Tag: Caribbean

The Community Paralegal Programme: supporting Jamaican victims of violence

July 30, 2021

The discussion about gender-based violence continues in the Jamaican media; in fact, it never really goes away. But very often, those who suffer are not aware that help is available. The Community Paralegal (CP) programme is there to help. It is delivered by the non-governmental organization Stand Up For Jamaica, with grant funding from the … More The Community Paralegal Programme: supporting Jamaican victims of violence

Jamaican Government to improve coordination of support to students in Cuba

July 28, 2021

In my last post, I referred to a radio interview with Jamaican students in Cuba, who are struggling – mainly due to a lack of food. Here is a fairly lengthy response from Jamaica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. I note also that the People’s National Party (PNP), which has a historically close … More Jamaican Government to improve coordination of support to students in Cuba

Jamaica Update, July 27, 2021: Insults hurled, apologies not proffered, and COVID-19 fraying nerves

July 28, 2021

The problem-plagued Olympic Games in Tokyo finally got under way, and has proved a helpful distraction for Jamaicans fretting about COVID-19 and everything else. And we had some soothing rain – although it has been a contentious week, with insults flying here, there, and everywhere. Oh, and on a personal note…our roof is still leaking. … More Jamaica Update, July 27, 2021: Insults hurled, apologies not proffered, and COVID-19 fraying nerves

Jamaica Update, July 19, 2021: An abandoned bicycle, a lifeboat, and a bulk resignation letter

July 21, 2021

It has been two weeks since I wrote my last update. However, I will try to ensure there is no “stale” news here. I have been what millennials would call “super busy” – with a bumper crop of mangoes, and the Caribbean Tree Planting Week (read more here!) We are also living in some kind … More Jamaica Update, July 19, 2021: An abandoned bicycle, a lifeboat, and a bulk resignation letter

“Nature is our lifeline”: A young indigenous Surinamese woman speaks during Caribbean Tree Planting Week

July 15, 2021

Caribbean Tree Planting Week (July 5 – 11, 2021) was diverse, vibrant, packed with valuable information, and full of youthful energy. Two sessions per day for a week, it covered a great range of topics – centred on nature-based solutions and climate action in the form of tree planting. One of the participants on the … More “Nature is our lifeline”: A young indigenous Surinamese woman speaks during Caribbean Tree Planting Week

Jamaica Update, July 5, 2021: Elsa swamps us, Mindi stands firm, and Tashekia meets an untimely death

July 7, 2021

What a week of upheaval and apprehension as Tropical Storm Elsa approached, seemingly setting her sights on us. In the end, she squeezed between our island and Hispaniola, dragging a huge bag of rain along with her. And as you know, Jamaica has just “reopened” and the Delta variant is on the horizon (or quite … More Jamaica Update, July 5, 2021: Elsa swamps us, Mindi stands firm, and Tashekia meets an untimely death

A strictly security-focused approach to crime prevention is costly, ineffective and paves the way for human rights violations

July 6, 2021

Just a couple of days ago, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said, frowning heavily as he spoke at the opening of a new police station in his own constituency of Olympic Gardens, Kingston: There is no doubt that our use of States of Public Emergency has worked to reduce murders and shootings where ever they have … More A strictly security-focused approach to crime prevention is costly, ineffective and paves the way for human rights violations

Caribbean Tree Planting Week: A Cultural Celebration of Trees

June 30, 2021

Next week (July 5 to 11, 2021) is the first Caribbean Tree Planting Week. So what, you may ask? This is certainly not a symbolic week, but the result of over a year of activities and networking (Zoom was working overtime!) among citizens of all ages and backgrounds (including a major youth contingent) – in … More Caribbean Tree Planting Week: A Cultural Celebration of Trees

Jamaica Update, June 18, 2021: The city’s hottest day, Trench Town blues, and an Uber surprise

June 21, 2021

Phew! What a week. We have been under a stifling blanket of Saharan dust for the past couple of days, and endured our hottest day ever in Kingston (June 12). The best thing to do is hide indoors in the daytime and come out to exercise etc. after dark. It has been an exhausting week. … More Jamaica Update, June 18, 2021: The city’s hottest day, Trench Town blues, and an Uber surprise