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JN members across the country were reminded about the importance of “gifting” through receiving encouragement and tips befitting the Christmas season from the JN Foundation’s five current projects.
Through a series of ‘one-on-one’ engagements about road safety, water conservation measures, passing on our Jamaican heritage, financial security and supporting local brands, by buying social, the Foundation reached hundreds of its members with heartfelt messages and tokens.
Rose Miller, grants manager at the JN Foundation, said that the Christmas initiative entitled “JN Foundation Gift of Christmas…” involved educating members about: road safety, financial literacy, water conservation, social good and parish histories.
“We have been “putting people first,” at these in-branch meetings across the country; and engaging them about the gift of conservation through our Water Project, by providing them with conservation tips about technologies, which can be used to assist them to maximize, and efficiently use water, particularly during the holidays when they may be entertaining visiting friends and family,” she explained.
Mrs Miller informed that members were also alerted to financial tips, through the Foundation’s Be Wise Programme, which advises members about how they can maximize their earnings and make wise financial decisions  during the Christmas Season.
“Be financially wise this Christmas, make a budget, to track your spending and do not get carried away,” Mrs Miller advised; noting that, “for those who receive bonuses, they should consider investing some of the money.”
The JN Foundation grants manager also pointed out that it is important to be safe on the road. “We have been engaging members about the “Gift of life” through road safety tips about ensuring the safety of all road users during the season,” she related.
There was also the Gift of Community, to sensitize members about the Christmas specials being offered by various social enterprise companies.
Nelson Quarry, a JN member who participated in the engagement, appreciated the oral history tip, and  suggested that adults should encourage children to be more attentive to the historic stories being told to them by their elders; this will help them understand our history and be in a position to pass it on to future generations.
“This is a good initiative, which is encouraging,” Mr Quarry said, “I like it and I hope that you will continue these events,” he said. “As it relates to the tip, this is something that I have always thought about and have encouraged.”
Alicia Godfrey, another JN Member, appreciated the conservation tips; and expressed her delight for the information to replace inefficient plumbing fixtures with water saving ones, which are either ‘Water Sense’ labeled, or use 20-25 per cent less water than standard units.
According to the National Water Commission, water consumption at home can be reduced by as much as 30 per cent by using proper water saving devices; and the adoption of good conservation practices.
The “JN Foundation Gift of Christmas…” promotion was successful in reaching hundreds of members at JN Bank branches in Falmouth, Trelawny; Ocho Rios, St. Ann; May Pen, Clarendon; Spanish Town, St. Catherine; Duke Street in Kingston and at Half-Way-Tree, St. Andrew.
 

Contact:  Dionne Rose l JN Corporate Communications

Alexx Antaeus (left), owner, Opa Greek Restaurant and Lounge examines his shell made by  social enterprise, 360 Recycle Manufacturing Limited with Ana Toby, Marketing, Communication & Events Officer at SEBI,  which he successfully bid on at a SEBI Biz Mix Networking Session, recently .

Chairman of the JN Foundation, Parris Lyew-Ayee is encouraging Jamaicans to support the social enterprise sector during the Christmas Season by purchasing authentic Jamaican made gifts.

“I encourage everyone to support our social enterprises by ‘buying social’ this Christmas Season. Without your financial support, these entities cannot grow,” he pointed out as he addressed the ‘Close-out Ceremony’ of the Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (SEBI), at the Terra Nova Hotel and Suite in Kingston, recently.

Mr Lyew-Ayee said in the process of selecting gifts for friends and family, persons should consider social enterprises, such as: JAD Binders, which restores books that can be passed down through generations; Superior Craft and More, offering signature furniture pieces; Bresheh, manufacturers of local produced bags, which will make excellent Christmas gifts; Alpha Wear with its trendy clothing line; and Bartley’s All in Wood, among others.

