Diplomatic dynamo Canadian High Commissioner Laurie Peters

 Excerpt from Jamaica Observer column published 2 November 2020

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Outgoing Canadian High Commissioner (HC) Laurie Peters began her tour of duty in Jamaica in September 2017, and has played a significant role in the promotion of commercial, scientific, educational and cultural exchanges between the countries, undoubtedly bolstering Canadian presence locally and regionally. An outstanding aspect of her work in advocacy and international diplomacy was her advancement Canada’s feminist foreign policy by championing commitments for gender equality, peace, and security.

HC Peters directed Canada’s continued support of Jamaica's response to COVID-19 through its health, economic growth and education activities. Since the outbreak, Canada has provided over $75 million (CAD 500,00) in support of the health and development sectors.  Most recently, Canada made available an additional $482 million (CAD$4.7 million) for Jamaica towards the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRF) premiums. She spearheaded a new $20M Canada-Caribbean Resilience Facility at the World Bank to provide Jamaica with timely technical assistance and emergency funding in the aftermath of a disaster.

Other highlights of her tour was swift hurricane response in the region, immigration activities including the Seasonal Agricultural Worker’s Program (SAWP), programmes promoting peace, security and justice, skills training to access the ‘green’ economy, and Canada’s long-standing defence partnership with Jamaica. In the area of multilateral cooperation, she supported the roundtable held by PM Trudeau with four small island developing states (SIDS) leaders including PM Holness during the 2019 G7 Summit.

HC Peters gave special focus to programmes in education, and in April last year, signed a Memorandum of Understanding between UWI and Brock University to establish the Canada Caribbean Institute which will “harness academic expertise to help address important regional topics and foster intercultural understanding.”

In spite of her demanding schedule, HC Peters was ever gracious and approachable. We thank her for her meaningful support and advocacy, and wish her continued success in the service of her great country.

_____________________________________________________________

FROM THE CANADIAN HIGH COMMISSION IN JAMAICA

KEY MILESTONES  of HIGH COMMISSIONER PETERS' TOUR OF DUTY 2017-2020

 

Canada has enjoyed a close and wide-ranging relationship with Jamaica based on our strong history of people-to-people ties, security and defence cooperation, trade and investment, and development. This year, Canada and Jamaica celebrate 58 years of diplomatic relations.

High Commissioner Laurie Peters commenced her tour of duty in Jamaica in September 2017. During that time High Commissioner Peters has been instrumental in strengthening the relationship between Canada and Jamaica. She has played a significant role in the promotion of commercial, scientific, educational and cultural exchanges between the countries and has undoubtedly bolstered Canadian presence in both the local and regional landscape.

These are highlights of key milestones and achievements her tenure.

International advocacy and diplomacy

·  Canada and Jamaica see the international landscape through very similar lenses and have a strong history of cooperation and support for each other’s candidature in elections at UN bodies

 

·  Helping to advance Canada’s feminist foreign policy by championing our women, peace, and security priority commitments

 

 

• Development, Peace and Security Programming

• Help for Canadians Abroad

• Support for Canada’s Presence Abroad

 

Environment, Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction

Canada-Caribbean Resilience Facility (CCRF)

Our new $20M Canada-Caribbean Resilience Facility at the World Bank will provide Jamaica with timely technical assistance and emergency funding in the aftermath of a disaster.

 

Canada is continuing to support Jamaica's response to COVID-19 through its health, economic growth and education activities. Since the outbreak, Canada has provided over $75 million (CAD 500,00) in support of the health and development sectors.  Most recently, Canada made available an additional a little over $482 million (CAD$4.7 million) for Jamaica towards the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRF) premiums. A further injection of funds to create fiscal space to allow Jamaica to address the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.

 

Operational Support Hub (OSH)

·       OSH established in Jamaica in 2016 to support Regional Disaster Mitigation and climate resilience efforts.

·       This “camp in a box” Hub will support Latin American and Caribbean countries in the wake of natural disasters, such as hurricanes or earthquakes.

·       It can accommodate approximately 200 people and has eating and common areas.

 Hurricane Response

·       Since the devastating hurricanes of 2017, Canada has delivered on its commitment to Caribbean, through support to reconstruction, economic and climate resilience; promotion of Caribbean interests in multilateral fora; and engagement of the Canadian private sector.

·       Canada provided humanitarian assistance to Hurricane Irma’s affected countries, including providing transport to emergency responders from Jamaica.

·       Canada has supported the transportation of a contingent of 120 Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldiers to provide recovery and humanitarian support to The Bahamas, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian.

Multilateral cooperation

 Group of Seven (G7)

·       During the G7 Leaders’ Summit last year, PM Trudeau held a roundtable with four SIDS leaders (including PM Holness) and the heads of International Financial Institutions including the IMF, World Bank, and OECD.

·       Canada and Jamaica have chaired the Global Discussions on COVID-19 Financing and Cooperation

·       Canada's minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Ahmed Hussen visited  Jamaica in 2019 for a three-day working visit to, among other things, shore up cooperation between his country and tertiary education institutions

Gender Equality

Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are central objectives of Canadian foreign policy. Canada focuses on dismantling persistent inequalities between women, men, girls and boys, and accounts for how other forms of discrimination may overlap or intersect.

Women’s Voice & Leadership- Caribbean project

·       This regional project commenced implementation in 2020. It is part of the larger $150 million global Women’s Voice and Leadership Program. 27 women’s rights organizations from across the Caribbean, 4 in Jamaica will receive finding and technical support to build out their advocacy and social intervention programs. 

 

·       Canada has hosted (with the European Delegation) at National Gallery of Jamaica the inaugural International Women’s Breakfast Forum on “The Art of Empowerment” which engaged over 50 women parliamentarians, diplomats and other leaders in discussion on the ways to empower more women to take on leadership roles in their respective spheres, including in non-traditional areas. 

