标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In an inspiring display of community solidarity, renowned Jamaican selector Marlon ‘Boom Boom’ Wizard has reimagined his personal birthday celebration into a substantial humanitarian campaign for communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa. The initiative received significant backing from Boom Energy Drink, which contributed over one million Jamaican dollars (approximately $6,400 USD) in essential relief supplies.

The collaborative effort brought together personnel from Wisynco, Boom Energy Drink, Boom Boom’s World Team Ent, and the Boom Sunday Crew, who assembled more than 200 comprehensive care packages on Tuesday. These vital supplies were strategically distributed to severely impacted residents in Clark’s Town, Trelawny, with additional allocations directed to Dromilly Basic School and Hampden Primary School to support educational recovery efforts.

Beyond the prepared packages, Wizard personally donated critical infrastructure equipment including power generators, cooking stoves, and a substantial water tank to address immediate recovery needs and strengthen community resilience in the hurricane-affected regions.

Khaleel Smith, Brand Manager at Boom Energy Drink, emphasized the initiative’s significance: ‘Boom Boom has transformed his birthday into a powerful demonstration of generosity. Our collaboration perfectly embodies the ‘Boom with Love’ initiative’s core mission—channeling our energy and resources to create meaningful impact during times of crisis. Bringing both Christmas cheer and essential support to Melissa-affected communities represents exactly the type of difference we strive to make.’

The relief effort arrives during Jamaica’s critical recovery period following Hurricane Melissa’s destructive path, highlighting how public figures and corporate entities can effectively combine resources to address emergency community needs.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican fire safety authorities have issued an urgent public advisory regarding the proper use of household electrical equipment, highlighting significant fire risks associated with common practices. The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) has intensified its safety campaign following concerns about widespread misuse of extension cords and power devices that could lead to dangerous overheating and residential fires.

Emeleo Ebanks, Public Education Officer and Superintendent at JFB, delivered crucial technical guidance during a recent JIS Think Tank session. He emphasized that standard extension cords, particularly those with two-prong configurations, lack the capacity to handle substantial electrical loads. “Extension cords featuring only two prongs should be avoided entirely,” Ebanks stated. “Consumers must insist on three-prong designs incorporating negative, positive, and grounding connections for basic safety.”

The fire official specifically addressed the dangerous practice of physically altering three-prong plugs to fit outdated two-prong outlets. “Modifying plugs by removing the grounding prong with tools creates immediate fire hazards,” Ebanks warned. “If your electrical outlets cannot accommodate three-prong plugs, they require professional upgrading rather than makeshift solutions.”

Kitchen environments received particular attention in the safety briefing. Ebanks explained that manufacturers intentionally design kitchen appliances with short power cords to discourage extension cord use. High-wattage devices like blenders and mixers demand substantial energy transfer that most extension cords cannot safely conduct, leading to dangerous heat accumulation.

For enhanced protection, authorities recommend specialized equipment including refrigerator guards and certified surge protectors rather than conventional power strips. “Consumers must distinguish between genuine surge protectors and basic power distribution strips,” Ebanks clarified, urging careful product selection during purchases.

The JFB continues to reinforce electrical safety awareness through public education initiatives, aiming to reduce preventable residential fires across Jamaican communities.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic passage, a coalition of civic organizations has mobilized to support the recovery of a vital early childhood education center in St. James, Jamaica. The DRB Grant Demonstration Basic School, a cornerstone institution established in 1988, sustained near-total destruction, losing approximately 95% of its infrastructure according to Principal Heather Wiggan.

The hurricane’s impact rendered the physical plant inoperable, stripping roofs, submerging classrooms in mud and silt, and destroying all educational furniture and equipment. This forced an immediate transition to remote learning modalities—a strategy previously developed during COVID-19 disruptions—though connectivity challenges persist. Teachers now distribute digital activities and conduct limited in-person reviews weekly.

