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The JN Foundation is encouraging all Jamaicans to donate to the Jamaica National Children’s Home, through a Relief Account, which has been established by the Foundation, at JN Bank.
The Jamaica National Children’s Home was gutted by fire on Friday, August 9 resulting in the displacement of some 44 children.
Onyka Barrett Scott, general manager of the JN Foundation, called the displacement of the children at the facility is unfortunate; however, she was thankful that no lives were lost, as a result of the fire.
“We are, therefore, encouraging members of the public to join with the JN Foundation and The Jamaica National Group, to assist with the recovery efforts, which are underway for these needy children, who have been displaced as a result of the fire,” she said.
Mrs Barrett Scott stated that members of the public can make their donations at any of the 35 JN Bank branches across the country, to account number 2094267610.
The general manager of the JN Foundation, said that persons may also donate needed items such as: mattresses, clothing, and toiletries, at offices at the Child Protection and Family Services Agency, in each parish.
The Jamaica National Children’s Home was established in 1973, as a branch of Britain’s National Children’s Home. The facility provides care and protection for children rescued from poverty and neglect.
Last year, the JN Foundation made a similar appeal for the Walker’s Place of Safety, which was also gutted by fire.
“That appeal was a success,” Mrs Barrett Scott reported, “And, it is our hope that this initiative will also achieve a similar response.”

Amid worldwide rising temperatures, caused by climate change, one scientist is advocating for the use of more renewable energy and water-adaptation measures to address the challenge of climate change.
Professor Michael Taylor, director of the Climate Studies Group, Mona, and dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at The University of the West Indies, is challenging the financial sector to use renewable energy by providing incentives to move in this direction.
The expert in climate change science in the region made the call amid the heatwave which has struck the country and other parts of the world since the start of the summer. Professor Taylor assessed that to mitigate change, greenhouse gases must be reduced.
“The point is, greenhouse gases have been going up, and that is why we are warming. One of our first course of action is, how do we slow the rate? We have to decrease greenhouse gas emissions,” he maintained.
Professor Taylor said cutting back on greenhouse gases for the Caribbean includes turning to renewable energy. This means being even more ambitious as it relates to renewable energy, where the target has to be increased from 30 per cent of renewable energy in our grid to 50 per cent.
“Individual persons, such as you and me, can be given incentives to go renewable by being offered very low interest rate loans on, for example, PV systems, to encourage us in our move towards renewable energy, and because it directly helps the climate change problem,” he said.
“Renewable energy use is something tangible which we can do in mitigating climate change; and I’m challenging the financial sector to step in and do things to facilitate this even more,” he added.
Adaptation Measures
A coordinating lead author of the Special Report on 1.5 Degrees to Stay Alive, Professor Taylor said adaptation measures should also be implemented to deal with climate change.
He noted that every sector must consider adaptation. Turning to the water sector, he said, storing, recycling, recapturing, reusing and transporting water from where it is to where it is needed, as well as getting new sources of water, are areas where the focus should be.
Concurring with Professor Taylor on adaptation measures, Onyka Barrett Scott, general manager of the JN Foundation, said that with the country experiencing drought conditions, Jamaicans should conserve water and implement measures that will assist in saving the precious commodity.
“The JN Foundation, through its Water Project, is encouraging Jamaicans to make necessary changes to save water. These changes include the use of general conservation practices and considering the installation of water-saving devices, such as high-efficiency showerheads, low-flush toilets, kitchen and bathroom aerators,” she informed.
Barrett Scott noted that given the drought situation, it would be prudent for everyone to implement practical measures; use less water; and inspect all pipes, toilets and faucets for leaks.
“Replace inefficient fixtures with water-saving devices, which are either water-sense labelled, or use 20-25 per cent less water than standard units,” Barrett Scott advised.
She said the JN Foundation, through the Water Project, has partnered with JN Bank to facilitate the on-lending of funds for the integration of water-adaptation measures in new housing stocks.
The loan product, which will be on the market soon, will allow persons to access this loan to facilitate the installation of water-saving measures; and technologies that would not otherwise have been purchased. The installation will reduce water demand and improve supply, thereby allowing householders to save on their water bills and build climate resilience.
“Developers and construction companies will be able to tap into this component and make decisions about specific water-efficiency systems,” Barrett Scott informed, noting that,“Eligible water-adaptation measures include water-efficient toilets, showers, taps, washing machines, dishwashers, and baths; rainwater harvesting systems, grey water recovery and reuse systems; as well as, outdoor water-saving technologies.”

