The monsters who prey on poor, helpless old ladies

Five years ago a study by the Mona Ageing and Wellness Centre found that, in Jamaica, the elderly constituted 11.3 per cent of the population… and that number was projected to rise to 25 per cent by 2050.

This therefore is an extremely important segment of the Jamaican population; deserving of the greatest possible attention from the Government and people, not only for the fact that they nurtured the current generations of Jamaicans. The true quality of life in our country can be measured by how we treat our senior citizens.

From this standpoint, we encourage all Jamaicans to take seriously the words of Police Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay, the head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), who expressed deep concern about increasing attacks on Jamaica’s elderly, the majority of whom are women.

As reported in our Wednesday edition, Supt Lindsay brought a solemn message to the Monday’s Annual General Meeting of Jean Lowrie-Chin’s Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) about the litany of problems faced by senior citizens.

According to Ms Lindsay, these problems include:

• People posing as representatives of utility companies to get to senior citizens

• Identity theft is a growing problem for seniors

• Lonely seniors are robbed of social interaction because of fear of venturing outside

• Many are being abused by caregivers

In addition to the observations made by the officer, anecdotal evidence suggests that there is general impatience and apathy towards the aged, with many people regarding them as a burden or an obstacle in their way, because they might be slowing down physically and mentally.

The creatures who prey on poor, helpless old people are monsters who must feel the full weight of the law. Jamaicans must not keep silent when they witness the ill-treatment of seniors. Enlightened self-interest alone should help us to grasp the fact that if we live long enough we will be seniors one day.

The number of seniors in Jamaica — which as the survey says is increasing — is significant enough for vote-seeking politicians to be interested. We wholeheartedly endorse Mrs Lowrie-Chin’s call for legislation similar to the Child Care and Protection Act to ensure the well-being of Jamaica’s elderly.

In the meantime, we suggest to the elderly that they heed the advice given by Supt Lindsay to protect themselves as much as they can against the criminal minded by:

• Not giving out banking or credit card information on the phone

• Checking ID cards of people claiming to be representatives of utility companies – “In this case, to be rude is to be shrewd!”

• Checking bank statements carefully and immediately reporting any strange activity or suspicion of fraud

• Keeping a close check on incapacitated elderly against abusive caregivers

• In the event of motor vehicle accidents, meeting the other motorist at the police station

• Going out with friends and family, instead of venturing out alone

• Carrying only cash, credit cards and IDs that will be needed

• In the case of a hold-up, throwing wallet or handbag a distance away and running in the opposite direction, but never to resist giving up valuables.

• Using sturdy metal or solid wood doors with deadbolt locks; motion detectors or floodlights; trimming shrubbery around doors and windows and giving an extra key to a trusted neighbour.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/the-monsters-who-prey-on-poor-helpless-old-ladies_100552

There should be more gratitude to Food For the Poor

Dear Editor,

Jamaica AIDS Support for Life wishes to go on record to publicly lend its support to the Food For Poor, as well as challenge recent claims made by Members of Parliament Mikael Phillips and Leslie Campbell.

Over the years, the Jamaica AIDS Support for Life has often partnered with Food For the Poor for access to housing solutions for clients most vulnerable. To date there have been no complaints regarding the quality of the houses provided.

Since its inception in 1991, the Jamaica AIDS Support for Life has been supporting those most vulnerable to HIV and AIDS through prevention, public education, and access to medication and other support services.

The cyclical nature and inverse relationship between HIV prevalence and socio-economic status has been observed to affect those at the lower socio-economic strata when one examines levels of education, poverty, annual household income, employment, and homeless status. It is on that basis that Food For the Poor must be congratulated for its work and support to the poorest Jamaicans over the years.

Since being founded, in 1982, Food For the Poor has constructed over 42,000 housing units for beneficiaries in need of housing solutions, among whom are people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. The organisation has also distributed containers of aid to the poor and supported hospitals, hospice care, and other HIV/AIDS facilities throughout the Caribbean region by providing food, medicine, medical equipment, personal care items, furniture, and medical supplies.

The Jamaica AIDS Support welcomes the prime minister’s support for Food For the Poor and urges Members of Parliament to be cautious in their criticisms and demonstrate greater levels of gratitude. We also make a call for the Government of Jamaica to implement increased and improved social protection and housing solutions for Jamaica’s most vulnerable.

