Welcome to Impacting Jamaica
SHARING THE LOVE: JGRA Blood drive
Five-minute feature on acts of kindness by local or overseas based non-government individuals and organisations that have benefitted Jamaicans.
Written and produced by the Radio Department of the Jamaica Information Service
News for Week of July 03, 2022
We are here to inspire, motivate and uplift.
Get US citizenship, you can keep the J’can passport
Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Audrey Marks has called on eligible members of the Jamaican diaspora to become citizens of the United States. This is in order to fully participate in the democratic process of their adopted home.
​
“I want to urge Jamaicans here in the diaspora to become citizens, as many Jamaicans living in the US for 20, 30, 40 years and are not citizens because they don’t want to give up their Jamaican passport,” she noted. “But I am assuring them that Jamaica recognizes dual citizenship and so they can have both a Jamaican as well as a United States passport.”
​
Ambassador Marks noted that in becoming a citizen, they’ll be able to participate in all areas of public life fully as a citizen of the United States, including voting. In so doing, they can help to influence policy direction.
​
The Ambassador pointed out that while we have many Caribbean diaspora organizations doing a lot of work in their communities, she is of the view that more could be done if they work together in a more cohesive manner.
​
He said, “There is no debating that Caribbean Americans play multiple roles as public servants, investors, healthcare providers, educators, philanthropists, lobbyists, marketers, and consumers in their adopted country. More than one million first generation Jamaicans and over three million persons of Jamaican heritage reside in the United States alone.”
.jpg)
Jamaican to get US Presidential Medal of Freedom
The White House has announced Jamaican Dr. Sandra Lindsay among 17 Americans named by President Biden to be recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
​
The awards will be presented at the White House on Thursday, July 7.
​
Sandra Lindsay is a Jamaican American critical care nurse in New York, who served on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic response. She was the first American to receive a COVID-19 vaccine outside of clinical trials and is a prominent advocate for vaccines and mental health care for health workers.
​
Dr. Lindsay will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honour, presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public, or private endeavour.
​
In making the announcement, President Biden said that America can be defined by one word: possibilities. These 17 Americans demonstrate the power of possibilities and embody the soul of the nation – hard work, perseverance, and faith.
​
For generations, women of Jamaica have worked tirelessly to pave the way for others in various fields. In Sports, Creative Arts, Government, Business, and so much more. They showed courage and determination to achieve their goals.
​
If you want to follow the careers of exceptional Jamaican women – Get this book right NOW!
Small operators to get grants from state fund
The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) is providing grants of up to $100,000 to operators of microenterprises in targeted communities under its Integrated Community Development Project.
​
Eligible individuals must be between 18 and 30 years old and from the communities of Salt Spring, Anchovy, Norwood, and Mount Salem in St. James; Treadlight in Clarendon; and August Town, Greenwich Town and Denham Town in Kingston and St. Andrew.
​
Managing Director of JSIF Omar Sweeney said that the grant is being provided through cycle three of the Enterprise Youth Development Grant initiative, which is funded to the tune of $15 million.
​
“These are not cash grants but based on needs and what persons would point out as their difficulty. They may receive equipment, training in accounting and budgeting, managing the business, marketing [and] customer service,” explained Mr. Sweeney.
​
He said that successful applicants can also receive support to “register themselves as a company”.
​
For peace of mind and healthy living, it is critical to go in pursuit of happiness. Noted counselling psychologist Andre Allen Casey says happiness is a state of mind and thinking. Get your FREE Happiness E-Guide and special podcast. They will help to change your mindset in your quest for happiness.
Financial institutions partner for small businesses
The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) and Victoria Mutual Investments Limited (VMIL) have partnered to invest US$15 million in a new facility that will provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with additional funding.
​
The Jamaica Actus Small and Medium Enterprise Fund 1 will target equity or quasi-equity support for SMEs.
​
International management advisory and consulting firm Actus Partners, which is headquartered in the United Kingdom, was selected to establish the SME fund.
​
The focus of the support will be on businesses operating in areas such as technology, climate and renewable energy, agriculture and food security, and tourism.
​
General Manager for the DBJ’s Project Management Office, Hugh Grant, and VMIL Chief Executive Officer, Rezworth Burchenson, signed an agreement formalizing the arrangement at the end of last month.
​
Mr. Grant, in his remarks, indicated that the DBJ is investing US$5 million on behalf of the Government of Jamaica, with VMIL committing the remaining US$10 million.
​
He indicated that the money from the DBJ was provided from a US$15-million World Bank loan, for which the Government signed an agreement in 2018.
Trump's Lessons for Defending the Rule of Law
By Antara Haldar
.png)
CAMBRIDGE – A new show currently airing gives fresh meaning to the term reality TV. Call it American Democracy: Clear and Present Danger. It should be required viewing.
Almost 18 months after the January 6, 2021, storming of the US Capitol, a House of Representatives select committee is publicizing the findings of its detailed investigation into the event. The committee has interviewed over 1,000 witnesses and examined 125,000 documents. It has held six hearings so far in June, with a view to trying to bring former President Donald Trump to justice.
