A group of us were enjoying a get-together when someone declared, “Jamaica — life is good here!” We were quickly brought back to Earth when another commented, “It’s great if you are privileged, but if you are not, it is very hard.” Thank goodness there are citizens and corporates who are doing their best to make this a good Christmas for others.

Outside Loshusan we saw a Salvation Army lady ringing her bell with her Christmas kettle asking for donations and calling down blessings for the few notes we gave her. “You are the one who deserves the blessings,” we replied. They stay cheerful, standing for long hours, and giving meaning to their description as God’s loving army. They are the ones on the streets of Kingston, washing the hair of the homeless, feeding and comforting them. Not a cent we give them is wasted.

Tomorrow 92-year-old Sister Benedict Chung will hand out food and care packages to 1,000 elderly folks from her Laws Street Trade Training Centre. We had to take tags from a Christmas tree at church, noting the recipients’ needs and getting the items together for gifts to be distributed in Grants Pen by the Stella Maris Foundation. The beautiful Christmas tree on Shortwood Road proclaims “Faith”, “Hope”, and “Joy” in lights. Our pastor Father Howard Thompson said a passer-by called him to say she was going through a challenging episode and the word “Hope” helped to revive her spirit.

Meanwhile, yesterday the Missionaries of the Poor held their fund-raising concert to support people in their care who have severe disabilities.

Mo Majeed, CEO of Marubeni Caribbean, took the company’s philanthropy beyond the handing over of $1 million to Food For the Poor when he and his colleagues went to the facility, packed large bags of non-perishable food and care items to last a month, then spent a day in rural Jamaica greeting recipients.

By coincidence, Lij Tafari, a Jamaican teacher in Japan, posted a note that same morning saying that a colleague teacher in rural Japan wanted to know more about Jamaica. Marubeni executives Shogo Otani and Takuya Kokawa sent video messages in English and Japanese surrounded by lush Jamaican greenery in the district where they had been distributing packages. The teacher, Mikkala Hutchinson, said her students were delighted to receive their thoughts on living in Jamaica.

The IGT folks led by Debbie Green had a Christmas tree lighting at Mustard Seed’s Matthew 25: 40 home, delighting the children with treats and gifts. At the Digicel Foundation staff members donated toys and enjoyed gift-wrapping presents for children with special needs. Meanwhile, social media influencers Shelly-Ann Weeks, Randall “Randy” Richards, and Zhara Marie pulled in votes for the company’s funding of three Christmas projects at City Life Ministries, the Salvation Army School for the Blind, and Jamaica National Children’s Home.

I shared this story a few years ago. The late athletics legend Teddy McCook told me that he and his wife Sonia invited two youngsters from the inner city to have Christmas dinner with them. At the end of the meal each was presented with beautifully wrapped gifts and the teenagers burst into tears saying that this was the first time they were getting Christmas presents. Those with tables overflowing with food this Christmas have a good opportunity to warm some hearts.

Celebrating Jamaica’s best

During 2022 Jamaicans of excellence were recognised as we enjoyed stepping out again to applaud them after two quiet years of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Here are the standouts:

*American Friends of Jamaica International Humanitarian Award presented to Cedella Marley

*Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) Hall of Fame inductee Michael Lee-Chin

*AmCham President’s Award presented to Ian Forbes

*AmCham Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Professor Gordon Shirley and William Mahfood

* The University of the West Indies honorary doctorate presented to Professor Orlando Patterson, Senator Dr Rosemary Moodie, Adam Stewart, and Diane Jaffee

*University of Technology, Jamaica honorary doctorate presented to Dr Jacquline Bisasor-McKenzie and Alfrico Adams

*Mico University College honorary doctorate presented to Thalia Lyn and Hugh Morris

*Northern Caribbean University honorary doctorate presented to Charles Washington Misick

*University of the Commonwealth Caribbean honorary doctorate presented to Sandra Reid, Godfrey Dyer, and Leighton McKnight

*Manchester Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Award presented to Jean Beverly Anderson

*Caribbean Community of Retired Persons Jamaica 60 Living Legacy honourees Winniefred Chambers-Dyer, Beryl Chevannes, Howard L Hamilton, Gary “Butch” Hendrickson, Eleanor Jones, Peter Mais, Ambassador Aloun Ndombet-Assamba, Dr Blossom O’Meally-Nelson, Claudette Richardson Pious, Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughan, and Dr Arnoldo Ventura

Please Google and share their stories with the young ones in your families.

Keith Duncan passes PSOJ baton

Congratulations to Keith Duncan who completed his three terms as president of the PSOJ. He sounded out on the nation’s issues and launched the STAR Programme to heal communities and mentor our young people. He has been a unifying figure and remains the watchful and articulate chairman of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee.

Duncan is succeeded by Metry Seaga, another dedicated nationalist who has served as president of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association. PSOJ vice-presidents are Marian Ross, Jackie Sharp, Brian Jardim, Parris Lyew-Ayee Jr, Frank James, and treasurer Vikram Dihman. We are indebted to them for offering to serve in these voluntary positions.

World Cup fever

Jamaicans owned the FIFA 2022 World Cup, sporting flags, shirts, and wristbands in support of their favourite teams. There was islandwide heartbreak when Brazil lost in the quarter-finals and lofty expectations for Morocco. As we go to press I can only quietly support France as Argentina is the favourite in our house. I do not think I can deal with the angst if Argentina loses, so let me don my light blue and white and support the majority.

It has been a great campaign among the teams, with Croatia being named “National Bakery” because of their red-checked gear and a good deal of friendly trash talk on social media. After the delight of the beautiful game, we are glad Christmas is coming soon for another joyful spell.

Farewell, Friends

Farewell to media colleague Henry Stennett, whose rich voice and warm manner will remain with us. Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange hailed him as being “amongst the most respected broadcasters in Jamaica”. At Stella Maris we remember him as a devoted church brother whose readings brought life to our Bible lessons.

We heard about the passing of Carmen Clarke over the weekend. Clarke was my colleague at the Jamaica Daily News, a meticulous team player. We later enjoyed her company on visits to the Temple of Light.

Our condolence to their families. May their souls rest in peace.

Season’s Blessings

Here’s wishing you all a safe and happy Christmas. As we travel across Jamaica to meet family and friends, let us slow down and show more patience.

We understand that there may be another state of emergency after the expiration of the current one, and we believe such decisions are taken so we are protected as we go about our business.

Let us show respect to our security officers who are out there facing the most dangerous criminals.

A peaceful and productive new year to you and yours.

lowriechin@aim.com

www.lowrie-chin.blogspot.com