The Faces for Equality which recognises champions in the field of human rights, women’s empowerment and gender equality.

·       SheLeadsIT, co-founded by Bridget Lewis and Nicole Pitter Patterson, which convenes the annual Girls in ICT Day Caribbean Hackathon which provides an opportunity for girls and young women to innovate for change through website and mobile app development, podcasting, animation and gaming.

·       The Peace Management Initiative, implements a Violence Interruption Programme which works through the CSJP in 20 vulnerable and volatile communities in Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine and Clarendon to identify potential acts of violence and mediate conflicts.

·       Young Women and Men of Purpose, founded by Lanisia Rhoden, has been empowering young women in Central Jamaica to Realise, Embrace and Achieve their Purpose (R.E.A.P.) through entrepreneurship training and support.) 

Supporting Civil Society

The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI)/Canada Fund

·       CFLI has been supporting small-scale, high-impact projects, in Jamaica. The program is directed at projects conceived and designed predominantly by local partners. Areas of focus include gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls; peace and security with a focus on conflict prevention and building peace; and environment and climate action focusing on adaptation and mitigation, as well as on water management.

·       Notable projects include:

o   Support to continuing education for young students during COVID-19 in inner city communities

o   Guns over Gloves Project aimed at using sports for peace building and conflict management.

o   Canada has provided $100,000 CAD to support to the field hospital 

Immigration 

Seasonal Agricultural Workers’ Program (SAWP) and other workers

·       Jamaica was the first country to sign a bilateral Seasonal Agricultural Workers’ Program (SAWP) agreement with Canada over 50 years ago. Now in its, 54^th season, the program remains highly successful with mutual benefits for both Jamaica and Canada.

·       Over 9,000 Jamaican workers currently go to Canada annually under the program.

·       Every year, approximately 80% of the Jamaican workers who apply for work permits under the program are returning workers (i.e. previous program participants).

·       Canada continues to engage with Jamaica on a range of labour related issues including not only work protections, but also growing opportunities for labour mobility. 

Peace, Security and Justice

 Defence Unit

With more than 50 years of significant defence cooperation, Jamaica is a crucial security partner for Canada in the Caribbean.

·       The relocation last fall of our Canadian Defence Attaché for the Caribbean from Havana to Kingston underlines the importance of our defence ties with Jamaica, and our efforts to strengthen security across the Caribbean. 

·       Operational Support Hub for Latin America and the Caribbean (OSH-LAC). In 2012 the MND and Jamaican Minister of National Security signed an MOU permitting the establishment of the OSH-LAC in Jamaica. The OSH-LAC provides an effective and efficient operational support to CAF missions in the region, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations (HADR).

The Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP)

ACCBP works to improve the capacity of beneficiary states, government entities and international organizations to deal with transnational crime. ACCBP focuses on: illicit drugs; corruption; human trafficking and migrant smuggling; money laundering and proceeds of crime; security sector reform, and; crime prevention (including prevention of cyber-crime). Examples of projects that have included Jamaica in 2018 include:  Anti-corruption, cyber-crime, money laundering, and fighting crime in tourist locations. In total, last year ACCBP spent over $800k on projects in Jamaica. 

Citizens Security and Justice Program (CSJP)

·       Implemented by Jamaica’s Ministry of National Security, with the assistance of the IDB), and through funding from Canada and the UK, the project is to enhance citizen security and justice within targeted communities throughout Jamaica by improving the behaviours for non-violent conflict resolution; increase labour market attachment among youth and increase access to effective community and alternate justice services.

The Justice Undertakings for Social Transformation (JUST)

·       We are pleased by the results of the decade-long JUST partnership between the Jamaican Ministry of Justice, and Canada. It is a model for strengthening justice systems.

·       Canada’s $20M (2009-2020) JUST Program in partnership with the UNDP and the Jamaican Ministry of Justice, aims to: 1) improve the capacity of core justice sector institutions to manage and implement their core business; 2) strengthen the technical and result-based management capacity of the Ministry of Justice of Jamaica, including the establishment of a Justice Reform Implementation Unit (JRIU); 3) improve the capacity of women, men, girls and boys to access justice information, advice and legal services, and to increase participation in the justice reform process.

·       Through the program, Canada supports Jamaican court services in the rolling-out of the Case Information Statistical System (CISS) in family, tax and traffic courts.

·       Supports MOJ’s Restorative Justice, Child Diversion programmes

·       Providing 2 new retrofitted Justice services Buses to increase access to justice for rural and underserved communities

 

Trade and Investment

Serving as interlocutors in major business and trade agreements relating clean energy, entertainment, education and investments.

Education

Academic relations

·       Academic exchange is a critical part of Canada’s relationship with the Caribbean.

·       Several MOUs between colleges and universities in Jamaica and Canada, as well as many active student exchange programmes.

o   Canada-Caribbean Research Institute

o   Utech/MetalWorks Institute

o   Fanshawe Global contract award for EV training in the region 

Study in Canada

·       Over 3000 Jamaican students have been admitted to Canadian institutions. 

UWI – Brock MOU to establish the Canada Caribbean Institute

·       Signed April 2019, the MOU between Brock University and the University of the West Indies (UWI) harnesses academic expertise to help address important regional topics and foster intercultural understanding. It commits the two institutions to establish the Canada-Caribbean Institute that provides a focal point for multi-disciplinary research and teaching.

Commercial

Skills to Access the Green Economy (SAGE)

·       OUR SAGE and Climate Change Action for Gender-Sensitive Resilience projects will provide technical and vocational training in sectors associated with climate change, and help Jamaica develop sector-level National Adaptation and Mitigation Plans, in particular in areas of greater impact for women and girls.

