标签： Jamaica

For months, a 63-year-old man in downtown Kingston called a cardboard box his home. Shielded only by a discarded plastic mattress wrap, he endured the elements, with Kingston Harbour serving as his makeshift bathroom. Dependent on sporadic meals from charitable organizations, he lived in absolute poverty, uncertain of his next meal. His life took a dramatic turn in 2003 when he found refuge at The Lord’s Place, a sanctuary run by the Missionaries of the Poor. Today, he has a stable job in landscaping, a roof over his head, and the ability to assist others experiencing homelessness.

A Hanover man, who was detained without charge for 154 days during the 2019 state of public emergency (SOE) in Jamaica, has been awarded $5 million in damages by the Supreme Court. The man, a self-employed individual working as a security guard, shop owner, fisherman, and taxi driver, was arrested in June 2019 under the SOE declared for the parishes of St James, Hanover, and Westmoreland. He initially sought $68.1 million in compensation for the breach of his rights, including liberty, privacy, and protection from unlawful search.

In a tragic incident on Friday evening, a hit-and-run accident in Lyssons, St Thomas, resulted in the death of 60-year-old Sharon Hastings, an employee of the St Thomas Municipal Corporation. According to reports, the incident occurred shortly after 6 pm when Hastings was crossing a roadway and was struck by an unidentified vehicle. The driver fled the scene without stopping, leaving Hastings critically injured. She was immediately transported to a nearby medical facility, where she was pronounced dead. Local authorities have launched a full-scale investigation to identify and apprehend the driver responsible for this fatal collision. The community has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Hastings, who was a respected member of the municipal workforce. This incident has reignited concerns about road safety and the need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws in the area.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, has been awarded the Order of Jamaica (OJ) in recognition of his over four decades of dedicated service to the nation. The prestigious honor will be formally conferred during the National Investiture Ceremony at King’s House on National Heroes Day, October 20. McKenzie, who has served as the Member of Parliament for Kingston Western since 2016, began his public service journey in 1977 as a councillor. He expressed profound gratitude for the recognition, attributing his success to the support of his constituents, family, and the late former Prime Minister Edward Seaga. McKenzie’s career has been marked by significant contributions to improving the lives of Jamaica’s most vulnerable populations. As mayor of Kingston, he initiated feeding programs for the homeless and later established drop-in centers and night shelters through his ministry. His efforts culminated in the creation of the Desmond McKenzie Transitional Centre, a facility designed to help homeless individuals reintegrate into society by providing access to employment and stable housing. McKenzie also highlighted his pride in modernizing the Indigent Housing Programme, which now includes fully furnished homes with essential amenities. Additionally, he emphasized the transformative impact of the entrepreneurial grants program, which has empowered small business owners across Jamaica. Reflecting on his tenure as minister, McKenzie noted the increased respect for local government and its critical role in daily life. He credited his achievements to the unwavering support of his family and the resources provided by the government. McKenzie remains motivated by the trust placed in him by the Jamaican people and his commitment to addressing pressing issues such as waste management, under his leadership, the country has seen a significant increase in garbage trucks, improving sanitation nationwide.