For Elloreece Burrell, a Jamaican living in Tampa, Florida in the United States of America, touring the Mustard Seed Communities run Jerusalem Children’s Village in Spanish Town was both a touching and enlightening experience.

The retired nurse, who does Outreach Ministry to Jamaica annually, was a member of the Diaspora team, who toured the children’s village during the Diaspora Day of Service, on the final day of the 2019 Diaspora Conference.

“Coming on this mission was revealing for me. It made me realise that there is so much to be done here; however, organisations, such as Mustard Seed Communities, have been helping those who are in need.  The facilities show that there is an attempt to care for the children living here; and that they are trying to be self-sufficient through various agricultural projects, while helping others. It warmed my heart to see this,” she said.

The agricultural project, which Mrs. Burrell spoke about, is the farm located on the property of the Jerusalem Children’s Village. The farm currently produces approximately 3,000 eggs per day, which are sold to hotels, supermarkets and surrounding communities. The Mustard Seed Farm also harvests Tilapia fish, raises broiler chickens and grows cash crops. There is also a recently established apiary for the production of honey.

“Our farm produces close to a million eggs per year. What we do is to credit our members of staff with the eggs, which they sell in their communities. They give us the money for the eggs and keep the profits,” explained David Silvera, Business Development Officer at Mustard Seed Communities.

“In respect of our Tilapia fish, we have 10,000 fingerlings which we will harvest, from each of our two ponds and sell every six months, to persons in the surrounding areas.

The Jerusalem Children’s Village currently houses some 160 persons, including adults with disabilities.

“Everything that we earn from these ventures goes back into the care of our residents. We have received a lot of help over the years; but, it was the SEBI project which helped us in our journey towards self sufficiency,” Mr. Silvera explained.

The Jerusalem Children’s Village was also a part of the Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (SEBI), an initiative developed by the JN Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The aim of SEBI was to transform social enterprises into efficient businesses; support and facilitate an enabling environment to fosters their growth; and increase public awareness, interest and support for those operating within the social economy.

“The JN Foundation has been a strong supporter of the Mustard Seed Communities social enterprise programmer, since the initial start of SEBI,” Mr. Silvera said. “We have grown leaps and bounds, because of the assistance that we received from JN Foundation, which has helped us to sustain ourselves.”

Mrs Onyka Scott-Barrett, general manager, JN Foundation said that Mustard Seed provides a valuable service to the community.

“Mustard Seed Communities was one of the social enterprises in the SEBI incubator programme, and it graduated into the accelerator programme. A few years from now, we will be talking about them, because of their earning potential and the fact they are doing well on their own.  We are proud of them and will continue to support them as much as possible,” she said.

Mr. Silvera believes that Mustard Seed Farm still has room for further growth.

“We have the honey project that has recently come on stream, which will help us to be even more sustainable. Therefore, we are excited about what it will do for us, in terms of additional revenue, which will also assist those in our care,” he stated.

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As Jamaica joins the rest of the world in observing National Insurance Awareness Day on June 28, one financial planning expert, is using the opportunity to remind Jamaicans about the importance of insurance to their overall financial success.
Rose Miller, grants manager at the JN Foundation and Head of the JN BeWi$e financial empowerment programme, said insurance coverage among Jamaicans, remain woefully low.
“The low figures are not only in relation to life insurance, but all types of insurance, including health, motor vehicle and peril,” she said.
As it relates to health insurance, data from the Ministry of Health show that only 20 per cent of the population currently has health insurance. Eleven per cent of that figure are government workers, and nine per cent are persons employed in the private sector.
According to the Insurance Association of Jamaica, individual life insurance rates are slightly higher, with just about 28 per cent of the workforce having coverage.
“What this means is that it leaves a significant majority of our population extremely vulnerable, with many persons being unable to withstand any possible unforeseen event,” she said. “Accidents and illnesses that put you out of work or possibly cause disability, cannot be predicted.”
Mrs Miller noted that one of the major benefits of insurance is to provide persons with a layer of protection to guard against harsh blows from unfortunate, unexpected disasters.
She pointed out that major illnesses and deaths are devastating for families, especially if it is the chief breadwinner of the family who is affected.
“We have seen this happen in many cases, where households are severely retarded and persons set back years financially, because a family member becomes ill and they are forced to spend all their life savings on health care. Sometimes the person dies and there is no financial protection for the loved ones, who are left behind, because there was no life insurance,” she said.
Mrs Miller noted that part of what is needed is a culture change among Jamaicans, as it regards the importance of insurance, pointing out that this is possible with increased financial education.
“The first thing that many people will tell you is that they don’t have money for insurance, but what they don’t realise is that having insurance, in many instances, actually provides income when here is a covered incident, and prevents you from depleting your savings or forcing you into debt to take care of that incident,” she said.
“We must raise the awareness among our population, to the point where persons will begin to understand that insurance is a critical plank in building wealth and becoming financially secure,” Mrs Miller emphasised.
She said insurance has three main purposes. It can be used to create, preserve and transfer wealth.
There are several types of insurance, namely, life, health, motor vehicle, critical illness, property, liability, flood, and travel, among others.

