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Photo Caption: Kemesha Clarke (left), public relations officer for the Goshen Community Development Committee (CDC), points out the damage caused by Hurricane Beryl to the Goshen Postal Agency while standing inside the affected building with Hyacinth Greaves (right), a resident of Goshen and member of the JN Circle Santa Cruz chapter.

Three months after Hurricane Beryl wreaked havoc in sections of St Elizabeth, residents of Goshen, particularly pensioners and PATH beneficiaries who rely on the postal agency for their survival, are still feeling the effects.

The category four hurricane that brushed the island on July 3 severely damaged the roof of the postal agency, forcing its closure and the relocation of its operations to the Pepper and Santa Cruz post offices.

The disruption has not only created a significant inconvenience for those who rely on the mail services, but has also halted a vital connection for farmers in the community, who also used the postal agency to consult with specialists from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) weekly.

“This facility serves so many persons in and outside of Goshen, so we’d be more than happy to have it back here to serve our community members instead of them taking a taxi out to Santa Cruz to pick up mail or go out to the RADA office. RADA came here once per week. Also, the Post Mistress sometimes takes her lunch time to bring stuff to the vulnerable and it is more difficult for her to leave Pepper to come to them now,” said Kemesha Clarke, public relations officer for the Goshen Community Development Committee.

Hyacinth Greaves, a resident of Goshen and member of the JN Circle Santa Cruz chapter agreed that the relocation has resulted in a great inconvenience for the community. She explained that while those with vehicles manage, many, particularly the elderly and those without transportation, face added hardships, as the nearest options for the services are now four to six miles away.

“It’s not easy. For those who are vulnerable and those who are sick. They just aren’t able to do it. Some of them do have help in terms of asking a friend or neighbour to collect their mail, but the community would still like to collect their mail in their own community here in Goshen. We really would like to have our postal agency back up and running as quickly as possible,” Ms Greaves said.

She said although there are options to receive utility bills and other information via digital channels, the community is home to a large elderly population who lack the skills and resources to use the technology.

“Some of them are still using their old banger phones and some don’t know how to use online banking and things like that and so we need to remember them. We are seeking the cooperation of those who can help and assist to do so,” she pleaded.

Recognising the importance of the communal space for the community, the JN Group, through the JN Foundation, has targeted the postal agency as one of the beneficiaries for support through the I Support Jamaica Fund, to help with its restoration and strengthen the community in the aftermath of the hurricane.

“Even as the government identifies funds and steps in to support institutions, many continue to face significant challenges. The need is just so great. Places like the Goshen Postal Agency are where we are trying to intervene to pull attention to their need and to of course attract funding to assist,” shared Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation, in a recent interview on the St Elizabeth-based community radio station, GT Reggae Radio.

The JN Group launched the I Support Jamaica Fund shortly after the passage of the hurricane to help schools and communal spaces recover from Hurricane Beryl. Donations are still being encouraged. Persons can donate to the fund at JN Bank Jamaica to account number: 2094768349. Details on more ways to donate are also on the JN Group and JN Foundation websites.

“We have made some donations already, courtesy of JN Money and we are making a final push for the month of October and we hope to wrap it up and hand over the funds to the beneficiaries shortly thereafter. We hope to get them in the hands of the beneficiaries in time for Christmas,” Ms Allen said.

The Goshen Sports Complex, another vital communal space, in St Elizabeth also suffered significant damage from the hurricane and is also targeted for support.

“Our efforts are also focused on helping to restore this vital space, so it can once again serve as a place of connection, comfort, and shared memories,” said Ms Allen.

Twelve-year-old Xia Williams, a first-form student at Titchfield High School in Portland, beamed with pride as she accepted her scholarship award. For her, it was a testament to the hard work she had put in.

She was one of 37 students honoured as JN Primary Exit Profile, PEP, scholars by the JN Foundation at a ceremony held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston on Sunday, October 6.

Each student was recognised for their outstanding achievements. Reflecting on the moment, she said, “I was so excited,” her joy and pride shining through as she received the prestigious award alongside her fellow high achievers.

Meanwhile, Dr. Kasan Troupe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Youth, who was the guest speaker at the ceremony, urged the students to make a mark during their high school years.

“Excellence is within your reach and remember excellence is a habit, that you feed [so it] grows. Feed that habit of excellence, feed your discipline, feed the culture of hard work and appreciation and not entitlement and understand that you can blossom where you are planted,” she said.