Information Communication Technology (ICT)

·       True North- In 2018 we were pleased to have had a three-member delegation from the Jamaica Computer Society (JCS) attend True North Conference in Waterloo. The JCS also launched a Toronto chapter. Theme “Tech for Good”.

·       Cybersecurity –  Over the past 2 years partnered with the Mona ICT Policy Centre, University of the West Indies for Annual National Cybersecurity Conference

·       Collision - North America’s fastest growing technology festival. It attracts 25,000+ participants. A 17 member delegation from Jamaica represented 13 participating Jamaican organisations. Pipeline plans for Collision June 22- 25, 2020.

·       Ryerson DMZ - The High Commission  supported the DMZ in recruiting Jamaican companies for the DMZYYZ Intensive Program for International Entrepreneurs  One (1) company from Jamaica was selected - It's Pixel Perfect just completed the May 2019 cohort. Another potential participant from Jamaica was also selected by the DMZ to participate in September 2019.  Over the past 9 years, DMZ has developed award-winning programming which has helped tech founders raise millions of dollars and close billions worth of sales. Toronto's ecosystem has been recognized globally as a leader in innovation.

A teacher who lifts our spirits

 Jamaica Observer column published 26 October 2020

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Taneka McKoy Phipps

We know the old saying, “If it bleeds, it leads” but look at the outpouring of love and support for Taneka McKoy Phipps, who first came to attention via a UNICEF Jamaica video on social media. The dedicated teacher said she noticed children playing in the street in her Kingston community though they would have been in school in normal times. She figured that their parents may not have had connectivity and decided that she would create  ‘community blackboards’ on various walls. Every weekday morning, she and assistants write up lessons on the walls. 

                                        Children copying work from a community blackboard

(screen grabs from UNICEF Jamaica video)

The video shows parents taking photos of the wall, and children copying the lessons in their exercise books. Mainstream media picked up the video, featuring Mrs McKoy Phipps, resulting in significant offers of assistance to the dedicated teacher.  There was a similar response to Keron King, Principal of the Little Bay Primary School who rode around on his bike to deliver worksheets to his students as they prepared for GSAT.

We have extraordinary teachers in this country, some who take up the role of parenting in cases when they discover incidents of child abuse. We hear many of those stories from successful Jamaicans who remember that one teacher who believed in them when even their family members were talking them down.

Several of our brilliant teachers have been doing the same abroad and I am proud that my  Convent of Mercy ‘Alpha’ classmate Dr Denise Aloma (formerly Wehby) was recently honoured by the South Florida Business Journal with the “Power Leader In Education” Award. A teacher of nearly 50 years, Denise taught at her Alma Mater before moving to South Florida where she served as teacher, Vice Principal and Principal since 2014 of the St Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale.  

Here and abroad, we hear stressed out parents recognising the effort and care required to instruct children as they struggle with Covid induced virtual learning. We are also realising how poverty can keep our children in a cycle of desperation. We welcome the Government’s plan to install broadband islandwide, and the free-to-air programming offered by our television stations. There is also that age-old invention called the book – let us get our children reading more and become the best allies of their teachers. That alliance should include monitoring our children so they do not Google their way through homework. Remember, there is no quick fix to developing critical thinking and that is central to their future success.

Heritage Week Celebration

We met a brilliant Jamaican via a virtual session last week – Mrs Ann-Marie Howard-Brown, Senior Archaeologist and Curator at the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT). She was Guest Speaker at a National Heritage Week Celebration organised by IGT for students at their After-School Advantage Programme centres at various homes islandwide.

Mrs Howard-Brown introduced us to the well-ordered society of Jamaica’s first inhabitants, the Tainos, whose history here was traced back to 650 AD. She noted that with their structure of government and their inventions, these were civilised people and therefore it was not Columbus who ‘civilised’ us. Indeed, she dubbed Christopher Columbus ‘Jamaica’s first tourist’.

We learned that they used the Lignum Vitae for medicinal purposes, and to create large canoes accommodating up to 50 persons that sailed to various Caribbean islands – cruises of olden days. ‘Tainos were biochemists’ she averred, as she described how they extracted the poisonous juices from the bitter cassava with well-designed devices, producing an edible staple.

Debbie Green, IGT Jamaica General Manager commented on Mrs Howard-Brown’s riveting style. Indeed, she held us with her passion for the subject and her sense of humour. We have a national treasure there at JNHT.

Outbreaks and Care Homes

Just when we felt there was a levelling of Covid Cases, we got the grim news that there was an outbreak of the disease at the Golden Age Home in Kingston and at the Mustard Seed Community’s Jerusalem Home in St. Catherine. Both residents and staff were affected and there are complaints of the carelessness of some Jamaicans who have come from abroad and are not observing health protocols. Imagine, they are stooping as low as bribing officials at our airports to not install the monitoring app on their phones.

Further, since last June, long before Covid, the CCRP seniors advocacy organisation has been calling for closer inspection of our care homes.  There was a report of gross neglect at a home in Portmore and when we investigated, we discovered that there were only two inspectors assigned by the Ministry of Health and Wellness to oversee care homes in the entire island.

In last week’s press briefing, Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said he would be recruiting more health inspectors, but in the meanwhile, may we suggest that the very competent staffers at the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) be authorised to make comprehensive tours of these homes. The NCSC has offices in every parish and they do visit homes but are prevented to go beyond certain areas by the operators of these homes. Until the Ministry can have adequate personnel in place, we are asking that they prepare inspection guidelines for the NCSC and grant them full access to care homes.

Rains bring tragedy and damage

The recent heavy rains resulted in a landslide at Shooters Hill in St Thomas, taking the lives of Romeo Leachman, and his 15-year-old daughter Sanique, a promising fourth former at Queen’s High School. 

