By: Kimberley Hibbert

CHRISTINE Ryan could have decided that her painful experiences would hinder her progress in life, but instead, she fought long and hard until her passions became a reality.

Born and raised in St Catherine, Ryan, 39, told All Woman that her parents separated when she was six, and she went to live with her father. It was there that she suffered the misfortune of being molested by a close family member. After being labelled a liar by those whom she actually told, Ryan was afraid to tell her father, so she eventually ran away from home at age 14 and went to live with her older siblings in Newlands, Portmore.

She dropped out of school in third form as she said she lacked confidence and believed no one would understand what she was going through. But instead of sinking into depression, she used her skills to develop a T-shirt line at age 14, and worked at it until age 17 when she had her first child.

She became a producer at KOOL FM in 2001, which saw her being recognised by UNICEF for a programme that she did on children’s rights.

She also came across the Global Institute for Transformation (GIFT) 10 years ago — a cross-denominational ministry which supports the spiritual, material and physical needs of people around the world — where she did a personal development course that helped to align her spirits.

In the midst of working at KOOL, Ryan had to cope again with a mystery illness which she had been battling for a few years, and which became worse at that job. This limited her ability to work. This illness saw her taking 18 medications three times a day, but after meeting physician Dr Clement Williams who adjusted her diet and lifestyle, her symptoms vanished.

She eventually started a natural juice business based on her new lifestyle, but was forced to close owing to competition from the larger players.

Ryan, a mother of three, was now unemployed, and yearning to earn for herself to help her husband contribute to the household.

“I began praying about it, and I met a lady who sold honey on a retail basis. She encouraged me to try my hand at it, but the earnings were thin and there were too many bills to pay. Also, when the bee farmers did not have honey I couldn’t earn,” she said.

But Ryan was undaunted. She managed to save enough to buy her own two boxes of bees which she split into six units, but four were stolen by praedial thieves. She eventually moved her supplies to Hellshire, where ants invaded the hives and killed all her bees.

Others would have given up, but Ryan was made of sterner stuff. She decided to rebuild, and obtained training through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA). An experienced beekeeper mentored her in the craft and taught her how to use burnt gas oil to keep away ants, as well as how to breed the queens and reap honey.

Having participated in a beekeeping training programme through RADA, Ryan was recommended to Food For the Poor (FFP) through the St Catherine RADA office in 2013. In 2016 a field investigation was done and she was considered to be eligible for help based on her financial situation, training and experience in beekeeping, and her determination to get involved in beekeeping as a business to take care of her family.

In June 2016, FFP gave her 10 colonies of bees along with tools and equipment to pursue her craft. She has since harvested over six five-gallon buckets of honey and increased the apiary to 13 colonies.

Ryan has been making a wide variety of products under the Pure Natural Mystik brand, using the by-products from her hives to infuse natural herbs like spirulina, guinea-hen weed, moringa and cinnamon in her honey. She also has a line which makes hair and body butters, soaps and oils.

She was also assisted by Kwao and Agape Adams of Yerba Buena Farm in St Mary, who obtain grant funding to bring trainers from abroad to facilitate farmers in product training and development.

This entrepreneur, who home-schools her children, trains other mothers in beekeeping so they can have an option to provide for their children who are also being home-schooled.

Overall, Ryan is passionate about helping people in the trade and getting over hardships as she has done.

She believes that all her trials happened for a reason, and it is now her turn to help others to overcome their difficulties.

Source: Jamaica Observer

Recently, Food For The Poor packed four tractor-trailer loads of relief items for shipment to Puerto Rico from its warehouse in Coconut Creek, Fla., with the following items:

• Nonperishable food
• Batteries, flashlights and lanterns
• Two-burner liquid petroleum gas (propane) stoves
• Tarps
• Blankets
• Baby diapers and hygiene items
• Five-gallon buckets with cleaning supplies
• Commercial-grade and standby generators

One container of water will be shipped from our partner Gleaning For The World.