Dr Troupe who is also a former JN Scholar told the students that she didn’t go to a preparatory school or traditional high school, but she worked hard and is a testament that anyone can excel if they put their mind to it.

“I am testifying today of the ordinariness who turned out to be extraordinary. Do not let anyone blow out your candle. Light your candle, light that spark bigger and brighter and go light the world,” she said.

Held under the theme ‘Nourish your spark’, Parris Lyew-Ayee, chairman of the JN Foundation, urged the recipients to also feed their curiosity.

“You are scholars; therefore, you never stop learning, as the more you expose yourself to new ideas, people, and experiences, the brighter your spark will burn. Read, ask questions, and seek out what excites and challenges you,” he charged.

Mr Lyew-Ayee informed that the Jamaica National Group’s commitment to education has gone beyond monetary assistance.

“Remember, this scholarship is not just a reward for your past achievements but an investment in your future endeavours. We have great faith in your potential and look forward to witnessing the remarkable contributions you will make to society,” he said.

A total of 47 scholarships were awarded by the JN Foundation. Of the amount, 37 were five-year awards: 14 parish scholarships; three JN Bank Easi-Save County scholarships; and 20 to children of JN Group staff members who received the Building Excellence and Achieving More Success (BEAMS) scholarships. The remaining 10 awards were one-time grants presented by JN Money Services Limited to high-performing students who did not receive full scholarships.

Last year, the scholarship programme celebrated 40 years since its establishment. Over the years, The Jamaica National Group has provided financial support for other educational and youth development initiatives, such as the Gleaner’s Children’s Own Spelling Bee competition, child-month initiatives undertaken by the National Child Month Committee, and the Ministry of Education and Youth’s National Youth Month activities.

The JN Foundation has also invested millions in educational transformation initiatives, such as the Centres of Excellence and iLead programs, both targeted at improving leadership in rural-based underperforming schools.

Since 2001, The JN Group has maintained a financial literacy program, the JN School Savers Programme, at the basic, primary, and secondary levels to foster sound money management practices among children and, since 2013, launched the JN Wise Aspiring Youth Programme, JN WAY, which promotes financial literacy and personal development skills for tertiary students and young adults.

A near-death experience in a motorcycle crash underscored the importance of helmet wearing for Corporal Selvin Smith some eight years ago.

The incident, in which he narrowly avoided severe injuries- thanks to his helmet- took place close to the 100 Man Police Station in Portmore, St Catherine, in 2016.

“At the end of the day, the helmet is the very best way to go,” Corporal Smith commended the headgear, urging motorcyclists, especially young men, to prioritise their safety over ‘style’.

Corporal Smith, who has been riding motorcycles for more than 12 years, outlined that wearing a helmet is an integral part of his routine, in addition to wearing gloves.

“Once I’m going to go on the motorcycle, that becomes a part of the outfit. My helmet and my gloves are things I almost can’t ride without. They mean so much to me,” he explained.

However, that was not his attitude during his early days as a rider. The Corporal admitted that he briefly avoided wearing a helmet.

“It was about the flair of being seen on my motorcycle,” he said, noting that younger riders often associate riding without a helmet with masculinity and ego. However, his perspective changed quickly when he realised the immense risks involved.

Corporal Smith stressed that the benefits of helmet use far outweigh any desire for recognition or to follow a trend. “First and foremost, there is the protection of life,” he said. Even at low speeds, a fall can lead to life-threatening head injuries. He highlighted that certified helmets not only protect riders from impact but also protect the body from coming into contact with debris, wind, and rain, which can obscure vision and increase the chances of a crash.

“Even a drop of rain feels like being struck by a screwdriver when riding,” he said, recalling his own experiences on the road.

As a corporal in the Jamaica Constabulary Force with 23 years of service, Corporal Smith currently trains and educates fellow officers. For the past 17 years, he has taught police procedures, law, and physical training at the National Police College of Jamaica, where he currently serves as a motorcycle instructor. He trains both beginner riders and quick responders, the latter being a specialised team that handles advanced tactical operations. It involves, among other things, using motorcycles in high-risk situations.

Corporal Smith is dedicated to sharing his message and hopes to change the mindset of younger riders and has committed to join the National Helmet Wearing Coalition to re-enforce the message of helmet wearing. Through his role as an instructor, he continues to advocate for helmet use, emphasising that it is the most effective way to protect the lives of motorcyclists.

“We are way more fragile than we think we are,” he underscored.

