A family of ten from Williamsville, left homeless after a devastating fire destroyed their two-storey home on Pooran Street on November 4, is expressing profound gratitude for the outpouring of public support. Elaine Mohammed, the 53-year-old matriarch and a cancer survivor, shared her heartfelt appreciation for the community’s generosity in an interview with Newsday on November 7. The family has already received essential grocery items and clothing from kind-hearted individuals. ‘I am grateful to all the people who reached out to us. Even if it is only one brick, we would be thankful, because if 100 people give one brick, that’s 100 bricks,’ Mohammed said. Despite the challenges, the family remains hopeful of rebuilding their home. Mohammed, who is unable to work due to her age and health condition, emphasized her reliance on faith and community support. Her husband, Kamaludin, is set to retire next month at the age of 60. The family, including their young grandchildren, is currently staying in a cramped room at the back of the damaged house. The fire, which broke out on the first floor while the family was on the ground floor, left them with nothing. Mohammed, overwhelmed by the incident, experienced a spike in her blood sugar and blood pressure, requiring emergency medical attention. ‘I was stressed. I had to be taken to the hospital because of my sugar and blood pressure,’ she recalled. Despite her health scare, Mohammed discharged herself to be with her family. The prompt response of the Mon Repos Fire Station contained the flames, but the family lost everything. Local officials, including Princes Town MP Aniya Ali and councillor Vincent Raghoo, visited the family to offer support. Those willing to assist can contact the family at 355-4449.
分类： society
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‘Only two new ankle bracelets successfully tampered with’
The Bahamas has witnessed a remarkable improvement in its electronic monitoring system for individuals on bail, with only two successful attempts at tampering reported under the Migrafill-managed system. National Security Minister Wayne Munroe highlighted this as a significant advancement in tightening bail supervision. This progress follows the government’s contentious decision in 2023 to terminate its contract with the previous provider and reinstate Migrafill Electronic Security, which had previously managed the program. The decision has coincided with a notable decline in murders involving individuals on bail, contributing to a broader reduction in the national murder rate. Minister Munroe emphasized the robustness of Migrafill’s technology, which provides immediate alerts to law enforcement when tampering is detected. He noted that the system also offers advanced features such as curfew reminders and the ability for individuals to report emergencies, ensuring a swift police response. The government’s decision to switch to Migrafill in March 2024 has proven effective, with murders involving individuals on bail dropping to 11 percent of total killings by the end of the year, a sharp decrease from 42 percent in November 2023. Munroe attributed this success to Migrafill’s advanced equipment and real-time communication capabilities, which have significantly enhanced the monitoring process.
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Portland cookshop feels the pinch of Melissa
PORTLAND, Jamaica — While the northeastern parish of Portland escaped the most severe impacts of Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica over a week ago, local businesses are still grappling with the aftermath. Ricardo ‘Ric Boss’ Oharo, a chef at a local cookshop, shared his struggles with Observer Online during a visit by the news team on Friday. Oharo noted that business has slowed significantly since the hurricane, as many residents have been unable to work due to storm-related disruptions affecting their employers. This has led to reduced spending in the community. Additionally, Oharo highlighted the rising operational costs, particularly the increased price of fuel needed to power the shop’s generator. Despite these challenges, he emphasized that his establishment remains affordable for customers. Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall on October 28 as a Category 5 storm with winds reaching 185 mph, caused widespread devastation across Jamaica, resulting in over 30 fatalities and leaving nearly 80% of Jamaica Public Service (JPS) customers without power. Many areas in Portland remain in darkness. Oharo expressed gratitude that Portland was spared major damage this time, recalling the severe impact of Hurricane Beryl in July last year. ‘We give God thanks still,’ he said. ‘Everything is intact, giving thanks!’
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Sher Luxury Doll provides relief to communities deeply affected by Hurricane Melissa
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Sherine Scarlett, a former dancer turned entrepreneur widely recognized as Sher Luxury Doll, is spearheading a crucial relief initiative for communities ravaged by Category Five Hurricane Melissa. Through her business, Sher Luxury Beauty, and with the aid of her supporters, Scarlett and her team have successfully delivered 500 care packages to families in the Westmoreland communities of Petersfield, Bluefields, and Savanna-la-Mar, as well as St Elizabeth.
