分类： society

In a powerful demonstration of inter-community solidarity, Marlie Mount Primary and Infant School from St Catherine has delivered substantial relief assistance to two educational institutions in St Elizabeth severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa’s late October devastation. The catastrophic weather event that struck on October 28th prompted immediate action from the compassionate school community.

Principal Calvin Harris revealed to JIS News that the relief initiative extended significantly beyond conventional care packages. The comprehensive donation drive included essential educational materials, school bags, clothing apparel, and footwear. “We prepared 147 individual gifts for Pedro Plains Primary School and an additional 87 for Barbary Hall Primary School,” Harris detailed. “The contribution included two full barrels of shoes alongside separate containers filled with clothing and footwear.”

The humanitarian effort incorporated vital necessities including hygiene products, staple food items, rice, sugar, canned goods, and drinking water. These supplies were distributed to affected students, educators, and local residents in the hurricane-damaged regions.

The relief operation was entirely funded through collective contributions from Marlie Mount’s teachers, parents, and students. Harris recounted touching feedback from recipient families: “One parent remarked that Christmas had arrived early for her child, while another expressed gratitude for not needing to purchase gifts this year due to the generous donations.”

Administrators from the receiving institutions expressed profound appreciation for the cross-parish support. Mariann Chambers-Smith, Principal of Barbary Hall Primary, emphasized the significance of being selected for assistance: “We extend special gratitude to Principal Harris for reaching out to us when he could have chosen any other institutions. This demonstrates remarkable selflessness and proves that geographical distance cannot hinder compassion during times of disaster.”

Wilton Smith, Principal of Pedro Plains Primary, described the emotional impact on his community: “The atmosphere during distribution was overwhelmingly positive and deeply moving. Our parents and community members endured extreme hardship after Hurricane Melissa, and we remain profoundly grateful for this extraordinary gesture from Principal Harris and his dedicated team.”

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — A grim discovery unfolded early Monday morning in the Brokenhurst area of Manchester, where local authorities recovered the body of an unidentified male exhibiting injuries consistent with fatal gunshot wounds. The victim was located on a secluded haul road, prompting an immediate investigative response from the Manchester police force.

Superintendent Carey Duncan, head of the Manchester Police Division, addressed media personnel at the crime scene, revealing that preliminary reports from residents indicated multiple loud explosions were heard around 9:00 p.m. on Sunday evening. Despite the auditory evidence of potential violence, law enforcement officials were not notified until the following morning when a civilian passerby chanced upon the deceased individual.

Investigative units remained actively engaged at the location throughout Monday morning, meticulously examining the vicinity for forensic evidence, potential ballistic materials, and any additional clues that might illuminate the circumstances surrounding the death. The identity of the victim, along with the precise motive and perpetrators behind the apparent homicide, remains undetermined as detectives continue their inquiry into this violent incident.

NEW YORK, USA — Jamaican diaspora organizations and community leaders throughout the United States are mobilizing intensively to capitalize on the extended December 31, 2025 deadline for customs duty and General Consumption Tax (GCT) exemptions on humanitarian shipments to hurricane-ravaged Jamaica. This critical tax relief initiative, initially scheduled to conclude on November 28, was prolonged by the Jamaican government in recognition of the sustained recovery requirements following Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact.

The Category 5 storm inflicted severe devastation upon Jamaica’s southwestern regions, resulting in approximately 45 fatalities and causing widespread destruction to residential infrastructure, public buildings, and agricultural sectors. Eligible items for tax exemption encompass essential commodities including food supplies, potable water, medical resources, construction materials, and vital equipment such as power generators and solar energy units.

Recent operational challenges have emerged at Jamaican ports in Kingston and Montego Bay, where the overwhelming volume of incoming relief shipments has created logistical bottlenecks. This congestion has heightened urgency among diaspora groups working within the constrained timeframe for customs processing.

