise development through the Queen’s Young Leaders Programme.
The funding has already assisted the Forward Step Foundation in building its own headquarters and reducing overhead costs.
The funds provided through Digicel Foundation have also enabled Forward Step to move ahead with its media training programme, and to purchase the necessary equipment for a recording studio and digital editing programme. The Forward Step Foundation, which hosts its own lively YouTube channel, Di Streetz TV, focuses on the arts and culture as keys to development.
Training is already taking place in several other areas, including carpentry and landscaping while workshops on television- presenting and graphic design are planned. An important aspect of the foundation’s work is teaching life skills at training workshops including sessions relating to building self-esteem, confidence and teamwork.
With these funds, the Forward Step Foundation aims to boost its crafts and manufacturing training programmes. The new training will directly impact more than 50 young people age 14 to 30 years old, and involve about 500 other community members.
Since 2003, Sandra Ramsey has managed Food For The Poor’s (FFP) Prison Ministry Department, which has arranged for more than 8,000 prisoners being released and only 200 of these inmates have gone back to prison.
Ramsey’s work has managed to change the lives of many non-violent inmates, and her organisation ensures that it helps to provide the necessary means for inmates to become productive members of our society.
FFP’s prison ministry was established to assist with meeting the needs of inmates, ex-inmates and penal institutions.
Conducted twice each year, during Easter and Christmas, FFP’s prison releases have been far-reaching and life-changing.
With FFP’s support, the Fresh Start Programme and direct donations to the prisons, inmates are provided with the requisite skills to foster their smooth transition into society.
Ramsey’s work entails looking after the 12 correctional facilities across the island, ensuring that operations run smoothly and supplies such as medical items, food and building materials are continuously provided.
Ramsey received the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer at the ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards last year, as she was recognised, in part, for her continuous and impactful work with FFP’s Prison Ministry.
“It’s a very emotional thing – you have to be there to experience these emotions as it gives you a completely different perspective on the inmates,” said Ramsey.
Each prison release is a surprise for the inmates. During each release, FFP pays the fines of inmates who have committed minor, non-violent offences.
“Surprising the inmates and telling them that they are going home is a heart-warming experience to be a part of – sometimes they don’t believe that they are going home,” added Ramsey.
FFP’s Prison Ministry Programme also provides assistance for the released inmates to start profitable businesses in areas such as welding, carpentry, farming and sewing.
“Once the inmates are out of prison, we interview them to see how best we can help them start their lives. Once we set them up in a particular business, we follow up with the ex-inmates by calling up and checking on them,” said Ramsey.
“The released inmates are very grateful for our work, and for the most part, they stay on the right track. They don’t want to go back to prison – all they want is a little help,” added Ramsey.
Two years ago, Jazzelle Francis’ worst nightmare became a reality when her home was burnt to the ground.
But now the 21-year-old woman is jumping for joy because Food For The Poor has given her somewhere to call her home.
She is not the only one who is elated, as another family from Rum Lane in Kingston who lost their house in that same dreadful fire will also receive a home.
Francis, a mother of two, told THE STAR that she is very happy that at least one house has arrived, and she is looking forward to the next one which is scheduled to arrive today.
INSIDE BATHROOM
“Me feel really good right now, plus me have inside bathroom and everything. We get table, we get stove, me just happy,” she said.
Francis said that after the house burnt down, she felt weary because she was not seeing any progress being made in terms of getting a new home, even though she had applied for it.
“Me feel good when me see dem come cause me did a call and a wonder if dem never did a come, enuh. When me see the material come and me see the foundation start, me feel good.
Then me get the call last night fi seh the house a come today [yesterday]. Me just go call me cousin fi chop down di tree weh did inna d way,” she said, smiling.
Francis said that living with family members had its challenges, and she is very happy that she now has something that belongs to her.
“It did hard. It did rough cause when you live inna people house yuh see dem a move ‘cumooging’, like them no longer want you there. Me really happy to have somewhere to call my own,” she told THE STAR.
The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has continued its fantastic growth during the 2017 season with combined broadcast and digital viewership of almost 200 million. This represents an increase of 25% on last season, further cementing the Hero CPL as one of the fastest growing cricket tournaments in the world.
The largest audience share was in India where broadcast viewership increased by 19% to more than 97million. The next largest broadcast market was the Caribbean where there was a total viewership figure of 48million for the tournament that took place between 4 August and 9 September 2017.
As well as success in India and the Caribbean there was also a significant increase in the USA where there was more than a 100% lift in viewership on the figures from the 2016 Hero CPL.
There was also a further increase in the digital viewership for the tournament, with 25% of the total audience coming through various digital channels, which is testament to the innovative nature of the Hero CPL’s online offerings.
Damien O’Donohoe, the Chief Executive Officer of Hero CPL, said: “With continued year-on-year growth the Hero CPL goes into the 2018 season with momentum to secure an even larger audience for the next edition of the tournament. We are delighted to see the Biggest Party in Sport being watched by more people than ever before and expect that trend to continue next year.”