Those of us who have been involved in construction projects know the various agencies from which we must get approvals before we can start. Why then are the authorities allowing so many houses to be built in some of the most dangerous locations? Our over 200 parish councillors should be tasked with touring their communities and reporting on dangerous start-ups. Then there is the issue of the extensive damage to our roadways, including some recently built. This begs the question as to how well they were constructed in the first place.

As usual, we saw piles of plastic bottles in the garbage washed up on streets and in gullies. Do Jamaicans know that our tap water is safe? If you believe something may be wrong after a weather incident, just a few drops of bleach can make it perfectly drinkable. I remember an American embassy staffer Joshua Polacheck noting that he never bought bottled water here, as Jamaica has great tasting tap water. We should stock up on bottled water for emergencies but in normal times, just refill your reusable bottles and give the gullies a break.

lowriechin@aim.com

www.lowrie-chin.blogspot.com

 

Photo captions

Children copying work from a community blackboard

(screen grabs from UNICEF Jamaica video)

Hearts united for Jamaica

Jamaica Observer column published 12 October 2020

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Yes, we have many challenges, but we will not be defeated. This is because many Jamaican organizations are looking out for the less fortunate.  It is particularly moving to see the special focus that has been placed on the elderly during these Covid times. We had dancing and solid advice from top experts at a Wellness Forum during Seniors Week.

Mrs Gurlene Johnson

Dr Le’Anne Steele reminded us of the importance of exercise for both physical and mental health. What a joy it was to see a video featuring 80-year-old Mrs Gurlene Johnson, champion participant in numerous athletic events both locally and in the region. Holding trophies and decked in medals, she shared that she walks or runs up to four miles each day. She has no non-communicable diseases and is not on any medication. “To God be the glory,” she declares, thanking the Health Ministry and the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC).

Dr Sharon Dawson gave information on nutrition, highlighting the immunity boosters: fruit and vegetables, turmeric, garlic, red bell pepper, almonds, ginger, green tea, sweet potatoes and oily fish. She emphasised the importance of staying hydrated. We learned at another session that sometimes it is dehydration and not dementia that causes confusion in elderly persons. Let us remember also that blessed sunshine which gives us Vitamin D, one of the most important vitamins to build immunity and keep our bones strong.

Mrs Karen Nelson

Deputy Chief Nursing Officer Mrs Karen Nelson reminded us to monitor our health daily, to watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath and other symptoms of Covid 19.  We understand that some of the serious Covid cases resulted from delayed action in reporting such symptoms. She reminded us that masks should fit well, covering the nose and mouth. She said adequate sleep was important as this is when hormones beneficial to one’s health are released. She warned against too much alcohol and cigarette smoking. Mrs Nelson ended her presentation with a lively dance.

Dr Judith Leiba spoke on mental health, reminding caregivers, “Think of your own mental health before you help someone else.” She said a senior told her that prayer, exercise and fierce determination were her way of coping with these Covid times. She recommended the “Rs”: Reflection, Responsibility, Relaxation, Retooling and Rebooting, Recreation, Relationships and Resources. She urged participants, “Be aware of your emotions and be patient with yourselves.” She warned that although cleaning and sanitizing were important, we should be wary of obsessive behaviour.

Dr Leiba encouraged that we watch positive, humorous programmes. We know that with the Covid updates and news here and abroad, we can become stressed. Indeed, the morning I was to have surgery on my wrist, my blood pressure went up and after watching “Oliver at Large” on YouTube, it stabilized.  Laughter remains the best medicine.

Please check the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) YouTube channel for this excellent Forum.

Covid stats and actions

Last Friday, we attended a stakeholder’s workshop organised by the Ministry of Health & Wellness (MOHW) where various organisations discussed their programmes to assist our seniors and the less fortunate during this pandemic. We were surprised that a Statin-MOHW survey showed that 75.7% of the Jamaican people did not perceive their community as being at risk for Covid-19.  Clearly, many of us are in denial, but the statistics speak for themselves. A table revealed that while it took 151 days to arrive at the first 1,000 cases of Covid in Jamaica, it has taken only 6 days for the last 1,000 cases to emerge. Dr Simone Spence urged us to “treat everyone as if they are positive.”

The concentration of cases in certain areas of Kingston & St Andrew and St Catherine is a warning.  The spike is real and the deaths are devastating. Many of his patients are mourning the excellent Dr Lenworth Jackson who passed away from Covid last week.

Thank goodness, there are several organisations who have been giving amazing service to our people. The NCSC led by Cassandra Morrison has been at work islandwide, counselling, assisting with health aids and care items. Saffrey Brown, head of the Council for Voluntary Social Services (CVSS) says the organisation has distributed 50,000 masks and 71,000 care packages.  They are collaborating with the Jamaica Council of Churches to set up food kitchens in communities.

Lois Hue, Deputy Head of the Jamaica Red Cross has been increasing their ‘Meals-on-Wheels’ programme for indigent elderly and handicapped persons, even as they also continue to distribute care packages and sanitizing items.

CCRP has contributed $500,000 to Food for the Poor for the preparation of care packages for the elderly indigent, and these were distributed with the assistance of the Police Community Safety Division. The organisation also received a considerable amount of foodstuff from the Digicel Foundation which was distributed to churches and infirmaries islandwide. Mrs Vilma McDonald reported that the Lions Club of New Kingston have continued their outreach to the elderly, also delivering food packages for them.

The PSOJ’s programme for outreach, led by President Keith Duncan has seen top companies stepping up to give millions, and a recent video aimed at the diaspora features a Go Fund Me page so that Jamaicans everywhere can contribute.