In an interview with Observer Online on Friday, Scarlett expressed her deep empathy for those affected. ‘I hate to see kids crying and people crying, and I know that I can help,’ she said. She emphasized that her efforts are driven purely by personal philanthropy rather than organizational backing. ‘It’s not no bag of money, it’s just the goodness of my heart make mi a try fi help out because, trust me, the people need the help,’ she added.
Scarlett highlighted the unwavering support she has received from Jamaicans over the years, which motivates her to give back. ‘People support me naturally long before mi did stop dance… So for me, the support that they always giving me, and even now with my products— I ship products daily straight throughout Jamaica— so if I can give back from what they have given me, I have no problem doing that,’ she shared.
Her team is making a concerted effort to reach the most severely impacted areas, often venturing into remote and hard-to-access locations that larger relief vehicles cannot navigate. ‘Where we go, people say it’s the first they see people there. We’re going in the… crevices where we know them nah go get fi go…We’re using bus and cars and vans and we try to go in some areas that most persons are not gonna think to go to help. I would love to go back and try to go to more and more of those communities to help,’ Scarlett explained.
To sustain and expand her relief efforts, Scarlett is appealing for additional donations of food, water, sanitary products, clothing, blankets, tarpaulin, or cash. Interested donors can find more details on her Instagram pages, @sherluxurydolll or @sherluxurybeautybar, or contact her via WhatsApp at (876)-420-6016.
Scarlett’s hands-on approach has already made a significant impact, as she personally distributed essential supplies to children and families affected by the hurricane. Her dedication to helping those in need underscores the power of community-driven initiatives in times of crisis.
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Hurricane Melissa prompts TOBA Mixed Sale reschedule to December 7
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders’ Association of Jamaica (TOBA) has announced the rescheduling of its annual Mixed Sale to December 7, following the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Melissa. Originally slated for November 23, the event was postponed to allow consignors sufficient time to rehabilitate horses potentially impacted by the storm. The new date was strategically chosen to coincide with the US$300,000 Mouttet Mile, scheduled for December 6, ensuring optimal preparation and participation. Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful hurricane to ever hit Jamaica, inflicted severe damage on the island’s breeding sector. Notable among the affected were Orange Valley Estates Limited in Trelawny, owned by TOBA director Alec Henderson and his wife Jacqui, and YS Farm in St Elizabeth, managed by Dawn Browne. Both farms suffered extensive destruction, particularly in the western regions of the island, which bore the brunt of the hurricane’s force. The resilience of the industry is evident, as evidenced by the 2022 sale of Lot #104, a two-year-old filly by Soul Warrior – Lady Belridge, which fetched $2.1 million.
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Planet Water Foundation and ISRATECH to deliver water filtration systems for Melissa relief
KINGSTON, Jamaica—In a significant humanitarian effort, ISRATECH Jamaica, in partnership with the global non-profit Planet Water Foundation, has introduced six advanced AquaBlock emergency water filtration systems to aid communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa. These critical systems, capable of producing up to 57,600 gallons of potable water daily, were transported from Phoenix, Arizona, to Kingston, Jamaica, aboard a Boeing 737 humanitarian relief flight. This marks the largest single aid flight to Jamaica since the hurricane struck. The systems will be accessible to the public, addressing one of the most pressing needs in the recovery process. Benjamin Hodara, CEO of ISRATECH, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, ‘Each AquaBlock system embodies innovation and hope, designed for rapid deployment and long-term impact, supported by our technical expertise on the ground.’ The systems arrived at Norman Manley International Airport on Thursday, where they will be installed and maintained by a joint technical team from Planet Water Foundation and ISRATECH Jamaica, in coordination with local disaster response agencies. Mark Steele, founder and CEO of Planet Water Foundation, expressed his commitment to the cause, noting, ‘Each system can provide safe water for up to 6,000 people, and we are dedicated to delivering them swiftly to the most affected communities.’ This initiative is funded by Planet Water Foundation’s corporate partners, underscoring the collaborative effort to restore essential water infrastructure in high-impact areas identified by national disaster response teams.
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Parsard pledges November earnings to hurricane relief fund
In a remarkable act of generosity, renowned horse racing trainer Peter-John Parsard has pledged to donate all his earnings from November to the hurricane relief fund, aiding victims of the catastrophic Category 5 Hurricane Melissa. The hurricane, which struck Jamaica last week, unleashed sustained winds of over 185 miles per hour, torrential rains, and widespread devastation, particularly in the western parishes of St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, and St James. Thousands of families have been displaced, homes destroyed, and infrastructure severely damaged.
