标签： Jamaica

In a groundbreaking move, Guyana has introduced the National Gender Equality and Empowerment Seal, becoming the first Caribbean nation to implement such an initiative. This program is designed to foster safe, inclusive, and equitable work environments across both public and private sectors.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Preemie Foundation of Jamaica is gearing up to host its first-ever Pedal & Stroll — Cycle, Run, Walk for Preemies 5K event on Sunday, November 30, at the Hope Zoo in St Andrew. The event, designed to support premature babies and hurricane relief efforts, will kick off at 6:00 am with a warm-up session led by Body By Kurt Fitness. Participants, including cyclists, runners, and walkers, will embark on a 5K looped course around the Hope Zoo walking trail, with each participant receiving a commemorative medal upon completion.

Serika Sterling, founder and chairwoman of the Preemie Foundation, expressed her enthusiasm for the event, stating, ‘We are thrilled to bring our supporters together for a meaningful morning dedicated to Jamaica’s preemies.’ The event aims to raise funds for the Special Care Nursery at Princess Margaret Hospital, a critical facility for neonatal care. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds will be directed to Mandeville Regional Hospital to aid recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Sterling emphasized the foundation’s commitment to addressing the ongoing challenges faced by families and healthcare facilities in the aftermath of the hurricane. ‘Many communities and hospitals are still grappling with the effects of Hurricane Melissa. Supporting Mandeville Regional Hospital allows us to address immediate needs while reinforcing our broader mission of healthcare resilience,’ she explained.

The Pedal & Stroll initiative was first announced in September at the Toyota Jamaica showroom and is being organized in collaboration with the Jamaica Cycling Federation, which is overseeing the cycling component of the event. Beyond the race, attendees can participate in a cool-down session and contribute to hurricane relief efforts by donating non-perishable food items and clothing for babies and children. The foundation encourages patrons to bring these items to the event to support ongoing recovery initiatives.

In an extraordinary display of compassion, residents and staff of Kingston’s Maxfield Park Children’s Home have organized their largest-ever humanitarian initiative by assembling essential care packages for victims of Hurricane Melissa. The donation, delivered to the Crisis Support Charity, represents a remarkable gesture from children in institutional care toward peers experiencing crisis circumstances.

Steve Joseph, Director of Crisis Support Charity, expressed profound gratitude upon receiving the unexpected contribution. “We were genuinely surprised when Maxfield Park contacted us,” Joseph revealed. “Their children specifically requested to support other vulnerable youth affected by the disaster.” The carefully curated packages contain practical necessities including diapers, clothing, and toiletries, alongside thoughtful additions of toys, coloring books, and crayons selected by the children themselves.

Tocquet Palmer, Manager of Maxfield Park Children’s Home, described the project as a ‘gift of love’ that embodied the residents’ enthusiastic participation. “The children immediately embraced this opportunity without hesitation,” Palmer noted. “While adults prioritized practical supplies, the children added their personal touches—reminding us that recovery involves both practical and emotional support.”

Many young participants expressed aspirations to personally visit affected communities, demonstrating their commitment to hands-on assistance. Palmer emphasized the significance of this outreach occurring during the holiday season: “This charitable act carries special meaning as we approach Christmas. Their genuine investment in helping others reflects incredible emotional maturity.”

The initiative highlights how even communities with limited resources can mobilize meaningful support during emergencies, setting a powerful example of youth-led philanthropy and community solidarity in post-disaster recovery efforts.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s national recovery initiative for Hurricane Melissa devastation has received an extraordinary financial infusion, with the recently concluded “I Love Jamaica” Telethon generating over $65 million in donations and pledges. The monumental fundraising achievement was confirmed by Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia “Babsy” Grange.

The virtual benefit concert, broadcast worldwide on Sunday through both traditional media and digital platforms, featured performances by approximately 30 of Jamaica’s most celebrated musical talents spanning reggae, dancehall, and gospel genres. This cross-genre collaboration created a powerful demonstration of cultural solidarity.

Minister Grange disclosed that $45.76 million has already been secured in the official Support Jamaica account, with an additional $19.97 million in committed pledges scheduled for collection in the coming days. The minister expressed profound appreciation for the widespread support from both local and international contributors.

“Our heartfelt gratitude extends to every individual donor across the island and diaspora, corporate Jamaica, and global supporters standing with our communities most severely affected by this catastrophic hurricane,” Minister Grange stated during her address.

The production represented a collaborative endeavor between Jamaica’s entertainment industry and government ministries. Minister Grange specifically acknowledged the extraordinary contributions from performing artists, sports personalities, media broadcasters, and corporate sponsors including Red Stripe and Digicel.

Corporate partners emphasized the telethon’s significance in showcasing national resilience. Sean Wallace, Red Stripe’s Head of Commerce, noted the event highlighted the unwavering strength of Jamaican unity, reaffirming his company’s commitment to long-term community recovery efforts.

Nicholette McFarlane, Digicel’s Head of Marketing, characterized participation as both an honor and privilege, emphasizing the powerful display of global Jamaican solidarity.

The national relief program continues to accept public contributions through official portals at supportjamaica.gov.jm and japromise.org. Additionally, mobile donations are being processed via text messaging system: Text “GIVE” to 876-444-5501 ($150 donation), 876-444-5502 ($1,000 donation), or 876-444-5503 ($5,000 donation).

This telethon marks the initial phase of the broader “I Love Jamaica” fundraising campaign, with planned physical benefit concerts scheduled in international cities with significant Jamaican populations including London, New York, and Miami.

In a decisive move to address the housing crisis exacerbated by Hurricane Melissa, the National Housing Trust (NHT) has initiated the deployment of 2,500 semi-permanent modular homes. These units, part of a broader plan to install 5,000 homes, are being strategically placed on lands with existing water and sewerage systems to expedite construction and reduce timelines significantly. Dwayne Berbick, Assistant General Manager for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at NHT, emphasized the shift in strategy during a press briefing on Wednesday. The initiative prioritizes NHT-owned properties in hurricane-affected regions such as St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and Hanover, where infrastructure is already partially developed. The modular homes, constructed from expanded polystyrene (EPS) prefabricated units, are designed for rapid assembly, energy efficiency, and resilience against severe weather conditions. Each 400-square-foot, two-bedroom unit comes pre-wired with essential amenities, including bathrooms, kitchens, and living areas. This prefabricated approach minimizes on-site labor and accelerates the delivery of homes to families displaced by the hurricane. Beyond the initial phase, the NHT is exploring additional land acquisitions and collaborating with government agencies to extend the program’s reach to a broader population in need. The Rapid Housing Deployment Initiative is a critical component of the government’s comprehensive recovery package, which includes disaster grants, peril insurance support, and mortgage relief.