Here, There and Everywhere

The past couple of weeks have been a little… well, busy would be an understatement. Here are a few quick highlights of some significant happenings in Kingston, Jamaica – a kind of growing intensity of pre-Christmas madness. This has all been interspersed with daily showers of rain, many heavy and lengthy and soaking in nature – an unusually wet December, so far. It is in a way rather a shame that so many events have been squeezed into a short space of time, with many occurring on the same evening. I am not very good at dashing from one place to another; I am lacking in physical stamina these days, especially since the “chik v” arrived. Well – we will all collapse over Christmas soon enough I suppose, with a glass of sorrel in our hand and platefuls of ham, Christmas cake and other goodies… Enjoy!

Two speakers at the National Volunteer Symposium, Miguel “Steppa” Williams and Kimberley Issa Sherlock chat at the JN Foundation’s National Volunteer Symposium on December 5. (My photo)

Pale poinsettias at the Knutsford Court Hotel. (My photo)

The back of Devon House lit up on December 9. There was the opening of an art exhibition inside and downstairs we were on the verandah at the Resolution Project book launch. (My photo)

Jamaica AIDS Support for Life staff members selling the delicious scented candles from Life’s Work at the World AIDS Day Breakfast. (Photo: J-FLAG)

Senator Floyd Morris joins our group discussion on special needs and education at the Digicel Foundation’s Tenth Anniversary Forum on Special Needs: “Towards Disability Inclusion.” (My photo)

Here I am welcoming guests at J-FLAG’s 16th Birthday celebrations and giving them all a clap! (Photo: J-FLAG)

Respect due! Participants in Respect Jamaica’s first panel discussion under the theme ‘Inspiring Respect: The Power of the Individual’ with panelists: Dr. K’adamawe Kn’Ife, Tanya Stephens, Father Rev. Sean Major Campbell and Cindy Breakspeare. (Photo: Respect Jamaica)

Women becoming empowered by social media training at WMW Jamaica with UN Women at WMW offices last week. They are all now tweeting madly! (Photo: Patricia Phillips/WMW Jamaica)

The tremendously supportive Dr. Denise Chevannes of the National Family Planning Board of Jamaica chats with U.S. Peace Corps’ Anthony Hron before J-FLAG’s 16th Anniversary celebrations. (My photo)

It was a listening and learning experience at the National Volunteer Symposium organized by JN Foundation, Cuso International and CVSS on December 5. (My photo)

European Union Ambassador Paola Amadei welcomes guests to the EU’s Women’s Networking Event at the National Gallery of Jamaica. (My photo)

Invitation to J-FLAG’s 16th Birthday Celebrations on International Human Rights Day.

Chair of Digicel Foundation Jean Lowrie-Chin (left) in deep discussion with UNAIDS Country Director Kate Spring at the World AIDS Day Breakfast Forum. (Photo: J-FLAG)

Nineteen-year-old Mikhail Henry of Glenmuir High School is one of the featured youth photographers in the amazing book “Take a Look at My World,” featuring work from the JN Foundation’s Resolution Project. Here he is autographing a page for a group of admiring women. (My photo)

 

Color Pink Group’s candlelight vigil on International Human Rights Day – remembering those who have passed on. (Photo: Kate Chappell)