Jamaica AIDS Support for Life

http://www.jasforlife.org

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/letters/there-should-be-more-gratitude-to-food-for-the-poor_100530?profile=1234

Politicians can’t manage FFP, so they say grapes sour

Dear Editor,

As one who has ties to the Portland Cottage, Clarendon, community I take umbrage to the criticism that some politicians have levelled at Food For the Poor.

The management of Food For the Poor has done, and continues to do a wonderful job providing housing and other assistance to Portland Cottage, Clarendon, and other communities across Jamaica.

These politicians are fuming because the cannot dictate to the Food For the Poor. The Management of Food For the Poor resists political interference. Some politicians want to steer housing to party supporters.

I say to these fuming politicians, provide the evidence of termite problems in the Food For the Poor houses.

The management of Food For the Poor should go public with the names of these politicians who are making demands of it for their party supporters — but I know they would not.

Continue to resist political interference, Food For the Poor, as you go about providing assistance to the most needy Jamaicans, regardless party affiliation.

Authnel Reid

reidaut@Icloud.com

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/letters/politicians-can-8217-t-manage-ffp-so-they-say-grapes-sour_100556?profile=1234

Senior cop urges elderly to be ‘extremely careful’

SUPERINTENDENT of Police Stephanie Lindsay has urged the elderly to be “extremely careful” as burglars are targeting senior citizens.Speaking at Monday’s Annual General Meeting of the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) held at the Phoenix Central Complex in St Andrew, the head of the Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) expressed deep concern about increasing attacks on Jamaica’s elderly.

The superintendent also warned that there were people posing as representatives of utility companies, so it was important to check their ID cards.

She noted too that the problem of lonely seniors was compounded because many were afraid to venture out, depriving them of the social interaction that is considered important for their well-being.

According to Lindsay, identity theft is a growing problem, so she urged seniors to ensure that records of financial transactions are secured as the information on receipts can be used to commit fraud. She reminded members of CCRP that they may receive calls asking for banking and credit card information, and that no bank would be requesting this on the phone.

“No need to be polite — say ‘no’,” she urged. “In this case, to be rude is to be shrewd!”

She reminded the CCRP members to check their bank statements carefully and immediately report any strange activity, recommending that this be done in writing to have a record of these queries. The superintendent said any suspicion of fraud should be reported to the police.

Lindsay also said it was important to keep a close check on “incapacitated elderly”, as there have been incidents of abusive caregivers. She said that some people may be reluctant to speak out so friends and relatives should be very observant, checking for injuries and bedsores.

In the matter of motor vehicle accidents, the head of CCU recommended that CCRP members take a photo of the vehicle, ensuring that the car registration number is clear. They may give their name, but not their address; instead they could give the person the address of their insurance company and say they will meet them at the police station.

When out and about, she recommended that seniors: Go out with friends and family, not alone; walk purposely; walk down the middle of the sidewalk; keep purses close to the body and wallets in front pants pocket or jacket pocket; carry only cash, credit cards and ID that will be needed.

She advised, too, that if there is a hold-up, members should throw their wallet or handbag a distance away and run, screaming in the opposite direction. Under no circumstances should they resist giving up their valuables.

She suggested that seniors should: Use sturdy metal or solid wood doors and install deadbolt locks; light up entry doors and use motion detectors or floodlights; trim shrubbery around doors and windows and make sure their address is displayed for emergency purposes; give an extra key to a trusted neighbour.

She said that sometimes police have difficulty responding to calls because of lack of street signs and asked that citizens ensure that these are in place.

CCRP Board Director Vilma McDonald thanked Superintendent Lindsay for her timely and practical advice, while Executive Chairman Jean Lowrie-Chin noted that the organisation was deeply concerned about the issue of elder abuse, and that CCRP would be advocating for the passing of laws similar to those in the Child Care and Protection Act to ensure the well-being of Jamaica’s elderly.

CCRP’s membership has reportedly grown to 1,940, with 91 discount partners, since its inception in 2010. The special Major Medical Health Insurance plan offered by Sagicor has reportedly saved members millions in health costs.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/senior-cop-urges-elderly-to-be-8216-extremely-careful-8217-_100446?profile=1373

Senior Cop

Mullings, Whyte Set For Fierce Contender Clash

Canadian boxer Larone Whyte will try to continue his role of giant killer tonight, when he clashes with Jamaica’s Sakima Mullings, the No. 1 seeded boxer in this year’s competition and Contender Welterweight champion in 2014.

