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World Mental Health Day 2018

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On October 10th of each year, World Mental Health Day is celebrated. This year’s theme is ‘Young People and Mental Health in A Changing World’.

World Mental Health Day allows stakeholders to come together and decide on ways to mitigate the effects of mental health illnesses. The topic has been gaining traction recently as there has been an influx of articles in local publications around youth mental health such as Dr Christopher Tufton | Time To Commit To Mental HealthMental Meltdown: Youth Under Siege, and J’cans Don’t Kill Themselves’ – Hickling Downplays U-Report Poll In Which More Than 500 Jamaican Youths Said That They Have Considered Suicide.

Here is an excerpt from the World Health Organization’s website explaining why the theme was chosen for this year:

“Adolescence and the early years of adulthood are a time of life when many changes occur, for example changing schools, leaving home, and starting university or a new job. For many, these are exciting times. They can also be times of stress and apprehension however. In some cases, if not recognized and managed, these feelings can lead to mental illness. The expanding use of online technologies, while undoubtedly bringing many benefits, can also bring additional pressures, as connectivity to virtual networks at any time of the day and night grows. Many adolescents are also living in areas affected by humanitarian emergencies such as conflicts, natural disasters and epidemics. Young people living in situations such as these are particularly vulnerable to mental distress and illness.”

 

Read more about Mental Health here: https://www.moh.gov.jm/divisions-agencies/divisions/mental-health-unit/

 


Film & Technology

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“The film industry brings people together, and so does technology. I see them as similar platforms.”
– Ashton Kutcher

Computer science (and technology in general) can be mixed with most if not all fields of interest. The entire world is moving towards technological advancements and integrations. One such mixed field is that of film and computer science. How do they relate you may ask? Here’s how!

Editing Suites
An essential part of any film is the editing done in post production. One has to use software to perfect video transitions, colour balance, lighting etc. This is a crucial part of making any camera work look exactly as intended and visually compelling. Post production software is developed and created by software engineers. What better way to create software fitted for cinematographers than to be a cinematographer yourself? This would also extend to photo editing software.

DSLR Camera Operating Systems
Though most may not realize, a camera is basically a mini – computer. It has its own firmware, ROM, processor, input, output, secondary storage devices etc. For any good computer to work it must have a solid operating system that can manage the various tasks required of the device in an efficient manner. Therefore, the camera will demand the same type of software. Again, software engineers would be more than welcomed here.

Facial Recognition
Think of a spy movie or real life crime cases: a bandit was in an area caught on camera and the police need to identify him. What do they draw for? Cameras and facial recognition software! This software can also implemented on a more small scale like unlocking a phone with bio-metrics but once again, software engineers are needed to help use photographic material (input) to create the desired output or inform decision making processes. Film and tech goes hand in hand once more!

There are many more examples such as 3D Printing and Image sensors but this should shed some light on the cross section between camera related fields such as film and technology.

Business Intelligence

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diG Jamaica sat down with Raquel Seville, the CEO of B.I. Brainz (Caribbean), to get more insight into what Business Intelligence is. This is a growing field in Jamaica heavily utilized by companies like Digicel.

“Business Intelligence takes the guess work out of decision making. BETTER DECISIONS = BETTER QUALITY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.” – Raquel Seville

It’s a fancy way of referring to the goal of getting actionable insights from company data. Essentially, the data should support some kind of decision making in the end. This type of intelligence helps persons to make decisions that are supported by fact and not fiction. Would you rather make an informed decision based on hard figures or one that is based on feeling?

Making decisions based on actual findings would effectively allow manufacturers to improve their marketing agendas and make better more useful and cost effective products. A company of note mentioned by Raquel was Digicel.

“A lot of the initiatives that companies are able to push is due to analysis of customer trends and target customers. This impacts how you market to them and how to appeal to a certain demographic.” – Raquel Seville

Business Intelligence tools vary widely and as such have a very broad spectrum. There are data specific tools , process specific tools , database repository tools and finally presentation tools. Presentation tools remain the most popular aspect of business intelligence. This may be due to it being used to explain trends to stakeholders.