Notable initiatives include the North Bronx Seventh-day Adventist Church, which is coordinating a comprehensive relief operation valued at approximately US$40,000. The congregation has assembled a 40-foot container shipment containing construction materials, power tools, lumber, medical supplies, tarpaulins, generators, non-perishable food, and mattresses. Church Elder Keith Williams confirmed collaborative partnerships with the Greater New York SDA Conference, Bronx Lebanon Hospital, and volunteer teams preparing for on-ground restoration activities in Jamaica.

Simultaneously, the New Jerusalem Apostolic Church in Queens, New York—serving a predominantly Jamaican congregation—has secured container space for humanitarian supplies under Pastor Alton Blackwood’s leadership. In Florida, businessman David Bhoorasingh of Diddy’s Caribbean Mart is coordinating with World Outreach Evangelical Ministries to gather clothing and food supplies for end-of-month shipment, with planned coordination through Food For the Poor organization.

California-based entities under the coordination of Dr. Shauna Chin, Jamaica’s honorary consul in Los Angeles, have collectively contributed over US$150,000 in resources. The coalition comprising Jamaica Awareness Association of California, Caribbean Cricket Club of California, Global Humanity Inc, and Carib Press has already facilitated the refurbishment of 20 residences and prepared 500 food packages for distribution. Dr. Roy Davidson of the Caribbean Cricket Club reported additional commitments of computer equipment for educational institutions in Westmoreland, noting encouraging environmental recovery indicators despite the monumental reconstruction challenges.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A ray of hope emerges for Chester Castle Basic and Primary School as recovery efforts gain momentum through crucial international assistance. The educational institution, which suffered catastrophic damage when Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, has received vital support from the German Embassy to address its most pressing needs.

The tropical cyclone’s ferocious winds completely tore off the school’s roof, resulting in extensive water intrusion across all floors. Classrooms were inundated, destroying valuable educational resources including textbooks and teaching materials. The aftermath required comprehensive sanitization with bleach to combat mold and mildew growth, transforming the once vibrant learning environment into a scene of devastation.

Professor Opal Palmer Adisa, who has adopted the school, facilitated the critical intervention by submitting a formal request for assistance. The German Embassy responded by providing essential funding for roof reconstruction and perimeter fence repairs. Notably, the project included rebuilding safety railings that protect students from the adjacent river, which had been completely destroyed during the storm.

German Ambassador Jan Hendrik van Thiel recently conducted a site visit, spending several hours observing students demonstrating remarkable resilience through performances of Caribbean Christmas songs and religious scriptures. The children’s voices radiated joy and determination despite the personal tragedies many have endured.

Professor Palmer Adisa highlighted the ongoing challenges, revealing that approximately 75% of students lost their homes during the disaster. Many remain in temporary shelters or have been relocated to distant areas including Kingston. The school itself continues to operate without electricity and has lost virtually all its resources. One teacher disclosed that even the clothes and shoes she wore were donated items, having lost her own home to the hurricane.

Ambassador van Thiel commended the students for their exemplary behavior and performances, praising their demonstrated strength and resilience. He also congratulated Principal Patricia Palmer and her staff for their extraordinary efforts in restoring basic operations despite overwhelming obstacles.

Professor Palmer Adisa contextualized the situation within broader regional challenges: “Chester Castle represents an impoverished rural community, similar to many others that have faced decades of neglect. This pattern extends across multiple parishes and schools. Recent visits to five other institutions in St. Ann and Westmoreland revealed overwhelming needs that require more than sympathy—they demand committed adoption and sustained support.”

While expressing profound gratitude for the German Embassy’s intervention, Palmer Adisa emphasized that roof repairs represent merely the initial phase of recovery. The school urgently requires furniture, computer laboratory equipment, digital devices, and diverse reading materials to fully restore educational capabilities. She issued a compelling appeal to affluent Jamaicans to consider adopting rural schools like Chester Castle, stating: “Our children demonstrate remarkable resilience, talent, and hope. They now require collective action to ensure they can stand tall and thrive academically.”