ABOUT THE HERO CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE:
First started in 2013, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere. Combining broadcast and digital viewership over 197 million fans watched the 2017 season to make it one of the fastest growing leagues in world cricket. Trinbago Knight Riders are the current Hero CPL champions and the other competing teams are Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots, St. Lucia Stars and Jamaica Tallawahs. For further information visit www.cplt20.com.
The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has announced the tournament’s economic impact for Trinidad & Tobago. The 2017 event, which took place between 4 August and 9 September last year, created a total economic impact of US$ 23,625,618 in the country.
This figure has been arrived at by using organiser spend, visitor spend and media value and was calculated for Hero CPL by world-renowned researchers, SMG Insight.
In addition to that economic impact figure the Hero CPL directly involved 830 local personnel in Trinidad & Tobago, filled 9,323 hotel rooms during the 2017 event and showed matches staged in the country to a cumulative TV audience of 37.6million. The value of the picture postcard exposure and mentions of Trinidad & Tobago from this coverage was US$ 2,810,996.
The Hero CPL spent US$ 4,493,849 in Trinidad & Tobago during the 2017 event. This organiser spend represents a 171% increase from what was spent by the tournament in 2014 and an increase of 71% from the figure that Hero CPL spent in the country in 2016.
Speaking about the report from SMG Insight the Hero CPL Chief Operations Officer, Pete Russell said: “Trinidad & Tobago has always been a huge part of Hero CPL, and staging the finals week in the country this year saw a massive increase in our spend compared to 2016. We are very proud to be making such a positive impact on the Trinidad & Tobago economy and we are very grateful of the support we have got from the government and local population.”
ABOUT THE HERO CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE:
First started in 2013, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere. Combining broadcast and digital viewership over 197 million fans watched the 2017 season to make it one of the fastest growing leagues in world cricket. Trinbago Knight Riders are the current Hero CPL champions and the other competing teams are Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots, St. Lucia Stars and Jamaica Tallawahs. For further information visit www.cplt20.com.
There is nothing like the delectable taste of fresh lobster. And now guests at Moon Palace Jamaica in Ocho Rios, can enjoy just that at the hotel’s seaside restaurant. Thanks to a unique partnership between Palace Resorts and Rainforest Seafoods, patrons can choose a live lobster from a salt water tank, and have it cooked to their taste by the hotel’s skilled chefs.
Offered at an additional cost, using Resort Credit, the only live lobster dining experience at a hotel on the island, is made possible through Rainforest Seafoods’ brand — Fresh by Rainforest.
“The tank is very inviting,” says Ben Jardim, business development manager at Rainforest Seafoods. “It allows patrons to select the lobster they like.” While the guests are intrigued by the huge, filtered tank in the centre of the dining room, they enjoy the tasty, fresh lobsters even more.
Moon Palace Jamaica’s Executive Chef, José Vallejo, is delighted at the opportunity to work with this exclusive menu item. “Our guests are looking for a different kind of seafood. As chefs, we like to play with the flavours, and fresh is the best way to get the flavour! It’s much better. I prefer to cook with all fresh products,” Vallejo emphasises.
Executive Sous-Chef Emilio Benavides, has been at Moon Palace Jamaica since it opened just over two years ago, and believes that the live lobsters will provide “that wow factor” for diners.
The live lobster will be served up in a variety of delectable ways for guests. “We serve the entire lobster to the guest … We don’t just give them the tail. There is some meat inside the head and the body, too. We can cook it traditional jerk, Jamaican style with Jamaican spices — the pimento, the Scotch bonnet, the scallion. We do a marinate on the grill; so, it might be a jerk lobster, or a traditional garlic butter. We poach it and we grill it a little bit. Or we do a thermidor, if they want it. Or maybe au gratin; if they would like it like that, we can do that option, too,” he explains.
An an effort to offer their guests a world-class epicurean experiences at each of their properties, earlier this year, the brand announced an exclusive partnership with Certified Angus Beef, making it the first and only hotel chain, to offer the highest quality beef at all 10 of its properties. In addition, the brand just announced a partnership with world-renowned pastry chef, Antonio Bachour. Palace Resorts will feature an exclusive menu selection of decadent desserts and pastries, exclusively curated by Bachour.
“Palace Resorts’ prides itself in the ability to continuously search for strategic alliances that elevate our brand to the next level,” said Jabib Chapur, vice president of Food & Beverage for Palace Resorts. “Our partnership with Rainforest Seafoods is just another way we consistently bring unique and distinct dining opportunities to our guests.”
Rainforest Seafoods’ Roger Lyn adds that this offering enhances Jamaica as a ‘foodie’ destination. He points out that visitors are coming “not just for the beaches,” but for a cultural experience, including food. It is also a push for brand Jamaica. Jardim adds, that the hotel industry plays an important role in promoting and highlighting something special for visitors. “The lobsters are our own local species. This is a good way to get it out to the world that Jamaica has this quality product.”
Jamaica Highlights 