Examples of BI Tools:

  • Data Specific Tools – This uses extraction transformed load tools (ETL) Informatica
  • Database Tools – Microsoft, Oracle, MySQL & Hadoo (which is designed for big data, more unstructured).
  • Presentation Tools – PowerBI, TaBleau , SAP BI tools, Qlik

Youth Can Do IT – Lianne McNaughton

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Youth Can Do IT diminishes doubt in your creative self, opens a world of creativity and belief in ventures which you didn’t know you possessed. – Amanda Johnson, mentee

Since it’s establishment in 2016 by Jamaican Lianne McNaughton, Youth Can Do IT has accomplished a considerable amount of work. The organization seeks to use technology and strengths based initiatives to empower Jamaica’s youth as it is said to be “born out of the desire to use technology and self-actualization as the catalyst for capacity building among youth“.

YCDI has started a few programs to develop young Jamaicans ranging from serving over 200 youth in workshops to their one year pilot – Women In IT Mentorship Program. This program commenced on International Girls in ICT Day and saw thirty one girls from over ten schools paired with thirty one prominent women in IT for the duration of the year.

My experience so far in the program has been absolutely amazing! It is so wonderful to be able to see girls supporting each other. – Isheba cornwall, mentee

The program has exposed the girls to various technological concepts such as WordPress website creation, social media management and Google Analytics. The founder believes that the answer to the lack of women in the IT industry lies in giving girls role models, teaching them the requisite skills, encouraging them and then showing them how tech careers can help change the world for the better. “By 2030, women can, and will, be critical to leveraging this revolution to benefit our global society,” says Lianne McNaughton.

YCDI teaches youth to see themselves as content creators by equipping them with the right skills and tools to turn dreams into reality.

This is the first feature on Emerging Initiatives and Youth Leaders.

Opportunities for Youth in Jamaica

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As the years go by volunteerism, summer camps and internship experiences become increasingly important for Jamaican youth.

Here are some programs that you can consider:

Advocacy
JYAN – Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network
Talk Up Yout
Girls Who Know
U-Report

Visual & Performing Arts
JANN – Jamaica Animation Nation Network
Kingston Toon Fest
JAFTA – Jamaica Film & Television Association
GATFFEST – Annual Film Festival
CPTC MTI (Classes)
ICreate (Classes)
Edna Manley – Summer Dance, Visual Arts & Drama Classes
National Art Gallery – Art Programs (Usually in January and Summer)

Engineering, Computer Science & Technology
SPISE = Student Program for Innovation in Science & Engineering
Pre-UWI Engineering Camp
Youth Can Do IT
Microsoft Digi Girlz High Tech Camp
Google Computer Science Summer Institute
Coders of The Caribbean Hackathon put on by Next Gen Creators
Women in ICT Hackathon
Diamond Challenge

Mixed Program – Dream Jamaica Summer Program (offers SAT prep & internships)

Outreach and Service
Outreach Outlet
Operation Help the People
Feeding of the 5000
Positive.org
Plant Jamaica

Volunteer Programmes
JSPCA – Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Hope Zoo
SRC Science Fair
Hospitals – UWI, Apex, Medial Associates or Bustamante

Job Placement
National Youth Service
HEART Trust NTA

Writing
The Gleaner’s Youthlink
The Observer’s TeenAge
There are other magazines and publications if you research.

Online Courses
Harvard edX, Coursera or Alison
(Offer classes in a wide range of subjects from programming to leadership and critical thinking)

Special Tip: Though companies may have formal internship/volunteer programs, it doesn’t hurt to approach institutions independently asking to help.

Video – Places to Go in St. Elizabeth

TVJ Climate Change Feature

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Written by Danielle Mullings

Climate change has become a more pressing concern in the Caribbean and communities across Jamaica. One of our local television stations, TVJ has produced four features shedding light on the situation and the community response.

The features speak on the reality of climate change in the Caribbean evidenced by the coastal erosion of Hellshire and Hurricane Maria as well as the plans of community members in Manchester to use artificial reefs to decrease coastal erosion. The videos are below:

Caribbean Sports with European Heritage

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Written by Danielle Mullings

From the ‘point of contact’ in 1492, European cultural institutions have impacted Caribbean society and culture. The remains of colonization by major powers like the Dutch, British, Spanish and French continue to impact today’s Caribbean society. Today their impact continues mainly through trade, education and mass media.