Opal Whyte, project manager of SEBI, echoed a similar message; and, explained that social enterprises are defined as business directly involved in revenue generating activities to address social or environmental challenges
“Without the support of consumers and broad-based stakeholders, the sector will not thrive,” she informed, noting that, “SEBI created a Buy Social Trademark, which provides authenticity and distinction for practitioners; and, the trademark or seal, indicates that the product or services are produced by a social enterprise.”
She stated that the trademark gives the social enterprises “a face,” and there are several social enterprises across the country. These social enterprises include: Deaf Can! Coffee, 360 Recycle, Alpha Wear, Bartleys’ All in Wood, Bresheh, Bunkers Hill Cultural Xperience, Eco-Farms Jamaica, EducaTours JA, JAD Diners;  Petals ‘n’ Roots and Superior Craft & More, among others.

Ms Whyte also called for more proactive partnerships between the private sector and  social enterprises, which she stated will accelerate the further growth of social enterprises.
“Some private sector organisations are already collaborating with social enterprises, as part of their corporate social responsibility. For example, some of the National Baking Company’s trucks are currently wrapped with the ‘Buy Social’ logo. We need more of that type of collaboration  with the private sector,” she encouraged.
SEBI, a project of the JN Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) culminated on December 12, after six years of operation.
The aim of the project was to facilitate and support the growth and development of social enterprises across Jamaica. Under SEBI, some 35 social enterprises were able to generate more than J$186 million in revenues; and employed some 500 persons, on a part time and full time basis.
 

Dionne Rose l JN Corporate Communications

The JN Foundation has announced the launch of a new organisation, Social Enterprise Jamaica, which will facilitate the growth of the social enterprise sector in the country.
Parris Lyew-Ayee, chairman of the JN Foundation, made the announcement about the new enterprise at the close-out ceremony of the Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (SEBI), a project of the JN Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel in Kingston, on Wednesday, December 12.
“With the ending of SEBI, along with the introduction of increased funding opportunities, financial instruments, and business services; as well as, the ever growing demand for social enterprises, there is a new gap in the market, and new windows are opening,” he pointed out.
“Therefore, today, we at the JN Foundation are pleased to announce that there will be a new social enterprise supporting the sector to be known as, Social Enterprise Jamaica, SEJA. This enterprise will be an independent multi-sectorial social one, which will seek to create an environment to facilitate the growth of the social enterprise sector in Jamaica,” he explained. 
Mr Lyew-Ayee said that SEJA will be a member-owned enterprise, designed to be economically sustainable without relying on government, corporate or philanthropic assistance for its survival.
The JN Foundation Chairman further disclosed that consultations have already started with key stakeholders  about SEJA. He said the enterprise will offer services such as: serving as a knowledge hub; establishment of the Buy Social Trade Mark; and, a social enterprise innovation hub.
He further explained that the innovation hub will be a state-of-the art facility, providing a space to host: events, training sessions, meetings, and co-working and incubation.
“Social Enterprise Jamaica will focus on further developing the social enterprise ecosystem in Jamaica; and seek to innovate and incubate, to create scalable impactful businesses in the society,” he explained.
Entities which are interested in becoming a member of Social Enterprise of Jamaica are invited to get in touch with the Foundation via email at: info@socialenterpriseja.com; or, by telephone, at: 876 926-1344, Ext. 5158
Several social enterprises have welcomed the announcement of SEJA.
Randy McClaren, managing director of Bresheh, said he hoped that SEJA will play an advocacy role for social enterprises. “I hope that it will take on as many social enterprises, as possible, to assist to pave the way for us as a sector, to really expand and impact many persons, the planet; and, obviously, profitability,” he said.
Tishauna Mullings, founder of Nexx Stepp Educational Services, said she would like see SEJA position social enterprises linked to social capital; and to GDP, to make an impact in our country, so that everyone can appreciate what social enterprise means.
Turning to the successes achieved by SEBI during the past six years, Opal Whyte, project manager of SEBI, stated that, the project proved that social enterprises can be viable businesses. Through the project, they were able to generate more than J$186 million in revenues and employed 500 persons, on a part time and full time basis.
“The social enterprises  introduced innovative products to the market; and some experienced phenomenal growth during a relatively short period. The impact of SEBI also reached more than 100 additional social organisations, whose members participated in the open network activities,” she affirmed.
 

