分类： society

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.

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.

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.

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.

ST ANDREW, Jamaica – A high-profile alleged gang leader was fatally shot during a police operation in the Red Hills area of St Andrew on Saturday morning. The deceased, identified as 40-year-old Kevin Rouldson, also known as ‘Bingie’, was reportedly a prominent member of the notorious Bottom York Avenue Gang. According to police reports, the incident occurred during an intelligence-driven mission in the Golden Acres neighborhood. Rouldson allegedly opened fire on the officers, prompting an exchange of gunfire that resulted in his death. Law enforcement officials recovered a 9mm firearm at the scene. Rouldson was a suspect in multiple serious crimes, including murders, shootings, and car thefts in the Waltham Park and Cockburn Pen areas. His death marks a significant development in ongoing efforts to combat gang-related violence in the region.

Authorities in Oregon are intensifying their efforts to locate a 78-year-old man who reportedly fell into a hole and remains missing since Tuesday. Thomas Weightman, who left his family home before 10 am, failed to return, prompting his family to report him missing around 5:30 pm. According to The Independent, Weightman called 911, informing police that he had fallen into a hole but was uncertain of his exact location. Despite deploying advanced techniques such as cell phone triangulation, law enforcement has yet to pinpoint his whereabouts in the remote area where he vanished. Local officials have raised concerns about the challenging terrain and plummeting temperatures, which are expected to drop to as low as 39 degrees. Weightman’s family revealed he was wearing a flannel shirt when he disappeared. As of Friday, search teams, including neighbors and over 10 agencies, have been utilizing drones, search dogs, and foot patrols to locate the elderly man. The search operation continues as the community remains hopeful for his safe return.

In a significant move to enhance disaster preparedness and public health resilience, the NCB Foundation, in collaboration with UNICEF Jamaica, has donated 400 Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Shelter Kits to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). Valued at J$14.8 million, the kits were officially handed over during a ceremony at ODPEM’s headquarters last Tuesday. This initiative is part of the broader Strengthening WASH Resilience to Climatic Events Post-Hurricane Beryl Programme, a J$43.8 million project aimed at supporting vulnerable communities across Jamaica. Perrin Gayle, CEO of NCB Foundation, emphasized the importance of compassion and preparedness in disaster recovery, stating that clean water and sanitation are critical for rebuilding efforts. Food for the Poor (FFTP), the executing partner, sourced the kits, which include essential items like disinfectants, soap, and sanitary supplies. Nakhle Hado, Director of Operations at FFTP, highlighted the life-saving impact of ensuring clean water and sanitation in shelters. Michelle Edwards, Acting Deputy Director General of ODPEM, expressed gratitude for the donation, noting its role in safeguarding lives during crises. The kits will be distributed to municipal corporations for allocation to shelters island-wide. UNICEF Jamaica, serving as a technical advisor, is working with local parish councils to ensure sustainable management of these resources. Mohammad Mohiuddin, UNICEF Jamaica’s Officer-in-Charge, underscored the initiative’s alignment with global sustainability goals, particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The project, funded by NCB Foundation, reflects a commitment to climate-smart, inclusive development and national disaster resilience.