Sports is a cornerstone of our day to day lives that has evolved from European origins. Sports from Europe include horse racing, cricket, football, tennis, rugby and netball. Slaves would have been introduced to and adopted these sports from Europeans during pre-independence but it is still predominant with the Caribbean society in post-independence. The majority of these sports are taught to Caribbean children from a very young age during physical education classes or socializing with friends. Many communities in Jamaica have the “Sunday ball game” in which the males of the community come together to play football. Additionally one can not downplay the popularity of horse racing and betting. Jamaica has built its own racing track called Caymanas and now has a solid industry in horse rearing in rural parishes like St. Elizabeth. Sports may also be popular in the Caribbean as there are more opportunities for scholarships, medalling, and earning money from the European sports internationally. These European sports also allow Caribbean people to participate in international events like the World Cup and the Olympics.

 

Written by Danielle Mullings


Environmental Arts Day

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Written by Danielle Mullings

It was indeed a happy day at Happy House when New Wave and Do Good Jamaica collaborated to put on an Environmental Arts Day. Kids were fully entertained as they painted, drummed and sang the tune of environmental awareness.

The day started off with the head of New Wave, Lindsey Lodenquai welcoming the kids, asking each to introduce him or herself and state one reason that they love art.

“I love art because it’s fun!”

“I love art because it’s colourful”

“I love art because i get to paint’

The children then went outside to pick up three pieces of nature. Smiles and laughter erupted in the house as the children eagerly combined paint and glue with the sticks, rocks and leaves collected outside to make environmental masterpieces. Many walked around proudly with their pieces of art. Lindsey and Courtney of New Wave took the children outside for the dance segment. Each child added a move to create the overall dance piece and then took to the stage to perform their pieces.

The most loud and exciting segment had to be the musical performance. With the help of Ms. Jamaica Festival Queen 2018, Ackera Gowie and Rising Stars finalist, Diel the children delighted in creating their own environmental song. “I will protect the environment!” could be heard all around Happy House as the children sang at the top of their lungs. Diel taught the boys how to drum along to the tune while Ackera showed the girls how to shake the maracas they made.

Creative events like these make environmental awareness at the early childhood level a delight.

Jamaica Diaspora Leadership Summit

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Representatives of the Jamaican Diaspora Leadership in the United States of America (USA) will be holding a three-day Leadership Summit, in Morrow, Georgia, to focus on the development of the organisation’s US-based leadership and strengthen its remit to Jamaica. The event will take place at the Morrow Center in Morrow, Georgia, November 16-18.

“The main purpose of the Summit will be to formulate a cohesive Jamaican Diaspora Development Plan, which will rationalise the work of the Diaspora network across the USA,” said Wayne Golding, Southeast Diaspora Advisory Board Representative, who worked in concert with the two other Advisory Board Members, Dr. Rupert Francis (West/Mid-West) and Mrs. Akelia Lawrence-Maitland (Northeast), to design the underlying principles for the summit. “Therefore, our objective is to stimulate our USA-based network to become a structured entity, with focused leadership and a structured plan, to enhance our contributions to Jamaica,” Mr. Golding outlined. He also indicated that, “the Summit’s “Purpose Document” will focus on strengthening the organisation in the Diaspora, to mitigate fragmentation and bring together diverse leadership to implement a plan for growth and development.”

Dr. Rupert Francis noted, “after months of discussion, the leaders from the three Diaspora Advisory Groups in the USA accept that we were operating as individual responders and focusing on development in Jamaica, rather than consolidating our USA-based operations, to enable everyone to appreciate what we aim to achieve collectively, based on measurable, timed objectives.”

“I, therefore, welcome this summit,” Dr. Francis declared, “It will be a context in which our current and emerging leaders can meet and arrive at a consensus about the elements and timing of our plans, to better serve our mutual objectives.” He pointed out that the Atlanta Jamaica Association’s (AJA) Cultural and Education Fund is the official non-profit partner for the summit; and the organisation has the support of The Jamaica National Group, a legacy partner of the biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference and presenting sponsor for the summit.

