Observer column published Monday 12 June 2023
by Jean Lowrie-Chin
I can hardly repeat it: a cruel parallel of Jesus' journey to Calvary. First, we hear of a child abducted from Braeton Primary School (reports are that it could be two children). An evil thug slashes her throat; she is driven to Vineyard Town where she is thrown out of the car on a busy road. (Yes, weep with me.) She wanders in shock and bumps into a car; the merciful motorist speeds her off to Bustamante Children's Hospital. There is a call for blood donations in a desperate attempt to save her precious life. But on Saturday morning we learned that eight-year-old Danielle Rowe had succumbed to her injury.
This brings back memories of the murder of nine-year-old Gabriel King last January in Montego Bay. Reports are that he was being driven by his mother when she slowed down to navigate some potholes and was pulled from the vehicle. Later the child was found dead with his throat slashed in the abandoned vehicle. To date the mystery of that murder has not been solved. When our children become prey for evildoers, we have entered into a sad chapter. It is horrific enough when children lose their lives as innocent bystanders, but for children to be targeted and wilfully murdered is the foulest of crimes.
Last month we joined the Kingston and St Andrew Metropolitan Corporation (KSAMC) at their Secret Garden monument memorialising our murdered children since 2015. There were over 780 plaques bearing the names of children from 0-years-old upwards. As I visit various schools, I hear the children singing one of their favourites, "I am a promise, I am a possibility." Now the voices of hundreds of children have been silenced, their promise and possibilities transformed into loss and mourning. In his statement, describing Danielle's murder as "Deeply disturbing and barbaric," Prime Minister Andrew Holness noted that since the start of the year, eight children had been killed, including three under 12 years old. And so since 2015, we have lost nearly 790 children.
This is a heavy column to write. This criminal behaviour shamefully includes the deeds of men whose "church" is a place of abuse. Over 20 children had to be rescued from one such property in Montego Bay last week by the Child Protection & Family Support Agency (CPFSA). This column has been calling on the Umbrella Group of church organizations to have a registration process; then we can check the bonafides of churches and pastors alike. Government may have to step in and demand this.
There has been embarrassment and anger at the news that Jamaica would not be included in the recently announced list of countries whose citizens would no longer be required to have visas to travel to Canada. We should be embarrassed indeed. This country with so many paid servants of the people in Government, Opposition, parish councils, public service; this little rock - population 3 million, has the majority of us living behind bars because the criminal minority is having a field day terrorizing us. We will not make the grade until we get crime under control.
Special Needs Centre in Santa Cruz
Thanks to the Ministry of Education and the Digicel Foundation, a new learning centre for special needs children was launched in Santa Cruz last Thursday. The centre is the first of its kind in the Ministry of Education and Youth's Region 5 and will positively impact the over 800 students with special needs in St. Elizabeth and Manchester who need special intervention and support.
"With an investment of more than US$280,000 into its renovation and expansion," noted Foundation CEO Charmaine Daniels, "the Centre accommodates 62 students across three classrooms. …. But beyond the dollar figure, this expansion represents
partnership and new hope. Partnership with the Ministry of Education and Youth, which we have of course maintained since 2004; partnership with HEART Trust/NSTA, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, the Jamaican Association on Intellectual Disabilities (JAID) – all organizations with which we have been collaborating since the Foundation's inception."
State Minister in the Ministry of Education and Youth Marsha Smith enthused, "Through your Foundation you have shown your corporate responsibility in embracing the vision for education for all and we thank you for the significant investment that you have made in supporting our schools islandwide."
New Inductees in BPW St. Andrew
The Business & Professional Women's Club (BPW) of St. Andrew inducted three new members at their recent Annual General Meeting Chaired by President Dr Lilieth Nelson. The organization is part of the worldwide BPW International and promotes professional development. They are co-founders of the Jamaica Women's Political Caucus which encourages the participation of women in politics and conducts seminars for their guidance
Founded 49 years ago by attorney-at-law Mavis Watts, BPW St Andrew Club's senior members were happy to welcome young inductees, designer and musician Carol-Ann Dexter Dwyer, engineer Tandose Samba and student member from UWI, Brianna Hinds. Special honours went to Dr Mearle Barrett, Monica McNeil and Venita Walker while appreciation gifts were presented to Alassandra Chung and Dr. Marcia Williams.
I must make special mention of Gloria Langrin who assisted CCRP in researching model legislation for the care and protection of the elderly. We shared the information with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security five years ago and we are hoping that Jamaica will very soon migrate our National Policy to meaningful laws.
The Mavis Watts Award will be presented by the Club to an outstanding Jamaican woman next month, so watch this space for the name of this phenomenal woman.
ECC Board completes term
The Board of the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) recently completed their three-year term under the fine leadership of Chairman Trisha Williams-Singh. Other members who also gave active service on several sub-committees were:
Dasmine Kennedy, MoEY's representative
Easton Williams, PIOJ's representative
Ann Marie Rowe-Mittoo, MoLG's representative
Marcia Faulknor, MoFP's representative
Dr. Melody Ennis, MoHW's representative
Suzette Morris, MoLSS representative
Ms. Samara South, Minister's nominee
Carlene Lecia Edwards. Minister's nominee
Nicole McLaren-Campbell, Minister's nominee
Dawn Woodstock, Minister's nominee
Kemesha Swaby, Minister's nominee
David Salmon, Minister's nominee
Jerome Palmer, Minister's nominee
Patricia Duncan-Sutherland Leader of the Opposition's nominee
It was an honour to serve on this Commission as the Minister's nominee. The ECC celebrated 300 certified early childhood institutions last October with another 70 well on their way to achieving the 12 required standards. The Early Childhood Commission's staff is headed by Mrs Karlene DeGrasse-Deslandes and have also established Brain Builder Centres and Parenting Places islandwide. We wish them continued success, because a strong early childhood foundation is critical to the preparation of our children for a successful future.
Jean Lowrie-Chin is founder and Executive Chair of PROComm and CCRP
Photo Captions
Woodlawn School of Special Education student, Darlone Miller recites "Jamaica", a poem he wrote at the launch of the Santa Cruz Learning Centre.
BPW St Andrew Inductees Brianna Hinds, Tandose Samba and Carol-Ann Dexter Dwyer
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