Dionne Rose| Communication Officer | JN Group Corporate Communications
 

The 2019 Jamaican Rhodes Scholar, Chevano Baker, is thrilled to be named this year’s recipient, as he sets to make a second UK-based study programme to pursue his PhD at the University of Oxford.
Baker is a former recipient of the JN Foundation/University of Birmingham Legacy Scholarship, where he pursued a masters in financial economics in 2016.
“I continue to beam with pride knowing that I have reaped the rewards of my hard work and dedication in academia, volunteerism, leadership and the performing arts by copping this most prestigious academic scholarship,” he said, reacting to the news of the scholarship.
The 23 year-old said that from an early age, living in a community with high levels of unemployment and limited opportunities for upward mobility, he knew he had to use education for social mobility.
“Furthermore, I have been blessed with parents who understand the value of education and the power it has to change lives. So, from a tender age I decided that I will use my education as the means to break the cycle of poverty in my family,” he said.
His encouragement to young people and anyone in general is to take the time to find their purpose, then use their passions and talents to fulfill the purpose, thereby impacting people in a meaningful way.
He also underscored the importance of hard work and pointed out that throughout his academic life, he has also been involved in extra-curriculum activities such as debating/public speaking, performing arts, mentorship, leadership and volunteerism, which have helped him to be a more rounded individual.
Chevano also commended The Jamaica National Group for playing a critical role in assisting him to achieve his educational dreams.
“Jamaica National has been an important part of my journey, having provided me with the JN Foundation Legacy Scholarship to study at the University of Birmingham. I am grateful for that opportunity because it afforded me increased knowledge that I am now using in my current role as a financial economist at the Bank of Jamaica,” noting that it also provided a rich and diverse experience, for which he remains thankful.
“Indeed, JN helped me to me find a way to contribute to Jamaica to become the 2019 Jamaican Rhodes Scholar,” he added.
He is excited to return to the UK though he will miss his family and close friends. He said his time in Birmingham was filled with inspiring and enlightening experiences where he was exposed to persons from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and he is confident he will have a similar experience at Oxford.

Dionne Rose l JN Corporate Communications

As Christmas fast approaches, Jamaicans are being urged to spend wisely in order to avoid compounding their debt during the Holiday Season, and position themselves to take advantage of improvements in the economy.
Grants manager at the JN Foundation, Rose Miller, who leads JN Foundation’s BeWise financial empowerment programme, acknowledges that personal debt management is a problem for many Jamaicans due to poor financial behaviours and practices.
“Jamaicans know that they should save, but knowing that they should save has not always impacted their habits of thrift and spending practices,” she said.
To avoid racking up a debt this Christmas, the JN Foundation financial literacy expert says Jamaicans should consider the following tips for managing their money during the Yuletide Season:
Invest your bonus!
Christmas is a good time for investing, Mrs Miller urges, as many people earn extra during the Holidays. Instead of blowing your bonus on gifts, a significant portion, if not all the extra cash can be invested.
“Consider placing those funds in a fixed or long term saving account, where they will earn higher interest; or in stocks, bonds; or other instruments offered by regulated financial institutions that will yield great dividends,” she counsels.
Persons may also use their bonus to finance some, if not all, of their debt, she recommends.
Create a budget and stick to it!
“Create a budget specifically for your Christmas spending and stick to it!” Mrs Miller advised.
“There are many things you may want or need; or even causes you would like to support; or parties you would like to attend. However, you need to prioritise; and budget only for those items and activities, which you actually need,” she said.
And if you use a credit card as your main method of paying for goods services, use it in accordance with your budget, she maintained.
“Remember your credit card is a loan, which carries a very high rate of interest; and interest will be accrued immediately after the due date. Therefore, spend only what you can afford; and, most of all, settle your balance before the due date; or, as soon as you can, to avoid paying interest,” Mrs Miller recommended.
She notes, however, that using a credit card to pay for items can be advantageous to consumers, as it reduces the need to walk around with cash, which can be unsafe and support impulsive spending. In addition, some credit cards offer “cash-back” points, once you clear your monthly bill on, or before the due date.
“And, using your credit card instead of your debit card, also means that you avoid paying point-of-sale fees on your purchase. Those fees may be low, but they can add up and affect your budget,” she says.
Be creative with your gift ideas!
And, gifting does not have to be a spending spree, Mrs Miller said.
She suggests that instead of rushing to purchase gifts, people should consider creating their own gifts using their skills. Purchasing or creating gifts that can be shared by more than one member of the household, instead of providing individual gifts, is another idea to consider.
“It saves time and money, as you don’t need to shop for every single person.”  And “Very often the gifts you create aren’t only less expensive, but they are more meaningful than items you buy in a store,” she said.
Let everyone contribute to Christmas dinner 
Not even Christmas dinners and parties need be costly, Mrs Miller noted.
“So you’re hosting the annual Christmas Dinner or party, but why do you have to do all the spending?” she questioned. “Reduce your costs by spreading it around. Ask family and friends to take bottles of whatever they like to drink; or, to purchase a few of the items you will need, such as desserts or ingredients for cooking.”
“Invest and spend wisely. You will have a merrier Christmas and a brighter New Year for it,” Mrs Miller concludes.

