By Jean Lowrie-Chin
Even as there were reports of multiple incidents of violence, Jamaica was getting herself ready for a Royal Visit. The front pages spoke of tragedy while the social pages featured highlights of the tour. While I support Prime Minister Andrew Holness's announcement that we are taking the path to becoming a Republic, it was quite in order that we greeted our royal guests with our signature Jamaican warmth. And yes, I am proud that we can organise elegant events on par with any other country.
In one week, there have been three incidents in which teenaged students have lost their lives or been injured: at Morris Knibb High, in a fight over a 'guard ring', at Liguanea Avenue in upper St Andrew where a schoolboy was killed in a cell phone robbery, and at Excelsior High where a student was stabbed in an altercation. Statistics show that Jamaica is losing more lives to violence than countries which are at war.
In the Morris Knibb incident, we asked where are the fathers? There was one weeping mother at the hospital where her son was pronounced dead, and another weeping mother at the police station where her son was taken into custody. It is not only the breakdown of the family that is causing these tragedies, but also the breakdown of the community. Many successful Jamaicans have been raised in single-parent homes, but this was in more peaceful communities where people would socialise and watch out for each other's children.
When we see the danger our children face, we realise that this is not just a job for the security forces. We need more social workers to collaborate with communities in averting violent confrontations. They could conduct parenting sessions in church halls to help strengthen families and engage pastors and mentors to provide support. Churches have now reopened, and the role of pastors and resolute church leaders is now more important than ever. They can be an oasis for troubled individuals and a support system for families and schools.
We are seeing even more resolve in the Jamaica Constabulary Force to clean up their own ranks, with the arrest of four police officers and the search for others in connection with a gang. This gives us hope, as it will build trust in the JCF, crucial for their crime-fighting efforts.
JAID promotes self-advocacy
The Jamaica Association on Intellectual Disabilities (JAID) welcomed the implementation of the Disability Act at their annual Forum last Friday. Executive Director Marilyn McKoy introduced their programme to promote self-advocacy by persons with disabilities, who now have the law firmly on their side.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Digicel Foundation are sponsoring the education programme. We heard from the Acting Country Representative for JICA Toru Togawa, that JICA Alumni Association in Jamaica has supplied knowledge transfer programmes for the past two decades towards capacity building of the staff of JAID associated schools.
Social worker Deborah Manning and moderator Brithney Clarke facilitated discussions with students at the Randolph Lopez School of Hope and a graduate, Andrew. They related incidents where transportation personnel would not accept their Government permit which entitles them to a discounted rate. Lovelette said as she struggled to explain her condition to a health care worker, she was told, "Gwaan home, yu no have no sense."
Persons with intellectual disability (PWIDs) also have difficulty with the police who display a lack of patience with them. They believe more signage could help PWIDs in understanding directions. They are asking for sensitization of police, army and security guards.
The JAID will be launching a campaign with the theme, 'Allow Me'. It features PWIDs showing their achievements and appealing to society to allow them and others like them to enjoy the rights that all human beings deserve. Nigel Davis, Special Olympics gold medallist, was featured on the job at Parang Industries proudly explaining his duties.
We were entertained by drummers of the School Of Hope – their music teacher George Jobson directed the group, whose mature and harmonious performance showed us the excellence which can be achieved by persons with disabilities who are taught with kindness.
Chain of Hope mending hearts
Last week we caught up with Emma Scanlan and Nola Phillpotts Brown of the Chain of Hope charitable organisation at the Jamaica Children Heart Centre, Bustamante Hospital. Chain of Hope funds visiting cardiologists and special care nurses to conduct surgery on children born with heart conditions. The ultramodern facilities for which the Digicel and Shaggy Foundations were key donors, began operations in 2017 and have treated 150 children since then. The local team is led by Dr Sherard Little, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon whose dedication has been remarkable.
Farewell Great Women
We lost two great Jamaican women recently, and I was blessed to have known them.
Evelyn Smart, lifetime Civil Servant, author and coordinating founder of the Women's Political Caucus, was an unremitting activist for women's rights. She celebrated our women parliamentarians in two books, Jamaican Women on the Road to Parliament: From the 19th to the Early 21st Century and Electoral Winnability: Women's Key to Parliament. Evelyn Smart was co-founder of the Rose Leon Memorial Trust, past president of the St Andrew Business and Professional Women's Club; a fellow of the Jamaica Institute of Management; member of the Women's Social Service Club and the Women's Liberal Club. A Thanksgiving Service for Evelyn Smart will be held at the Lyndhurst Methodist Church on Thursday.
Gerda Theobalds was our brilliant English Language and Literature teacher at Convent of Mercy 'Alpha' Academy where she served from 1950 to 1992. She was so affirming of our creative talent that I probably would not be writing this column today if she had not encouraged me on this path. My classmate Margery Campbell Newland spoke of her 'depth of intellect and breadth of knowledge' at her Thanksgiving Service last week. Margery went on to teach at Alpha and Mrs Theobalds mentored the younger teachers including another classmate Dr Denise Wehby Aloma. Margery quoted Denise's description of Mrs Theobalds: "She was memorable, beautiful, priceless. She emboldened me … what a gift she has been to thousands of students." After her retirement, Mrs Theobalds continued to conduct English classes well into her eighties at her home.
We send condolences to the families of Evelyn Smart and Gerda Theobalds. May their beautiful souls rest in peace.
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