Our volunteers and members of Government have been setting notable examples. On Labour Day last week, Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Leader of the Opposition Mark Golding worked side by side to renovate the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ).

Culture Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange explained that the work will continue to establish ramp access and an elevator for people with disabilities. These are some of the very people who have contributed to the wealth of offerings at the IOJ. Finally, albeit in their later years, they can enjoy the memories within its walls.

Keith Duncan, co-chair and project sponsor of Project STAR, spoke about work done in the inner city in an area called No Man’s Land, which separates two opposing garrisons. He said he saw tears flowing as residents crossed the street for the first time in years to work on a community Labour Day activity. He related that due to the ongoing Project STAR programme, created under his presidency of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, they have been winning the confidence of community members. “They believe because we have stayed,” he said.

In downtown Kingston; May Pen, Clarendon; and Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, Project STAR has been engaging with young adults, preparing them for the world of work and seeing them gaining jobs. Duncan has high praise for the members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force who have been interacting with the young people. One officer, who used to have a tougher approach, told Duncan that he is seeing better results from community policing.

Stacey Donaldson, of the Rose Gardens Community Development Council, enthused, “People are now coming out. They never used to come out before because they were afraid.” Romel Gordon who organises football in Havana Heights, May Pen, says through the sport they have won the confidence of the young men in the community.

In Savanna-la-Mar, Adrian Parkinson, a 36-year-old father of three, was convinced by the Project STAR team and sponsors to begin skills training. He was able to find employment and said, “Even my kids are very proud of me right now, seeing that I am working. So it just give me a boost and make me see life look a bit better and different from what I used to do back in the days.”

At the seashore where Great George’s Street ends in Savanna-la-Mar, fisherfolk have come together to set up attractive facilities which should become money-earners. That area near the market has deteriorated terribly, and is no longer the place where, as children, we used to walk down to the fort to watch the beautiful sunsets.

While we looked at posts of Convent of Mercy Academy “Alpha” students creating murals at their school, my friend Patricia Reid-Waugh joined Custos Steadman Fuller and fellow justices of the peace to spruce up the Denham Town Infirmary, build ramps at the Portland Infirmary, and carry out other voluntary work across Jamaica. We are grateful for the good hearts of so many Jamaicans. If we pursue this spirit of Labour Day in politics, communities, and schools, we will heal Jamaica.

GUIDANCE FROM DR WINSTON DAWES

Last week, at Serengeti, Hope Zoo, CCRP members listened keenly to the advice of Dr Winston Dawes, who spoke on the topic of healthy ageing. He reminded us that smoking had no benefit whatsoever and that alcohol should be enjoyed in moderation: One drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

About diet, he said we should have fruits, vegetables, and nuts daily. He said we should opt for yam, sweet potatoes, dasheen, and breadfruit over rice, which comes to us polished and low on nutrients. He recommends three hours of exercise weekly, and for seniors he prefers walking over running to protect our knees.

Dr Dawes emphasised the importance of self-care and social engagement. “We are social beings,” he reminded and said sending text messages was not enough to stay in touch. He warned against depression, noting that the word was not in the lexicon when he was studying medicine. “Depression,” he said, “will have a negative effect on your overall health. Comfort foods are usually those that are not good for you.”

Dr Dawes encouraged regular measurement of one’s blood pressure and cholesterol. “High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels and cholesterol deposits can cause narrowing.” He said we should guard against becoming diabetics and if we are, we should manage the condition so it does not worsen. “Diabetes affects all organs and is one of the major causes of kidney failure,” he warned.

He recommended that mammograms and prostate-specific antigen tests should be done and that men should also check for breast cancer, which is easier for them to detect without a mammogram. He says that bone loss can be avoided by weight training and walking in sunlight for Vitamin D, important for the absorption of calcium.

Dr Dawes noted that he was a proud member of the committee which conceived plans for the National Health Fund (NHF). “Life is to be enjoyed,” he said, pointing out that with medication, we can maintain quality of living. In response to CCRP members who complained about the prohibitive cost of prescriptions, he said we should opt for generic drugs and ensure that we make effective use of the NHF benefits.

Dr Dawes calls himself “the doctor of last resort” as patients come to him after they have exhausted all other means of healing. He uses light technology to assist in pain management but warns that it does not work for everyone. He reminded us that we have a field of energy, six feet around us (our personal space), which should be considered in healing practice.

Congrats Vice Admiral (Lieutenant General) Antonette Wemyss Gorman

Congratulations to Chief of Defence Staff Antonette Wemyss Gorman, who was promoted to vice admiral (lieutenant general) earlier this month.

Since her appointment in 2022, the Office of the Prime Minister noted in a press release, “She has placed high priority on the initiation of the Institute of Cyber Science and the development of the military intelligence capability, resulting in more targeted operations and support to the JCF [Jamaica Constabulary Force]. Rear Admiral Wemyss-Gorman has systematically expanded the Force’s footprint across the island, establishing Forward Operating Bases in Clarendon, St Catherine, St Thomas, Portland, Westmoreland, and Hanover.” It notes, “Under her stewardship, the Jamaica National Service Corps programme is currently being reviewed to adjust and diversify the opportunities available to participants.”

Farewell , Betty Ann Blaine

Jamaica lost our foremost voluntary advocate for children when we said farewell to Betty Ann Blaine earlier this month. Her passionate activism resulted in the creation of the Ananda Alert protocol (named after the deeply mourned Ananda Dean), wherein reports of missing children are to be acted on immediately by the JCF instead of the previous 24-hour wait.

Blaine was the founder of Hear the Children’s Cry and Youth Opportunities Unlimited. Our deepest sympathy to her daughter Dr Tarika Barrett and other family members. May her great soul rest in peace.

Jean Lowrie-Chin is executive chair of PROC
omm, PRODEV, and CCRP. Send comments to lowriechin@aim.com.