Volunteers from the JN Foundation and the National Helmet Wearing Coalition conducted intensive cleanup operations, removing debris and cleansing mud-filled spaces to enable damage assessment and future reconstruction. Laurie Radlin-Walker, a coalition volunteer, emphasized the humanitarian imperative: ‘This is for the children… once they can return to a clean environment, that makes it worth it.’

Sydoney Preddie, JN Foundation’s youth and education lead, characterized the cleaning as a critical first phase before structural repairs can commence. The initiative aligns with the Foundation’s commitment to educational development, particularly recognizing the foundational importance of early childhood learning.

Despite progress, Principal Wiggan underscores substantial unmet needs: major reconstruction, building supplies, classroom resources, and cafeteria equipment. The institution, serving 165 students and functioning as a training model for early childhood educators, seeks further corporate and public support to restore a safe, nurturing learning environment.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaican athletic community is mourning the loss of revered nonagenarian runner Roy Thomas, who passed away at age 97. Thomas, a fixture in the island’s running scene, was celebrated for his extraordinary longevity and dedication to the sport.

The Reggae Marathon, Jamaica’s premier distance running event, officially announced Thomas’s passing in Kingston through a heartfelt social media tribute on Thursday. The organization honored his legacy as both a perennial participant and fervent supporter, highlighting his role as an inspirational figure for generations of athletes.

Historical participation records indicate Thomas successfully completed numerous marathon and half-marathon events throughout his exceptional running career, demonstrating remarkable physical conditioning and mental determination well into his advanced years.

The tribute concluded with poignant remembrance: “Daddy Roy/ Roy Thomas/ Uncle Roy 1928 – 2025. Gone but never forgotten!” – a testament to the multiple generations of runners who held him in affectionate esteem. His passing marks the conclusion of an era for Jamaica’s fitness community, though his legacy as an exemplar of lifelong wellness and athletic commitment endures.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – A transformative urban culture initiative is set to roll across Jamaica as the Jamaica Skate Culture Foundation (JSC) launches its national skateboarding tour with a three-day inaugural event in downtown Kingston from December 19-21.

The groundbreaking event will commence at 10:00 AM on Water Lane, featuring an innovative mobile skate park installation designed to provide structured, safety-equipped skateboarding activities at no cost to participants. With particular emphasis on engaging inner-city youth, the program aims to democratize access to recreational sports while fostering community development.

Friday and Saturday programming will specifically target young residents from urban neighborhoods, offering beginner-level skateboarding initiation sessions, supervised group activities with comprehensive protective gear, skate demonstrations, and street art workshops. The initiative takes an interdisciplinary approach to youth engagement through urban culture.

On Sunday, the mobile skate park will integrate with Kingston Creative’s Grand Market – one of the city’s premier cultural events – by installing the facility at the intersection of Church Street and Water Lane. This strategic placement positions skateboarding within a broader creative ecosystem during the market hours.

The Sunday schedule from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM will feature an institutional ceremony attended by distinguished representatives including Kevin Brown, President of the University of Technology, Jamaica (home to the Corporate Area’s sole skate club), alongside diplomatic officials from France and Germany.

This Kingston launch initiates a nationwide tour continuing through 2026, with planned expansions to Portmore, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, Montego Bay, Negril, Mandeville, and Treasure Beach.

Established in 2020 as a registered charitable organization, the Jamaica Skate Culture Foundation employs skateboarding and urban culture as vehicles for youth development, educational advancement, social inclusion, and violence prevention. The foundation has secured international support, with France funding initial skate park development and instructor training, while Germany enables national mobility through support of the mobile facility.

Beyond immediate youth engagement, the tour serves as an advocacy platform encouraging municipal governments and institutions to invest in permanent public skate parks as sustainable infrastructure for community development. According to foundation founder Remy Walter, the initiative operates ‘at the intersection of sport, education, culture, and social impact’ through international partnerships aimed at building ‘a better Jamaica.’