Hon. R. Danvers Williams at his 
book-signing

R. Danny Williams Autobiography

Congratulations to the legendary R. Danny Williams on the launch of his autobiography ‘I Tried To Make A Difference’. The title reflects Danny Williams’ humility as those who know him, know the huge difference he has made in business, philanthropy and mentorship. It was amazing to see this patriot, this force of nature, at work when he raised funds in record time for the building of the UWI Hospital Intensive Care Facility. As the Founder and President of Life of Jamaica (now Sagicor Life), he changed the face of the insurance industry in Jamaica, creating thousands of successful careers in the field. Danny Williams and Shirley, his wife of 65 years inspire us to give of our best to family and country.

All proceeds of ‘I Tried To Make A Difference’ will go to the R. Danny Williams Endowment Fund, to benefit the students of his beloved Alma Mater, Jamaica College. Copies of the book can be purchased at Sigma Secretariat, Ground Floor – R Danny Williams Building, 28-48 Barbados Avenue. 

Digicel Virtual 5K

This ninth running of the Digicel 5K for special needs will take place virtually this month. A unique plan designed by Alfred ‘Frano’ Francis of Running Events will deliver you a ‘Virtual Bib’ after you register at their website so anyone here and abroad can now walk, run and wheel anywhere for special needs. When you submit your time online, you will be rewarded with a medal and certificate.

Since 2012, the Digicel Foundation has raised J$61.5 million to assist school renovations, provide scholarships to students with special needs.

 

 

Unforgettable Rheta Chen

Rheta Chen and husband Prof Anthony Chen 

Excerpt from Jamaica Observer column published 5 October 2020

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Rheta Chen, beloved friend and fellow Associate of the Sisters of Mercy, tried to prepare us for her departure, telling us that she was at peace and ready after an up-and-down illness with cancer over several years. However when we heard of her passing last Thursday, we were devastated. If I were to describe Rheta metaphorically, I would say she was that morning sun that warmed and nurtured us. Perhaps it was her first career in nursing that made her so caring and empathetic. Later she decided to study accounting and gave her skills freely to the Sisters of Mercy.

Rheta’s strong sense of duty saw her ensuring that our Mercy Associates accounts were well managed and that when we attended meetings of the Chinese Cultural Association, we were refreshed. There was no sugar-coating of her opinions so we could depend on her for frankness and constructive criticism.

Rheta and her husband Professor Anthony Chen were an inspiring couple, ever supporting each other’s endeavours. They travelled the world together as Prof Chen, UWI Professor Emeritus of Physics, spoke at conferences on climate change and had co-authored a publication for the Intergovernmental panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Vice President Al Gore.

We express deepest sympathy to Prof Chen, children Norman, Marsha and Gail and other family members for the loss of their beautiful Rheta Chen. May her great soul rest in peace.

Jeremiah Knight ends Jamaica tour

 

Jeremiah Knight with his farewell gift.

Excerpt from Jamaica Observer column published 5 October 2020

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

After three years in Jamaica, Jeremiah Knight ended his dynamic tour as the U.S. Embassy’s Counselor for Public Affairs on September 30^th.  We congratulate him on his promotion to Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.  His notable accomplishments during his tenure as the embassy’s head of Public Affairs include programmes for Women’s Empowerment, creating the Department of State’s local chapter of the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs  and the Embassy’s Annual Women’s History Month Grant Pitch Competition that awarded over US$300,000 in grants.

Jeremiah also collaborated with the Branson Centre to host rap sessions under the theme ‘Journeys to Scale’, promoting the exchange of ideas between key business leaders in Jamaica and the US to assist local entrepreneurs in expanding their concerns.

At a virtual farewell get-together last Monday, media leaders, PAJ President George Davis, broadcaster and lecturer Fae Ellington and OPM Press Secretary Naomi Francis acknowledged Jeremiah’s promotion of investigative journalism, partnering with the Caribbean Investigative Journalism Network. 

Jeremiah, whose grandfather hails from Jamaica, is passionate about education. He established the Embassy’s U.S. Exchanges Alumni Association (Jamaica) and organised islandwide school tours with US Ambassador Donald Tapia who has remarked on his joy in engaging with our beautiful Jamaican children.

He collaborated with bright young enthusiasts in a social media advisory group, created the Embassy’s Stakeholder Appreciation and Recognition Awards (SARA) and spearheaded the transformation of the Embassy’s Robeson American Center into a state-of-the-art technology space, facilitating specialized STEM clubs and a host of entrepreneurship programmes..

Despite his taxing schedule, Jeremiah found time to entertain his friends and colleagues with his amazing culinary creations, garnered from his worldwide postings and enhanced by his unique flavours.

Walk good Jeremiah – you will be missed, but we are proud of your ascent in the US diplomatic service.

Covid is no respecter of persons

 Observer column published 5th October 2020

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Once more Covid-19 has reminded us that it is no respecter of persons. The most powerful man in the world, President Donald Trump has been hospitalized with the disease, and there are conflicting stories about his condition and the date on which he was tested. Let us keep in our prayers President Trump, Mrs Trump and indeed everyone who have been battling this terrible virus.

Unfortunately, citizens of the US received mixed messages regarding the wearing of masks and social distancing and the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has noted that if this had been a nationwide mandate, the toll would have been about half of the over 200,000 persons who have succumbed to the disease. We expect that after this experience, President Trump will join the scientists in promoting the life-saving protocols to help flatten their dizzying curve.

We in Jamaica are certainly not out of the woods, and we must do better with following the orders of the Disaster and Risk Management Act. Even in the face of community spread, we are learning from a Jamaica Observer report that bribes were being collected at one of our airports in exchange for not installing the Covid tracker on the phones of persons being processed on arrival. Further, police officers have been attacked in Kingston and in St Ann when they tried to lock down parties being held after curfew. What a disgrace, in the face of our rising numbers of cases and deaths. I hope we can introduce an efficient ticketing system to penalize those careless people who are still refusing to wear masks.