Chief Executive Officer of The Jamaica National Group, Honourable Earl Jarrett,
commended the work of the Jamaican Diaspora network across the USA and pointed
out that, “strategic partnerships and alliances are critical going forward, hence, the need for individual Jamaican Diaspora groups to determine their respective missions, build capacity, and formulate an effective network to deliver specific projects.”

“We, therefore, look forward to the November summit, to be held in Morrow, Georgia; and encourage those of Jamaican heritage residing in the United States to participate,” Mr. Jarrett stated.
Individuals and entities wishing to participate are asked to visit https://jdusaleadershipsummit.eventbrite.com or email info@jdneusa.org

Lauren Le Franc Merging Coffee And Technology

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Owner of True Blue Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee, Lauren Le Franc, is embarking on a huge business venture by assisting coffee farmers globally. Her business is now registered in the UK as The Little Coffee Company and her mission is to bring a difference to the coffee industry with technological solutions.

Her mission to help farmers has taken her across Africa. Little Coffee Company plans to use technology to change the balance of power across industries.

It not only allows buyers direct access to farmers but offers complete transparency from the farmer to end consumer. This data is not only beneficial for buyers but helps to increase the income of farmers and access to mobile finance.
Lauren Le Franc
Owner of True Blue Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee

 

The entrepreneur has received notable awards, such as the Inspiring Innovator Award from a UK investment bank and The City University of London Green Spark Award.

“Winning these awards has not only given my business credibility … but also helps to build my network with and accelerate our goals for the year. I have worked hard to really test my business model, and winning these awards from such prestigious companies will enable us to offer the proper funding to help farmers,” she said.

Little Coffee Company’s main goal is to place emphasis on a digitised, monetised and transparent programme which will help small-holder farmers.

“By having a transparent supply chain model, this not only highlights the farmers for the work they do, but also gives them accessibility to direct trade, so they are able to get the price they deserve,” she said. “Up to 50 per cent of crop value vanishes between picking and point of sale.”

As Little Coffee Company assists farmers with its technological approach, Le Franc further explained that, “This digi-tech approach provides a platform that will connect everyone in agriculture by providing efficiency and trust to farmers.”

Recently, Little Coffee collaborated with farmers in Cameroon.

“As a small organic producer in Cameroon working in collaboration with The Little Coffee Company will help to improve my processes and selling my coffee at a fair price via a fair-trade channel so that I can secure a better price to all small producers in Cameroon,” shared Chief Daniel Kemdeng.

As Le Franc expands her work with other countries interested in the coffee trade, she is now in dialogue with one of the biggest mobile phone providers in Zimbabwe, which will assist with direct transactions to alleviate the hassle of the delays in payments and other setbacks to small farmers. She will also be working with the Geovation Hub which is a digital data lab, to help with her location data from farmers.

Le Franc encouraged young entrepreneurs to “do what you are passionate about”.

“It took me years of hard work within the coffee industry to get to where I am today. It’s rewarding when I get closer to my goals so I keep pushing forward,” she said.

Girls Who Know JA

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Written by: Danielle Mullings

What inspires this organization is how much we need to be aware of the things that affect us. Being in Girls Who Know inspires me to lead and empower females and males.
Antonette Hines
Vice President

Developed in 2017 by 18 year old Chelsea Wright, Girls Who Know JA seeks to provide comprehensive sexuality education to the young people of Jamaica. This movement is led by youth under 20 years old which allows it to connect directly with this target population. The organization aims to raise awareness among adolescent females ages 13-19, about Sexual and Reproductive Health as well as the rights associated with this aspect of their life, through implementing Comprehensive Sexuality Education that is culture, gender and age specific.

GWK in partnership with a highschool UN club put on a forum for high school students. It is their biggest event to date which saw students from across the Kingston and St. Andrew area interacting with experts on sexual and reproductive health issues. The group has also done visits to two girls homes treating them to period pouches and comfortable discussions surrounding empowerment. The visits included a speech from reigning Miss Universe Jamaica, Emily Maddison who is an avid member and supporter.

