标签： Jamaica

The tranquil coastal community of Rocky Point in Clarendon was shrouded in profound grief Friday as residents struggled to comprehend Thursday night’s horrific triple murder. Local authorities have detained a fisherman who allegedly used a machete to kill his mother, brother, and cousin in what appears to be the violent culmination of longstanding family tensions.

Victims have been identified as 32-year-old fisherman Lynval Henry, domestic worker and vendor Annette Lindo, and vendor Ingrid Keisha Lindo. The close-knit fishing community expressed particular shock given the suspect’s previous reputation as a diligent worker who had recently begun constructing his own home to gain independence.

Community member Charles Sinclair revealed the tragedy may have roots in financial disputes and relationship conflicts dating back two years. According to Sinclair, the accused had experienced volatile relations with a Haitian woman, believed to be his wife and mother of his child, with frequent arguments occurring despite apparent affection between them.

Disturbingly, Sinclair recounted that the fisherman had recently experienced psychological distress while at sea, reportedly sharing visions of his entire household being deceased. Paradoxically, on Thursday evening, the suspect prepared dinner for his family before the violence erupted. His mother reportedly made frantic phone calls describing his strange behavior while armed with a machete, but the recipient feared intervention.

Winston Simms, a cousin of the accused, required blood pressure medication upon learning of the tragedy, expressing both grief for the victims and pity for the perpetrator. Local Councillor Winston Maragh expressed complete astonishment, noting there were no observable warning signs prior to the incident and characterizing the violence as a sudden psychological rupture rather than premeditated action.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, Project STAR has initiated a comprehensive recovery program in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The Cash for Care & Work Initiative represents a strategic shift from traditional relief distribution toward sustainable recovery efforts focused on restoring livelihoods and community stability.

The program targets residents of Savanna-la-Mar in Westmoreland and Salt Spring in St. James, offering short-term employment opportunities centered on safe debris removal from homes, public areas, and critical access routes. This approach simultaneously addresses both infrastructure rehabilitation and income disruption within affected communities.

Through Project STAR’s established economic training framework, workers receive specialized instruction in safe handling protocols, proper protective equipment usage, and environmentally responsible disposal and recycling methods. This training component ensures both immediate employment and skill development for longer-term resilience.

Saffrey Brown, Project STAR’s director, emphasized the program’s human-centered philosophy: “This initiative reflects our deliberate focus on longer-term recovery that places people and dignity at the center. We’re moving beyond simple relief distribution while acknowledging many households remain under significant emotional, economic, and social strain.”

The program incorporates multiple support dimensions, including assistance for households facing increased caregiving demands due to hurricane impacts. Additionally, a limited number of micro and small business operators who sustained substantial losses will receive support to restart operations and restore income stability.

UNDP Multi-country Office Jamaica Resident Representative Dr. Kishan Khoday highlighted the partnership’s strategic importance: “The need for collaborative responses to support Jamaica’s most vulnerable communities has never been greater. This partnership delivers practical solutions where they are needed most.”

Civil society organizations within affected communities are facilitating transparent beneficiary selection and ongoing monitoring to ensure measurable impact. Selection criteria prioritize those most severely affected, including women-headed households, elderly residents, persons with disabilities, and low-income families.

Brown noted the program’s foundational principles of fairness, inclusion, and accountability, particularly for communities that experienced heightened vulnerability before the hurricane. The initiative represents a dual approach addressing immediate needs while building community preparedness and capacity for future challenges.

CLAREMONT, ST ANN — What began as a secret fascination with culinary arts during high school has blossomed into a remarkable entrepreneurial success story for Amoy Anthony Whithorn. The Tacky High graduate initially enrolled in woodwork classes like his peers, yet found himself consistently drawn to the home economics department, captivated by the culinary creations unfolding behind those doors.

Despite graduating without formal culinary training, Whithorn’s passion propelled him into an apprentice chef position at Sheila’s Homemade Pastries in Ocho Rios. This pivotal opportunity ignited his professional journey, providing foundational skills in baking and cake decoration that would shape his future. His culinary education continued at Golden Loaf Bakery, where he mastered traditional Jamaican pastries including bread and bulla.

Whithorn’s dedication extended beyond workplace hours as he tirelessly refined his techniques at home, experimenting with innovative ingredients and incorporating family feedback to perfect his craft. His commitment to excellence quickly earned him local recognition for both taste and presentation, ultimately leading to an international position aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas cruise liner.

In 2019, Whithorn and his wife Tavia launched a home-based baking venture that immediately resonated with customers. The overwhelming response prompted their evolution into a brick-and-mortar establishment—Amaze Bakery—which opened during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic in Claremont, St Ann.

Today, Amaze Bakery has established itself as a culinary destination renowned for its diverse offerings including coconut drops, muffins, bulla, bread, bun, pudding, pizzas, and custom-designed cakes. The bakery’s reputation has transcended national borders, with international clients placing advance orders for authentic Jamaican baked goods before visiting the island.

Despite temporary setbacks from Hurricane Melissa delaying supermarket distribution plans, Whithorn maintains unwavering confidence in his bakery’s future growth. The humble St Mary native expresses profound gratitude for community support and envisions Amaze Bakery emerging stronger as Jamaica continues its economic recovery.

A groundbreaking virtual benefit event dubbed ‘Melissathon’ is scheduled for December 21st, organized by Jamaican entrepreneur Dr. Garfield McCook from his base in Atlanta, Georgia. This innovative musical marathon aims to generate crucial funds for communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic passage through Jamaica in late October.