 

Keith Duncan - Nationwide Radio photo

Our economic challenges

You know the saying, “If America sneezes, Jamaica gets pneumonia.” This is a hard truth for tourism,  as in last week’s press conference held by the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC) chaired by Keith Duncan, we learned that in the April-June 2020 quarter, there was an 87.5% downturn in earnings from hotels and restaurants. Duncan noted that the projections are assuming an upturn in tourism for the 20-21 winter season. Indeed, I heard from a friend recently, who is planning to spend almost the entire winter in Jamaica, perhaps trying to escape the double jeopardy of flu season in Covid times.

As we see the fallout being suffered by restaurants, including fast-food concerns which employ thousands of Jamaicans, we would like to endorse JMEA President Richard Pandohie’s call to extend our curfew hours to 10 pm. Those two hours could make a world of difference for restaurants, supermarkets and other places of business.

It is remarkable that the ‘safe corridor’ designated by the Tourism Ministry has no Covid hot-spots. Recently Professor Peter Figueroa remarked that our hotels had been doing extremely well in observing protocols and encouraged the re-opening of attractions which had done likewise.

The EPOC conference had some good news as well, as tax revenues and remittances have increased. Let us pause and say a prayer for those brave Jamaicans who are on the frontline in the US, battling the disease, and ensuring that they send support for their families back home.

Duncan noted, “… if all of us as citizens diligently practice the infection control protocols and the GOJ continues its proactive and prudent macro-fiscal management, along with its efforts in managing the spread and the impact of the COVID-19 virus, we will give ourselves the best chance to see a sustained recovery of our economy, jobs and businesses over time.”

 

Spotlight on our bedrock - Jamaica’s seniors

Column published Mon 29 September Jamaica Observer

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Jamaica's National Council for Senior Citizens, with offices in every parish of Jamaica, continues to work at full steam despite the challenges of Covid-19.  Under the leadership of Executive Director Cassandra Morrison, they have launched a series of events to celebrate Senior Citizens Week, starting yesterday with National Grandparents' Day, National Church Service, at Phillippo Baptist Church.  The Mona Wellness & Ageing Centre, led by Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer, Alzheimer's Jamaica, led by Dr Albert Chen and STRIDE Jamaica, led by Dr Ishtar Govia have been giving invaluable support to the elderly, their families and caregivers.

Let me share some key points from a 2012 presentation by Prof Eldemire Shearer. The Professor, Honorary Chair of CCRP, explained that these preliminary findings were from a study entitled "Ageing in Jamaica today and the implications" over a one-year period. It involved a survey of 2,943 seniors in Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Catherine and St. Thomas.  It was carried out by the Mona Ageing and Wellness Centre and funded by the National Health Fund. Those interviewed ranged in age from 60 to 103 years, with the group's average age being 72.2 years.

Professor Eldemire Shearer noted that population ageing (older persons as an increasingly larger proportion of the population) was taking place worldwide at an unprecedented and pervasive rate. Persons 60 years and older represented 8% of world population in 1950 and 10% in 2000, she noted, and were projected to account for 21% by 2050.

Health & Welfare

"Population ageing brings a number of challenges related to health and welfare," she noted, "so documenting and understanding these are critical to the development of appropriate responses."  The Professor told the CCRP members and friends that of those surveyed by the Mona Ageing and Wellness Centre, 52% were female. The majority had children alive – only 7.4% did not. Most (82.9%) enjoyed a good relationship with children, and more females than males had these good relationships. The majority (71.7%) of our senior citizens own their own homes, and most report being financially independent.

Chronic diseases are a challenge for this age group, defined as 60 years and older by the United Nations. Among Jamaican seniors, 65.4% suffer from either diabetes or hypertension and 22% have both. These are some of the comorbities referred to by CMO Dr Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie which put seniors at higher risk of serious illness if they become infected with the Covid-19 virus.

The Professor pointed out that several ailments were showing a marked increase in 2012 compared to a similar survey in 1990:

Prevalence of high blood pressure rose from 42.6 to 61.3%;
Diabetes – from 10.2% to 26.2%;
Stroke – from 5.1% to 8.2%;
Heart Disease – from 5.4% to 5.5%
Glaucoma – from 4.9% to 11.6%
The prevalence of arthritis decreased, however from 40.0% to 35.0%

In addition, 5% of those surveyed in 2012 reported suffering from cancer, 55.4% said they were bothered by joint pain and 21.7% had had falls within the previous 6 months. Of the latter, the majority (54.3%) had fallen at home. Injuries sustained over that year were reported by 9.7% of the seniors surveyed. Of these, 74.8% had received medical care for their injuries, and more than half (53.6%) had been injured at home.

From personal experience, I cannot warn our seniors enough that they should wear safe shoes or secure sandals even around the house – my rubber flip-flops tripped me in my yard, and thank goodness I have now fully recovered from a broken wrist.

Most of those surveyed were able to function mentally: 11.0% were severely impaired and 38.5% had mild impairment. Less than one in 10 (8.7%) had hearing problems; 32.3% had eye problems, 7.5% had a physical disability; more than seventeen percent (17.5%) used assistive devices such as canes or walkers.

Financial challenges

Most of the seniors (72.0%) reported having only primary level education, while 17.0% reported having secondary/technical/vocational schooling, and 5.3% had been to university. Less than six percent (5.7%) reported no formal schooling. Professor Eldemire Shearer reported that most of the seniors interviewed functioned well physically. Less than 1 in 100 (0.8%) were fully dependent regarding basic activities; 92.7% were independent in all basic functions (an increase over the 88.5% reported in the 1990 survey), and approximately 7.3% needed various levels of assistance.

Asked how they planned for retirement 16.8% reported doing so with a health plan; 24.7% with savings, and 9.9% through investments. When asked about current sources of income, seniors reported that 13.5% were earning wages; 27.3% were receiving NIS payments; 48.5% were being assisted by their families; 8.2% were on the PATH programme; 15.4% had Jamaican Government pensions and 9.1% had private pensions.

