THE ruling People’s National Party (PNP) will announce elections on our Beijing high — nothing succeeds like success. But will they take the full example of our brilliant athletes to ensure that the Jamaican people see not only the pre-event smiles, but also successful implementation of previous election promises?

Those blazing runs delivering us six gold, two silver and three bronze medals at the end of Day Eight were the result of early mornings on the track, long hours in the gym, injuries and painful recoveries. After the Women’s and Men’s 4x100M relays, we are surpassed only by Kenya in medal standings, with the USA in third place. We are so grateful to our athletes, their coaches and their families for bringing such pride and joy to Jamaica!

As far back as 2008 when we had that fantastic Beijing Olympics, this column called for ‘An Em-Boltened Jamaica’. I wrote: “We see huge opportunities for sports tourism, races of all lengths for all ages, serious meets and fun runs, original souvenirs which could put money in the pockets of craft workers.”

Even as we enjoyed the euphoria of this spectacular medal haul, the confident strides of Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, our newscasts were punctuated by murder statistics, roads being blocked to protest water shortages, accusations of political victimisation, and the hardships of back-to-school expenses. How will we bring greater hope to our young Usains and Shelly-Anns? We have noted the efforts of such leaders as Damion Crawford, who recently announced the opening of a long-awaited road, the expanded tablets-in-schools programme announced by Minister Phillip Paulwell, the constant engagement of Education Minister Ronald Thwaites and Finance Minister Peter Phillips’ struggle to keep us on an even financial keel.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is heating up the campaign platforms, and one cannot deny that she is an astute politician and one who has inspired Jamaican women from humble beginnings to aspire for the top. We heard her challenging her MPs and councillors to do more for the communities they represent, and this augurs well for the country.

I have heard comments that Jamaica’s leadership problem is a lack of brain power; however I believe it is more a lack of focus — both PNP and Jamaica Labour Party leaders are being distracted by political point-scoring. The magic is, dear leaders, that once your people see how caring and hard-working you are on their behalf, the votes will follow. Then you can remove those frightening thugs out of the equation, and ensure that we create no more.

Jamaicans have been asking our leaders to leverage the stardom of our athletes for years, and recently a British official has echoed the cry. Will this ‘foreign’ affirmation finally galvanise our leaders? Whatever it takes, we dearly hope so.

National Baking’s legacy of giving

Meanwhile, there are some Jamaican companies that are not waiting around to influence our development. National Baking Company Limited formalised their 62 years of philanthropy by launching a foundation last week, through which they will channel their multimillion-dollar support of various projects. The company has so far invested $200 million in the Crayons Count programme, now beginning its fourth year, with National Baking Chairman Butch Hendrickson welcoming an idea presented by Deika Morrison and developing it into an islandwide project. He has provided financial and human resources for all aspects of the programme, including items and assembly for 37,000 learning kits’ delivery to 2,500 schools islandwide; salaries for administrator and staff, full-time teacher, Learning Lorry and driver. The National Baking staff and their families have been volunteering each year to be part of the conveyor line for the packing of these kits. Who knew?

Patron Hendrickson and Cari-Med’s Glen Christian have partnered in the building of the the Union Gardens Infant School Project, which will combine three basic schools in St Andrew South Western. They will provide free transportation for the students, who will receive free hot lunches and will not be required to pay any fees.

National Baking has also given millions to foster start-up manufacturers in their “Bold Ones” programme, and towards programmes of numerous charitable organisations including Food for the Poor, Mustard Seed, and Missionaries of the Poor. Thwaites lauded Butch Hendrickson for his wholehearted support, a continuation of the nation-building work of his parents and grandparents. Chairman of the foundation will be another caring Jamaican, Rainforest’s Brian Jardim.

Sustainable enterprise in Fruitful Vale

We journeyed to Fruitful Vale in Portland last Tuesday for the official launch of an initiative of its residents, the Life Improvement Project by their Benevolent Society. A distinguished son of the community, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, accompanied by Lady Allen, formally opened their chicken-rearing project, supported by the Digicel Foundation and Hi-Pro Feeds.

Fruitful Vale is a good example of citizens who are encouraged by a dedicated member of parliament, Daryl Vaz, to ‘bloom where they grow’. Their community centre is spotless, the sports field well-maintained, and the area cleared for chicken-rearing well laid out.

Sir Patrick, who has been emphasising the importance of confidence in our people through his “I Believe Initiative”, remarked on the triumph of Usain Bolt in the 100-metres event, and noted that even Usain’s fellow Jamaicans did not believe that he would have won. He said this was a lesson that, “We must not give up hope so easily — we must believe in our own!”

Heads were held higher as the governor general reminded the people that their parish was now the home of the newest World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO — the John Crow and Blue Mountains, and that they had the largest agricultural college in the Caribbean. He urged them to embrace the technology introduced in farming to build their prosperity. The governor general remarked that Portland was a peaceful parish and charged the citizens to “not allow anyone to disrupt peace in the valley”.

Kudos to Fruitful Vale Benevolent executive member Alasia Reid for her fine presentation and florist Karen Campbell for creating a beautiful setting.

Help for Dominica

My colleague Sherita Gregoire, president of the Dominica Association for Senior Citizens, has continued to keep the faith, even as she mourns those who died after her country was hit by Tropical Storm Erika.

“It is certainly a mammoth challenge that we have ahead of us, but we are a resilient people,” she wrote. “I personally was acquainted with a few of those who perished…One left his home to visit his relatives, the house was washed away by a landslide, he has not been found. Another was called out as usual to assist in search-and-rescue, his body was found on the beach. Yet another was found dead in the vicinity of his house, shovel in his hand, attempting to clear some debris. A friend lost five members of her family. It is not easy, not easy at all…Just keep us in your prayers.”

Let us try to help the beautiful people of Dominica.

lowriechin@aim.com

www.lowrie-chin.blogspot.com