标签： Jamaica

BLACK RIVER, Jamaica — In a heartening display of community recognition, 89-year-old Marjorie Monteith, a lifelong volunteer from St. Elizabeth parish, was celebrated this Saturday for her decades of unwavering service to the most vulnerable residents, even as she herself recovers from damages inflicted by Hurricane Melissa.

The National Commercial Bank (NCB) Foundation honored Monteith during a targeted outreach initiative across the communities of Black River, Lacovia, and Kilmarnock. The event saw numerous residents receiving essential care packages and support, highlighting a symbiotic relationship between institutional aid and grassroots activism.

NCB CEO Bruce Bowen, present during the house-to-house distribution, praised Monteith’s enduring commitment. ‘For years, both before and during the hurricane, she has been a pillar of support, offering care and shelter to those in need,’ Bowen remarked. ‘Her work embodies the spirit of building a better Jamaica—not through grand projects, but through genuine human connection.’

Monteith, reflecting on her extensive involvement, recounted her earlier years managing a facility where the homeless could access meals, bathing facilities, and companionship. Although she now operates at a reduced capacity, her dedication remains unshaken. ‘It pains me when I cannot sit with them,’ she confessed. ‘I love the street people. I still visit, talk with them, and provide food, money, and clothes whenever possible.’

The outreach also drew commendation from Superintendent Coleridge Minto, head of the St. Elizabeth police, who acknowledged the NCB Foundation’s efforts in reaching remote and severely affected areas such as Kilmarnock. Minto emphasized the police force’s role in facilitating aid delivery and ensuring security for volunteer groups.

Bowen further recognized Superintendent Minto’s leadership in fostering community-police relations, noting the positive impact of collaborative efforts in disaster response and social support.

Jamaican authorities are urging individuals and informal groups involved in hurricane recovery efforts to secure temporary charitable status before year-end deadlines expire. This special designation, created through collaboration between the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce and the Department of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies, enables continued access to critical tax waivers and concessions for relief operations.

With the December 31 expiration approaching for customs clearance exemptions on hurricane relief goods, only those possessing temporary charitable certification will maintain access to streamlined Tax Administration Jamaica services. Crooxcine Cooper-Mayes, CEO of Mayes Compliance Services, emphasized that “Come January, only people with this charitable status will be able to clear their items” through official channels.

The initiative specifically targets unregistered organizations and individuals engaged in community recovery activities including debris removal, therapeutic services, and distribution of essential supplies. Successful applicants gain extended operational authority until May 2026, particularly focusing on rebuilding efforts in western parishes hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa.

Benefits include exemption from General Consumption Tax on food and construction materials, special duty waivers, and highway toll relief. The application process requires groups to designate an official name, complete Politically Exposed Person declarations, undergo fit-and-proper assessments, and submit detailed activity plans with budgetary projections.

Cooper-Mayes highlighted the cost-free nature of the application, noting that “it is free of cost for them to access this charitable status so that they are able to purchase items and clear things from the wharf to give aid in the affected communities.” The streamlined processing typically completes within ten business days, with certificates valid from November 2025 through May 2026.

In parallel developments, government-supported business recovery programs have emerged through the Development Bank of Jamaica’s $10-billion M5 Business Recovery Programme. This initiative offers blended grant support, concessional financing, and credit enhancement solutions for storm-affected enterprises. Additional Cabinet-approved allocations of $42 million target small business restoration in severely impacted regions.

The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce has established a dedicated Business Restoration Initiative featuring the Melissa Business Restoration portal to coordinate recovery services. Compliance experts stress that maintaining current registrations and tax compliance certificates remains crucial for organizations seeking to access upcoming grant opportunities.

When queried about application volumes for the temporary charitable status, the Department of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies indicated that statistical information remained pending communication unit approval at press time.

Lauderhill Mayor Denise Grant, who hails from Jamaica, has disseminated festive season greetings to her compatriots both on the island and throughout the global diaspora. In a recent discussion, Mayor Grant emphasized drawing strength from Jamaica’s profound historical legacy and unwavering resilience, even amidst contemporary challenges.

Reflecting on recent adversities, Mayor Grant articulated heartfelt prayers for Jamaica’s complete recuperation from the destructive impacts of recent hurricanes. She characterized the nation as a perennial beacon of hope, confident in its capacity to shine brightly through difficulties.

The mayor provided detailed accounts of her collaborative efforts in hurricane relief operations, partnering with key figures such as Broward County Commissioner Hazelle Rogers, Consul General Oliver Mair, Bishop Henry Fernandez of the Faith Center, community advocate Sean ‘Contractor’ Edwards, and Custos Greene in Manchester. Their collective initiatives successfully mobilized critical funding and essential supplies for affected regions.

Highlighting municipal achievements, Mayor Grant showcased Lauderhill’s execution of impactful community projects throughout the year. These included combating food insecurity through targeted assistance programs, organizing holiday toy drives for children, distributing gifts and meals, and providing essential supplies to military veterans. Additional beautification projects enhanced neighborhoods and public spaces through strategic landscaping and litter removal.

Looking toward 2026, the mayor outlined an ambitious vision centered on fostering peace, unity, and mutual respect across all faiths and cultures. She committed to advancing policies that promote inclusiveness, compassion, and community understanding. Infrastructure development remains a priority, with plans to address multimodal transportation needs that align with the city’s comprehensive urban planning objectives.

Mayor Grant further pledged to implement measures specifically benefiting the Caribbean diaspora in Lauderhill, focusing on crime reduction, enhanced public safety, tax relief for working families, and expanded health and wellness initiatives. Her administration has already achieved property tax reductions, introduced senior utility relief programs, advanced food security measures, and launched educational initiatives at Lauderhill University to engage high school students in local governance. Additional programs support senior citizens’ wellness and youth mentoring, reinforcing the city’s commitment to being a community of promise and thriving potential.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a heartwarming display of seasonal generosity, the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) organized its traditional Christmas feeding initiative this Thursday, providing more than 400 homeless individuals with a festive dinner on Water Lane in downtown Kingston.

Mayor Andrew Swaby personally participated in the event alongside KSAMC staff members, serving hot holiday meals and distributing gifts to attendees. The annual program has become an established component of the municipal corporation’s Christmas Day activities, receiving enthusiastic responses from beneficiaries.

“Participants expressed considerable satisfaction with today’s services,” Mayor Swaby observed. He emphasized that the gathering created valuable opportunities for homeless individuals from three separate shelters to socialize with each other and engage with municipal councillors and staff.

KSAMC Chief Executive Officer Robert Hill used the occasion to advocate for more coordinated approaches to homeless assistance. He noted that while independent feeding initiatives demonstrate commendable compassion, they frequently result in unintended consequences including street congestion and potential safety hazards.

Hill explained that uncoordinated food distribution often leads to litter accumulation and sometimes triggers conflicts among homeless populations. The KSAMC consequently aims to establish a more structured assistance system that maximizes benefits while minimizing associated risks.

Looking toward future initiatives, Hill revealed that the corporation intends to refine its homelessness support strategies in the coming year. These adjustments will incorporate data-driven insights from the recent Homelessness Survey, enabling more targeted and effective assistance programs for Kingston’s most vulnerable residents.