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Housing developers are being urged to use water adaptation systems, and to install mechanisms to harvest and recycle rainwater for use in new housing developments.
This is the charge given by the Jamaica National Group’s Water Project Jamaica during a presentation to members of the Jamaica Developers Association, JDA, at a recent members meeting.  The meeting was held at the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica’s (PSOJ) headquarters on Hope Road in Kingston, on November 6.
Speaking with members of the JDA after the event, Water Project Manager Jacqueline Cameron noted that despite challenges with our water supply, Jamaica has had the luxury of using clean, drinkable water in all areas of our household.  She therefore stressed the need for harvested rain water to be reused in common areas and for flushing toilets. This she indicates is something that our developers and engineers will have to take into consideration as we build the climate smart Jamaica of the future.
Cameron also noted that the Water Project was created to address issues such as these as well as limited financing available for water specific projects in housing developments. “Having recognised this shortfall, the JN Water Project was developed, based on a partnership between: the JN Foundation, the Inter American Development Bank (IDB), JN Bank, Climate Investment Funds, the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience, and the Multilateral Investment Fund” She noted.
“The great news for developers really is that through the JN Water Project, they will be able to access loans from JN Bank to install water adaptation devices” she explained. 
Probably most significant though is that the JN Water Project is the first project of its kind to be implemented in the Caribbean and globally by the IDB.
Robert Stephens, Demand Study consultant for the Water Project, while speaking at the Jamaica Developers Association meeting added “The IDB through the Water Project is looking at Jamaica to essentially set the pace for the rest of the Caribbean; and, the rest of the world, through this project. It has the potential to be up scaled, in terms of its applications, not only for housing, but in other areas, given changes in the market place. Therefore, it is important to begin to educate developers and home owners about the importance of saving water,”

“Climate change is affecting us severely. The fact is that, we need to increase the water resiliency in our housing developments; and, ensure that we use water efficiently, because the next possibility for war in the world could be about water,” he said.
Both Cameron and Stephens stressed the fact that  climate change has become more aggressive, pointing to longer droughts, heavier rainfall and an increase in the number of natural phenomena, such as hurricanes.
In March 2017 the IDB and The Jamaica National Group signed two cooperative agreements to provideJN Bank and the JN Foundation with funding to execute a four-year project called “Financing Water Adaptation in Jamaica’s New Urban Housing.”
This project seeks to enhance the country’s climate resilience through the use of water adaptation technology in the housing sector. The objectives are to facilitate the uptake of water adaptation measures in housing across Jamaica, including the use of rain water harvesting systems, water efficient taps and showers, low-flush toilets, efficient irrigation systems, grey water recycling facilities, and other relevant efficiency measures.

Contact:  Dionne Rose l JN Corporate Communications

Educator Heather Lyn drives past Hazard Primary School in Clarendon twice daily, a routine that has been the same for many years. But the other night she felt something different as her car drove over something.

“BOOM!”

“BOOM!”