Benefits of Insurance
• You will be better prepared for an uncertain future
• You will have some assistance to bounce back after a disaster
• The risk is shared – you are not carrying it all on your shoulders
• May also be used to provide income during retirement

General Advice
• Pay a little bit today for insurance to avoid paying a lot tomorrow when serious damage occurs 
• Never stop paying the insurance premium, because insurance is usually no longer valid if you haven’t made payments 
• Get life insurance when you are young, you will get more coverage for less
• Make sure that each bread-winner has some amount of insurance coverage
• Read through the policy thoroughly to familiarise yourself with the terms and conditions
• Review your insurance policies periodically
• Do some research to find out what’s available and compare benefits and premium before purchasing a policy

Four years ago, 23 year-old Fabian Jackson was uncertain about his future. The young Deaf man struggled with discrimination and barriers, which became more distinct when he entered the workforce.
This treatment of exclusion was not unique to him, as many persons in the deaf community, or persons with a disability, are faced with similar challenges, daily.
However, Jackson was shown a world of possibilities, when a friend invited him to be part of Deaf Can! Coffee, a social enterprise, which specializes in the brewing of coffee and employs people from the Deaf community. That invitation was just the beginning for Jackson.
“Often time, others look down on us, and they tell us we can’t; but, after my exposure to training and learning barista skills from my friend, Carlyle Gabbidon, I started believing that I could; and that all happened through the inspiration of Everlin Clarke, a Deaf coffee farmer in Top Hill, St Elizabeth, who taught us how to grow and roast coffee,” he said.
Jackson said that Clarke, who passed away last year, showed him and the rest of his team members that Deaf people can; and this encouraged him to want to be like him. He said that during the training he became excited about coffee and the technique to brew it.
“I started believing that I could also develop myself too, that I could step out into the world, and face the challenges, and that I can serve customers,” he related.
That attitude boosted his self-confidence; and he was promoted to be one of the managers at Deaf Can! Coffee. “I’m proof that Deaf persons can do anything,” he pointed out.
Blake Widmer, co-founder of Deaf Can! Coffee, said Jackson is one of more than 15 persons employed full-time at Deaf Can! Coffee. The social enterprise, which was established in 2015 has been doing well, with 12 outlets in Kingston & St Andrew, St Catherine, St Elizabeth and St James.
However, Widmer accredited the success of Deaf Can! Coffee to the JN Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), based on the Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (SEBI), a six-year project, which ended last year.
“We look back four years ago, and assess how we have grown, and we grew through partnerships,” he informed. “Today, we celebrate that growth through partnership with the JN Foundation.”
Jackson informed that through SEBI, Deaf Can! Coffee was able to access grants to source equipment for their training centre; provided with networking opportunities, which allowed them to build awareness about their products and services; and marketing strategies, among other areas.
“When SEBI invited us to join the programme, we had no idea that we were going to become a social enterprise. Through SEBI, we learnt advocacy skills; and were provided with a platform to promote our message that, Deaf people can be productive,” he explained. “The opportunity to be in the JN programme really helped us to grow.”
Widmer said this growth was seen in the number of jobs created, where the enterprise moved from two employees to 13 after exiting the SEBI programme. Four more persons were recently added to the team. Revenues also moved from J$ 3 million to J$14 million in sales after participating in SEBI.
Onyka Barrett Scott, general manager of the JN Foundation, said she was happy that the JN Foundation, through SEBI, was able to contribute to the establishment of Deaf Can! Coffee, which is now creating employment for a set of young people, who would have been overlooked.
“At the JN Foundation, our vision is that Jamaicans, wherever they may be, are able to achieve their full potential. Our work with Deaf Can! Coffee demonstrates that we believe in inclusiveness; and that all Jamaicans not only have access to the right resources to fulfil their true potential, but also the skills they need to take hold of that access,” she maintains.