Even though it’s education and empowerment for girls, when the guys benefit from the education they will learn as well to respect women. A culture shift has to occur.
Chelsea Wright
Founder and President

The 2nd Vice President Antonette Hines credits the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network and UNESCO Youth Ambassador programs for educating her about the sustainable development goals and how to build proper advocacy campaigns. It is this knowledge that has informed her work with Girls Who Know. Antonnette’s message to young people is, “Don’t be ashamed of your voice. Everyone’s thoughts experiences and challenges are different. Every opinon should be valued. This idea of being ashamed to ask questions or say what you think has to be put aside. One of the main ways to empower people is to give them knowledge. This gives them the power of choice.”

 

The founder. Chelsea Wright, has been awarded for her work in Girls Who Know with the Prime Minister’s Youth Award for Excellence in Nation Building 2018.

Contact them at girlswhoknowja@gmail.com or on Instagram @girlswhoknowja

Turtle Hatching

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Written by Danielle Mullings

As the year halts to a close, most Jamaicans are eagerly awaiting the sounds of carols and the sights of Christmas lights. In St. Elizabeth the views are slightly different.

Tis the season for turtle hatching. Here is a photo captured at local resort 77 West. This is the third hatching for the month.

This was seen in Billy’s Bay, St. Elizabeth at Villa Elia:

Scotiabank To Sell Nine Operations In Caribbean

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Scotiabank announced an agreement to sell its banking operations in nine non-core markets in the Caribbean to Trinidad-based Republic Financial Holdings Limited.

The countries included Anguilla, Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, according to a Scotiabank release.

Republic Financial indicated that it will spend a total of US$123 million for the acquisition.

“The purchase price represents a US$25 million consideration for the total shareholding of Scotiabank Anguilla Limited, and a premium of US$98 million over net asset value for operations in the remaining eight countries,” stated Republic Financial, adding that the purchase price does not include any amounts required to capitalize the businesses.

“These transactions are not financially material to Scotiabank,” said the bank in the release geared at its Canada investors.

The agreement is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Already  Prime Minister, Gaston Browne of Antigua & Barbuda has expressed disappointment at the planned deal.

The deal should increase Scotiabank’s common equity tier 1 capital ratio by some 10 basis points upon closing. Tier one common capital ratio is a measurement of a bank’s core equity capital compared with its total risk-weighted assets that signifies its financial strength. Tier 1 common capital excludes any preferred shares or non-controlling interests.

“Due to increasing regulatory complexity and the need for continued investment in technology to support our regulatory requirements, we made the decision to focus the Bank’s efforts on those markets with significant scale in which we can make the greatest difference for our customers,” said Ignacio Deschamps, group head, international banking at Scotiabank in the release.

“Scotiabank is committed to the Caribbean as demonstrated by the Bank’s ongoing investment in products, services and processes to provide an enhanced banking experience to customers across the region,” he added.

Republic Financial is a leading financial group based in Trinidad & Tobago with operations across the Caribbean and Ghana. As part of the proposed deal, Scotiabank employees in the nine countries will join the Republic Group.

Scotiabank’s global banking and markets division acted as exclusive financial advisor to Scotiabank on the transaction. Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP acted as Scotiabank’s legal advisor.

Scotiabank, based in Canada, operates a chain of banks in 50 countries with more than 25 million customers.

– steven.jackson@gleanerjm.com

Tell Your MP

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Opening up the political process in this way will take some getting used to, but our entire political system can only gain from giving citizens greater ownership of the entire democratic process—by having a greater say and the much-needed transparency to monitor how their tax dollars are being spent.
Julian Robinson
MP South East St Andrew

Jamaican citizens living or working in the South East St Andrew constituency now have the right to ‘Tell Your MP’, Julian Robinson, how to spend his Constituency Development Funds (CDF) via the app on Google Play and website at tellyourmp.com.jm. This pilot project could provide a model for civic participation, strengthening democracy and transparency, across all constituencies in Jamaica.

