标签： Jamaica

The Manning’s School in Westmoreland, a historic Jamaican institution severely damaged by Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, will receive substantial reconstruction support for its wellness center through this year’s National Leadership Prayer Breakfast (NLPB) initiative.

The 46th annual NLPB has designated western Jamaica as its primary focus area, specifically targeting the Thomas Manning Building structure – believed to be the earliest surviving section of the educational facility dating back to the early 1900s.

Reverend Wayneford McFarlane, secretary of the NLPB Committee, confirmed during a Wednesday media briefing that both the VM Group and NLPB had jointly identified Manning’s School as this year’s charitable beneficiary. “We are concentrating our efforts on the sick bay facility which demands considerable rehabilitation,” McFarlane stated.

Reverend Sam McCook, former NLPB Committee chairman, revealed the project carries an estimated value of $2.8 million Jamaican dollars. The undertaking will be executed in partnership with the Manning’s School Past Students Association. McCook elaborated: “The initiative allocates approximately $2.5 million for a modular structure with an additional $300,000 designated for ancillary components. This substantially exceeds our traditional fundraising scope, but the alumni association has welcomed our supportive participation.”

VM Group President and CEO Courtney Campbell emphasized his organization’s commitment to the NLPB’s core principles: “We affirm the power of faith, the effectiveness of prayer, the necessity of unity, and share the conviction that righteousness elevates a nation.”

In recognition of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on western parishes, the NLPB Committee additionally announced the 2025 National Week of Prayer will commence in that region. The inaugural service is scheduled at Montego Bay’s First Church of the Open Bible in St. James, culminating with the January 15th NLPB event under the thematic banner ‘Caring for our neighbour’.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a remarkable demonstration of youth innovation, two fifth-form students from Kingston Technical High School have claimed victory in Project STAR’s inaugural Business Pitch Competition. Jason Campbell and Nakeida Williamson captivated judges with their visionary proposal for EduConnect Centre, a comprehensive digital hub designed to bridge the technology gap for students.

The winning concept addresses critical educational barriers by providing reliable internet connectivity, access to computing devices, printing services, and academic support for School Based Assessments. The initiative directly responds to the digital divide that frequently impedes academic achievement among Jamaican youth.

Campbell revealed the project’s origins in personal experience: ‘Our proposal emerged from daily academic struggles. Many students lack basic technological resources—some don’t even own phones—and must depend on unreliable assistance. We’re creating a sustainable solution to improve educational outcomes.’

Williamson emphasized the broader transformative potential: ‘Technical schools often face negative stereotypes. Through EduConnect Centre, we aim to enhance our institution’s reputation while helping students excel in Caribbean Secondary Education exams and vocational certifications. This victory validates our commitment to educational improvement.’

The achievement proved particularly impressive given competition-day challenges, including technical difficulties and the unexpected withdrawal of a team member. Despite these obstacles, the duo’s compelling presentation and strategic vision secured top honors.

As champions, each student received $25,000 in prize money, while the school was awarded a $100,000 implementation grant from Project STAR. The total startup costs are estimated at $48,000, with existing school infrastructure providing additional support.

Both students view the experience as career-defining. Campbell anticipates pursuing real estate with renewed confidence, while Williamson aims to become a serial entrepreneur. Both intend to invest their winnings in future aspirations.

Project STAR organizers celebrated the students’ innovative thinking and perseverance. Education Coordinator Myshka Allen noted: ‘We designed this initiative to provide practical, enduring skills aligned with business curriculum principles. These students demonstrated exceptional creativity in translating classroom knowledge into actionable solutions.’

The competition culminated weeks of intensive training through business simulation bootcamps that equipped 75 participants with entrepreneurship skills, career readiness strategies, and professional development tools. Project STAR remains committed to supporting the actual implementation of EduConnect Centre as a sustainable school resource.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Stadium’s Statue Park became a place of solemn remembrance on Thursday evening as the Jamaican sports journalism community gathered for a candlelight vigil honoring Donald Oliver, the acclaimed sports journalist who passed away unexpectedly on December 30 at age 40.

The vigil, organized by colleagues and friends, drew scores of attendees who came to pay their respects to Oliver, who had recently joined the Jamaica Observer Media Group as audiovisual manager following the closure of SportsMax where he previously worked.

Veteran journalist and presenter George Davis led the emotional proceedings, delivering a heartfelt tribute that highlighted Oliver’s exceptional character and professional dedication. ‘He was a thoroughly decent human being,’ Davis expressed to the gathered mourners. ‘The kind of guy you would love to have as your brother, your uncle; the kind of son you would love to have as a parent.’

Davis particularly emphasized Oliver’s distinctive approach to sports commentary, noting his meticulous preparation and commitment to elevating athletic achievements. ‘While some commentators simply show up and call games, Donald prepared meticulously to make athletes feel special when describing their moments of genius,’ Davis explained. ‘He wanted his narration to ensure both performers and audiences felt the significance of every great moment, creating timeless memories through his crafted descriptions.’

Oliver’s sudden passing came after he reportedly experienced chest pains, sending shockwaves through Jamaica’s media and sports communities. His transition from SportsMax to the Jamaica Observer Media Group in August 2025 had marked a new chapter in his career, cut tragically short just months later.

The vigil served as both a mourning ceremony and a celebration of a journalist whose work transcended typical sports reporting, leaving an indelible mark on Jamaican sports media.

In a powerful address at the ‘Heal the Family, Heal the Nation’ National Day of Prayer service, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness delivered a direct message to criminals despite celebrating a historic milestone: the nation has recorded fewer than 700 murders in 2025 for the first time in 31 years.

Speaking at Power of Faith Ministries in Portmore, St Catherine on Wednesday, Holness made an emotional appeal to those engaged in criminal activities, urging them to abandon violence. “Today, I appeal to the criminals and the gunmen, and those who are involved in criminal activities, to save yourselves. Turn away from violence. Put away the gun. In fact, turn it in,” the prime minister charged.

The significant crime reduction represents a dramatic 42% decrease in murders from the previous year, building on a 19% reduction in 2024 and a 7% decrease in 2023. Holness noted that Jamaica is approaching the regional average of 15 murders per 100,000 population, currently standing between 20-25 per 100,000.

While acknowledging progress primarily driven by actions against organized crime—which accounts for over 70% of murders—Holness highlighted persistent challenges including domestic violence and juvenile delinquency. He emphasized that policing alone cannot solve these deeply embedded social issues.

The prime minister called on religious institutions to expand their role beyond prayer into active community intervention. “We’re going to need the army of the church to pull in those youngsters and divert them away from the gangs and criminal activities,” Holness stated, noting that many youth join gangs simply because criminal elements reach them before community organizations do.

Holness unveiled forthcoming government policies specifically targeting family strengthening as the next phase in crime reduction. “What is now needed is a more coordinated and concentrated policy that is instrumental and directly targeting and promoting and supporting the family in Jamaica,” he announced, emphasizing that both children and parents need educational support.

The prime minister concluded with a sobering statistic: 95% of both perpetrators and victims of killings are young men. “It pains my heart to see our young men being killed,” Holness expressed, reinforcing his appeal for Jamaicans to value every life and work collectively toward sustaining the nation’s progress toward peace.