Excerpt from Observer column published July 30 2018
by Jean Lowrie-Chin
 |
| Carmen with her Dancehall style poster at the event she hosted celebrating Jamaican music. |
She came to Jamaica as a fledgling diplomat in 2015,
but little did Carmen Rives know that she would be placed in the role of
Chargée d’Affaires after the sad passing of Ambassador Aníbal Jiménez y
Abascal. She tackled her role
wholeheartedly, welcoming Spanish investors large and small, embracing
Jamaica’s culture, and promoting Spanish education and culture through the
Spanish-Jamaican Foundation. She wowed
the audience of the ‘Powerful Women & Men’ show by performing poems by
Gloria Fuertes in Jamaican patois.
Carmen was particularly impressed with the Alpha
Institute and the rich history of its predecessor, Alpha Boys School, cradle of
Jamaican music. She saw the uplifting work being done at the Institute by
Sister Susan Frazer, Margaret Little-Wilson, Dr Joshua Chamberlain and
dedicated teachers, and supported them, helping to find jobs for graduates and
holding a sizeable fundraiser with big-name artistes.
“Meeting Carmen in 2015
was serendipitous,” notes Dr Chamberlain. “It was a time when Alpha needed lots
of help creating a foundation for the Alpha Institute. Carmen's tireless
support and special ability to bring the community together from business and
foundations to the diplomatic community has helped to create opportunities for
current and future students. Carmen also shares our big vision…We look forward
to maintaining our friendship and know she will do great things long into the
future.”
Ever for unity, Carmen
held a Rae Town Tribute to celebrate Jamaica’s Independence and Emancipation in
2016. Downtown came uptown with a pulsating dance party, ‘Tribute to Rae Town’,
inviting the mellow Classique Sound System and Sister Norma to delight guests
of various walks of life. No wonder then that at a farewell dance organised by
friends last Thursday, the legendary Ken Boothe created special lyrics for
Carmen, most appropriately to his song, “Lady with the Starlight”. Long may Carmen’s light shine, as she heads
for her next tour of duty in Mozambique.
No comments:
Post a Comment