Sydoney Preddie, project manager for road safety and road users at the JN Foundation, affirmed the Corporal’s point of view, pointing out that motorcycle crashes are likely to result in head injuries, as the head may come into direct contact with hard objects during impact.  

“Head injuries can cause serious, long-lasting effects that may not be fully reversible,” she quipped. “The only effective approach to dealing with head injury is prevention- not letting the injury occur in the first place. It’s all a consequence of an unprotected skull that cannot withstand the shock. The protective helmet is designed to minimise the risk of all kinds of head injuries,” she said.

She noted that the National Helmet Wearing Coalition is preparing to roll out specific activities shortly, targeting the negative attitudes and behaviours towards helmet wearing among motorcyclists in Jamaica. The activities are being administered by the JN Foundation in collaboration with the National Road Safety Council.

“Addressing the negative attitudes and behaviours are going to be critical to curbing the current spate of injuries and fatalities we are experiencing nationally due to motorcycle crashes,” she said, pointing out that the activities to be implemented are backed by pre-existing and baseline research conducted by the Coalition. “The consequences of road crashes impact various aspects of our social and economic development, therefore, reducing them to minimal levels is a priority.”      

Photo Caption: Omar Wright, Lead, Environment and Community Development, JN Foundation

The JN Foundation has opened applications for its Motorcycle Helmet Safety Photo Advocacy and Visual Arts Competition, which aims to empower young Jamaicans to use photography and visual arts as tools for promoting safer road practices, with a focus on advocating for helmet use among motorcyclists and pedal cyclists.

Omar Wright, Lead, Environment and Community Development, JN Foundation, said the competition, builds on the original JN Resolution Project, retaining the core mission of that project to empower youth to use photography as a powerful medium for advocacy. It’s the second initiative by the Foundation to build on the Resolution Project, following last year’s Jamaica 60 Photo Advocacy Competition.

Winners of the Photo Advocacy and Visual Arts Competition will have the chance to win cash prizes valued at J$50,000 and J$150,000.

“This year, participants will be tasked with capturing images that highlight the importance of helmet use on Jamaica’s roads, advocating for safer practices, and raising awareness about road safety,” he explained.

He said the inclusion of visual arts in this year’s competition will challenge younger participants to create artistic helmet designs. This component aims to engage children, who are among the most vulnerable road users, by encouraging creative expressions around safety.

The competition will focus on training and equipping students from secondary, tertiary, vocational and skills training institutions across the island with the technical skills to capture images that inspire safer road usage. Secondary school participants will be organised into teams, although their individual submissions will be judged. Participants enrolled in schools at the tertiary level or who are enrolled in vocational or other skills training institution will participant as individuals. Workshops will provide students with training in photography techniques, advocacy, education on road safety, and their competition assignments.

All participants will be encouraged to submit their entries digitally. Mr Wright said the goal is to create a collection of 20 to 30 impactful images that can be used in exhibits, publications, and road safety campaigns.

Like the last initiative, a panel of assessors, including master photographers, Radcliffe ‘Ruddy’ Roye and Stuart Reeves and representatives from the National Helmet Wearing Coalition (NHWC) and the JN Foundation, will evaluate the submissions. The top entries will be selected through a preliminary review process, with winners announced at a special awards ceremony in January 2025.

For the visual art component, Mr Wright said students ages 8 to 12 will produce creative art designs for motorcycle helmets. Parents are invited to assist with the application process, but the artwork must be completed solely by the child. A separate panel, including representatives from the JN Foundation and NHWC, will judge the designs, with winners also recognised at the awards ceremony.

Through this initiative, Mr Wright informed that the JN foundation Photo-Advocacy Project hopes to empower 50 to 100 advocates, equipped with knowledge about Jamaican road users and the actions needed to reduce crashes and fatalities.

“By targeting younger audiences and encouraging the use of visual media, the project seeks to fuel road safety awareness across the country, particularly among those aged 16-29, who represent a significant portion of Jamaica’s road users who are dying from motorcycle fatalities,” he explained.

Applications are open to Jamaican nationals enrolled in secondary, tertiary, vocational and skills training institutions for the photo-advocacy component and primary and preparatory schools only for the visual arts competition. Persons can submit their application via the JN Foundation website at jnfoundation.com. The deadline for submissions to the photo-advocacy competition is October 10, 2024, and for the visual arts competition, October 15, 2024.

