作者： admin

For 39-year-old Sherdan Carr, surviving two years of homelessness in Jamaica’s capital has become a nightly battle for safety. He describes an existence where finding secure rest often means scaling buildings to sleep on rooftops, a desperate measure to avoid violent attacks that have become commonplace on Kingston’s streets.

Carr’s account reveals a harrowing reality where homeless individuals face perpetual threat, even from children, with incidents of rock-throwing and machete attacks occurring regularly. He recounts witnessing a Rastafarian man having his head bashed with stones while sleeping just weeks before Christmas, and speaks of another elderly man who had his throat slashed during a robbery.

Despite the brutality, Carr maintains hope for his future while advocating for systemic change. He identifies shelters as potentially dangerous environments where theft among residents is common and conditions often worse than the streets. His testimony suggests that improved shelter security and better facilities could encourage more homeless individuals to seek refuge indoors.

The scale of violence is substantiated by official records showing that between January 2021 and April 2023, twelve homeless people were subjected to extreme violence across multiple parishes, with eight incidents occurring in Kingston alone. Only one victim survived these attacks.

Government officials acknowledge the problem while claiming progress. Delroy Williams, State Minister in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, recently reported a significant reduction in abuse cases against homeless individuals. He made these remarks during World Homeless Day observances in October, emphasizing ongoing appeals to citizens to cease victimizing vulnerable populations.

The situation has created survival strategies among Kingston’s estimated 3,000 homeless residents, including sleeping in shifts with lookouts posted for protection. Both Carr and another street-dweller, Teleta Allen, confirm that stone-throwing attacks have become almost recreational for some perpetrators, highlighting the profound vulnerability of those living without shelter in Jamaica’s urban centers.

In an extraordinary display of resilience, William Knibb Memorial High School in Martha Brae, Trelawny, is proceeding with emergency reopening plans despite sustaining catastrophic damage estimated at $400 million from Hurricane Melissa. The hurricane’s fury left eight of the school’s nine buildings severely compromised, with widespread destruction of roofs, windows, furniture, and critical infrastructure.

Principal Linvern Wright has coordinated with Jamaica’s Ministry of Education to secure eight large tents that will serve as temporary classrooms, enabling a phased reopening process. The educational institution will welcome back Grade 11 students and sixth formers on Monday, with the remaining student population expected to return by Thursday. The school serves approximately 1,100 students from grades seven through sixth form.

Innovative temporary measures include using plywood and tarpaulins in layered configurations to create weatherproof learning environments. ‘We cover it first with 3×8 ply, then cover it with tarpaulins and ensure that it is flat so that even if rain falls, the water goes off,’ Wright explained, emphasizing that these are not mere temporary fixes but carefully engineered solutions.

The damage assessment reveals comprehensive destruction extending beyond classrooms to administrative offices, where staff were forced to dry important documents outdoors after the administration block lost its roof. The $400 million preliminary estimate includes complete replacement of fencing alone, projected to cost approximately $2.8 million, alongside destroyed electrical systems, technological infrastructure, doors, and windows.

Wright highlighted the profound emotional impact on the school community, noting that many families have simultaneously experienced job losses due to hotel closures, home destruction, and personal tragedies. He expressed particular concern about ensuring students receive meals through the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), recognizing that for some, school lunch might represent their only daily meal.

Despite the challenging circumstances, Wright stressed the critical importance of reopening for both academic recovery and psychological well-being. ‘They are not going to be 100 percent comfortable but we hope they’ll be 100 percent here…even just for the social and psychological well-being,’ he stated.

As president of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools, Wright indicated that educational institutions across Trelawny are employing various strategies to resume operations safely. He warned of the ‘significant gaps in learning that you can’t compensate for’ when students miss instructional time, emphasizing that the long-term effects of extended closures would be dire for educational outcomes.

Grounds crews worked through Friday afternoon removing hazardous debris, loose zinc sheeting, and preparing the compound for the students’ return, symbolizing the community’s determination to restore normalcy despite unprecedented challenges.

