标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In response to growing financial pressures on students, the Aston Preston Hall Committee at The University of the West Indies, Mona has established the Preston Scholarship Fund—a student-driven initiative designed to prevent housing insecurity among residents. This program launches as part of the committee’s 30th-anniversary celebrations and aims to provide critical financial support to students at risk of discontinuing their studies due to mounting residence fees.

The fund has set an initial target of JA $500,000, which will directly assist at least 10 students with grants of JA $50,000 each toward accommodation costs for the next academic year. University officials and student leaders have observed that escalating living expenses are increasingly undermining academic persistence, even among high-achieving students.

Dejanae Fagan, External Affairs Chairwoman, emphasized the collective spirit behind the effort: ‘This initiative reflects our committee’s motto: Creating Ripple Effects. Even modest contributions can accumulate into meaningful change—each donation reinforces our community and preserves the legacy of Preston Hall.’

Echoing these concerns, Deputy Hall Chairman Shawn Palmer noted, ‘It’s incredibly challenging to excel academically when faced with the threat of eviction over unpaid fees.’

The committee is calling upon Preston Hall alumni, corporate sponsors, and community partners to contribute. Donations can be made via the NCB account under the name ‘UWI General AC’ at the UWI Mona branch. Contributors are asked to label transactions as ‘Preston Scholarship Fund’ and email proof of payment to eac.azph@gmail.com.

The close-knit community of St Mary parish in Jamaica is grappling with profound grief and outrage following the brutal murder of a widely respected local figure. Kemoy Findlay, a 32-year-old man affectionately known as ‘Turbo’ or ‘Walking Bank,’ was fatally shot on Monday night in what authorities believe was a targeted robbery by individuals posing as passengers.

According to police reports, the incident occurred along the Rosend main road near Highgate. Findlay’s body was discovered face down with multiple gunshot wounds around 9:30 PM after residents alerted law enforcement. Despite being rushed to Annotto Bay Hospital, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Investigative sources indicate that Findlay’s vehicle was stolen during the attack and later found abandoned along the Annotto Bay main road, supporting the theory that his assailants had pretended to need transportation services.

The tragedy has triggered an outpouring of emotional tributes across social media platforms, where Findlay was remembered not just as a taxi operator but as a pillar of the community. Many residents described him as an indispensable resource for night shift workers and those in need of reliable transportation at odd hours.

Community members shared heartfelt anecdotes about Findlay’s journey from selling DVDs to establishing himself as a successful entrepreneur who operated both transportation services and annual dance events. His reputation for humility, kindness, and willingness to help stranded passengers regardless of the hour made his death particularly devastating for those who relied on his services.

On platforms including Facebook and TikTok, expressions of grief were accompanied by calls for justice. Many comments reflected both anguish over the loss and determination that the perpetrators be identified and held accountable.

The St Mary police have launched a full investigation and are urging anyone with information to contact the Port Maria Criminal Investigation Branch at 876-994-4222, 876-333-9530, or Crime Stop at 311.

Tarique Bailey, the reigning Mr. World Caribbean 2024, is counting his blessings after surviving a severe traffic accident that occurred this past Sunday on Fairview Avenue in Spanish Town, St. Catherine. The incident involved a collision between his motorcycle and a taxi, resulting in his hospitalization.

In an exclusive interview, Bailey recounted the harrowing experience to Observer Online. He was en route from Kingston to Spanish Town when the accident transpired shortly after 5:00 pm. His recollection of the event is fragmented. ‘The last thing I remember is a car swerving. I heard it was a taxi, and then I was in the air, and I woke up at the Spanish Town Hospital,’ he stated, describing the sudden and violent nature of the crash.

Following the incident, Bailey initially communicated his condition to the public through an Instagram story, posting a somber image of himself confined to a wheelchair with visible bandages on his hand and foot. Elaborating on his injuries, he detailed, ‘I got a cut on the left foot… It’s not as bad as the right foot. The right foot suffered more damage.’ He also reported experiencing significant neck pain, which he attributed to spending approximately 24 hours in a wheelchair during his hospital observation.

Despite the trauma and physical pain, the model and delivery rider has been discharged from medical care. He revealed that doctors initially recommended a CT scan; however, after a full day of monitoring, they determined it was no longer necessary.

Reflecting on the gravity of the situation, Bailey expressed profound thankfulness for his survival. He emphasized the potential for a far more tragic outcome, noting, ‘I am grateful because I was unconscious; anything could have happened. I could have hit my head badly. I could not have woken up.’ His perspective remains overwhelmingly positive amidst the recovery, concluding, ‘Even though I feel pain, I am grateful to be here. It could have been much worse.’

BLUEFIELDS, Jamaica — Three months after Hurricane Melissa’s devastating passage through western Jamaica, Belmont Academy continues its arduous recovery journey with crucial support from corporate partners. The Category 5 storm inflicted severe damage to the educational institution that serves approximately 1,100 students, leaving it without stable electricity and compromising critical learning infrastructure.

JN Money Services (JNMS) has emerged as a key ally in the school’s rehabilitation efforts, providing essential emergency supplies and a generator through its Holiday Hope initiative during the Christmas period. This intervention has proven vital for maintaining administrative operations and enabling continued teaching in specialized subjects including information technology and AutoCAD design.

Principal Rayon Simpson revealed that while the Ministry of Education addresses external structural repairs, the school depends heavily on partner support for internal and programmatic needs. ‘Approximately 35 percent of windows and doors still require procurement and installation,’ Simpson noted, emphasizing the institution’s role as a stabilizing force for the broader Bluefields community.

The hurricane’s impact was comprehensive: all four science laboratories suffered damage, along with the auditorium, tuck shop, stationery room, and staff facilities. The school lost approximately 50 computers, server room infrastructure, agricultural facilities, water storage systems, library resources, and mechanical engineering equipment.

Simpson described the donated generator as ‘nothing short of a lifeline,’ enabling critical functions including student registration for external examinations through the Caribbean Examinations Council, City and Guilds, and the National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and Training during a pivotal academic period.

JNMS Assistant General Manager Sanya Wallace highlighted the special significance of supporting Belmont Academy, previously a winner of the company’s Back-to-School Jingle Competition. The assistance forms part of JN Group’s broader mission to restore hope and rebuild communities across Jamaica, with additional support provided through medical care, counseling services, and emergency supplies distribution.

The school community has expressed profound gratitude for the sustained support, which continues to facilitate both immediate recovery and long-term educational continuity.