Professor Eldemire Shearer urged persons to consider what their needs in old age would be, regarding financial independence, daily personal and community support, care givers and health requirements. This was especially important, she noted, for those who were single and lived alone. 

In a later presentation, she referred to a study by Dr Kayon Donaldson-Davis on Retirement Financial Literacy Levels Among Jamaicans at Mona Ageing & Wellness Centre. It notes, "Although the general literacy rate (ability to read and write at a 6th-grade level or higher) of Jamaicans is 89%, the number of people who are adequately prepared financially is not comparable... Approximately 71% of respondents who reported high levels of financial distress and low financial well-being, had not received financial information about retirement planning."

Dr Julian McKoy Davis and Prof Shearer also collaborated on a Symposium, 'Financial Literacy, Retirement, And Becoming Financially Capable in A Developing Country' last year. They note, "Less than half of all Jamaicans have adequate retirement funds. People with limited financial resources can and do save, but often use strategies that are not advantageous … Jamaica's rapidly growing ageing population has resulted in both a workforce and a retirement financial crisis."

This was pre-Covid. The hardship on our indigent elderly is severe. In Central Kingston, 86-year-old Sister Benedict Chung has redoubled her efforts to provide weekly food packages for the over 500 persons lined up at her gate at Laws Street Trade & Training Centre. She noted that she has been able to increase distribution thanks to Butch Hendrickson at National Baking, Max Jardim at Rainforest Foods, William Mahfood at Wisynco and the Digicel Foundation.

We applaud Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett for establishing a pension scheme for tourism workers, many of whom have been laid off due to low visitor arrivals. We also note the promise of Labour and Social Security Minister Karl Samuda for the revision and implementation of the National Policy for Seniors. A great deal of effort was put into the first revision by the late Minister Shahine Robinson and we look forward to this final step. The sickening issue of elderly abuse must be addressed with urgency and we look forward to briefing Minister Samuda on CCRP's submission to the Ministry on this matter.

Happy National Seniors Week to our elders – let us make every effort to keep them safe and well, just as they did for us.

PHOTO CAPTION

Seniors in solidarity - Elderly Abuse Awareness Day event organised by the National Council for Senior Citizens.

 

 

“Caribbean Writers on Teaching Literature” - a treasure for lovers of literature

                                                Authors Lorna Down and Thelma Baker 

Excerpt from Observer column published in Jamaica Observer 20 Sept 2020

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Last Monday, the UWI Press launched a publication which promises to be a mainstay for teachers of literature, Caribbean Writers on Teaching Literature”, which is authored by brilliant educators Dr Lorna Down and Thelma Baker. 

The book features interviews with teachers of three generations; readers at the event were Professor Edward Baugh, legendary poet and retired UWI lecturer, Dr Brian Heap, Director of the Phillip Sherlock Centre and author, Samuel Soyer, lecturer and author and Dr. Aisha T. Spencer, Senior Lecturer and Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Humanities and Education at UWI, Mona. Prof Baugh spoke of his performative style which I remember well: I still cannot read Walcott without hearing his voice.

In their enthusiastic telling of their teaching practices, we see the care and creativity of the eighteen educators. What a delight to read the witty interviews, including some with my teachers and colleagues, Professor Emeritus Maureen Warner Lewis, Dr Velma Pollard, Professor Emeritus Mervyn Morris, David Williams and the late Dr. Victor Chang. Dr Chang said he dressed in full red to teach ‘The Scarlett Letter’!

I predict that this book will be translated into myriad languages for not only teachers, but also for lovers of literature worldwide.

D.K. Duncan’s legacy of service

Excerpt from Observer column published 21 September 2020

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

It is when we lose political leaders that we see the collegiality among parliamentarians from all sides.  Tribalist utterances are replaced by words of respect and finally, we get to see the true mettle of the individual. And so it is with the passing of Dr D. K. Duncan, who was regarded as the master planner for the Michael Manley Government, and later, showing that he was more for Jamaica than for Party, joined Bruce Golding’s erstwhile National Democratic Movement.

Donald Keith Duncan studied dentistry at the Canadian Ivy League McGill University and operated a respected practice.  He could have lived a comfortable life, but he decided to offer himself for service to country as a politician.

He inspired his children to have lives of service in different spheres. We know of Patricia Duncan-Sutherland’s and Imani Duncan Price’s political careers, but few are aware that after that the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake, Dr Khia Josina Duncan was a first responder, boarding a JDF flight to assist in saving lives under dangerous conditions.

The twins Donna Duncan-Scott and Keith Duncan have grown JMMB, the brainchild of their mother the late Joan Duncan, into a regional financial powerhouse and Keith serves as President of the PSOJ and Chairman of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC). It was when CCRP honoured activist-nurse Joy Crooks, founder of the Committee for the Upliftment for the Mentally Ill (CUMI) that we discovered Donna’s strong support of the organisation. So here we have a family, stirred to duty’s call, no doubt influenced by their patriotic father.

DK’s widow, Beverley Anderson Duncan, shared in a telephone call on Saturday, that “I can feel DK’s spirit, strong as ever” as she discussed the importance of voter participation. She wants a movement for civic responsibility to be led, not by any political organisation, but by civil society. Even as she grieves for her husband, she will not allow it to cloud their shared vision for an educated and engaged Jamaican society. I mourn with Beverley who has been my wise mentor.

We may all not agree with his politics, but there is no doubt that Dr DK Duncan has been a “good and faithful servant” of his people. May his soul rest in peace.

Election Night Acceptance Speech by PM Andrew Holness

 I had to transcribe this speech, given by Prime Minister Andrew Holness after his Party's victory in Jamaica's General Elections. It covered the challenge of the pandemic, the importance of national unity, the condemnation of corruption, and appreciation for the hard work of his team. 

