分类： society

In an inspiring display of community spirit and police dedication, senior Jamaica Information Service journalist Garfield Agnus has publicly commended officers from the Lacovia Police Station for their exceptional assistance during a distressing situation in November 2025. The incident occurred while Agnus was covering hurricane relief efforts in St Elizabeth parish following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa the previous month.

While traveling through a remote area to document a relief initiative led by Clarendon’s Custos Rotulorum Edith Chin, Agnus’s vehicle experienced critical electrical failure, leaving him stranded with valuable equipment in an isolated location. Despite the frightening circumstances and suggestions to abandon his assignment, the journalist persevered, emphasizing the vital importance of informing the public about available post-hurricane support programs.

After completing his coverage with help from a Good Samaritan, Agnus sought assistance at the Lacovia Police Station. Corporal Donna Roberson demonstrated remarkable initiative by making numerous calls to locate towing resources, eventually finding community member Junior Pusey who provided rope for the operation. Corporal Patrick Simpson then towed the vehicle with Pusey’s additional help in pushing the car to secure parking at the station.

The officers’ compassion extended further when Corporal Roberson personally sourced and paid a technician from her own funds without consulting Agnus, recognizing the repair job exceeded the journalist’s immediate capabilities. This selfless act drew praise from local community members who witnessed the exceptional service.

In recognition of their outstanding dedication beyond normal duties, Agnus coordinated with Caribbean/African diaspora organization The Pollyanna Project to provide gift packages to the officers and Pusey. Executive Director Donna Moore Stewart emphasized the organization’s commitment to recognizing emergency workers who demonstrate selflessness and dedication to their fellow citizens, highlighting this incident as exemplary of such service.

The officers expressed appreciation for the recognition, while Agnus reflected on the rarity of such comprehensive kindness in everyday life, noting how the collective effort restored his faith in community-police relationships during challenging times.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican Government has initiated a comprehensive National Energy Poverty Reduction programme, targeting approximately 2,700 households in its initial phase. Announced by Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Daryl Vaz, the ambitious $1 billion JMD project aims to address critical energy infrastructure damage following Hurricane Melissa.

Minister Vaz, speaking at a recent post-Cabinet briefing at Jamaica House, detailed the multifaceted approach to restoring safe and reliable electricity access. The programme encompasses three primary components: comprehensive house wiring, essential minor building repairs, and official Electrical Regulator certification services. These measures are specifically designed to regularize electricity access for vulnerable communities while ensuring full compliance with national safety standards.

According to the Minister’s breakdown, 1,542 households are currently receiving combined support packages that include both structural repairs and electrical system upgrades alongside Government Electrical Regulator (GER) certification. An additional 1,200 households are benefiting from entirely new house-wiring installations aimed at establishing formal grid connections. Beyond these direct interventions, approximately 6,000 households will receive complimentary inspection and certification services to facilitate safe reconnections to the national grid.

The financial allocation reflects the programme’s substantial scope: $462 million JMD dedicated to the 1,542 households receiving comprehensive support, while new wiring installations and GER certification services each command $180 million JMD allocations. Households benefit through government grants ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 JMD depending on the specific requirements of each case.

The energy recovery initiative, developed in collaboration with Jamaica Public Service (JPS), represents a coordinated governmental effort to accelerate post-disaster rehabilitation. Minister Vaz emphasized the programme’s significance as part of a “joined-up approach” utilizing all available resources to ensure efficient recovery. The extensive works are projected for completion between February and April 2026.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Zantaye Thomas, recently crowned valedictorian of the University of the West Indies Mona Campus’ Faculty of Humanities and Education, is channeling her academic excellence into transformative advocacy for Jamaica’s deaf community. The 23-year-old graduate, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Marketing and Communication with a minor in Sign Language, has declared her intention to become a professional sign language interpreter to address critical communication barriers.

Thomas identified a severe shortage of qualified interpreters throughout Jamaica as a primary motivation for her career path. “I want to become one of those qualified interpreters to help bridge that language gap,” she stated, emphasizing the urgent need for improved accessibility between deaf and hearing communities.

