Impacting Jamaica

It's not likely to find an abundance of rose gardens in Rose Town, located in the bowels of Kingston's tough inner-city enclave. It is not difficult then for one to understand the daily challenges there, especially the youth. Christine Gore, director of the Phillip and Christine Gore Family Foundation, Christine Gore, talks about the efforts to transform the youth in this inner-city community. Valuable skills for employment is coming through a construction internship programme.

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Patrick Vernon is a social commentator, campaigner, cultural historian and author and has been at the forefront campaigning against social justice issues in the UK for over two decades.He has extensive experience working across mental health and the public sector. Additionally, he has been responsible for developing and leading processes looking at racism and racial inequality across society.Born in the UK to Jamaican parents, Vernon has campaigned tirelessly for those affected by the Windrush Scandal.

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The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is spending millions of US dollars over five years in Jamaica to steer the country’s youth away from crime and violence.Jamaica’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang said that today 75 per cent of the country’s young males under the age of 24 are susceptible to gang recruitment. USAID’s Positive Pathways Community Violence Prevention Programme can help solve that problem. Jason Frazer, the Country Representative for USAID in Jamaica, explains the programme.

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Godfather of Jamaica’s life insurance industry, prominent businessman and avid philanthropist, the Hon. R. Danny Williams tells us about his passion for success as well as helping those who are less fortunate. He talks of his dedication to raising funds for his alma mater Jamaica College, providing scholarships for young boys, including those in the community where he resides, as well as volunteering his service at numerous charitable and non-governmental organizations over the years.In fact, the distinguished business leader, who is former president, chief executive officer and chairman of Sagicor Group Jamaica, reveals that if he had the chance of starting over, he would take a longer shot at serving his country.

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Jamaicans all across North America are contributing in important ways to schools in Jamaica they once attended. Many alumni associations are members of the umbrella organization, the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations (UJAA), led by President Lesleyann Samuel. In the last few weeks, the membership showed their continued support for Jamaica by acquiring laptops and tablets valuing millions, shipped to schools for use by students who are largely attending classes remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Samuel points out that, “It is a fact that laptops, tablets, and iPads are now essential tools for teaching and learning, whether in the classroom or remotely. The member associations are intent on filling that need for their schools.”

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Charlett Porter, a pediatric nurse, has always had a huge heart for children. The loving Jamaican mother of four who now lives in Atlanta, Georgia, has often times also taken sick children who are on life support into her own home to provide care. Even though she currently lives in the US, she also continues to spearhead several outreach activities for children in Jamaica, including providing supplies, treats and now tablets to facilitate online learning during the week and encouragement and hope during Sunday School on the weekends. Charlett sits down with podcast host Shelly-Ann Harris for our Impacting Jamaica podcast series.

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Thousands of early childhood students and institutions are benefiting from the work of the PACE Canada. It has been helping Jamaica for over 30 years.Its president Diana Burke is recommitting to continue to support the country and its children. She says PACE Canada has kicked off a campaign to acquire 2,500 tablets for early childhood students. “We are excited to launch the ‘One Tablet per Child’ campaign,” she said, noting that these 5-to-6-year-old students need the ability to continue their learning and lessons at home until schools are again open for operations.”

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