In Phase One (October 25 – November 21) the project allows citizens to suggest ideas for their MP to implement using available funds of J$1million. In Phase Two (January 3 – January 23) they can vote on which ideas should become projects. Finally in Phase Three (launching January 24) they can monitor the implementation of these projects. An extra Youth Innovation component offers youth aged 16-30 financial and technical assistance to build technology solutions for community problems.

 

Priority will be given to ideas that promote:

  • Youth Employment
  • Community Peace Building and Crime Reduction
  • Digital Skills/Literacy

Tell Your MP is a collaboration between the constituency office of South East St. Andrew; the Mona School of Business and Management through the Caribbean Open Institute, a regional coalition supporting open development approaches to inclusion, participation and innovation; and the Kingston-based SlashRoots Foundation, a non-governmental organisation that seeks to improve how governments in the region interacts with citizens in this digital age.

 The pilot project builds on MSBM’s earlier research on participatory budgeting, which led to the initial development of the app. According to Dr. Maurice McNaughton, “Technology can lower barriers to civic participation, and amplify the reach and voice of ordinary citizens in public governance. We are particularly interested in experimenting with the use of digital mechanisms that can increase the engagement and participation of young people in decision-making and resource-allocation in their communities.”

SlashRoots has spent several months consulting with community stakeholders to gain their feedback about how best to conduct the process and used that to further develop the website and app to facilitate citizens participating in each of the three phases.

“It’s been fascinating to meet with community groups, to learn from them about how our democracy is functioning in real life, and then try and harness this to build an online platform that can help scale up their efforts. It’s vital always in our way of working that we find ways of making technology accessible to people, in ways that can boost their lives—and bridge the gap between either the digital divide or low civic participation,” said SlashRoots Senior Service Designer Denique Ferguson.

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How to participate

For more information, and to participate in Phase One by submitting ideas, citizens living or working in South East St Andrew can visit tellyourmp.com.jm, or download the ‘Tell Your MP’ app from Google Play.

About SlashRoots Foundation:

SlashRoots is a social impact organisation that uses the principles and practices of the digital age to create a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable Caribbean society. With the use of technology we help governments, NGOs and civil societies to improve the design and delivery of social services and development programmes.

For more information, please contact:


NIR – December 7, 2018

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While everyone was tracking the arrival of Buju Banton’s plane, an important economic indicator was released by the Bank of Jamaica – the Net International Reserve number.

As at the end November 2018, reserves stood at US$2.899 Billion. While that number is still significant, it represents the fourth consecutive decline in reserves. That is the first time this has happened since the period October 2014 – January 2015, when the reserves were about US$1 Billion less.

The NIR retreated by 0.9% as compared to last month, while being 7% smaller than at the same time last year. Jamaica is still much better than two years ago, however, having 13% more reserves.

So far for the calendar year 2018, the NIR has lost 9% of its value.

Follow diGJamaica’s economic indicators for weekly and monthly updates as they occur.

Tourism Arrivals Gains Holding

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New data released from the Jamaica Tourist Board revealed that Long Stay Arrivals were up 3.3% versus October 2017 to reach a new all-time high for the month of 162,552. That is considerable growth given that just 2 years ago, Jamaica was receiving only 135,467 visitors for the month of October.

These visitors tend to stay up to 8 days and more than 75% were headed for the resort areas of Montego Bay, Negril or Ocho Rios.

Cruise Ship Visitors

On the cruise side, there was good news of sorts as the unfortunate devastation that was the 2017 Hurricane Season which led to the biggest October in history in 2017, only fell in 2018 by 18.7%. This indicates that Jamaica’s cruise ship product has proven itself viable, despite announced pullouts by major cruise lines. Although 2018 is running 2% behind 2017, it is still 10% above 2016’s arrivals.

Unfortunately for the month, with cruise ship arrivals falling so sharply, overall tourist arrivals from all sources fell 7.5% versus October 2017. However, year to date, total number of tourists from all sources is up 2% over 2017. Expect November to also fall short of last year’s windfall arrivals.

Keep linked in to diGJamaica’s economic indicators for the latest weekly and monthly indicators.