Jamaican religious authorities have issued a collective summons for national moral renewal and societal unity as the country enters 2026, framing recent hurricane devastation as divine warnings requiring immediate spiritual response.

Pastor Grace Ade Gold revealed she experienced prophetic dreams of flooding prior to Hurricanes Beryl and Melissa’s catastrophic impacts, interpreting these natural disasters as celestial signals for Jamaica to undergo profound cleansing. She cautioned that without genuine nationwide repentance, further calamities might ensue. “People are not repenting, and the flood might come up back again,” Ade Gold warned the Jamaica Observer, emphasizing the urgent need for spiritual vigilance.

The religious leader drew parallels between contemporary Jamaican society and ancient Israel, citing specific concerns about increasing acceptance of occult practices and LGBTQ+ advocacy. She challenged church members to overcome fear and vocalize opposition to these developments, invoking Timothy 1:7’s declaration that “God has not given us the spirit of fear.”

Jamaica Evangelical Alliance President Bishop Alvin Bailey acknowledged the church’s substantial disaster response efforts while calling for enhanced involvement in national discourse. He criticized relief programs tainted by political maneuvering, advocating for truly collaborative recovery efforts involving government, opposition parties, and private enterprises. “This year must be a year of decency, probity, hard work, rebuilding of our nation,” Bailey asserted, envisioning comprehensive national advancement.

Reverend Newton Dixon, General Secretary of the Jamaica Council of Churches, proposed a compassion-centered recovery model rooted in gospel principles. He urged businesses to maintain price stability protecting vulnerable populations and challenged political leaders to transform adversarial systems through authentic consultation and cooperation.

Human rights advocate and Anglican priest Sean Major Campbell projected significant global power shifts in 2026, advising Caribbean nations to exercise diplomatic prudence. He emphasized regional vulnerability to superpower dynamics and urged strategic preparation for emerging multipolar world arrangements.

Collectively, these religious voices articulated a vision for national restoration combining spiritual renewal with practical governance reforms, positioning moral regeneration as essential for Jamaica’s physical and societal reconstruction.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation last October, a community event in Jamaica has provided profound emotional relief for affected families. Patricia McPherson, whose St. Elizabeth home was damaged by the hurricane, found unexpected therapy at the New Year’s Day Funfest held at Hope Gardens.

McPherson, currently residing with relatives in Hope Pastures, attended with her children Kylie and Kyle. She described the experience as therapeutic—the first genuine happiness her family had experienced since the natural disaster. ‘This is the first time since the hurricane that they seem so happy,’ McPherson told the Jamaica Observer, noting how completely her children became immersed in the attractions.

The festival represented a massive coordinated effort toward community healing. Event organizers transformed Hope Gardens into an entertainment paradise featuring bounce-a-bouts, zip lines, water slides, gaming stations, and dedicated fun zones. A vibrant food court offered diverse Jamaican cuisine including jerked meals, curried goat, stewed pork, and traditional pastries.

On the main stage, host Ryan ‘Debonaire’ Dixon orchestrated an engaging program including sponsor give-aways, dance and singing competitions, mascot performances, and an acrobatic contortionist. Gospel artist Kevin Downswell electrified the audience with inspirational performances of ‘Goodbye World’ and ‘Stronger’ that transformed the crowd into a spontaneous choir.

Shanelle Bailey, Funfest’s social media and entertainment coordinator, explained the intentional design behind the event: ‘In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa we knew it was important to create more than just an event—we wanted to create a moment of relief, joy, and renewal for families.’ She noted the overwhelming community response demonstrated the deep need for such healing experiences.

The festival successfully created an atmosphere where families could temporarily forget their struggles and reconnect through shared joy. For many attendees, including first-time participants like young Gabrielle and her mother Sandra, the event represented a hopeful beginning to the new year—a symbolic fresh start after months of recovery challenges.