Photo Caption: Najae Murray (right), the inaugural award recipient of the Chevening/JN Oliver F Clarke scholarship, shares a light moment with from left: Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Her Excellency, Judith Slater, British High Commissioner to Jamaica and Parris Lyew-Ayee, Chairman of the JN Foundation.  Occasion was the Chevening scholarship reception held at the British High Commission Kingston on August 22 to present this year’s cohort of Chevening scholars.

The British High Commission in Jamaica and The Jamaica National Group marked a historic milestone with the award of a Chevening/JN Oliver F Clarke scholarship, the first Chevening partner award to be established in Jamaica. The fully funded scholarship, named in honour of the late Oliver F Clarke, former chairman of the JN Group and The Gleaner Company, was awarded to Najae Murray, director of public relations and communication at the University Council of Jamaica.

The announcement was made at the British High Commission Kingston on August 22, during a Chevening Scholarship reception to present this year’s cohort of 13 scholars who will be pursuing one-year master’s degrees in the United Kingdom.

Mr Murray, who will be studying Education and International Development at the University College London, is pleased to be selected the inaugural recipient of the scholarship.

“It is an honour I take with great pride to be able to look up to Oliver F Clarke and to know that his legacy will be able to live on through me and the work I would be able to do being granted this opportunity. I will ever be grateful, and I hope to do my best to contribute to Jamaica when I get back,” he said.

Parris Lyew-Ayee, chairman of the JN Foundation, pointed out that the two-year Memorandum of Understanding with the British High Commission will provide one scholarship each year to support an outstanding Jamaican scholar to pursue academic excellence in the United Kingdom and gain the skills and knowledge necessary to drive transformation in Jamaica and beyond.

“For the past four decades, Chevening scholarships have been synonymous with fostering future leaders who possess the passion, intellect and determination to effect positive change.  These scholarships have provided exceptional Jamaicans with the opportunity to expand their horizons, deepen their expertise, and return to Jamaica equipped to contribute to their country.”

“The Chevening/JN Oliver F Clarke Scholarship will continue this tradition, focusing on areas critical to Jamaica’s development, including social justice, public administration, data analytics, information technology, and education. These areas align closely with the interests and legacy of Oliver F Clarke, who championed education and social justice throughout his career,” the chairman explained.

Her Excellency, Judith Slater, British High Commissioner to Jamaica, commended the JN Foundation for its initiative in co-founding the scholarship award.

“We hope that JN’s trailblazing move to partner with us in this scholarship, will inspire more Jamaican companies to partner with Chevening,” she stressed.

“Chevening remains the British government’s flagship scholarship programme for nurturing global leaders and enabling them to flourish academically, professionally and also culturally.”

Close to 300 applications for the scholarship awards were received locally.

Ambassador Slator, who likened the competitive scholarship award selection to the track and field trials for the Olympics, pointed out that since the inception of the Chevening Scholarship 40 years ago, 60,000 persons around the world, more than 315 of them Jamaicans, have benefitted. As a requirement, the scholarship recipients must return to their home country to contribute their enhanced skills to its development.

Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, pointed out that the government is looking forward to working with the scholars on their return to leverage the knowledge, experience and expanded opportunities that they will bring back to Jamaica in order to achieve national development goals.

“Each year, Cheveners are given access to some of the finest tertiary institutions across the UK which provide education grounded in the newest trends, cutting-edge technologies, thought leadership, technologies and methodologies that are not yet here in Jamaica,” she related.

In addressing the scholarship recipients, Mr Lyew-Ayee emphasised the associated responsibilities of their scholarship award.

“Build and maintain a network of people who can support your vision and your efforts to build your community and country. These are not only people who can provide you with opportunities, but people who you can rely on to sharpen your perspectives and strengthen your cause.”

“This scholarship is a gift, and with it comes the responsibility to support others. Whether through mentorship, community service, or leadership, or any other altruistic means, use your talents and resources to uplift others. Your success is intertwined with the wellbeing of your community. As you rise, bring others with you,” he encouraged them.

This year’s cohort include Leneka Rhoden, Janielle McKoy, Nathanael Amore, Renee McDonald, Shantal Artwell, Oluwatomilayo Edokpa, Tajay Grant, Sayeed Bernard, Najae Murray, Jomarie Malcolm Gordon, Anthony McKenzie, Toni-Ann Taylor and Sonya Murray. They will be pursuing diverse fields of study to include energy and climate change, sports biomechanics, data science and analytics, education and international development, law regulation compliance, brand management, technology and telecommunications.