Food For The Poor also sent four pallets of critical medical supplies such as pain relievers, antibiotics, wound-care kits, along with disaster and personal hygiene kits via airfreight to Puerto Rico, with the assistance of Kansas-based partner Heart-to-Heart International. The pallets arrived in Puerto Rico today.

Food For The Poor is working with the Catholic charity Caritas to assure the distribution of the relief items. Caritas Puerto Rico started in 1969 under the name Catholic Social Services of Puerto Rico. In 2009, it changed its name to Caritas Puerto Rico.There are 200 parishes in 60 municipalities on the island that work on projects. Food For The Poor also will be assisting the Episcopal Church, which has 52 parishes throughout the island, and warehouses and transportation, both critical in distributing aid in the rural areas. Two longtime Food For The Poor partners, Ohio-based Matthew 25: Ministries and Operation Compassion, a Tennessee-based ministry, are assisting with this humanitarian relief effort.

“Food For The Poor is proud to be helping the people of Puerto Rico. We understand what it is like to be hit by a hurricane, and we are appealing to all of our donors for their support with this crisis,” said Food For The Poor President/CEO Robin Mahfood. “We understand that we cannot help everyone, but with the help of the Lord, we 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.”

To support relief efforts for Puerto Rico and the other islands affected by the recent hurricanes, cash donations are best. Checks can be mailed to Food For The Poor at 6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073. Please make checks payable to Food For The Poor and include the source code SC#104174 to accurately route your donation to the relief effort. Or to make a donation online, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/puertorico.

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, with more than 95 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.
Source: FFP Inc.

Amateur middleweight boxer Ian Derby confirmed his improving status with a sound, unanimous points decision over the rugged Guyanese Desmond Amsterdam at Alpart Sports Club in St Elizabeth on Saturday night.

Derby’s win gave Jamaica a well-earned leveller against Guyana on the four-fight amateur card in the Wray & Nephew Fight Night Boxing Series

Jamaica won the first and last fights on the night, while Guyana won the second and third.

The amateur segment was the main entertainment package of the night, and it lived up to expectation. There was non-stop action from the opening bell to the very end.

Marvin Shea overcame Clairmont Gibson of Guyana for a majority decision in the first of the three-round fights to allow Jamaica to jump out in front.

Both fighters gave as much as they received, and to the naked eye the result could have gone either way. It set the tone for what was to follow.

In the second fight, Ricardo Carter, one of Jamaica’s most accomplished lightweight prospects, took to the ring against Guyana’s Joel Williamson. The first round looked promising as both fighters looked keen heading into the second. But Carter began to look a bit jaded and was surprisingly knocked off his feet to go down via the technical knockout route.

In the third fight, the promising junior welterweight Patrick Sahadeo from the Jamaica Defence Force Gym was expected to give Jamaica the lead in the clash with the gangly Colin Lewis. But Sahadeo was outclassed.

He appeared to be not prepared to deal with the long reach of his opponent, and thus failed to withstand the barrages from Lewis and was outgunned in a majority decision.

In came Derby, the St Thomas Gym boxer who had to win his fight to salvage a share of the laurels following two unexpected losses.

He responded well with good glove work and adequately weighted punches to keep his bloody-nosed opponent apprehensive.

It was a night where the amateurs stole the spotlight, though not entirely, as Miguel “Iron Dog” Ray brought the house down to its knees against Kestna Davis in their main event clash over six rounds. Davis, as was expected, won by an overwhelming majority on all the three judges’ scorecards. It was a highly entertaining bout highlighted by the antics of “Iron Dog”.

Ransford Burton scored the bout 60-55, Eion Jardine scored it 60-54, while Lindell Allen had it 60-50.

Meanwhile, in the preliminary pro bout, Toriano Nicholas defeated Daron Weir by majority decision. All three judges scored 60-54.

Source: Jamaica Observer

A mixed reception greeted the outcome of the super-middleweight bout last Saturday night at the Alpart Sports Club in St Elizabeth between promising middleweight boxer Kestna Davis and boxer-comedian Miguel ‘Iron Dawg’ Raye.

