WE are delighted to hear that tourism is surging in Jamaica. Our traditional Jamaican hospitality provides a warm and welcoming space for visitors to our island.

Thank goodness we are a God-fearing country and tolerant of each other’s beliefs. Much gratitude to the late Professor Ajai Mansingh and Rev Dr Ashley Smith, who started the multi-faith movement, and the late Governor General Sir Howard Cooke who nurtured it with weekly prayer meetings at King’s House. Dr Martin Schade, the current convenor of the movement has been hosting inspiring multi-faith events at the UTech Sculpture Park, where Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Rastafarians, Buddhists, and others share prayers and views.

This spirit of harmony and tolerance is something that we should treasure and maintain — no wonder we have so many repeat visitors. A few vendors in resort areas may be a little too pushy, but this is not an insurmountable problem. With the necessary training and an upgraded ‘Things Jamaican’ model, our talented craft workers could be producing a wider range of authentic Jamaican products that will delight our visitors and bring steady income.

Whenever we visit a Jamaican hotel, we understand why our visitors keep returning. Sandals, the Hendrickson Group, the Riu chain, and others provide world-standard services and facilities. We give thanks for the investors, our excellent managers, and most importantly, our hotel workers who are simply the best. Kudos also to the management and staff of both our international airports, as it is obvious that systems have been upgraded to make travel more comfortable. If more Jamaicans get on board to invest in tourism and create employment opportunities this burgeoning industry can go a far way in fulfilling our economic aspirations.

Generous Ambassador Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

It was yet another proud moment in the star-studded life of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. She was appointed ambassador – special envoy by the Government of Jamaica, last Wednesday. It did our hearts proud to see one of Jamaica’s model young couples — Shelly-Ann and husband Jason — receiving diplomatic passports from Prime Minister Simpson Miller.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is also Jamaica’s Road Safety Ambassador and chose her alma mater, George Headley Primary School in Duhaney Park, to give her first motivational talk, last Thursday. Of course, the children were over the moon to be greeted and hugged by our beautiful Olympian.

Then an interesting thing happened. She went aside and had a brief word with her manager, Bruce James, and he was seen nodding his head in agreement. Then she announced that she had decided, right there on the spot, to donate $1 million to her beloved school. She told Bruce that it was at that school that she had received her first pair of running spikes and she wanted many more George Headley pupils to be likewise equipped. She had recently won US$10,000 in the Diamond League, and decided to give the lion’s share to the school. The very businesslike Shelly-Ann asked her manager if he could ensure that the school received the cheque the very next day. When I gave Bruce a call on Friday he said: “Guess where I am heading? I just organised the manager’s cheque for George Headley Primary and I am on my way there now with it.

Shelly-Ann, husband Jason, and manager Bruce are people of God, and true to their word.

Ingenious mobile science labs

Last Thursday, we met some overjoyed teachers and students from several schools at Digicel’s Regional Headquarters in downtown Kingston. They received ingenious mobile science labs as part of an Education Enrichment Programme, brainchild of Lisa Lewis who has just completed a dynamic five-year term as chair of the Digicel Foundation. The Education Enrichment Programme is a joint project of the Ministry of Education, USAID and the foundation.

Education Minister Ronald Thwaites said he was encouraged by this interest in the sciences as there were significantly greater career opportunities and remuneration for graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, now expressed in that global buzz-acronym STEM.

The impressive principal of Hampton High, Heather Murray, noted that her brilliant science students had not only started using their mobile cart as part of a pilot project, but had set up solar and wind instruments to power it.

The Education Enrichment Programme has been endorsed by the Clinton Global Initiative, whose developmental plans are supported by Digicel Foundation patron, Denis O’Brien. The partnership saw 150 schools completed in time for this month’s new school year in Haiti, and the Digicel founder has committed another US$13 million for transformative projects in Haiti, Jamaica, and Papua New Guinea to benefit two million people.

Environment and health

At home, office and church we have friends and colleagues reeling from chik-V symptoms. As the sick leave requests pile up, and valiant team members double-up to keep businesses going, we are learning a hard lesson about the relationship between the environment and our health. Chik-V would not be so prevalent if we had been more vigilant about the clearing of mosquito-breeding sites.

Last week we heard news that the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP) will be disbursing $140 million to the parish councils. I have to correct information carried in this column last week: We do not have 216 parish councillors; we actually have 228! If each councillor receives an appropriate (perhaps not equal) share of these funds, and uses them honestly and wisely, then the country could be squeaky clean and virtually mosquito-free.

Top Jamaican women in Florida

Warm congratulations to outstanding Jamaicans Patricia Yee Lee, Elizabeth “Liz” Burns, Dr Patricia Yap, and Felice Campbell whose outstanding achievements were recently lauded in the Florida media.

Patricia “Patsy” Lee owns and operates Florida Tropiculture Incorporated in Homestead, Miami, Florida. Despite major setbacks, she persevered and now distributes her exotic plants throughout the US, Canada, and the Caribbean. Patsy is one of the most generous contributors to her alma mater, Alpha Academy.

Elizabeth “Liz” Burns is a former senior accounts analyst with Banco Do Brazil in South Florida and started her company’s unique creations in 1999. She is well known as a premier event planner, decorator and caterer mobilising huge Caribbean expos to bring our people together.

Felice Campbell and her sister Dr Pat Yap are the dynamic duo who have launched a range of skincare products through Ari Labs. These utilise natural ingredients like volcanic sulphur, Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Jamaican Lemon Grass, eucalyptus oil, and morenga oil, and have been flying off the shelves. Well done!

lowriechin@aim.com

www.lowrie-chin.blogspot.com