Falmouth rebounding as preferred cruise port

Windfall – Hurricanes blow 68 cruise ships into Falmouth port

Cooper’s Hill Primary Students Learn Innovative Agriculture Techniques

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“Farming can be very creative,” said Aika Nakakomi, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) volunteer, as she scooped up a handful of compost and sifted it in a plastic barrel cut vertically in half.

Creativity began just there, with innovative use of a plastic barrel which, she informed is among other recyclable materials namely plastic containers, bottles, and tyres.

Beside Nakakomi, a group of boys and girls, students of Cooper’s Hill Primary School in Portland, were digging up soil, preparing their school’s kitchen garden to be planted with saplings. The overcast skies and intermittent drizzle were not a deterrent, and all of the students were eager to get their hands dirty in the loamy soil.

“They (the students) love touching the soil,” said Nakakomi, who is assigned to the Portland 4H Clubs, that she was striving to inculcate farming in as many children as possible.

The school, established in 1910, is housed in a wooden structure sits in what could be one of most pristine locales of Jamaica surrounded by lush green mountains. Everything about the surroundings is refreshing.

The road is a different story, though. driving on which requires some serious off-roading expertise negotiating bends, corners, debris, rocks, occasional goats and roosters running scared and jumping for cover adventure uber unlimited.

The school administrators and students are making the best of the given resources and still manage to smile through the daily challenges.

“We are striving to teach gardening,” said Keisha King-Valentine, acting principal of Cooper’s Hill Primary School, and class teacher for Grade 4. “We encourage children to participate pro-actively, and since Miss Nakakomi has started visiting the school, we have learnt new techniques and especially making compost.”

Nakakomi is using the Takakura Method, to make the compost.

“This method,developed by Koji Takakura, is a composting technique used to turn leaves and food scraps into a nutrient-rich soil additive.

“The method uses two fermented solutions, containing micro organisms that are cultured from locally available materials, and a fermenting bed to create seed compost,” Nakakomi said. “Organic waste (food scraps) is mixed with the seed compost and left to break down in a ventilated container.”

Enjoying The Experience

Cooper’s Hill Primary School is one of the 12 schools that Nakakomi visits regularly to teach farming techniques in Portland. The students are enjoying the experience and are proud of the results, as they see the plants bearing vegetables growing in the kitchen garden that they planted and are nurturing.

“We have excelled in the past,” King-Valentine said, saying that the school has won awards from 4H.

Nakakomi is pleased with the outcomes, especially by gauging enthusiasm levels of the students. “They love to go outside,” she said as a group of students moved around the beds to dig cavities to transplant pak choi, tomato, and lettuce their assignment for the day.

“It would be good that children, especially boys, take up farming,” she said. “There are so many opportunities in farming, they are surrounded by land and the countryside here is ideal for farming.”

She is hopeful that the enthusiasm of these children stays with for a lifetime.

King-Valentine seconds Nakakomi. “We are trying to encourage the students to look at agriculture as a career option; we would love to have self-sufficiency in food and at the same time, open their minds to explore opportunities in different aspects of agriculture.”

Right now, she said, they are trying to see how to keep the neighbourhood fowls wandering into the school yard where they pick on the saplings. “We need a perimeter fence,” she said.

She is thankful for the kitchen garden, produce from which is used by the school cook shop, and the food waste goes back into making compost.

Innovative Methodologies

Apart from creativity in farming, King-Valentine said that the teachers are using innovative ways for imparting education. Since the school does not have access to Internet and with only one computer to be shared among the 50 students, the teachers download instructional and educational videos when they go home, and play them back.

“We have challenges in reading levels,” King-Valentine said, adding that the video tutorials are one of the methodologies to reinforce what is being taught in class. “We also have created a Whatsapp group among teachers and parents to keep them updated and informed.”

Outside, students were finishing transplanting, some lining, in front of a faucet to wash their hands and gardening tools as Nakakomi finished sifting through the compost and set it aside.

“It was a great experience,” she said. “Every time they (the students) come to the kitchen garden, they learn something new, and though it was raining, they completed the transplant exercise.”