The three-hour streaming event will broadcast live from APAP Media Group Studios in Stone Mountain, Georgia, airing simultaneously on Facebook and YouTube platforms from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM EST. Dr. McCook, founder of the Jamaica International Independence Foreign Song Competition (JIIFSC), has assembled an impressive roster of musical talent from previous competition years to participate in this humanitarian initiative.

The conceptual framework emerged from McCook’s desire to leverage his platform for meaningful disaster response. “The vision crystallized as I contemplated how JIIFSC could contribute to hurricane relief efforts,” McCook explained. “We’ve created a format where 47 competition artists will showcase their entries from 2021 through 2025 while encouraging donations for Melissa victims – hence the portmanteau ‘Melissathon.’”

Notable performers include all five JIIFSC winners: Lavie Lujah, Barrington (GoddySon) Burke-Green, Leon “Letonick” Denton, Lionel Denton, Ernel Earlington/Doxology, and Lee “Preist” Johnson. The event will feature co-hosts Tony Anthony, Paul Abrahams, Mr Mighty, and Richard “Missa B” Blackford alongside McCook.

The organizer personally witnessed the destruction in Falmouth, Trelawny, and the particularly devastated Black River region of St. Elizabeth following the Category 5 hurricane’s October 28th landfall. All proceeds generated through donations at jiifsc.com will be formally transferred to appropriate Jamaican authorities for targeted disaster recovery efforts.

BLACK RIVER, St Elizabeth — In a significant milestone for hurricane recovery efforts, Black River Safari Tours prepares to reopen today despite sustaining extensive damage from Hurricane Melissa’s devastating passage in late October. The Category 5 storm brought catastrophic winds, torrential rains, and unprecedented storm surges that crippled infrastructure throughout this heritage-rich Jamaican town.

Managing Director Joseph Ryan Swaby, a second-generation safari operator, confirmed the partial reopening while acknowledging the substantial challenges that remain. His operation symbolizes the determined spirit of local businesses fighting to restore normalcy after the natural disaster. “The rebirth of Black River will mainly be driven by the reopening of businesses,” Swaby emphasized, noting that meaningful employment remains crucial for community recovery beyond external aid.

The safari will operate at reduced capacity with only two of its six tour boats currently operational after extensive cleanup and rebuilding efforts. Significant flooding damage has temporarily closed the crocodile nursery facility, though wildlife monitoring indicates displaced crocodiles are gradually returning to their natural habitats along the Black River and its tributaries.

Staffing reductions reflect the scaled-back operations, with employment dropping from 13 to approximately 6-8 employees, many of whom suffered personal property damage during the storm. Remarkably, no staff members sustained injuries despite several complete home losses.

Meanwhile, on the opposite riverbank, St Elizabeth Safari Crocodile Tour remains closed indefinitely after losing six of seven boats to the hurricane’s 13-foot storm surge. Proprietor Dr. Donovan Bennett described the challenging recovery process, with damaged vessels scattered throughout wetlands requiring specialized equipment for retrieval. Bennett estimates replacement costs for engines alone could reach $20 million Jamaican dollars.

Both operators acknowledge January as a potential timeline for fuller restoration, with Bennett advocating for government-led redevelopment that reimagines Black River’s infrastructure with improved resilience and visitor amenities. “In every disaster there is an opportunity,” Bennett noted, expressing hope that reconstruction would create “a town that is more attractive than it has been, that will be friendlier to visitors.”

In a significant humanitarian initiative, approximately 150 young students at Laura’s Basic School in Duhaney Park, St Andrew, received comprehensive medical attention during a health fair organized this Tuesday. The event represented a collaborative effort between the Indian High Commission in Jamaica, the Kiwanis Club of West St Andrew, and the healthcare organization Global Health Care.

Dr. Nagamalleswara Rao Chandolu, head of Global Health Care and the recent recipient of the Order of Distinction for his medical contributions in Jamaica, revealed the health fair was conceived by India’s High Commissioner, Mayank Joshi. The initiative provided a wide array of services, including sugar tests, haemoglobin analyses, urine tests, and crucial de-worming medication, which Dr. Chandolu personally sponsored. He emphasized the critical importance of de-worming, explaining that parasitic infections are a common precursor to anaemia, weakened immune systems, and recurring illnesses like coughs and colds in children.

Ten Indian pharmaceutical companies contributed medications to the cause. The fair also featured optometric services provided by a Cuban optometrist through Global Health Care, resulting in free frames and lenses for approximately 20 individuals diagnosed with vision problems. Free dental check-ups and necessary medications were also administered.

This event marked the 50th health fair hosted by Global Health in Jamaica since 2020. Sherrell Wilson, president-elect of the Kiwanis Club of West St Andrew, expressed profound gratitude for the partnership, aligning perfectly with the Kiwanis International mission—celebrating its 110th anniversary this year—particularly its ‘Young Children Priority One’ arm focused on early childhood health and educational assessment.

The success of the day brought immense satisfaction to Laura’s Basic School Vice-Principal Michelle Dixon, who described it as a beacon of hope that lifted spirits still dampened by the recent Hurricane Melissa. She praised the demonstration of care from corporate Jamaica and international partners for the early childhood sector.

High Commissioner Joshi stated the fair was part of a joint outreach initiative under the theme ‘Serving the Unserved; Reaching the Unreached; Touching the Untouched.’ He highlighted that such initiatives reinforce the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and people-centric relations between India and Jamaica, grounded in shared democratic values and Commonwealth ties.