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A recent report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative highlights the severe challenges faced by Caribbean nations, where deep inequalities and escalating climate risks are converging. The 2025 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, titled ‘Overlapping Hardships: Poverty and Climate Hazards’, underscores the dual burden of poverty and environmental threats in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Approximately 23.5% of the population in SIDS, or 13.6 million people, live in multidimensional poverty, which encompasses not only income but also access to education, health, housing, sanitation, and energy. While countries like Trinidad and Tobago and Cuba have achieved significant progress, with less than 1% of their populations living in poverty, Haiti remains one of the most impoverished nations globally, with over 40% of its population experiencing severe deprivations. The report also highlights regional disparities in Guyana, where poverty rates range from 0.1% to 23%. Common issues across the Caribbean include lack of clean cooking fuel, poor sanitation, inadequate housing, and unreliable electricity. Climate change exacerbates these vulnerabilities, with rising sea levels posing existential threats to low-lying coastal communities. The UNDP calls for integrated policies that address poverty reduction, climate adaptation, and sustainable development, emphasizing the need to prioritize both people and the planet to build resilient communities.

Chef Denval Daley’s life is a testament to the power of resilience, mentorship, and seizing opportunities. Born in Lionel Town, Clarendon, Jamaica, Daley’s journey from a small classroom to becoming a baking and pastry instructor at Hocking College in Ohio is nothing short of inspiring. His story is a blend of personal loss, unwavering determination, and the transformative impact of educators and mentors who believed in him.

Daley’s passion for food was ignited during his high school years at Garvey Maceo High School, where a simple Christmas baking experience sparked his dream of becoming a chef. His athletic talent later led him to St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), where a chance encounter in a food and nutrition class solidified his career path. Despite personal tragedies, including the loss of his mother, brother, and father, Daley found strength in the support of mentors like Jennette Berkeley and Mavis Taylor.

His academic journey took a pivotal turn when he joined the Western Hospitality Institute (WHI), where he earned degrees in Culinary Chef Management and Hospitality Management. WHI not only provided him with education but also practical experience, including running a campus restaurant and catering events. Daley’s career then took him to the United States, where he worked at Sunriver Resort in Oregon and the Boca Raton Resort in Florida before specializing in pastry arts at Hocking College.

Today, Daley is a celebrated pastry instructor, grateful for the mentors who shaped his path—from his sixth-grade teacher Flavia Williams to the late Fluorine Carpenter at STETHS, and Dr Cecil Cornwall at WHI. His story is a reminder that success is not just about talent but also about resilience, gratitude, and the willingness to embrace every opportunity.

October 25 marks the fourth anniversary of the reported death of Kevin Smith, the controversial self-proclaimed bishop who led the Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries in Albion, St James. Smith, who styled himself as ‘His Excellency,’ was revered by his followers, many of whom paid $100,000 each for entry into his ‘ark’—a supposed sanctuary from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the ark became a site of horror on October 17, 2021, when a ritual involving human sacrifice led to the fatal stabbing of two church members. The incident escalated into a stand-off with the Jamaica Constabulary Force, resulting in one congregant being shot dead and 42 others detained. Fourteen children were placed in State care, and Smith was taken into custody. On October 25, 2021, while being transported to face charges, the vehicle carrying Smith crashed on the Linstead bypass in St Catherine, killing him and police Constable Orlando Irons. Despite official reports of his death, the absence of a funeral or burial has fueled persistent speculation among his loyal followers that Smith may still be alive. The Jamaica Observer will delve into this haunting saga in a two-part documentary titled ‘Kevin Smith: Cult Pastor — Dead or Alive? The Story that Shook Jamaica,’ premiering on their YouTube channel on October 23 and 26.

Dr. Heather Ricketts, a prominent sociologist and dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at The University of the West Indies, has expressed cautious optimism about Jamaica’s efforts to eradicate absolute poverty by 2030. While acknowledging significant progress, she highlighted the persistent global instability—such as the Israel-Gaza conflict, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Haitian crisis—as potential obstacles to achieving this goal. These geopolitical tensions, she argued, could drive up the prices of goods and raw materials, exacerbating inflation and limiting people’s ability to afford basic necessities. Despite these challenges, Jamaica has made notable strides, reducing its absolute poverty rate to a historic low of 8.2% in 2023, down from 16.7% in 2021, and nearing its target of eradicating food poverty, which currently stands at 2.8%. Dr. Ricketts emphasized that absolute poverty, defined as the inability to meet basic survival needs like food, shelter, and healthcare, remains a critical issue. She stressed the importance of education, training, and certification as essential tools for breaking the cycle of poverty, noting that a significant portion of Jamaica’s workforce remains uncertified, limiting access to higher-paying jobs. Additionally, she called for the faster implementation of unemployment insurance and the expansion of social protection programs to support vulnerable groups, including the working poor and people with disabilities. While Jamaica’s macroeconomic stability and strengthened social protection systems are commendable, Dr. Ricketts underscored the need for continued efforts in education, training, and policy implementation to ensure the eradication of absolute poverty.

For months, a 63-year-old man in downtown Kingston called a cardboard box his home. Shielded only by a discarded plastic mattress wrap, he endured the elements, with Kingston Harbour serving as his makeshift bathroom. Dependent on sporadic meals from charitable organizations, he lived in absolute poverty, uncertain of his next meal. His life took a dramatic turn in 2003 when he found refuge at The Lord’s Place, a sanctuary run by the Missionaries of the Poor. Today, he has a stable job in landscaping, a roof over his head, and the ability to assist others experiencing homelessness.