Her commitment extends beyond theoretical studies. Thomas established and currently serves as executive director of Sign Clubs of Jamaica, an organization that mobilizes high school and university students to promote sign language literacy and cultural awareness through community outreach programs.

Securing the valedictorian honor represented the culmination of deliberate effort, having placed this ambitious objective on her 2023 vision board. The announcement triggered an emotional response. “I cried a lot because it was just a sense of relief that the hard work paid off,” Thomas recalled.

Her university journey included significant leadership roles, beginning with a guild position campaign in her first year and evolving into her service as the Faculty of Humanities and Education Guild representative during the 2023–2024 academic year. Thomas openly acknowledged encountering academic challenges, including one semester where she missed the dean’s list, requiring strategic refocusing to regain her trajectory.

Professionally, Thomas is currently developing her expertise as a management trainee at First Global Bank, a GraceKennedy Group subsidiary. She simultaneously nurtures aspirations in media, with long-term ambitions of hosting on Jamaican television. Expressing profound national pride, she aims to enhance Jamaica’s global reputation through her multifaceted work.

“I just really want to build brand Jamaica,” Thomas affirmed.

She offers pragmatic advice to current students, encouraging maximal engagement with university life through involvement in activities, developing resilience, and cultivating strong support networks.

Jamaica’s spirit of solidarity shone brightly as the 28th annual Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run achieved a historic fundraising milestone, generating over $152 million for western schools devastated by Hurricane Melissa. The event, themed ‘Run for the West,’ attracted an unprecedented 30,939 participants whose collective efforts pushed the charity’s lifetime contributions beyond the $1 billion mark since its inception in 1999.

Five educational institutions—Green Pond High School, Hopewell High, Little London High, Salt Marsh Primary and Infant School, and Mayfield Primary and Infant School—were selected as beneficiaries after sustaining severe infrastructure damage during last October’s hurricane. Classroom structures, roofing systems, and sanitation facilities across these schools require urgent reconstruction, creating challenging learning environments for months.

School administrators expressed profound emotional reactions to the overwhelming national support. Green Pond High Principal Oraine Ebanks described being moved to tears witnessing the massive turnout, stating the funding would ‘transform the reality’ for students and staff. Acting Principal Venesha Brown-Gordon of Salt Marsh Primary reported being ‘elated and in awe’ as participation numbers and donations exceeded all expectations.

Christopher Zacca, President and CEO of Sagicor Group Jamaica, emphasized the achievement reflects the extraordinary compassion and unity of Jamaicans worldwide. ‘Crossing the $1-billion mark is not just a record-breaking milestone, it is a testament to the collective spirit of the Jamaican people,’ Zacca noted, highlighting how the event demonstrates transformative community impact when citizens unite for shared purposes.

The fundraising success represents more than financial assistance—it signifies a psychological turning point for educators who have operated under considerable duress since the natural disaster. Beyond physical repairs, the national gesture communicates powerful encouragement to students and teachers, reinforcing their value within the broader societal framework.

Notable participants included Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Finance Minister Fayval Williams, and entertainer Ding Dong, alongside corporate teams, uniformed groups, and citizens of all ages. The event’s resounding success ensures significant infrastructure improvements while strengthening community resilience through Jamaica’s strongest tradition: collective care in times of crisis.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) has issued an official statement vehemently denying the authenticity of a counterfeit communication circulating within public domains. The fraudulent document, which improperly utilized the JTA’s official logo, falsely claimed that educators had secured an immediate 50% salary enhancement alongside incremental payment arrangements.

In a formal media release, the association explicitly disavowed the fabricated announcement, clarifying that it constitutes neither official communication nor reflects any legitimate stance of the JTA. The organization has strongly condemned the creation and distribution of this misleading correspondence, characterizing it as a deliberate attempt to misinform both educators and the general public.

The JTA emphasized that authentic negotiations with the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service remain ongoing through proper diplomatic channels. The association’s president is expected to provide membership updates regarding compensation discussions at the appropriate time through verified communication platforms.

