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The JN Foundation, an arm of the Jamaica National Group, has been supporting sustainable tourism through many projects it has undertaken during its almost three decades of operation.

“Guided by the ethos of the Jamaica National Group and using business as a force for good, we seek the most innovative and sustainable solutions to address the nation’s major social needs,” explained Saffrey Brown, general manager of the JN Foundation.

“Consequently, when we partner with communities and citizens to solve problems, we hold true to the fact that we are part of the solution the country seeks. But, most significantly, success, for us, is a model in which we strengthen and empower community members, so they can build and sustain their communities themselves,” she added.

Key among this sustainability is the Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (SEBI), a project of the JN Foundation, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Through SEBI, the foundation worked with 21 entities to build capacity and customise their business development services, designed to improve their profitability.

Brown pointed out that three of these entities – Montego Bay Marine Park in St James, Bunkers Hill Cultural Xperience in Trelawny and EducaTours JA in Kingston – were focused on sustainable tourism.

She also noted that prior to SEBI, the JN Foundation worked with the Junitavan Lagoon, an ecotourism attraction in Accompong, St Elizabeth.

RESTORED LAGOON

“In recognition of its integral role in environmental sustainability and preserving the culture of the Accompong Maroons, the JN Foundation undertook a project to restore the lagoon to its former glory,” Brown pointed out.

The first phase of the restoration project, an excavation exercise, was aimed at bringing ecotourism and aquaculture to Accompong.

Other successful tourism projects, she said, included work done with the Beeston Spring Community Group in Westmoreland. Under that project, which was administered by the Member Advisory Councils (MAC) set up across the JN branch network, MACs select and advise about projects worthy of funding under the foundation’s mantra of innovating, inspiring and impacting.

The Beeston Spring community members were trained in culinary arts, sewing and housekeeping from a partnership with the HEART Trust/NTA. After graduation, several persons were employed in hotels and restaurants; and some started their own businesses.

Committed to building Ja
It was a natural progression when The Jamaica National Group signed an agreement with the Government of Jamaica to provide planning, management and execution services to mount the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s Government of Jamaica, World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank Global Conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism, to take place November 27 to 29 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James.

Onika Miller, managing director of the MCS Group, the non-financial holding company of the Jamaica National Group, said that the partnership with the Government is a testament of the group’s commitment to nation building.

“We welcome the opportunity to forge this partnership with the Government to support this significant conference, which will benefit Jamaica and other Caribbean states,” she pointed out.

At the signing of the contact in July, Earl Jarrett, chief executive officer, the Jamaica National Group, underscored confidence in the JN team and the Government to stage a successful conference.

“Our team of professionals have the experience, knowledge and skills to deliver a successful conference. We are proud to have been selected by the ministry and are confident that our team will be equal to the task,” he said at the time.

The conference is a part of activities to mark the UN General Assembly’s declaration of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism. This declaration recognises the importance of tourism and the need to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, social inclusiveness, and employment and poverty reduction.

The conference, a first for Jamaica and the Caribbean, is expected to attract local, regional and international delegates.

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The capacity of the Traffic and Highway Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has been bolstered with a new state-of –the-art Road Safety Management Facility and Community Resource Centre, or Road Safety Hub.
The 1,200 square feet Road Safety Hub was officially opened today (Wednesday, November 15, 2017) by the Most Hon. Prime Minister Andrew Holness at 16 Elleston Road in Kingston.
The Prime Minister commended the public-private sector partnership, of the JCF, in concert with JN General Insurance Company Limited; the Jamaica Automobile Association; and the JN Foundation, which made the Road Safety Hub possible.
He also noted that the facility will provide real-time road crash and network data by the Mona Geoinformatics Institute; and serve as a homework and resource centre for residents in and around Central Kingston.
Chris Hind, general manager of JN General Insurance, said the launch of the Road Safety Hub was a significant marker for the organisation and the wider Jamaica.
“We have been strong supporters of the Traffic and Highway Division in meeting its goal of reducing traffic fatalities. We see this as helping to meet our own goal of providing peace of mind to Jamaican motorists, homeowners and others with their general insurance needs,” he said.
He indicated that despite Jamaica’s grim road death statistics, he was heartened by what he observed, in terms of the strategic placement of police resources on our roadways, which he said is where the Traffic and Highway Division’s Road Safety Hub will make a difference.
“One of its key resources will come online from the Mona Geoinformatics Institute displaying the JNGI Fatal Crash Map with real-time road crash and network data,” he pointed out.