Jean Lowrie-Chin 

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY MOST HON ANDREW HOLNESS, AFTER THE JLP VICTORY AT THE POLLS – 3rd SEPTEMBER 2020

 _______________________________________________________________________

“We went into an election with the backdrop of a pandemic and you will notice that I am speaking to you while still wearing my mask as a symbol that we are still under serious threat of the pandemic. By and large, I think most Jamaicans tried to abide by the protocols. I want to give the assurance to Jamaicans tonight that our Government will continue its effective management of the pandemic to keep you safe and to protect your life and livelihood.

“No doubt we are entering into a new phase of the pandemic, an inevitable phase that will require a new strategy of management, but whatever we do, you can rest assured that we will keep you safe, we will keep our frontline workers safe, we will make the necessary allocations in our budget so that you can be cushioned and cope with the economic fallout that accompanies the pandemic.

“Tonight, the victor is the people of Jamaica. You came out in your hundreds of thousands and you participated in the solemn process of democracy. You voted, you expressed yourself through the ballot. There is indeed cause for celebration but there is also I would believe significant cause for consideration - that there are many Jamaicans who did not participate, that there are many Jamaicans who for fear of the virus decided not to come to the polls; but they are also many Jamaicans who for other reasons – apathy, frustration with the process decided not to participate.

“So even though we have this overwhelming majority and people have given us the mandate that we require, we are still considerate of those Jamaicans who still look on with some suspicion, some concern, some apathy on the political process. So, we are very cautious in our approach to receiving this overwhelming majority. It must never be that the government that emerges from this victory takes on any characteristics of arrogance, in humility. It must never be that the government that emerges from this victory takes the people for granted in any way. As I stand here tonight I am obviously happy to have won but I want to assure all of you that I do carry this burden with great consideration of the expectations of not just those who elected us, but those who are looking on us for future decision as to whether or not they will participate in the process and I want to see those persons who didn't participate this time that we as a new government with a mandate that is indisputable, that we will conduct ourselves in a way that will make you proud as well and make you want to participate the next time around.

“I raise this in my acceptance – I don't call this a victory speech because with such a large mandate it brings a whole new dynamic as to how we manage Government. In our last government, the narrative of corruption dogged us and it is not something that we can hide away from and I want to be clear because there are many persons who will now be assuming state authority who may not have the understanding as to how that authority should be used. They will know clearly that this government does not stand for corruption. We have as a country managed to come to consensus on fiscal matters, on monetary policy, there is an evolving consensus on crime and violence, national security, there is consensus developing around growth policy but there must now be a clear consensus, a strong position on corruption.

“The mandate is also a victory for conscientious and thoughtful policy, and we saw manifestos being presented that were poles apart in terms of their content and structure. The manifesto that won, is a manifesto that was realistic, the manifesto that was doable and what it says to me is that Jamaican politics, the Jamaican people are maturing in their outlook. They understand that populist policies can have a destructive impact on the national good. So, in that regard Jamaica has won. We had by and large a peaceful election that can be emulated by other countries, we cherish our democracy.

“I want to acknowledge the PNP. I received a call from Dr Phillips conceding and congratulating and I thought that was very sportsmanlike and very dignified and really reflects well on our politics and I too obviously commended him on a putting up a good fight. As I said today in an interview, politics can be like gladiator sport but after it is finished, we must all try to be good sportsmen and sportswomen and for good reason.

“The task ahead of us is not just for the Jamaica Labour Party – the task ahead of us is for all of us, including the PNP, and so tonight I also appeal to PNP supporters: do not feel dejected, join us in celebrating Jamaica's victory. You will have a very important role to play in Jamaica’s stronger recovery and I am clear that there should not be any victimization, any retribution, any malice in how we move forward as a Government. We must embrace everyone; we need everyone on board for Jamaica to recover stronger.

“As I close, I want to thank my family, my wife Juliet who is still in her constituency – I brought my younger son with me for him to get some insights into politics.  I want to thank the campaign team: you would have heard from Babsy and from Desmond and Nigel but I want to have a special commendation for Kamina and I want to thank the officers of the Party – Chairman, Deputy Chairman and our very hard working General Secretary and his Deputy General Secretaries and all who worked on participating. Tonight, we put a word of prayer out for our Deputy Campaign Chairman Rudyard Spencer who is in hospital at this moment. I want to welcome our newly elected candidates, and for those who were not successful at the polls to say that your effort contributed to the victory and you are a part of the winning team.

“There were some unfortunate events today, one of them I would acknowledge is the sudden death of a voter at the polls. I extend my sympathies to her family. But as I close I give the assurance that with this large margin, this solid mandate, that we will be responsible with the power that you have given to us, we will continue our good policies, we will keep Jamaica on the path to prosperity. We will usher in an era of stability on which we will grow, we will usher in an era where Jamaica can fulfil its true destiny.”

 

 

Lorna Bell - Person of the Year!

 

Excerpt from Jamaica Observer column published 31 August 2020

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

You cannot help but be moved when you see the passion and energy that Lorna Bell pours into her work as Regional Head of Special Olympics in the English-speaking Caribbean. No wonder then that she was recently honoured with the 2020 World Civility, Vernet A. Joseph Productive Business Global Agent of Change and Person of the Year - Caribbean Awards from the I-Change Nations Organisation.

The citation reads: “I Dr Clyde Rivers, President of  I-Change Nations want to thank you for using your business innovation and initiatives to empower others in a way that creates global impact and productive change around the world. The journey of productivity is appreciating that we are all equal in time but separated by how we produce in it. Your character, commitment and integrity towards astute business practices are transforming the cultures of business around the world. Therefore, it gives us great pleasure to bestow upon you this high honour.”

Well deserved, Lorna Bell!