标签： Jamaica

In honor of International Credit Union Day, the Credit Unions of Jamaica will host a free gospel concert titled *Praise in the Park* on Thursday, October 16, at Emancipation Park in New Kingston. The event, now in its third year, aims to celebrate the global observance of International Credit Union Day, which falls on the third Thursday of October annually. The concert will feature renowned gospel acts such as Levy’s Heritage, Johnmark Wiggan, Petra Kaye, Genesis Praise Squad, and Carey Sayles, promising an evening of worship and praise. Katrina Grant D’Aguilar, Group Marketing and Communications Manager for the Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League Ltd, emphasized that the event serves as a thanksgiving initiative, expressing gratitude to members, non-members, and the broader community for their unwavering support and trust in the credit union movement. She highlighted the event’s alignment with the credit union philosophy of ‘People Helping People,’ underscoring the power of community unity in achieving remarkable outcomes. This year’s concert is expected to surpass previous editions in both reach and impact, with a stellar lineup of Jamaica’s most celebrated gospel artists. Attendees can anticipate dynamic live band performances, uplifting musical ministry, and moments of communal worship. Additionally, the event will feature special outreach initiatives, including a soup kitchen for elders sponsored by CUNA Caribbean. For those unable to attend in person, the concert will be live-streamed via Sora Media on the Credit Unions of Jamaica YouTube channel, with coverage by Caribbean Gospel TV and the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ). Highlights will also be shared across the Credit Unions’ social media platforms. Oshin Levy of the award-winning gospel trio Levy’s Heritage shared that attendees can look forward to a spirit-filled performance, featuring both beloved classics and new tracks, as the group prepares for their 20th-anniversary celebration in November.

A growing number of Americans are increasingly relying on GoFundMe, the world’s premier crowdfunding platform, to help manage the escalating costs of groceries and other essential living expenses, as reported by Fortune on Monday. Tim Cadogan, the CEO of GoFundMe, highlighted a significant shift in the platform’s usage, noting a surge in campaigns aimed at covering everyday necessities like food, a departure from its traditional focus on medical emergencies and unexpected crises. This trend underscores the profound impact of persistent inflation and rising borrowing costs, which are pushing many households, particularly younger and lower-income families, to their financial limits. Despite a recent cooling in headline inflation, the cumulative price hikes for staples such as food and rent continue to strain budgets. Many families have already exhausted conventional coping strategies, such as switching to cheaper brands or relying on credit cards. Cadogan also suggested that this could mark a pivotal moment in generational wealth transfer, especially if values-driven donors redirect their contributions toward addressing fundamental needs like food security.

In a significant early morning operation on Tuesday, law enforcement officers from the St Andrew South police division in Kingston, Jamaica, successfully seized a high-powered Mac 11 9mm submachine gun. The operation, led by detectives from the Hunts Bay Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB), took place around 6:10 am near the Oak Glades Health Centre in Kingston 13. During a thorough search of an open lot, the firearm was discovered hidden inside an old refrigerator. The weapon was loaded with a magazine containing two live 9mm rounds. While no arrests were made in connection with the seizure, authorities have confirmed that investigations are actively ongoing to uncover further details about the firearm’s origin and intended use. This operation highlights the continued efforts of Jamaican law enforcement to combat illegal firearms and enhance public safety.

Jamaica has emerged as the global leader in altruism, securing the top spot for its citizens’ willingness to assist strangers, as revealed in the World Happiness Gallup Report 2025. The Caribbean nation is closely trailed by Liberia and Sierra Leone, both of which also exhibit remarkable levels of generosity toward unfamiliar individuals. However, despite their commendable acts of kindness, these countries rank significantly lower in terms of charitable donations, with Jamaica, Liberia, and Sierra Leone positioned more than 80 places behind in global charity contribution rankings. The report identifies a similar trend in Nigeria and Kenya, which also feature in the top 10 for helping strangers but struggle with financial contributions to organizations. These nations, along with Jamaica, grapple with issues of institutional trust, particularly in their interactions with law enforcement, which often results in a diminished reliance on formal systems. This phenomenon underscores a broader societal pattern: in regions where institutional frameworks are perceived as unreliable or inaccessible, individuals tend to seek support from one another rather than from formal entities. In Jamaica and similar contexts, generosity transcends mere moral obligation, evolving into a tangible manifestation of trust and solidarity among neighbors and strangers alike. This preference for personal, human-centered assistance over formal charitable mechanisms highlights the unique social dynamics at play in these societies.