This was no accident. She’d driven over the brand new rumble strips installed as part of the ‘X Marks the Spot’ road safety campaign. Over the next three years, the  initiative will make life-saving improvements to road infrastructure and crossings outside 18 schools across Jamaica.

The schools selected – of which Hazard Primary is the first – are some of the worst impacted by road traffic accidents that have killed more than 120 children on Jamaican roads over the past five years.

“Over the past two months I have seen the transformation that has taken place,” says Lyn. “Drivers who are using this road are very conscious that they need to slow down for our children to cross safely.”

Every child deserves a safe journey to school
X Marks the Spot is being implemented by the Jamaica National (JN) Foundation, with support from UNICEF, the FIA Foundation based in the UK and the Abertis Foundation based in Spain.

The recognition of road crashes as the leading cause of death globally for children over 10 years-old has led to the issue being placed as Target 3.6. of the Sustainable Development Goals – to halve the number of global deaths and injuries by road traffic crashes by 2020.

Hazard has had its share of challenges. “Brutal!” is how Richard Bell, who supervised the construction, describes the situation previously. “Now I feel 100% more comfortable. Before, there was never any control between the cars on the road and the kids crossing it.”

Living on the other side of the road, Bell himself has two children who have to cross daily to attend the school.

School community welcomes improvement
Speaking at the launch of the campaign, UNICEF education specialist Rebecca Tortello underscored why UNICEF became involved. “Getting to and from school should never cost a child his or her life or injury! We look forward to helping more school zones become safer for children and their parents and to increasing advocacy around this critical national and global issue.”

Further support is needed. Jamaica recently passed its revised Road Traffic Act but still has a few road safety conventions to sign.

The discipline of all road users remains a concern and the campaign will also work to encourage all persons – whether pedestrians or drivers – to take road safety more seriously. Speeding and riding without a motorcycle helmet, as well as transporting a child without proper child restraint, are among the most common traffic violations involving children.

“What we need to do is to teach the adults about safety in terms of their cars because sometimes police have to stop them about certain little issues. But those little things can create major accidents, so the most major thing is to teach the adults!” said Aaliyah Bell, a student of Jonathan Grant High School in St Catherine, the second school to be reached by X Marks The Spot.

The campaign is  informed by a recently completed Child Road Safety Assessment Report commissioned by the JN Foundation, with support from UNICEF. The report  provided baseline data that guided partners on where to focus the interventions and how best to improve the safety of children on roads as they journey to and from school.

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Eighteen schools across the country are to benefit from physical improvements to their school zones road infrastructure over the next three years, which will be implemented by the JN Foundation’s “X” Marks the Spot Crosswalk Road Safety Campaign.

Parris Lyew-Ayee, chairman of the JN Foundation, made the disclosure at the unveiling of the upgraded infrastructure work done at the Hazard Primary School in Clarendon, on November 7, 2018, under the first phase of the “X” Marks the Spot Crosswalk Road Safety Campaign.

“The Campaign aims to encourage advocacy and discussions about road safety in schools and households; and to use the results of the Child Road Safety Assessment Report to identify other areas for the infrastructural interventions, which will include: the installation of crosswalks, signs, speed reduction surfaces and other counter measures,” said Mr Lyew-Ayee.

The JN Foundation chairman noted that Hazard Primary School was the first of 18 schools to be upgraded under the campaign. The educational institution benefitted from the erection of: signage for bus lay-bys, pedestrian gates, the widening and paving of the sidewalks.

Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Clarendon Central, the Hon. Mike Henry, commended the JN Foundation and its international partners for the improvement undertaken at the school.

He said the school, which also has a Special Education Unit for physically challenged students, will greatly benefit from the upgrading; and should make students safer while in transit to and from school.

The “X” Marks the Spot Road Safety Campaign is being implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and UK-registered charity, the FIA Foundation, of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile.