Calvin Allen, senior superintendent of police at the JCF said his organisation was grateful for the facility; and will make use of the real time data, which will be provided to enhance its strategic planning and policing of the country’s road network.
In reference to the United Nation’s Decade of Action for Road Safety goals; and the JAA’s membership of the Federation Internationale del l’Automobile (FIA), Duane Ellis, general manager of the JAA, said that he welcomed the role that FIA has played through its contribution to the Hub.
“The FIA’s support for our current road safety undertaking will not only support the provision of crash data; but, will also serve as a sustainable resource centre for residents in the surrounding communities,” he affirmed.
Saffrey Brown, general manager of the JN Foundation said that The Jamaica National Group was happy to have partnered with the JCF in such a tangible manner.
“The JN Group’s chief executive officer and chairman of the JN Foundation, Mr Earl Jarrett, has ensured that we don’t simply provide services around road use; such as, road side recovery and insurance; but that, as a group, we combine to provide realistic solutions to the dangers that our citizens face on the roads, daily,” she said.

The country experienced a decline in road crashes and fatalities in 2016. Last year it recorded some 320 crashes in which 377 people were killed. In 2015, the country recorded 382 road fatalities.
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Contact:  Dionne Rose l JN Corporate Communications l JN Bank l Tel: 936-3367 l Email: drose@JNGroup.com

Prime Minister Andrew Holness cuts the ribbon to officially open the Road Safety Hub at the Traffic and Highway Division at the Elletson Road Police Station in Kingston on Wednesday, November 15. Sharing in the moment are (from right): Senior Superintendent of Police, Calvin Allen; Chris Hind, general manager, JN General Insurance (JNGI); Kathleen Moss, chairman of the JNGI Board and Saffrey Brown, general manager of the JN Foundation. The Road Safety Hub will provide real-time road crash and network data and serve as a homework and resource centre for residents in and around Central Kingston.

Some 200 students from two Kingston-based high schools recently benefitted from sensitisation sessions about financial literacy. The outreach briefings were organised by the JN Foundation, in observation of “World Savings Day” on Tuesday, October 31.

The savings briefings were delivered at Jamaica College and Calabar High Schools, under the foundation’s Be Wi$e Financial Empowerment Project, with students being informed about budgeting, the importance of savings, credit and insurance, the four tools of financial independence ,

Rose Miller, grants manager at JN Foundation, who delivered the presentations, urged students to make saving a daily practice; and pointed out that it was ideal to save a minimum of 10 per cent of one’s monthly income; or monetary gifts received.

“Saving is critical to achieving financial independence and, believe it or not, saving is only the beginning. After you have saved, then you can move on to making investments, because it is through investing that one can gain financial freedom. However, if we have nothing saved, then we will have nothing to invest,” she informed.

In explaining the process of budgeting, Mrs. Miller told students that they should be able to differentiate between “needs and wants,” and she pointed out to the surprise of many of the students that “a cellular phone was not a need.”

“You may ask me to leave when I tell you this: A cell phone, especially a high-end phone, is not a need, it is a want and, part of being financially literate is that you need to recognize ‘what is a need and what is a want’,” she advised.

She further explained that ones budget  should be realistic and flexible. “Write down the elements of your budget beginning with the most important expenses; those classified as needs; revise it, as necessary.  Successful budgeting requires   discipline, so stick to your budget.”

Raheem Campbell, an eighth grader at Calabar High School, said the session was most informative. “I learned that financial freedom is the best way that you can be free from financial problems,” he said.

Meanwhile, sixth former, Dajanae Edge, said that the information about budgeting was very useful to him. “I learned that budgeting is critical to financial independence; and that saving is also a form of financial empowerment,” he related.

World Savings Day was observed under the theme “Our Future Starts With Savings.”JN Bank, a member of The Jamaica National Group, also rolled out a series of activities on the day, including: launching the #findaway Savings Campaign, in which the bank seeks to further educate its members and the public about the value of thrift.

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Contact: Dionne Rose l JN Corporate Communications l JN Bank l Tel: 936-3367 l Email: drose@JNGroup.com l

Ninety year-old Roy Thomas, was the oldest participant in the Heroes in Act!on Run/Walk, which was held in Falmouth, Trelawny on October 15. Thomas came in third in the 4K Run in the male category’s Super Masters Age Group 60-99, clocking a time of 42:31.

Usain Bolt (second left) contributes to the Trelawny Infirmary at the Heroes in Act!on Run/Walk. Sharing in the moment are (from left) Winsome Wilkins, chairman of the Usain Bolt Foundation, Saffrey Brown, general manager of the JN Foundation and Mayor of Falmouth, Councillor Colin Gager.

