The Veronica Campbell Brown Foundation has launched an urgent initiative to aid communities ravaged by Hurricane Melissa, with a special emphasis on enabling Jamaican high school girls to resume their education amidst the nation’s recovery. The Foundation, in collaboration with Food For The Poor and other corporate partners, is actively raising funds to provide immediate relief and deliver essential supplies to affected families.
分类： society
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SEWA TT to send over 1,000 food buckets to Jamaica
In a remarkable display of solidarity and compassion, approximately 150 volunteers from SEWA TT, a non-governmental organization, dedicated their Sunday to packing essential relief items for hurricane-stricken Jamaica. The event took place at the Divali Nagar site in Chaguanas, where volunteers meticulously filled plastic buckets with food staples, hygiene products, and other necessities. These buckets, designed to be sealable, pest-proof, and reusable, are set to be shipped to Jamaica later this week, aiming to reach those in dire need by early December.
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St Ann-based medical ganja farmer wants CLA’s help to boost production
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, licensed medical marijuana farmer Errol Whyte is grappling with significant losses, estimating damages in the millions of dollars. His one-acre ganja farm in Claremont, St Ann, was severely impacted by the storm. Despite the setback, Whyte, who has operated Mellow Bud Ganja Farms for five years, remains hopeful. He sees an opportunity for licensed ganja farmers in the northern and eastern regions of Jamaica to ramp up production and compensate for the losses suffered by their counterparts in the storm-ravaged southwestern areas. Whyte emphasizes the urgent need for the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) and the government to provide relief and support to affected farmers. ‘This isn’t just about me or a few farmers; it’s about the entire industry,’ he stated. Whyte believes that with adequate support, northern and eastern farmers can meet the rising demand for medical marijuana. He calls for a more proactive approach from the CLA to ensure the industry’s sustainability, highlighting the role of farmers as entrepreneurs and job creators. ‘We are committed to this industry, and we need the CLA to be committed to us,’ he asserted.
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Black River High charting a path for safe return of students
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s destructive impact on Jamaica’s southwestern coast, Black River High School is spearheading efforts to restore normalcy for its 1,500 students. The Category 5 storm, which struck on October 28, caused extensive damage to the school’s infrastructure, including classrooms, the auditorium, and the computer-aided design (CAD) laboratory. Principal Christopher Romans emphasized the urgency of resuming classes, particularly for upper-school students preparing for exams, to minimize learning loss.
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Rig worker widow’s cry: ‘If not his body, at least bring back Pete’s clothes’
After nearly 11 months of uncertainty, Candacy Phillip and her family are finally seeing a glimmer of closure as efforts to retrieve the remains of her husband, Pete Phillip, have commenced. Pete, an employee of Well Services Petroleum Co Ltd, went missing after the Heritage East Soldado Field rig partially collapsed on December 22, 2022. Presumed dead by the company four days later, his body has remained unrecovered due to the unstable structure of the rig. Candacy, who gave birth to their son Javon months after the tragedy, expressed that even if only his clothing is found, it would provide the family with the closure they desperately need. ‘I’m hoping they find at least the clothes he wore during his last hours,’ she said tearfully. The recovery operation, led by a US-based marine salvage contractor, is now underway, focusing first on stabilizing the rig to ensure safety and environmental protection. Pete’s sister, Paula Baxam, remains hopeful that enough of his remains will be found to hold a proper funeral. The family has endured months of delays, including bureaucratic hurdles and safety concerns, but now awaits the outcome of this critical operation. Meanwhile, the Phillip family’s plight echoes that of others, such as Coast Guard Able Seaman Kieron Simon, whose body remains lost at sea after a counter-narcotics operation in February.
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Rhodes Scholar, Tiana Dinham: Championing safe drinking water for every Jamaican household
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a moment brimming with raw emotion, 22-year-old Tiana Dinham was declared Jamaica’s 2026 Rhodes Scholar during a ceremony at King’s House on November 13. Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen made the formal announcement, marking a pivotal milestone in Dinham’s life. Overwhelmed with joy, Dinham immediately called her mother on speakerphone, who exclaimed, “Oh my God!” 13 times before tearfully expressing her pride.
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‘We lost everything’
A devastating fire swept through Arawak Cay’s renowned food strip yesterday, leaving a trail of destruction and heartbreak in its wake. The blaze, which erupted at Goldie’s Conch House around 8 a.m., rapidly consumed at least six wooden stalls and severely damaged two others. Thick smoke engulfed the area as firefighters battled the flames, while onlookers, including patrons and vendors, watched in disbelief. Despite efforts to contain the fire, the structures were reduced to ashes, leaving their owners to grapple with the loss of their livelihoods during what should have been their busiest Christmas season. Tragically, none of the destroyed properties were insured, as they were deemed ‘uninsurable.’
