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With some parishes across the country already experiencing drought conditions and others forecasted to be affected into September, Jamaicans are being urged to 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 help save water.  These changes include the use of general conservation practices as well as considering the installation of water saving devices such as high efficiency shower heads, low flush toilets, kitchen and bathroom aerators.
The water project’s encouragement is timely given that the Meteorological (Met) Service of Jamaica has issued a Drought Alert for sections of St Catherine, Clarendon and Portland and has noted that during the period, July to September, the forecasts are indicating a high possibility of warmer-than-normal temperatures and below-normal rainfall.
Onyka Barrett Scott, acting general manager of the JN Foundation, which manages the Water Project said that given the drought situation, it would be prudent for everyone to implement practical measures, such as seeking to use less water and inspecting all pipes, toilets and faucets for leaks.
“Replace inefficient fixtures with water saving devices, which are either Water Sense Labeled, or use 20-25 per cent less water than standard units,” Mrs. Barrett Scott advised.
According to the National Water Commission (NWC), water consumption at home can be reduced by as much as 30 per cent, by using proper water saving devices and good conservation practices.
Mrs. Barrett Scott informed that through the four year water project, the JN Bank & JN Foundation will collaborate with the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB) and the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR), to assist Jamaicans to adapt to climate change; and implement measures that will result in more efficient use of water.
“The Water Project Jamaica focuses on the important role that householders and real estate developers can and should play, through the adaption of water efficiency technologies which can help us better manage our use of water,” she said.

The project seeks to raise awareness about the threats of climate change; and, also build local capacity, to design and install water adaptation measures; to foster entrepreneurship and local innovation as well as, to provide loans to implement new technologies. The loan component of the project is scheduled to come on stream in the latter quarter of 2018.

In the interim, Jamaicans should begin to take action in their respective households to be more responsive to changing climatic conditions. 
For additional steps you can take to be more water efficient at home, persons can read the Water Project’s Homeowner’s Guide to Water Use efficiency at http://www.waterprojectja.com/resources/

Disregard for simple road safety practices such as the use of seatbelts, helmets and child restraint systems, is causing Jamaican children to die, according to recent research findings on child road safety, commissioned by the JN Foundation and The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).
“Speeding and riding without a motorcycle helmet, as well as transporting a child without proper child restraints are among the most frequent traffic violations involving children,” said Dr. Earl Bailey, senior lecturer at the University of Technology, and lead researcher on the JN Foundation/UNICEF Child Road Safety Assessment Report.
Dr. Bailey was speaking at the official launch of the research data, which was held at The University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters, Mona Campus, on Wednesday, July 18.
He said that in 2017, some 32,365 traffic tickets were issued for exceeding the speed limit. Tickets issued for driving without seat belts totalled some 113,677.
The UTECH researcher further divulged that transporting a child without a child restraint resulted in 3,604 tickets. Tickets to motorcyclists riding without protective helmets totalled approximately 2,728.
“Fines are not the answer, there must be behavioural and structural changes,” Dr. Bailey advised; as he pointed out that, “Over the last 40 years traffic fines have failed to curb road fatalities and crashes.”
Onyka Barrett Scott, acting general manager of the JN Foundation, speaking at the launch, agreed that there must be behavioural change.
“We are guardians of our children. Many of us drop them off at school, daily; and, some of us don’t have the luxury of dropping them off, we simply put them on a bus. Therefore, this is something real for many of us,” she stated.
“We do have a moral responsibility to ensure that our children are able to grow up; be educated in a safe and enabling environment; and, being safe on the road is part of that.”
Mrs Barrett Scott explained that, the research will be used to implement road safety strategies across the country, particularly in those parishes where the highest level of road crashes and fatalities occur.
“The research findings will be used as part of the X –Mark the Spot Road Safety Campaign, to inform teachers, students, parents and community members, at the schools we select, about use of safety interventions, such as: bus lay-bys, improved pedestrian crossings, and pedestrian’s gates,” she outlined.
Mrs Barrett Scott also emphasised that, “the research data will not simply gather dust on a shelf, as it will be actively used to influence change to save lives.”
Up to late December 2017, the total road fatalities stood at 313 persons, with children accounting for some six per cent of the total.