Additionally, the JTA reminded stakeholders that all legitimate association communications are disseminated exclusively through authorized channels and will consistently identify responsible officers or authorized correspondence owners. The association noted that official documents may incorporate proper signatures and adhere to established authentication protocols to ensure validity.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, three Jamaican schools are pioneering a new model of climate-resilient education through a $4 million solar energy initiative by the Sandals Foundation. The philanthropic organization has completed the first phase of a strategic energy resilience project at Cove Primary School in Hanover, along with Kings Primary and Infant and Culloden Infant schools in Westmoreland.

Heidi Clarke, executive director of Sandals Foundation, emphasized the program’s sustainable approach: ‘Our restoration efforts prioritize durable technologies that provide operational flexibility. We’re implementing these solutions on a phased basis, beginning with immediate needs while planning for expanded solar capabilities as permanent structures are rebuilt.’

The impact has been transformative for school operations. At Kings Primary and Infant School, Principal Marcia Tatham-Miller reported that solar panels maintain lighting and power essential equipment during outages. ‘It makes us feel hopeful and empowered,’ she noted.

The technology has proven particularly crucial in the Whitehouse community, which endured three and a half months without grid power. Culloden Infant Principal Michelle Whittingham detailed how solar energy enables refrigerator operation for school lunches and ice cream treats, photocopy services to replace storm-damaged textbooks, and computer charging for teachers.

Even previously installed solar systems required reinforcement. At Cove Primary in Hanover, where hurricane damage destroyed existing panels, Principal Patrice Campbell advocated for renewable energy as essential infrastructure: ‘With increasingly frequent severe weather events, schools must be built to withstand the future. Renewable energy reduces operational costs while ensuring learning continues during emergencies.’

The initiative represents a comprehensive approach to disaster recovery, combining immediate modular classrooms with long-term sustainable energy solutions that protect both educational continuity and institutional budgets.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Transforming profound personal tragedy into a force for communal healing, Denise Johnston has established the Pamella Sunrise Foundation to support victims of gun violence and trauma. Her inspiration stems from devastating personal losses that began in 1987 when armed assailants shot her mother in their Fairfield Road home. The violence escalated nine months later when her sister, Constable Pamella Johnston, became the first female police officer in Jamaica killed in the line of duty after being raped and murdered by gunmen who boarded a public bus in Greendale. Another passenger, Fendel Pearson, was fatally shot during the same incident in front of his eight-year-old daughter.

Johnston describes the enduring nature of such trauma: “It’s not something you just get over. Without knowing the extent of your pain, people keep asking in disbelief if you’ve not gotten over it yet, why haven’t you healed as yet…and why is it taking you so long.” She recalls her sister as “the glue of the family” whose death shattered their family unit, making it painfully difficult for them to even occupy the same room together.

After carrying this pain for more than two decades, Johnston relocated to California following the parole granted to one of her sister’s murderers, whom she was unexpectedly asked to pardon. This geographical shift eventually led her to seek grief counseling through Christian ministry, which became the catalyst for establishing her faith-based organization.

The Pamella Sunrise Foundation, launched in December 2024 with operations in both California and Jamaica, provides specialized support through licensed therapists who are also Christians, with particular emphasis on children affected by violence. “One of the reasons why the foundation places an emphasis on children is because that troubled child could want to grow up and be different,” Johnston explained. “We are about changing the mind, changing emotional patterns.”

The foundation’s programs focus on understanding grief, achieving closure, and navigating the complex terrain of forgiveness. In a remarkable demonstration of this principle, Johnston forgave the daughter of one of her sister’s killers after the woman sought forgiveness through a TikTok video in 2024. They subsequently met, prayed together, and agreed to collaborate through the foundation to address the generational impact of violence.

“How could I not want to forgive…it is not for me to be hanging on to unforgiveness,” Johnston reflected. “She wants what’s different for her family — and not for them to go the route of her father. It doesn’t have to be that because you have killed someone for me I have to kill someone for you.”