The contest this year is in the junior middleweight division with an upper weight limit of 154 pounds. The bout is scheduled for five rounds and will take place at the Chinese Benevolent Association auditorium on Old Hope Road in St Andrew. The card starts at 8.30 p.m. with two amateur bouts, and the main event starts at 9.30, and will be broadcast live on Television Jamaica.

Whyte has had only three professional fights, but he has won them all. In the preliminary round of the competition, he fought hard and furious to edge Devon Moncriffe, the 2013 champion.

With a blistering final round, and after emerging from the fray, he declared, “I am fit and ready to go all the way.”

Mullings, who has a 20-3 record, is going into tonight’s fight supremely confident, and cannot see himself losing to Whyte.

SPECIALISED TRAINING

Having drawn the first fight in the preliminary round, which took place on April 5, he has had the opportunity to get in a lot of specialised training, and was able to watch his opponent go up against Moncriffe. His camp has stated that they learnt a lot from that fight and will be using it judiciously tonight.

Mullings has also been paying a lot of attention to his conditioning, and will be in much better shape than he was in the first fight.

In his first fight against Winston Matthews, he was not as dominant as expected. His opponent had only a 1-0-2 record, but he stayed in the fight and made it very competitive. Mullings took off time to do some clowning in that fight, but if he makes that mistake tonight, it could cost him, as Whyte has shown that he is a no-nonsense fighter.

Against Moncriffe, he lost the first two rounds, but dug deep, and in an action-packed final stanza, did enough to earn the votes of the judges. He declared yesterday that he is “not intimidated by Sakima’s record. What happens in the ring is what determines the outcome, and I am coming to fight.”

Mullings, too, was very confident and sees the fight against Whyte tonight as just another step up the ladder to his second title.

Tonight’s clash promises to be one of the best in the series to date.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20170531/mullings-whyte-set-fierce-contender-clash

Mullings, Whyte kickstart Contender semi-final round

The Wray and Nephew 2017 ‘Best of the Best’ Contender Boxing series, that pits Team Jamaica against Team Canada for a share of $3 million and the title of Jamaica’s Junior Middleweight Contender, moves into its semi-final stages tonight, with the activities set to start at 8:30.

Team Jamaica’s number one seed Sakima Mullings, who opened the contest at the preliminary stage, will again do likewise entering the semi-final phase.

Mullings, a skilled competitor with some 23 fights under his girth— inclusive of 20 wins against three defeats, will face Team Canada’s undefeated Larone Whyte in tonight’s main event at the Chinese Benevolent Association(CBA) auditorium at 8:30 pm.

Though undefeated, Whyte has only three fights to his credit and is up against a fighter with a superior ring record of not only 20 more fights, but also 20 wins as well.

To the onlooker this should mean a walkover victory for Mullings, but he is not taking his competitor for granted.

“No fight is easy before it is fought. I am here for the long haul. Every man of worth believes in himself and in his ability to endure, and when the bell goes each warrior is on his own. This means that I cannot go into a fight such as this, in the Contender expecting favours.

“I am here to defend why I am here and my guess is that my opponent will endeavour to do likewise. I am looking forward to a good Contender and let us see how it turns out from here in,” Mullings said.

Mullings and Whyte both scored different victories in their opening bouts to reach the second stage of the Contender series. For his part, Mullings removed Winston “The Punisher” Matthews with a unanimous decision, while it took a close split decision to get Whyte across the line against former Contender champion Devon “Concrete” Moncrieffe.

Whyte, who at the time looked a bit ring rusty in his close decision against Moncrieffe, declared after the fight that he will return to the gym immediately following his victory, as there were a few grey areas that were short of work and needed critical attention.

Both fighters would now be fighting for one of four semi-final spots going five rounds, and the Canadian wasted little time in getting back into the gym to have his act streamlined. This could, therefore, see the undefeated rookie of three fights returning to the CBA a much- improved performer against Sakima Mullings.

One of two amateur fights will open the customary three-fight card at 8:30 pm, with the junior middleweight main event between Mullings and Whyte scheduled to rumble at approximately 9:45 pm.

This will follow half-hour or so of a live stage show that primes the audience for an entertaining main event. Which will accompanied by a review of immediate past events along with a preview of and comments from the boxers who will fight in the feature.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/mullings-whyte-kickstart-contender-semi-final-round_100432?profile=1511

Retiree Group Calls For Law To Protect Elderly

With 201 senior citizens murdered between 2014 and 2016, a call has been made from the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) for legislation that would give the elderly protection, similar to children under the Child Care and Protection Act.