Usain Bolt (right), presents 77 year-old Gerline Nelson, who came first in the female category in the 4K Run for the female 60-99 age category with her trophy. Looking on is another participant in the race.

Forty-one outstanding students in this year’s Grade Six Achievement Test were awarded five-year bursaries by the JN Foundation in recognition of their accomplishments. Dr Renee Rattray, director of Education Programmes at the JN Foundation said the annual awards is one of the largest philanthropic efforts of the Jamaica National Group, which is aimed to empower future leaders to achieve academic success.

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Oralee Jackson is no ordinary child; the 12-year-old has been an avid reader from she was three years old, a pastime that has served her well in becoming a top performer in this year’s Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).

Oralee scored 99 per cent both in english language and Communication Task, 98 per cent in science and social studies respectively and 95 per cent in mathematics in the GSAT.

“I studied a lot. I put away my cell phone for three months until my exams were completed,” she said, recalling her routine to prepare for the GSAT exams.

However, her father, Oral Jackson, said her preparation for the “big exams of her life,” was years in training.

“From an early age, she maintained a level of discipline and was always an ‘A’ student,” he said proudly of his only child.

Jackson, who is the area supervisor for the Transport Authority in Westmoreland, said that he and his wife, Sharnett, provided a nurturing environment to allow their daughter to excel.

“When she made mistakes we would correct her, we did not bully her. and I don’t believe in beating, which boosted her confidence,” he explained.

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The Jacksons said that they also played an active role in her schoolwork, as her homework was always checked and signed before it was returned to her teachers.

Describing his emotions when he was informed that his daughter was awarded the JN Bursary, Jackson said: “I knew that she would be rewarded for a work well done, and I am proud of her.”

Oralee was presented with the scholarship at a GSAT Awards reception on Sunday, September 10 at JN Bank in Kingston.

Meanwhile, Sharnett is encouraging parents of prospective GSAT candidates to influence their children to develop the habit of reading.

“Encourage them to read from an early age, as later on it will be to their benefit. Do not wait until Grade six to start the preparation,” she advised.

Oralee, who wants to be a lawyer, had words of advice for GSAT candidates. She is encouraging them to work hard and believe in themselves.

“It is not easy, but when you put in the hard work, you will be rewarded,” she said.

She earned a place at Manning’s School, starting earlier this month. She also commended her teacher, Darnette Campbell of Unity Primary in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, for preparing her for the GSAT.

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A significant number of mature Jamaicans, including some senior citizens turned out this year to support the Heroes in Act!on Run/Walk, which identified the Trelawny Infirmary as the 2017 beneficiary of the proceeds from the event.

The Run/Walk, which was organised by the JN Foundation in partnership with the Usain Bolt Foundation, was held on Sunday, October 15 in the historic town of Falmouth, Trelawny.

This year’s event attracted 90 year-old Roy Thomas, one of the oldest marathon runners in Jamaica. Thomas, who was the oldest participant to register for the Heroes in Act!on Run/Walk, came in third in the 4K Run in the male category’s Super Masters Age Group 60-99, clocking a time of 42:31.

For 77 year-old Gerline Nelson, who was first in the female category, this year’s Run was special for her. “I run at all times because it means something to me. People who are sick can get help through these marathons,” she said.

Mrs. Nelson who began running marathons back in 2006, has become an expert.  Her advice for keeping fit is to reduce salt, fat, meat and eat more fruits and vegetables.

“No bag juice, no quench aid. I mix my own juices. I go to the market, purchase the beetroot, carrot, parsley, broccoli, cauliflower and blend all of them together and drink it,” she informed.

She has also participated in other marathons in Trinidad, Antigua and Cayman.

Eighty-one year-old Norma Chang, a resident of Falmouth Trelawny, said she was happy to participate in the event as the proceeds will go toward the Trelawny Infirmary.

Onyka Barrett-Scott, partnership and development manager at JN Foundation, said that the Trelawny Infirmary was selected as this year’s beneficiary because of the important role that the elderly played in building communities.

“We believe in our elders. We know that they played important roles in the building of communities that we now call home; and, therefore, it is only fitting that when they reach their golden years that they can continue to live with dignity and in comfort,” she said, noting that proceeds from the race will be used to improve facilities at the Trelawny Infirmary.

Data from Running Events Limited revealed that there were more participants in the 40-59 age group in this year’s event, with 198 persons registering, which was up from 173 in 2016. For participants in the 60-69 age group, 29 persons registered for the event this year, which was the same as last year. The overall number of participants  in this year’s event was 1,600.
 

Contact: Dionne Rose l JN Corporate Communications l JN Bank l Tel: 936-3367 l Email: drose@JNGroup.com l October 17, 2017