Davis won by unanimous decision, as judges Lindell Allen 60-54, Ransford Burton 59-55, and Eion Jardine 60-50 gave him victory by a wide margin. The antics that came from Raye, his lack of boxing skills and the failure of Davis to end the fight early as he had promised, led to a spirited debate after the fight ended, and there is every indication that it will continue.

There were two professional bouts on the card, and in the other six-rounder the judges had Toriano Nicholas defeating Doran Weir by unanimous decision, 60-54.

In the amateur section of the programme, Jamaica and Guyana won two bouts each to square their series after four very entertaining and action-packed contests that gave spectators their money’s worth.

In the feature fight, there was a war of words before the fight, and Davis stated publicly that it would not go the distance. He tried to knock out his opponent, but Raye used fair and foul means to frustrate him.

REFEREE CAUTIONS

 

He clinched, chatted, used his head as part of the attack, and drew several cautions from referee Peter Richards. In the end, Davis was relieved when the fight ended, and said he had become frustrated from his opponent’s behaviour. He conceded, however, that he had learnt a lot from the fight.

“Iron Dawg is very unorthodox, and did not give me room to fight. My tactics were also bad, as I should have stayed outside and attack his body. Anyhow, I did not do this and he went six rounds. I learnt a lot, however, and will be better next time around,” he conceded.

Popular growling boxing character Miguel ‘Iron Dog’ Ray is set to take on youngster Kestna Davis in the first of two professional bouts in the Wray & Nephew Fight Night series tonight at Alpart Sports Club in St Elizabeth.

Known for his ‘dog like’ character, Miguel Ray’s story is one of great determination against the odds. Ray’s fighting spirit was nurtured during his childhood. He experienced a rough and fatherless upbringing in the streets, where he constantly had to defend himself in the tough environment.

In 2002, Ray discovered boxing. He trained with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) for several years until he met up with boxing coach Carl Grant in his Stony Hill Gym. In 2013, he turned professional and entered the Wray & Nephew Contender competition. He began training one year ahead of the competition. However, spine surgery almost brought his preparations to a halt. Undeterred, Ray continued to work hard, and this carried him through to the event.

It has been challenging to maintain the lifestyle that professional boxing requires, says Ray. Travelling to Kingston from St Mary every day to train is not possible for him, due to the costs; he supports his boxing expenses by driving a taxi. Ray does everything with his much-loved son in mind. There is great pride in his voice when he says, “I am still my son’s hero.”

Currently, Ray’s professional record stands at a respectable three wins and three losses. He will be gunning for a fourth win in the bout against the younger Kestna Davis, whom he knows well personally and in the boxing ring. Ray acknowledges that Davis’ style differs greatly from his own – Ray is thicker set and packs more power in his punches – while Davis is quicker both on his feet and with his hands. Ray appears confident in his experience, however, proclaiming: “I know the game of boxing now. I know the tricks!” This, he believes, will carry him, victoriously, through the bout, underlining that he is not prepared to serve merely as a “stepping stone” for Davis.

 

22-YEAR-OLD KESTNA DAVIS

 

In the opposite corner, we find 22-year-old Kestna Davis – younger, less experienced professionally, but with a slightly more favourable record of two wins and no losses. His amateur record of 78 wins and only seven losses is even more impressive.

Although he has a very different boxing style to Ray, the two do share similar backgrounds and origins in the sport. Davis also joined Carl Grant’s Gym, but at the younger age of 14. After just two years, he declared that it was “his time” to turn professional.

Like Ray, Davis says that to make it as a boxer in Jamaica has been a struggle. He also comes from a background where resources were scarce but credits coach Grant with much of his success. Grant has provided him with virtually everything he needed to train at the right level for a professional athlete, Ray points out.

Kestna Davis has trained with his opponent, knows him personally and has studied his technique. He knows they have differing styles and energy levels but he is confident that, above all, his speed and endurance will earn him victory on the night.

On Ray’s style, Davis observes: “I can see everything coming from his shoulders. He will not catch me. He will get punches the whole time. I am always ready!”