Making the plea was Jean Lowrie-Chin, CCRP president, who told The Gleaner that specific amendments are needed to the law protecting the elderly, suggesting the new law be called the Elderly Protection Act.

“These most worthy persons in our society are increasingly susceptible to crime, violence and abuse, so we are looking at what could be called the Elderly Protection Act, something very similar to the Child Care and Protection Act to stop this level of abuse of our seniors,” Lowrie-Chin said.

The suggestion was made at yesterday’s annual general meeting at the group’s Phoenix Avenue offices, where members were given a breakdown of audited statements on the financial health of the organisation and the way forward.

“We have been getting lots of reports about elder abuse and because we are getting these reports, we realise that we need to strengthen laws to protect them. It’s our duty and a great responsibility,” Lowrie-Chin said.

Members of the organisation and senior attorneys Peter Mais and Ambassador Aloun Assamba will be charged with making recommendations to Shahine Robinson, minister of labour and social security.

Major Concern For Police

In the meantime, Superintendent of Police Stephanie Lindsay said she will support calls for the establishing of legislation that seeks to add volume to the current law in protecting the elderly.

She said that police data showed that crime against senior citizens, while being low in comparison to the general population, remained a major point of concern for the police.

“I support any call that protects our elderly. I will always stand in support of any legislation that seeks to protect the senior citizens in the society. I think it’s very important and something we need at this time,” Lindsay said.

In recent weeks, attacks on seniors have been a cause for concern in Jamaica, with two elderly women being murdered within a two-day period.

paul.clarke@gleanerjm.com

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20170530/retiree-group-calls-law-protect-elderly

Holness slaps MPs – PM says criticism of Food For the Poor houses unfortunate

PRIME Minister Andrew Holness effectively slapped Members of Parliament (MP) from both his Jamaica Labour Party and the Opposition People’s National Party who last week tore into Food For the Poor (FFP) for what they claimed were poor quality houses being built for less fortunate Jamaicans under a partnership with the Government.

Food For the Poor, which came out in strong defence of the cost and quality of the houses it has been building for decades following the attack by MPs at a parliamentary committee meeting last Wednesday, took its concern to the highest level of Government when it sought a meeting with the prime minister to discuss the scathing remarks against the country’s largest charity organisation.

In a Jamaica House release yesterday following a meeting with Food For the Poor Jamaica Chairman Andrew Mahfood and his deputy Chris Bicknell, Holness said it was “unfortunate” that some Government MPs may have addressed any issue with FFP in a manner that “seemed confrontational”.

He said that was not the position of his Administration, and noted the long partnership between successive administrations and the charity.

The prime minister, meanwhile, has instructed the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation to begin negotiations with FFP for a new contract, ahead of the August expiry date of the existing five-year joint venture agreement. Under the agreement, FFP is to build 1,200 two-bedroom wooden houses per year, which is given free of cost to the poor across the island.

Concerns and criticisms from the MPs at a meeting of the Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee of Parliament with principals of the Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) programme last Wednesday ranged from the cost per unit to the quality of the structures.

In addition, one MP alleged that the houses were termite-infested and that the cost to the Government was too much, while some some suggesting that the houses could be built for less.

FFP and the Government each bear half of the US$6,400 per unit.

There were also concerns by MPs, including State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Everald Warmington, that parliamentary representatives were unaware of the people in the constituencies who were benefiting from the housing programme. Warmington said in his constituency of St Catherine South Western he had found that some of the beneficiaries listed did not reside there.

He also explicitly stated that FFP had been directed by the prime minister to cease the construction of houses when the previous Government’s Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme was replaced by HOPE last September. Mahfood, in a Jamaica Observer interview last week, denied that FFP had been so instructed. Holness did not address that matter in the release issued yesterday by Jamaica House.

Holness, apparently trying to prevent a fallout between his Administration and FFP, said: “Government values the partnership with Food For the Poor. This partnership has my full support as it affords needy Jamaicans a home with modern amenities which is delivered well below market rate at no cost to the recipient.”

“Jamaica is grateful to Food For the Poor, which has mobilised international help in delivering its services in Jamaica…. Food For the Poor has an excellent track record of delivering houses well below market rate,” added Holness.