 Dionne Rose l JN Corporate Communications

Following the improvements to the school zones’ infrastructure at Hazard Primary School in Clarendon, under the JN Foundation and UNICEF X-Marks the Spot Crosswalk Road Safety Campaign, the school is reporting an uptick in its registration.
Sonia Thomas, vice principal at Hazard Primary School, said that not only do children have a safer commute to the school, but more parents perceive the school as the first choice for their children.
“We have been getting calls from community members and outsiders. Many persons would come to us and say, ‘you know we never know that there was a school up there.’ The landscaping has caught everyone’s attention, and we are getting commendations, but not only that, the registration has gone up,” Miss Thomas related.
“Registration began on May 1, and we are almost full,” she explained, pointing out that, “Prior to the rehabilitation, prospective parents would send their children to other schools, which are actually further away from their homes.
Hazard Primary School was the first of 18 schools to be upgraded under the X-Marks the Spot Crosswalk Road Campaign. The educational institution benefitted from the erection of: signage for bus lay-bys, pedestrian gates, the widening and paving of the sidewalks.
Onyka Barrett Scott, general manager of JN Foundation, said the work at Hazard Primary School represents an overall comprehensive programme, which will be rolled out in selected schools across the country.
“The overall goal of this initiative is to improve the safety of children at school, increase road user awareness; and improve the mechanisms to provide safe routes to school for child pedestrians,” she noted.
Ms Thomas stated that given the vast improvement to the safety of the school, the school administration will be lobbying for a name change to the institution, as the existing name implies danger.
“Because of JN Foundation, we can rest assured that children are secure, safer, [and] their self-esteem and self-image have risen, as they are learning in a safer holistic condition and their performances have improved,” she said with pride.
“JN Foundation has not only lifted the image of the institution, but also the spirit of the teachers and the community,” she added.
The X Marks the Spot Road Safety Campaign is a collaborative effort between the JN Foundation; the United Nations Children’s Fund and the Abertis Foundation; and its objectives are in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The overall global goals of the Child Road Traffic Injuries Prevention Programme, is to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals targets 3.6 and 11.2, to protect children from death and injury on the roads; and provide a safe journey to and from school for every child.

Contact: Dionne Rose l JN Corporate Communications

The Jonathan Grant High School and Spanish Town Primary and Infant Schools in St Catherine, will benefit from structural and aesthetic improvements on Labour Day, March 23. The work will be spearheaded by the JN Foundation in collaboration with other companies and organisations in The Jamaica National Group.
Onyka Barrett Scott, general manager of JN Foundation, said that work at these schools will include the painting of pedestrian crossings and curb walls; drain cleaning, de-bushing and beautification of sidewalk areas.
“These schools were selected in line with the national programme, which will focus on child road safety, under the theme “Child Safety… it’s you, it’s me, it’s all ah we,” she said.
Mrs Barrett Scott explained that work at Jonathan Grant High School will continue after Labour Day, under the on-going “X-Marks the Spot,” School Crosswalk Safety Campaign, which is being spearheaded by the JN Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) Jamaica; FIA and the Abertis Foundation.
The improvement activities, will include upgrading of the schools infrastructure; the erection of signage for bus lay-bys; pedestrians gates; as well as, the widening and paving of sidewalks.
The JN Foundation and UNICEF will also partner with the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport in its Labour Day activities at three educational institutions: Papine High School in St Andrew; Holland Primary School in St Elizabeth; and Fair Prospect Primary in Portland.
Papine High School will benefit from the installation of signs; installation of concrete seats in designated areas; painted pedestrian crosswalks and curb walls; as well as, a chain link fence.
At Holland  and Fair Prospect Primary Schools, employees of the JN Group locations within the parishes of St. Elizabeth and Portland respectively; along with representatives of the JN Bank Member Advisory Councils and Act!on Jamaica volunteers, will paint pedestrian crossings and curb walls; install signs and carry out general beautification of the school’s property.