Nakakomi, who has been in Jamaica for almost two years, is at the end of her tenure as a JICA volunteer, said she loves her work and admires what the students and the teachers in what they are doing. “I wish I did not have to go back (to Japan), and work with these children more.”

Also, she is hopeful that grow enthusiasm of these children would be on the crescendo, and go beyond their school’s kitchen garden to becoming a viable career option.

King-Valentine is upbeat and optimistic too about the outcomes and the legacy that Nakakomi is creating and will leave behind.

As for the road to Cooper’s Hill Primary School, it is, as we speak, and perhaps looking at the brighter side of life, it has all the key ingredients postcard perfect backdrop, a lush, green valley, a great locale for advertising all-terrain vehicles.

Of course, the path to progress is riddled with challenges they say, this is one we could very well do without.

amitabh.sharma@gleanerjm.com

How Many Of These 12 Things Did You Know?

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Jamaica is a land full of history and all sorts of interesting things to learn and know. Here are just a dozen of these things:

1. This town clock’s tower was paid for by one of Jamaica’s German settlers and he designed it to look like a German (Prussian)soldier’s helmet.

Lucea.

2. Who said “I would rather die in yonder gallows than be a slave another day” ?

Sam Sharpe.

3. Where in Jamaica had piped water before New York City did?

Falmouth. A 20 foot water wheel was installed in 1799 on lands at Martha Brae, which was turned by the current of the stream and emptied about 100 gallons of water per revolution into a wooden trough approximately 20 feet elevation. A six-inch main carried the water for about a mile into a large tank in the town square of Falmouth. The town square is still called “Water Square” as a result.

4. What is the tea made from Love Bush good for?

Colic, asthma and “mirasmi.”

5. Who declared that he would ascend to heaven on December 31st and descend back to Jamaica on January 3rd?

Alexander Bedward.

6. You can burn these leaves to keep away duppy.

Croton. (aka Rosemary)

7. What animals, now died out, were brought to Jamaica in the 18th century to carry sugar?

Camels.

8. Why would you place a broom upside down behind a door in your house?

To make an unwanted guest go away

9. Solas Market became Jubilee Market. What was its name before that?

There are currently 4 main markets in Kingston : Jubilee, Queens, Redemption Ground and Coronation. Solas market was previously known as Chiggerfoot Market. Chiggers used to be a common complaint amongst slaves who rarely wore shoes. After emancipation, the term chiggerfoot eventually came to be applied to poor people. Several markets had this name, both in and outside of Kingston

10. What is the heart of a soursop said to cure?

Bed wetting.

11. The first commercially marketed oral contraceptive pills were derived from a species of this popular staple of the Jamaican
diet.

Yam

12. What do salt, limes, garlic cloves, a pair of scissors and wangla have in common ?

They can be used as guzu to guard against evil.

Inflation Unchanged For November 2018

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The inflation rate for the month of November 2018, registered 0.0% – or completely unchanged. This is remarkably, the second unchanged reading of the year (with May being the first) and even more notably, only the second time in at least the last 9 years that STATIN has recorded an unchanged inflation rate for a month.

Inflation rate for the year to date now stands at 3.54% and diGJamaica projects that inflation will come in below 2017’s 5.25%.

The inflation rate for the fiscal year to date (April 2018 to March 2019) is now 4.21%, but with the prices of oil falling it is too early to tell if this will exceed last fiscal year’s inflation rate of 3.68%, although it is looking likely.

Point to point inflation (November 2017 to November 2018) is 4.08% versus last year’s figure of 4.97%.

STATIN’s official press release offered some insight into the flat inflation rate:

“This movement was influenced by a 0.3 per cent increase in the index for the division ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’. This was as a result of higher prices for vegetables, starchy foods and fruits.

However this increase was tempered by a 0.8per cent decline in the division ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ due mainly to reduced rates for electricity despite the increased rates for water and sewage. Additionally the ‘Transport’ division also
declined by 0.7 per cent as a result of a decrease in the price for petrol.”
Hopefully you enjoyed some of the decreases in the petrol, water, electricity and other fuel prices!
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