This matchup is the first of two professional bouts billed for Saturday night’s event at Alpart Sports Club. Five amateur matches, in which Jamaican fighters will take on Guyanese opponents, will also take place, followed by an after-party with Wray Rum specials. The next Wray & Nephew Fight Night is set for St Thomas on Saturday, November 18.

 

Source: Jamaica Gleaner

A clash between middleweight boxer Kestna Davis and crowd-pleaser Miguel ‘Iron Dog’ Ray, over six rounds, will be the feature attraction on a seven-bout ProAm boxing card dubbed Wray and Nephew Fight Night, which will take place at the Alpart Sports Club in St Elizabeth, this Saturday.

In the other professional bout, which will be a lightweight contest, Toriano Nicholas will go against Doran Weir. On the amateur side of the programme, five of Jamaica’s leading amateur boxers will go up against boxers from Guyana.

The professional side of the promotion will be a joint venture between I-Fight Promotions and Creative Sports, while the Jamaica Boxing Board will be responsible for the amateur card.

 

Thrilling Night

 

“A thrilling night of boxing, which we are sure that our fans from St. Elizabeth and surrounding areas will thoroughly enjoy” was how Donald Lyew from Creative Sports saw the night’s programme, while Chris Joy from I-Fight Promotions saw it as “another of the two-fight cards that we are putting on now, with the goal of much bigger things to come later.”

The announcement of the card was made at Usain Bolt’s Tracks and Records, last Friday afternoon.

Boxing Board president Stephen ‘Bomber’ Jones was pleased that for the third time in 12 months, a team of amateur boxers from overseas, will be taking on boxers from Jamaica.

Most of the attention at the launch was focused on the clash between 23-year-old Davis and the 39-year-old Ray.

Davis, who is a boxer with good technical skills, does not see Ray as being much of a challenge for him.

“I am going to give him a boxing lesson. I am going to hit him with a barrage of punches from all angles and then knock him out,” he predicted.

Ray took all of this in with a smile.

“He is young and has everything to lose, while I have everything to gain. I am going in there to win, and if I catch him, he is going down.” he said. He then gave his trademark growl, pointed at Davis and said, ” I am coming for you, Kestna.”

The promoters also announced that after the boxing event, there will be entertainment, and an after-party.

 

Source: Jamaica Gleaner

A healthy and balanced diet helps children grow and learn, and for Sydia Smith, administrator at the Garland Hall Memorial Children’s Home, fish supplied by Rainforest Seafoods is a welcome addition to the menu that they might not otherwise have been able to provide on a regular basis.

“Rainforest delivers sliced fish for our children every month and the children do enjoy it – with rice and vegetables. It is a nourishing meal for them,” Smith said.

Founded and operated by the Jamaica Baptist Women’s Federation, the home is situated on a hillside opposite Anchovy High School, a few miles from Montego Bay in St James. It is named after Elisabeth Garland Hall, a Baptist missionary and the founder of the Jamaican Women’s Baptist Federation.

 

ORPHANED

 

Hall was orphaned very early in her life and decided to run an orphanage in her own private home.

The cozy buildings provide a safe shelter for around 26 children, mostly girls ages six to 18 years, who need care and protection. Many have suffered from abuse in their families.

Smith, who has been managing the home for the past five years, said her team works hard to provide comfort and a homey atmosphere for the children. “Rainforest also organises treats for the children at Christmas and special holidays, which we all look forward to. The children really appreciate the fun and games – and the food,” Smith said.

She also indicated that Rainforest may also offer cooking lessons to the children. “They will really love this. It will be a great opportunity for them to try something new and acquire a skill,” Smith said.

“We at Rainforest Seafoods recognise that good nutrition is extremely important for our children’s physical and mental development,” said Brian Jardim, chief executive officer at Rainforest Seafoods.

“For vulnerable children who have not had the best start in life, it is even more important. We are very happy to support Garland Hall Children’s Home by providing fish for the young residents’ health and for their enjoyment,” Jardim added.

Source: Jamaica Gleaner