Paula Henry, a member of The Jamaica National Group, for the past five years, was happy that she attended the Bewi$e Programme’s Financial Literacy Seminar, which was held at the JN Bank’s Spanish Town Branch, on July 18.
“I learned that you must save often. If you never saved before, it was time to start,” the mother of seven said, as she reacted to the session which was presented by Rose Miller, grants manager, at the JN Foundation.
Mrs. Miller informed the approximately 20 participants about the value of savings, advising that, “At least 10 per cent of your income should go towards savings, as soon as you receive your pay; and budget the remaining sum for your on-going expenses.”
For Mrs. Paula Henry, the “take away,” was the importance of planning now for one’s retirement.
“I need to start my pension fund because I have not started it yet. I never learned that from anybody. And, I now recognise that JN Bank is really like a family; and I appreciate what I have learned,” she said of the session.
For Wentle Lodge, a JN member who has resided in England for some 30 years; and was on vacation in Jamaica, his “take away lesson,” was how to manage a credit card.
“I always thought having a credit card was like creating a trench of debt and avoided using it. However, Mrs. Miller’s presentation was an eye opener,” he stated.
She advised participants that, “This is money loaned to you by a creditor, to make purchases and pay the bill at a later date. However, you must ensure that you use your card wisely; and pay off your credit card bill in full, on time, and all the time, to avoid paying back interest and racking up a debt you will struggle to repay.

Mrs. Miller also explained that it was important to pick the right credit card, which is suitable for your needs; read and fully understand the terms of the agreement. “Obtaining a credit card helps you to save your money and use money loaned to you; it
is also a good tool in cases of an emergency,” she added.
Mr. Lodge was adamant that he will be bolstering his investment options, as he pointed out that, relying on one’s pension savings only will not guarantee a comfortable standard of living during retirement.

“I personally believe in investment. I have bought properties and I am exploring other business options,” he shared.

Mrs Miller pointed out that The JN’s Be Wise Financial Literacy Project was launched by the JN Foundation, in collaboration with the Inter-American Dialogue in June 2013.Initially, the programme targeted remittance customers, many of whom were unbanked; and, it was subsequently expanded to include other groups, including children. 
Using a toolkit designed to debunk the myth that financial independence is a dream attainable by only a few, the workshops promoted the idea that, with knowledge, discipline and commitment, financial independence can be achieved by many.
“The programme was revamped in 2015, and renamed the Financial Empowerment Programme,” she explained, “And since then, it has become one of the most sought after programmes at the JN Foundation, as more people become aware that proper money management is necessary in the quest to achieve their financial goals.”
“We welcome the response from participants, as the programme continues to achieve a high level of success, transforming lives and providing hope, as members embrace their role and responsibility in the quest for financial freedom,” Mrs Miller stated.
Since 2014, it is estimated that some 15,235 persons have benefitted from financial empowerment training.

Mixing social and corporate took on a new light in the courtyard of Opa Greek Restaurant at Devon House last Thursday evening at the first staging of the Social Enterprise Boost Initiative’s (SEBI) Biz Mix series.

With summer in full swing, invitees stayed cool as they made connections and enjoyed the evening, titled a night of ‘speed dating’.

Following a Privilege Walk that challenged social enterprise entrepreneurs to reveal the assistance their businesses have received; introductory speeches were given by Solomon Sharpe of Main Event and Kadeem Petgrave of SEBI Social Enterprise EducaTours detailing how they made networking work for their businesses.

For Sharpe it was all about using his network to grow and diversify into an even larger company. Meanwhile Petgrave noted that when Educatours had no resources to fulfil the first booking it received, he realised the need to get creative, and fast, with no small thanks to his Jamaica College-powered network.

It was a night of friends and collaborators, both new and renewed.

Guests mingled in the transformed venue – decorated as a gallery – showcasing the work of SEBI members from across the island and from rural to urban.

They enjoyed the delicious fare of Callaloopita, Chilli Potato Fritters, Opa BBQ Wings, Keftadakia, and stamp-and-go; before participating in the ‘getting to know you’ part of the night.

After a short break it was time to get to the ‘meet’ of the matter. Dubbed a ‘marriage in five minutes’ by master of ceremonies Ryan Dixon, owners of social enterprises were given the opportunity to sit and share ideas, goals and get advice from larger corporations. And the speed dating element? This had to be done in a few minutes before it was time to switch chairs and have the conversation with someone new.