Dr Rebecca Tortello, quality education specialist at UNICEF, said the children’s organisation was serious about road safety; and that the partnership with the JN and the FIA Foundations will help to raise awareness about road safety and increase understanding among students and the general public.
“Importantly, it will also enable us to uplift the crossing zones for 18 schools, in areas with the highest incidences of road accidents. We are working together with our partner the JN Foundation and our funders, the FIA and Abertis Foundations, to ensure that all of our children enjoy a safe route to and from school,” she said.
Rebecca Ashton of the FIA Foundation, stated that her organisation was happy to be associated with the “X” Marks the Spot Campaign; and, they are confident that it will have a positive impact on reducing road fatalities in the vicinity of the targeted schools.
The Campaign is being informed by a recently completed Child Road Safety Assessment Report commissioned by the JN Foundation, which provided baseline data to improve the safety of children on roads, particularly near, or on their way to school.
The research identified specific schools and zones where children are most vulnerable to incidences of road traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities. These areas require specific infrastructural and/or safety interventions, both at the physical and social levels.
Over the past five years, more than 120 children have died on our nation’s roads. Additionally, an innumerable number of children continue to suffer from life-altering injuries, which are a direct result of the over 70 kilometers traffic crashes, within 100 metres of school zones, during the past decade.

Contact:  Dionne Rose l JN Corporate Communications

Often referred to as an underdeveloped parish, which is plagued with youth unemployment,residents in St Thomas can now anticipate a “positive wave of change” emerging during the next few years, if the social entrepreneur and native of the parish, Tishauna Mullings, founder of NexxStepp Lifelong Educational Services,achieve her goals.

Ms. Mullings recently launched her social enterprise, which focuses on empowering young people, and to equip them with practical skills for employment.

“We plan to start a wave that will change the current view of St. Thomas. Therefore, our aim is to solve issues, such as reducing the gap between employment opportunities and available skills set through a fusion of key academic support and life coaching,” she said of her organisation, which was officially launched at a mingle under the theme, “The Magic of Transformation,” at the Golden Shore Resort, Lyssons, in St. Thomas, on October 18, 2018

Referencing data from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Ms. Mullings pointed out that only 40 per cent of the approximately 140 million young people, age 15 to 29 in the Latin American and the Caribbean,make up the workforce; representing one in five youths who do not work or study; and the youth unemployment rate is three times higher than the adult unemployment rate, she informed.

“In Jamaica, statistics indicate that, the youth unemployment rate is approximately 29.6 per cent. And, local employers indicate that some young people are ill-equipped to seek and keep a job,” she added.

Ms. Mullings said that NexxStepp, which was established six years ago, has already trained hundreds of young people; and created part and full time employment for many in St Thomas.

The organisation provides: academic excellence coaching, personal and organisational growth; motivational and inspirational communication; as well as, workshops and life coaching skills for groups and individual persons.

Opal Whyte, project manager of Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (SEBI)urged patrons attending the launch event to support NexxStepp Lifelong Educational Services, which is participating in the Accelerator Programme being conducted by SEBI.

SEBI is a project of the JN Foundation and USAID; and, through it’s Accelerator Programme, entrepreneurs are being taught toenhance their social businesses.

“NexxSteppcannot grow if you don’t do business with them,” Ms. Whyte pointed out. “Therefore, we urge you to support the business aspects of what they do; and, you could also sponsor a young person to participate in one of their educational services.”

She commended the social enterprise for being true to its roots, and focusing on the development of St. Thomas. “The social mission of NexxStepp is focused on St. Thomas; and, if this organisation transforms young people in this parish, then I believe that St. Thomas will grow from within; and that is why the JN Foundation and USAID believe in the work of NexxStepp,” she said.

Jerome Cowans, senior project director of Housing, for Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) Programme,located in the Office of the Prime Minister, who was the guest speaker of the event, said that the services of NexxStepp were critical in the preparation of young people for the world of work.

“The first and most important goal of our HOPE Programme is personal development, which is absolutely essential,” Mr Cowans pointed out.

“We, therefore,identify mandatorycore skills for every young person who participates in our Programme; and personal development is one of them,” he informed.“That is one of the reasons why NexxStepp is critical, because the HOPE Programme alone cannot engage all of our young people,”noting that a recent survey indicated that there was approximately 130,000 unemployed youthsacross the country.

Dionne Rose| Communication Officer | JN Group Corporate Communications
The Jamaica National Group | Chief Office