Welcome to Impacting Jamaica
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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 September 11, 2022
We are here to inspire, motivate and uplift.
Land lease drive for young farmers
The Agro-Invest Corporation (AIC) and Jamaica 4-H Clubs have partnered to formulate and execute the Youth in Agriculture land lease programme.
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Under this initiative, eligible youth farmers are selected to access lands provided by the AIC.
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Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Pearnel Charles Jr said through collaboration with other stakeholders, including the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and the National Irrigation Commission (NIC), youth farmers have been provided with technical support, market linkages and irrigation solutions to facilitate sustainable agricultural projects that are profitable.
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“So far, the Ministry has issued 70 leases for agro parks located across the island. In the first instance of distribution, some 20 leases went to youth farmers for agro parks located across the island and 20 leases went to investors,” he said.
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Currently there are 1,403.52 hectares of land in production for the Agro Parks and Production Zones.
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In addition to receiving their lease contracts, the youth farmers benefited from guidance on input suppliers, cash crops and tubers (pineapple, onion, sweet potato, Irish potato, and hot peppers), and agro processing, among other inputs.
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‘I am fully aware of the level of sacrifice, commitment, great sense of responsibility,’ PM tells educators
Eighty educators across Jamaica have received the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for outstanding and dedicated service to the sector.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness commended the honorees for their service, noting that its value to national development is inestimable. “Jamaica cannot honour you enough; but please know we are grateful,” he told them.
Mr. Holness added that while the event is a recognition of long, sterling service of exceptional educators, it also seeks to reignite the principles of excellence in the teaching corps.
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Addressing the issue of teacher migration, the Prime Minister thanked those who have chosen to remain in the profession to give their talents to the continued development of the nation’s education sector.
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“I must thank those who have opted to stay in the profession here in Jamaica to enable children to benefit from their experience and expertise,” he said. “As Prime Minister, let me assure you that I am fully aware of the level of sacrifice, commitment, and great sense of responsibility you bring to bear to your duties on a daily basis. I therefore take this opportunity to salute all our teachers for giving of your best as classroom teachers, administrators, counsellors, and trainers.”
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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.
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HEART targets beauty training, over 500 certified
The Human Employment and Resource Training/National Service Training Agency (HEART/NSTA) Trust, through its College of Beauty Services, has enrolled between 900 and 1,000 trainees and certified up to 555 trainees over the last three years.
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The agency’s Managing Director Dr. Taneisha Ingleton said that the college offers a range of full services to external customers, primarily through its training-based enterprise, Salon 10.
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She said that “the college is positioning graduates to be a part of earning the US$675 billion which the global cosmetic market is estimated to reach in coming years, through the training that we offer and the experiences that we offer our graduates”.
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Business association partners with Victoria Mutual on pension
Victoria Mutual (VM) Pensions Management Limited has partnered with the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) to provide special pension solutions to member companies and their employees.
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The offer includes an approved retirement scheme portfolio – the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Retirement Account, specifically tailored for JMEA members.
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This portfolio comprises a balanced allocation of Jamaican and US dollar-denoted equities and fixed income securities, as well as real estate.
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The partnership also seeks to address the critical needs of member companies and their employees relating to capital, loans, investments, insurance, and savings, through a bundled offer from across VM Support Business Units.
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Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Senator Aubyn Hill hailed the partnership as an innovative approach to assisting employees in planning for retirement. He said the entities’ “strategic alliance” that has resulted in the initiative, “should expand VM’s business and provide a welcome avenue for JMEA members to plan for their future”.
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VMBS Group President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Courtney Campbell, said the partnership will result in enhanced financial security for thousands of Jamaican workers and their families. “This partnership is perfectly aligned with VM’s purpose, which is to empower our members globally to achieve financial well-being,” he said.
Embrace importance of early childhood education, parents told
A senior educator is urging parents to cement their presence in the education of children long before they reach the stage of graduation at primary schools.
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Making the call, Principal of the Point Hill Leased Primary School in St. Catherine, Shernette Powell, said too many parents are waiting until their children reach grade six for them to be concerned about books and other educational items.
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“Every parent who gave support, we see the results coming out in the [high] schools that they were placed. Don’t wait until your child is in grade six before you start to give that kind of support that they need. The support is a continuous process, and I say to parents, start at grade two, start at early childhood,” she said.
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Supporting the principal’s views, early-childhood educator, and parent of the top-performing student at the Point Hill primary, Nadine Sinclair Peart, said “parents’ involvement is very important and essential for the educational growth of children”. She added that some parents wait until the final year at primary school before they “step in”.
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“You should always get involved in your child’s learning as early as possible. It starts at the home, look at the content, try to learn it as well; that is when you will be able to help your child,” Mrs. Peart said.
Effective governance a must for public health
By Dani Rodrik
CAMBRIDGE – Our world is undergoing an economic transition that will require effective government action on many fronts to manage climate change, ensure public health, and rebuild our middle classes through good jobs and innovation. But are our governments up to it?
There is near-universal skepticism about governments’ ability to lead and achieve positive change. Such doubts may be well-placed. Polarization and authoritarian populism – which are mutually reinforcing – have overrun the public sphere in many countries and undermined societies’ capacity to mount collective action, both domestic and multilateral, against common problems.