According to Onyka Barrett-Scott, General Manager of JN Foundation, which runs SEBI, “Everyone wants to find the perfect match – even in business. Our social enterprises can benefit from meeting team members from larger companies to gain connections, get guidance and learn how to network. This event is a part of the culmination of over five years’ work for SEBI; we’ve helped catalyse the work of over 20 businesses – who have made a difference in their communities and contributed to the country’s GDP.”

The Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (SEBI) is a joint JN Foundation United States Agency for Development (USAID) project.

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Onyka Barrett Scott (left), acting general manager of the JN Foundation; Hon. Floyd Green (third left), Minister of State, Ministry of Education, Youth and Information and Rebecca Tortello, education specialist at UNICEF Jamaica sign the pledge board in support of improving child road safety. Looking on are Dr. Earl Bailey (second left) of the University of Technology and lead researcher of the Child Road Safety Assessment Report and Lone Hvass, deputy representative, UNICEF Jamaica. Occasion was the launched of the Child Road Safety Assessment Report at the University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters on Wednesday, July 18.

In 2017, 317 persons died due to crashes on Jamaican roads. Recent data from the Jamaica Constabulary Force Road Traffic Division indicates that on average, three children are killed on Jamaica’s roads, monthly. Overall, close to two per cent of total deaths in the country is a result of road traffic crash.

According to a recent Road Safety Report, commissioned by the JN Foundation, some 85 percent of these accidents are largely caused by speeding and careless driving. Given that school enrollment is high, with pre-primary enrolment at 99.7 per cent ; primary at 92.1 per cent  and secondary at 94.5 per cent, child pedestrians represent the most vulnerable group of road users.

To address this, the JN Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the FIA Foundation have implemented the “X Marks the Spot,” a Crosswalk Road Safety Campaign, in which schools will benefit from the erection of signage for bus lay-bys, pedestrian gates, and the widening and paving of sidewalks.

Hazard Primary School in Clarendon will be the first beneficiary of this campaign. Onyka Barrett Scott, acting general manager of the JN Foundation, said that the work at Hazard Primary School will benefit the community including JN members who reside in this parish.

“We are happy to be implementing the X Marks the Spot Crosswalk Campaign, as we see major benefits, not only for our nation’s children, but also the communities in which our members reside,” she added.
Winsome Atkinson, acting principal at Hazard Primary, said she was elated that her school was the first to be selected by the campaign and welcomed the planned work to improve the safety of students and adults.
“We appreciate that JN Foundation thought about Hazard, because we are actually midway between Mineral Heights and May Pen Town, hence, we are located in a busy thoroughfare. I’m happy that it will improve the safety of our students,” she said.
Mrs. Atkinson informed that the school had experienced several accidents at its gate; and, thankfully, to date, none were fatal. “I know that the proposed improvements will enhance safety for our children and the members of our community,” she maintained.