Meanwhile, Mahfood reiterated his organisation’s commitment to building houses for the poor and destitute. “The quality of work done on our housing projects is of a high standard. FFP is committed to being of service to the needy in Jamaica and we continue to collaborate with the Government,” Mahfood said.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/front-page/holness-slaps-mps-pm-says-criticism-of-food-for-the-poor-houses-unfortunate_100356?profile=1606

Jamaica top Panama in Pro-Am boxing series

Jamaica amateur boxing made a bold statement that it is on target for World Championship Box-Off success in another two weeks or so with a stunning but confident 3-1 win over Panama in an international friendly Pro-Am six-fight card at the Barbican Beach Complex on Saturday night.

The four-fight amateur card between the two countries was conducted over four three- rounders of three minutes duration and Panama, one of the rulers of the sport in the region, opened briskly by drawing first blood.

Johnathan Miniel wasted little time in putting away Marvin Shea, in the opening bout of two lightweight contests, with a unanimous decision.

Jamaica, however, took control of the next three bouts. They started off when Sanjay Williams levelled things with a unanimous victory decision over Leonel Gutterrez in the second lightweight match.

Janathan Hanson then impressed by outscoring Luis Hernandez to come away with another healthy, unanimous decision to take the competitive middleweight division.

In the super heavyweight division, Jamaica’s Ricardo Brown fought gallantly against Ronaldo Bennett to reward Jamaica with their third unanimous decision win, for an overall 3-1 victory to send the country’s amateur contingent off to the World Championship Box-Off in Honduras next month with anticipation.

“This is a great morale booster for the Jamaica Team going into the World Championship Box-Off in the next two weeks. To score such a commanding win against Panama, a country that leads the region in amateur boxing, is saying a lot for Jamaica’s amateur boxing, considering that we in Jamaica have to work and train while those guys in Panama live in the gym and are properly fed,” says National Coach Gilberr Vaz.

“We in Jamaica need assistance with better equipment and improved facilities that could help to improve our boxing skills. We have the material (but) what we need is help to move it forward,” he added.

— Hurbun Williams

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/jamaica-top_100229?profile=1511

That attack on Food For the Poor

Amidst the poverty and need for better infrastructure and improved services there are still many needy Jamaicans who benefit from the generosity of agencies, charity organisations and churches.Indeed, we hold that social conditions would be much worse were it not for the efforts of these entities, and indeed individuals, who daily spare a thought for the less fortunate. This newspaper and other media have reported and continue to share the stories of these acts of humanity which, in most cases, have changed the lives of recipients for the better.

One such organisation is Food For the Poor Jamaica (FFP), a branch of Food For the Poor Inc based in Florida, United States, and which partners with stakeholders including non-governmental and private sector organisations on housing, sanitation, education, outreach, and agriculture.

The work done by FFP is sustained by donations filtered from its parent company, which is the largest international relief and development organisation in the USA.

We recall that the organisation started out with food donations, but soon realised that that alone was not going to solve poverty issues. As such, FFP ventured into other areas of critical need.

The charity has built scores of public schools and operates a free health centre at St Joseph’s Hospital in Kingston serving approximately 10,000 patients each year. Additionally, FFP builds about 1,200 houses annually, which was apparently one of the reasons for the previous Government entering into a partnership with the organisation under the State’s Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP).

At the time we were told that, under that arrangement, the island’s 63 constituencies were required to provide FFP with 10 names each for whom the charity would build houses, after its investigation showed that there was indeed a need for shelter.

Of significance is the fact that if FFP was not provided with names it would continue with its building programme nonetheless, as its focus was on helping the less fortunate, regardless of where those people live.

In other words, the organisation’s programme is apolitical, and probably that’s the real problem that some parliamentarians, on both sides of the House, have. What other conclusion could we draw after hearing Mr Leslie Campbell, the representative for St Catherine North Eastern, arguing that he could build a house for half the price projected by FFP?

“My preference would be for those allocations to be given directly to the MP who can use local labour to achieve better results,” Mr Campbell said during last week’s meeting of Parliament’s Infrastructure and Physical Development Committee.

The chairman of that committee, Mr Mikael Phillips, was also very strident in his criticism of the charity, claiming that it has built units with defects that make them uncomfortable for humans.

Other members of the committee, claiming that they were only concerned about value for money, sought to convince us that they were not trying to discredit FFP. However, we ask them what they thought they were doing by making the claim about substandard units as well as the suggestion of exorbitant architectural fees.

We would not be surprised if FFP, after the current contract with the Government expires, decides against entering into a new agreement.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/that-attack-on-food-for-the-poor_100246?profile=1100