Parsard expressed his deep sorrow over the tragedy, stating, ‘The destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa is heartbreaking. Entire communities have been reduced to rubble, and the suffering of many Jamaicans is unimaginable. I may be just one person, but I believe in the power of collective action. If my earnings can provide even a small measure of relief to affected families, it’s worth every cent. This is not just charity—it’s a duty to stand with our people in their time of need.’
The Jamaican Government has launched an emergency relief fund to address the urgent needs of over 400,000 affected residents. The Support Jamaica Disaster Relief portal has outlined critical requirements, including clean water, non-perishable food, hygiene kits, and temporary shelter materials. Parsard has also appealed to the Jamaican Diaspora worldwide, urging them to contribute to the relief efforts. ‘Whether you’re in New York, London, Toronto, or Tokyo—if you carry Jamaica in your heart, now is the time to act. We’ve survived hurricanes like Charlie, Gilbert, and Ivan. We will survive Melissa, too, but only if we stand together,’ he emphasized.
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Nurse suspended for speaking out on PMH
A veteran nurse with 44 years of service, known only as ‘Sister Pearl,’ has been suspended for ten days after publicly highlighting severe issues at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) in a video. The nurse, a senior critical care professional, revealed problems such as leaking roofs, supply shortages, and rodent infestations, which she claims have worsened over time. Following the video’s release, she was subjected to restrictive measures, including being barred from traveling, entering the hospital except for medical care, and surrendering her ID band. She likened the treatment to being monitored with an ‘anklet bracelet,’ expressing feelings of being criminalized. The Public Hospital Authority (PHA) stated that the video violated its social media policies, prompting an investigation. However, the suspension has drawn widespread criticism, including from Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Michael Darville, who vowed to ensure fair treatment for the nurse. In an interview, ‘Sister Pearl’ criticized the PHA’s handling of her case, emphasizing the exhaustion and overwhelm among A&E nurses. She asserted that her video aimed to draw attention to longstanding issues rather than embarrass anyone. The PHA defended its actions, citing its social media policy’s emphasis on professionalism and confidentiality. Meanwhile, Bahamas Nurses Union president Muriel Lightbourn acknowledged the technical breach of the union’s contract but noted the nurse remains on paid leave. Former Health Minister Dr. Duane Sands condemned the suspension as an attempt to intimidate and silence a competent worker, highlighting the ongoing shortage of critical care workers and resource constraints at PMH.
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My horses are safe but my office needs urgent attention – Calder
As Hurricane Melissa’s fierce winds finally abated, seasoned horse trainer Linton Calder felt a wave of relief. His stables had endured the storm with minimal harm, ensuring the safety of his prized horses. However, Calder’s office, a space long in need of repairs, was not as fortunate. The hurricane only exacerbated existing issues, leaving the facility in dire need of urgent attention.
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Government eyes 500-acre Tamana Prison Campus
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has unveiled an ambitious ‘Revitalisation Blueprint’ aimed at transforming the nation’s historic prison facilities into vibrant cultural, economic, and residential spaces. The plan, launched on November 6, was presented to private sector representatives and diplomats at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s, signaling a call for both local and foreign investment.
Central to the initiative is the consolidation of all prisoners and select justice facilities into a state-of-the-art 500-acre Tamana Prison Campus, designed to house 6,000 inmates. This move is projected to save the State $60 million annually. The campus will feature a youth/juvenile detention center, agricultural facilities, training programs, and maximum-security units, all focused on education, reform, and reintegration. According to the TT Global Hub website, the project reflects the government’s commitment to fostering a fairer, more compassionate society.
Under the plan, the historic Carrera Prison Island will be redeveloped into a 75-room luxury resort, while the Port of Spain Prison will be transformed into an exhibition and event hall named ‘Dem Boyz Jail,’ inspired by the lyrics of the Mighty Shadow. The facility will include classrooms for artist education and workshops. The land currently occupied by the Golden Grove Prison will be repurposed for housing developments, featuring single-family homes, high-rise apartments, and townhouses.
In addition to these transformations, the government proposed the creation of a National Security Complex in Mt Hope to centralize national security operations. A South West Security Hub in Cedros will house the Coast Guard, Customs, and Immigration teams, with upgrades planned for the Coast Guard’s Staubles Bay and Teteron Barracks. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar described the initiative as a ‘bold modernization agenda’ essential for national security and economic growth. Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander also emphasized efforts to strengthen the TT Police Service by filling vacancies to combat crime effectively.