Contact:  Dionne Rose l JN Corporate Communications

Four social enterprises, which are part of the Social Enterprise Boost Initiative’s (SEBI) Accelerator Programme, recently participated in a knowledge exchange during a Social Innovation Summit and study tour in the US.
The SEBI Accelerator is a business development programme that is tailored to support the growth of 15 existing social enterprises through leadership effectiveness training; introduction to growth strategies; mentorship and networking opportunities.
The accelerator is a key deliverable of this phase of the project and is supported by JN Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The four participants in the summit were: Seretse Small of Avant Academy of Music; Kristofferson Nunes of UCA Marketing, Laci-Ann Bartley of Bartley’s All In Wood; and Lashawndla Bailey of Inzzpire 365.
“I learned a lot during the visit, particularly that collaboration is important across industries and fields to ignite innovation; to focus on the user,” said Kristofferson Nunes, chief executive officer of UCA Marketing, a start-up social enterprise, which seeks job opportunities for tertiary students, while simultaneously offering corporate brands access to a fluid labour force and millennial consumers.
For Seretse Small, chief executive officer of Avant Academy of Music, the exposure was excellent. “What was transformational was being able to meet diverse persons, from investors to not for profit innovators to social entrepreneurs; and to learn how they interacted with each other,” he stated.
“It was interesting to hear investors speak about their experience working with founders, the challenges of getting funding and creating enterprises which also have social impact,” he added.
Avant Academy of Music is a music school, which was established in 2013,to change the paradigm of music education in Jamaica.
The Social Innovation Summit is one of the most renowned summits, which support the development of business, as a force for doing good. It was held under the theme “Social Innovation,” and took place in the Silicon Valley, California.
Onyka Barrett Scott, acting general manager of the JN Foundation, outlined that the social entrepreneurs also participated in a study tour of the Silicon Valley as part of experience.
“This was a critical component of the knowledge exchange, as it allowed the participants to interact with other social change agents in the Silicon Valley eco-system, understand their business models, their entrepreneurial journey and methods of resourcing – all important ingredients for generating strong and successful businesses,” she posited.
She further added, “for us at the JN Foundation, enabling such an exchange is a part of our ongoing commitment to the development of the social enterprise space, and a demonstration of the use of businesses as a force for good and betterment of Jamaica.”
The social entrepreneurs visited: Impact Hub San Francisco, a member based organisation catering to the needs of the sector in San Francisco; BayCat, led by a successful Wall Street broker turned social innovator, who uses the creative arts to change the pejorative narrative that pigeonholes many minority communities, to an authentic one told through the voices of the community.
They also visited Benetech, a social enterprise that produces “software for good.”The business leverages technology to deliver information to persons in the blind, deaf and mentally challenged communities.
The Social Enterprise Boost Initiative, a project of the JN Foundation and the USAID is in its final phase. Through the Accelerator Programme, entrepreneurs are being targeted to further enhance their social businesses.

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Five wards from the Homestead Place of Safety in Spanish Town, St Catherine, received insight about different careers in the beauty sector; and benefitted from financial empowerment training, when they attended the JN Small Business Loans (JNSBL) Barber and Beauty Seminar, at the JN Conference Centre, on June 19.

The wards, who were between the ages of 13 and 16, are being informed about sundry career options, as part of an initiative by the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), formerly the Child Development Agency, to introduce wards in their care to various professions.

“We brought them here to gain an understanding about various careers; and the opportunities for funding, for those who want to venture into entrepreneurship, when they leave our care,” explained Venice Campbell, health and social care assistant supervisor, Homestead Place of Safety.

“For those who want to become entrepreneurs, we did not simply want them to say, ‘I am going to open a business.’ We wanted them to understand how to manage their operations, the different areas they can explore; and what they needed to do, to enable them to receive funding,” she explained

Miss Campbell added that they were introduced to the seminar through the JN Foundation, who informed them about the benefits that members in the beauty industry received when they entered the JNSBL Barber and Beauty Battle.

“We normally do counselling sessions with wards to determine their interests; and, based on their response, we selected the ones who are present today, to join us. We also know that when they return to the facility, they will inform the other girls about what they learned,” she explained.
The young ladies also had the opportunity to observe barbers, hairdressers, nail technicians and make-up artists, working together to formulate a business plan and then pitching for funding.

One of the wards of the state explained that she had learned a lot from the seminar.

“Before I came here, I was unaware that there were so many different careers in the beauty industry, or that it was such a lucrative field. Now that I have learned how profitable it can be; and wide the field is, I will consider it as a possible career path,” she said.

OcKino Petrie, marketing manager, JNSBL, and chairman of the JNSBL Barber and Beauty Planning Committee, stated that the young women were invited as part of the competition’s thrust to expose as many persons as possible to: the different careers, the skills needed, and the opportunities which exist in the beauty sector.

“It’s a vibrant sector, which facilitates entrepreneurship; and has flexibility. Therefore, persons can set their own working hours,” he explained. “We thought that by introducing younger persons to the sector, they would appreciate that the industry offers vibrant successful careers and they would be their own bosses. “
The JNSBL Barber and Beauty seminar was mounted to update the 24 finalists in this year’s competition about: salon management practices, financial planning, opportunities for funding, and educational trends in the sector.

An added component to this year’s seminar was the division of the contestants into groups. Each group was required to come up with a business plan and pitch for funding. At the end, the winning group, “In the Streets Mobile Beauty Salon,” with a team of six persons, received $50,000, for their mobile salon business plan, designed to serve patrons in hospitals, golden age homes and the disabled.  

                                                              
Contact: Leighton Williams l JN Corporate Communications