Among the businesses lost were Goldie’s, On the Edge, South of Florida, Brother Eddie’s Kitchen, Rake N Scrape, and the Red Snapper. Teshell Mackey, owner of On the Edge, arrived to find her two-and-a-half-year-old restaurant in ruins. “It’s hard to come here this morning to actually see that,” she said, reflecting on the years of hard work that had gone up in flames. Rodney Russell, president of the Arawak Cay Conch, Fish, Vegetable and Food Vendors Association, estimated his losses at $300,000, with total damages across the strip ranging from $150,000 to $1.5 million.
Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis visited the scene, offering comfort to distraught vendors and pledging government support for cleanup and rebuilding efforts. He emphasized the need to upgrade the site and expressed hope that businesses could reopen within 60 days. Agriculture and Marine Resources Minister Jomo Campbell announced plans for temporary facilities and financial assistance, acknowledging the lack of insurance among many vendors. Meanwhile, political figures Sebas Bastian and Travis Robinson called for infrastructure improvements and updated building codes to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Fire Services Superintendent Quincey McGregor reported that one officer suffered first-degree burns during the response, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Despite outdated equipment, firefighters were praised for their persistence. As the community begins to rebuild, the fire serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by small businesses and the urgent need for systemic improvements.
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US Vedic university confers doctoral award to NCIC president Surujdeo Mangaroo
Surujdeo Mangaroo, President of the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC), has been awarded an honorary doctoral degree by the Acharya Ramsamooj Arya University (ARAU) in New York. The prestigious recognition was conferred during the university’s graduation ceremony on November 2 at Flushing Town Hall, where Mangaroo was also invited to address the Class of 2025. The honor celebrates his lifelong dedication to cultural preservation, social empowerment, and community development. In his invitation letter, Prof. Pundit Ramadheen Ramsamooj, president of ARAU, praised Mangaroo as a distinguished representative of the Caribbean Hindu diaspora, highlighting his significant contributions to the community. Founded on the principles of Shuddha Sanatan Vedic Dharma, ARAU emphasizes the study and propagation of Vedic knowledge and disciplines. During his address, Mangaroo expressed humility and gratitude, dedicating the award to his family and emphasizing the importance of education, culture, and community in building a humane society. He urged graduates to use their education as a tool for service and innovation, reminding them that true success lies in uplifting others. Mangaroo’s recognition follows previous honorees such as the late Basdeo Panday, former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname’s President Santhoki.
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I Am Academy unveils The Garden of Oneness
The I Am Academy in Woodbrook has unveiled its newly transformed schoolyard, now known as ‘The Garden of Oneness.’ What was once a simple space has been reimagined into an eco-conscious haven featuring a butterfly and hummingbird garden, a river-themed landscape, a companion-planted vegetable and herb garden, a tribute to national heroes, and a rustic welcome wall adorned with affirmations and the school’s motto. This initiative, led by TropiMulch Ltd in partnership with Miss Environment TT Rebecca Baptiste, repurposes waste wood into mulch, art installations, and purposeful spaces, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Founded in 2019, I Am Academy serves 40 students with special needs, emphasizing individualized learning and holistic development. Principal Lynn Diann Russell-Allen explained that the school’s philosophy centers on teaching identity, awareness, and purpose, viewing every child as ‘whole, perfect, and filled with divine potential.’ The garden, she noted, is more than a landscaping project—it is a ‘living classroom’ that fosters healing, inspiration, and education.
The project began with a vision to beautify the school space in a way that reflects the calm and divine order of the universe. Collaborations with TropiMulch CEO Lionel Seucharan and Miss Environment TT brought the vision to life. Students and parents actively participated in clearing debris, preparing soil, planting seedlings, and painting walls, fostering a sense of pride and ownership.
Russell-Allen highlighted the garden’s impact on students, noting increased confidence, cooperation, and expressiveness. The multisensory environment has become a sanctuary for neurodiverse learners, reinforcing the school’s mission to nurture each child’s highest potential. Plans are already underway to expand the garden, adding sensory zones, a meditation corner, and an extended butterfly garden.
The principal expressed gratitude to TropiMulch Ltd, Miss Environment TT, and all contributors, emphasizing that inclusion begins with love. ‘When we honour the divine essence in every child, we naturally extend that care to the environment,’ she said. ‘Education and ecology go hand in hand—both are acts of stewardship.’
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St James Parish Court resumes operation
The St James Parish Court in Jamaica has officially resumed its full operations as of Monday, November 17, 2025, after significant disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa. The announcement was made by the Judiciary of Jamaica in a public statement on the same day. The court is currently addressing Gun Court and Circuit Court matters while continuing efforts to stabilize infrastructure and ensure a safe environment for both staff and court users. The Judiciary emphasized its commitment to restoring full operations swiftly and expressed gratitude to staff, stakeholders, and the public for their patience and understanding during the recovery period.