Denham Town Primary on Spanish Town Road which is one of eighteen schools that will receive improvement activities under the X Marks the Spot project within the next three years, was selected by Urban Development Corporation (UDC) as their Corporate Labour Day project. With support from the JN Foundation, they will be executing remedial work at the school in keeping with the national theme.

Mrs Barrett Scott said that the JN Foundation welcomed the opportunity to partner with the government and its agency on Labour Day; and commended the elevation of road safety onto the national platform.
She noted that, over the past decade, some 70,000 traffic crashes have occurred within 100 metres of school zones across the country. As a result, some 120 children lost their lives from these crashes, within the past five years; and a significant number of youngsters have suffered from life-changing injuries.
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Contact: Dionne Rose l JN Corporate CommunicationsThe Jonathan Grant High School and Spanish Town Primary and Infant Schools in St Catherine, will benefit from structural and aesthetic improvements on Labour Day, March 23. The work will be spearheaded by the JN Foundation in collaboration with other companies and organisations in The Jamaica National Group.

Onyka Barrett Scott, general manager of JN Foundation, said that work at these schools will include the painting of pedestrian crossings and curb walls; drain cleaning, de-bushing and beautification of sidewalk areas.
“These schools were selected in line with the national programme, which will focus on child road safety, under the theme “Child Safety… it’s you, it’s me, it’s all ah we,” she said.
Mrs Barrett Scott explained that work at Jonathan Grant High School will continue after Labour Day, under the on-going “X-Marks the Spot,” School Crosswalk Safety Campaign, which is being spearheaded by the JN Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) Jamaica; FIA and the Abertis Foundation.
The improvement activities, will include upgrading of the schools infrastructure; the erection of signage for bus lay-bys; pedestrians gates; as well as, the widening and paving of sidewalks.
The JN Foundation and UNICEF will also partner with the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport in its Labour Day activities at three educational institutions: Papine High School in St Andrew; Holland Primary School in St Elizabeth; and Fair Prospect Primary in Portland.
Papine High School will benefit from the installation of signs; installation of concrete seats in designated areas; painted pedestrian crosswalks and curb walls; as well as, a chain link fence.
At Holland  and Fair Prospect Primary Schools, employees of the JN Group locations within the parishes of St. Elizabeth and Portland respectively; along with representatives of the JN Bank Member Advisory Councils and Act!on Jamaica volunteers, will paint pedestrian crossings and curb walls; install signs and carry out general beautification of the school’s property.

Denham Town Primary on Spanish Town Road which is one of eighteen schools that will receive improvement activities under the X Marks the Spot project within the next three years, was selected by Urban Development Corporation (UDC) as their Corporate Labour Day project. With support from the JN Foundation, they will be executing remedial work at the school in keeping with the national theme.

Mrs Barrett Scott said that the JN Foundation welcomed the opportunity to partner with the government and its agency on Labour Day; and commended the elevation of road safety onto the national platform.
She noted that, over the past decade, some 70,000 traffic crashes have occurred within 100 metres of school zones across the country. As a result, some 120 children lost their lives from these crashes, within the past five years; and a significant number of youngsters have suffered from life-changing injuries.