The organization plans to expand its reach through camps and workshops in selected communities, training advocates for counseling while strengthening collaborations with the private sector, law enforcement, correctional services, educational institutions, and government ministries. Johnston summarizes their mission: “We aim to change the lives and the stories of people who have been disadvantaged by gun crimes from pain and defeat to promise and purpose.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a significant relief effort following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa, the Kiwanis Club of Downtown Kingston has mobilized substantial medical resources for Jamaica’s strained healthcare infrastructure. The catastrophic Category 5 hurricane struck the island on October 28, 2025, leaving widespread destruction that severely impacted medical facilities across the nation.

The comprehensive aid package, with an estimated value of US$100,000 (approximately J$15 million), arrived via a 40-foot shipping container and has been strategically distributed to three major public healthcare institutions: St Joseph’s Hospital, Kingston Public Hospital, and Victoria Jubilee Hospital. These facilities have been operating under extreme pressure since the hurricane’s landfall, particularly in serving vulnerable patient populations.

The medical equipment donation encompasses critical care technology including electrocardiogram (ECG) machines, blood pressure monitors, stress testing equipment, and IV poles. The shipment also contained essential medical consumables such as examination gloves (vinyl and nitrile varieties), bandages, gauze, and specialized cleaning products for medical environments. Recognizing the broader healthcare needs, the donation included mobility assistance devices like crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs, alongside practical patient care items including bed socks, adult and infant diapers, and baby wipes.

Beyond hospital supplies, the initiative incorporated disaster relief components for families in western Jamaica who suffered substantial property losses during catastrophic flooding. These community support items comprised clothing and footwear for adults and children, infant garments and feeding bottles, protective tarpaulins, potable water, multi-purpose towels, and electrical extension leads.

The complex logistics and procurement operation was coordinated by the Kingston-based service organization in partnership with medical professionals and international collaborators. Club representatives have confirmed that additional donation initiatives are currently in development, forming part of a sustained commitment to reinforce healthcare capabilities and support long-term community rehabilitation efforts throughout Jamaica’s recovery period.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Catherine’s Peak Pure Spring Water has reaffirmed its commitment to Jamaica’s largest charitable road race by extending its hydration partnership with the Sagicor SIGMA Corporate Run/Walk through 2026. This announcement solidifies a 28-year collaboration that has become integral to the event’s operations.

The 2026 edition of the annual fundraiser, orchestrated by Sagicor Group Jamaica, continues its tradition of mobilizing massive public participation for national causes. This year’s event saw unprecedented engagement with over 30,000 registered participants. Strategic hydration stations were established along the race route, ensuring athletes remained properly hydrated throughout the physical challenge.

Beyond hydration services, the GraceKennedy Group subsidiary maintained a significant presence in the event village. Approximately 250 gift packages containing various Grace products were distributed to participants. Grace Foods further enhanced the participant experience by providing samples of their Grace Sardines canned products, offering nourishment alongside hydration.

The enduring partnership was celebrated by key representatives from both organizations. Catherine’s Peak Brand Manager Rochell Samuels-Black and Senior Beverages Brand Manager Allawney Bromley joined forces with Sagicor’s VP of Communications, Social Media and CSR, Nicole Campbell Robinson, to commemorate nearly three decades of collaborative community service.

Samuels-Black emphasized the philosophical alignment between the organizations: “Our alliance with SIGMA at Sagicor Group Jamaica is fundamentally built upon mutual dedication to health, wellness and societal contribution. For 28 years, we’ve had the honor of supporting countless participants while backing an initiative that creates measurable impact throughout Jamaican communities. Observing multiple generations uniting for a common purpose holds profound significance for our team.”

Event organizers acknowledged the indispensable role played by the hydration partner. Nicole Campbell Robinson noted: “Catherine’s Peak has served as a foundational partner since Sigma’s inception. Their consistent reliability, vibrant energy, and genuine commitment to community betterment have consistently enhanced the participant experience annually. Proper hydration is crucial for any athletic event, and Catherine’s Peak consistently delivers superior quality while embodying the event’s core ethos.”

Samuels-Black added: “SIGMA exemplifies corporate Jamaica’s collective power to elevate communities. As part of the GraceKennedy family, we take pride in having both Catherine’s Peak and Grace Foods support participants through both hydration and nutrition, strengthening our dedication to healthy living and national progress.”