 Dionne Rose l JN Corporate Communications

Nine year-old Daniel Rose has been volunteering since he was five years-old. Therefore,  when he joined hundreds of volunteers at Papine High School, at one of the national projects on Labour Day, it was a delight for the St. Anne’s Primary School student.
“I enjoy joining my father this morning,” he said, as he painted the pedestrian crossing on Gordon Town main road, chains away from the Papine High School in St. Andrew. “It feels good to help out,” he added.
Jahmar Rose, records clerk, JN Bank and father of Daniel, was one of the JN Act!on volunteers who turned out at Papine High School. Rose has been working with the JN Act!on volunteers for the past 12 years.
His activities vary from Labour Day projects to International Coastal Clean-up Day; and to the numerous projects in which the JN Foundation, the corporate  philanthropic social arm of the Jamaica National Group, becomes involved.
“I like to be in a position to help other persons who are less fortunate than me,” he said.
Rose related that volunteerism brings joy to him; as it allows himhim  not only to render valuable assistance but also to “network,” and meet persons from different walks of life.
For Yasheka James, member care representative at JN Bank, who spent some five hours painting and gardening at Papine High School, the day was fulfilling.
“Voluntary work is always good for me,” she said, pointing out that, “Whenever I go out there and assist in any way or form, it feels good; and to come out here as a team, it’s wonderful.”
Richard Maise, board chairman at Papine High School, stated that community members appreciate that the school was selected as one of the national projects; and, this was a gift for the school’s 60th Anniversary.
“We are pleased that this is happening; and the good things that are attached to it, because the school is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year,” he said. “Therefore, it is wonderful that we are upgrading the facility.”
He also noted that the theme for Labour Day, “Child Safety…it’s me, it’s you, it’s all ah we,” was a fitting theme, as it encourages safer conditions for students, to and from school.
The school serves the communities of Landlease, Highlights View, Maryland and   St. Peters, Tavern, Kintyre, Tavern, August Town, Highlight View and Mona Commons, among other communities.
Onyka Barrett Scott, general manager of the JN Foundation, said that the elevation of road safety at the national level was commendable; and pointed to data, which showed that some 120 children lost their lives and a significant number of youngsters have suffered life-changing injuries arising  from 70,000 crashes, within the past five years;  . and a significant number of youngsters have suffered life-changing injuries.
“This is entirely preventable. It is preventable through behavior change and carrying out infrastructural upgrading. Over the next three years,  JN Foundation we are in partnership with UNICEF,  to will upgrade some 18 schools across the country,” she said.
Mrs Barrett Scott was referencing the X-Marks the Spot School Crosswalks Campaign, which aims to encourage advocacy and discussions about road safety overall; and, specifically, the safe passage of children to and from school. The  campaign will also  implement infrasctural changes in the vicinity to these schools to improve road safety.
The Campaign is being implemented in collaboration with UNICEF Jamaica and the Abertis Foundation.

Contact: Dionne Rose l JN Corporate Communications

On Wednesday, April 17, the Water Project Jamaica joined key stakeholders in the Water sector at a Knowledge sharing forum hosted by Red Stripe at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston. The event was hosted to heighten awareness around the importance of water in the productive sector and to emphasize the need for an integrated approach to water sustainability across industries.

Jacqueline Cameron, Project Manager for the JN Foundation implemented Water project Jamaica found the event to be quite useful for charting Water policy changes in Jamaica.

“The event was important in the sense that it captured the opinions of policy makers, leaders and organizations that have influence in the water sector to make policy changes for the country’s water sector”  She said.

“I definately believe that there are opportunities to follow up with Red Stripe in terms of getting the action points from the Knowledge sharing forum  and the many discussions and presentations. I’d also recommend that all organizations that took part in the forum be brought on board to be a part of the proposed  Management team responsible for working towards integrated Water approaches.” she added.

Throughout the day, presentations focused on the importance of every drop of water,  Jamaica and Water Resources Management, Sustaining sustainable access for Industry, good practices and lessons learnt.

Speakers included: Sen. The Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr, Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation; Evan Cayetano, Senior Water and Sanitation Expert, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Vernon Barnett, Vice president, Investment and Performance Monitoring for the National Water Commission among others.

The Water Project Jamaica,  is a four-year project designed to address water management issues in the urban housing sector,  primarily related to climate change. The project is a collaboration between the JN Foundation, JN Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Climate Investment Funds and the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience.

Shanoy Coombs| Communications Officer of The Water Project

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Children’s safety is the focus of activities being organised by the Government to commemorate Labour Day this year, on Thursday, May 23.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, says special emphasis is being placed on instituting safeguards for children on the roads and at schools.

“It is timely, and I think we should also address… the safety of our children from predators. We cannot overlook [this] in our planning and discussions, [as to] how we will address it in a public way,” she said.

The minister was addressing members of the National Labour Day Planning Committee, during a meeting at Jamaica House on Thursday.

Grange, who chairs the committee, outlined the rationale for this year’s focus.

“We thought that the elevation of road safety onto this national community-based platform will deepen the impact of the existing public-private road safety campaign led by the National Road Safety Council; Ministry of Transport and Mining; Ministry of Education, Youth and Information; JN foundation; and UNICEF Jamaica, among others,” she said.

The minister emphasised that Workers’ Week and Labour Day “occur at a critical period for our nation’s children and vulnerable road users, as they take place during Child Month and just before Road Safety Month”.

Over the past several weeks, Committee members have been meeting to discuss activities for Labour Day, which culminates Workers’ Week beginning Sunday, May 19.

Among the other slated activities is a national thanksgiving church service, and concert. The events will be formally unveiled during a ceremony to be announced, the ministry said.

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