Three Jamaican women who worked for women and the most vulnerable

International Women’s Day was a bit of a blur for me, as I was so busy. It was warmly embraced by many. Social media was swamped with memes, videos, and photo-ops. My bank gave me a lovely cup cake. WhatsApp was filled with empowering messages. There is certainly plenty about Jamaican women to recognize and … More Three Jamaican women who worked for women and the most vulnerable

A Joint Statement from the Ambassador of the European Union to Jamaica and the United Nations Resident Coordinator to Jamaica

from Marianne Van Steen, Ambassador of the European Union to Jamaica and Dr. Garry Conille, United Nations Resident Coordinator to Jamaica on The violence perpetrated on November 16th against several participants of a Spotlight Initiative Workshop in Westmoreland The past few days have been disturbing. On Sunday, November 14, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that … More A Joint Statement from the Ambassador of the European Union to Jamaica and the United Nations Resident Coordinator to Jamaica

House to house vaccination starts in Jamaica

Our health workers have been putting in the hours. Who can deny this – they have been dedicated, hard-working and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude. The United Nations in Jamaica decided to recognize them by encouraging government and private sector buildings to “light up blue” in recognition of the efforts of our … More House to house vaccination starts in Jamaica

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

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

Institute of Jamaica announces 2021 Musgrave Medal awardees

The Musgrave Medals, awarded each year by the Institute of Jamaica, did not happen last year, due to COVID-19. Last year was a cultural non-event in Jamaica, basically. But this year, they are on! I am especially delighted by Steven Woodham’s Gold Medal. A gifted violinist, he has never rested on his laurels and fed … More Institute of Jamaica announces 2021 Musgrave Medal awardees

Dear Jamaicans, are you recycling? Here’s the information you need…

Now, then. It’s still Lent, and that’s a time when I have noticed many Jamaicans make “resolutions” of some sort. It usually has something to do with “giving up” something. Well, perhaps then “giving up throwing plastic bottles out of my car window/into a drain/on the beach/into a gully in the hills somewhere/on the street … More Dear Jamaicans, are you recycling? Here’s the information you need…

An Update on COVID-19 and the Vaccine from the Health and Wellness Minister

Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Christopher Tufton updated the Lower House this afternoon on the situation regarding COVID-19 and the possibilities regarding a vaccine. It’s really a mixed picture of some successes, some concerns – and otherwise hanging in there and continuing to believe that “this too shall pass.” I have highlighted a few … More An Update on COVID-19 and the Vaccine from the Health and Wellness Minister

ICYMI in Jamaica, January 5, 2021: The Back to School Edition

What a week. After the relative peace and quiet of the holidays (apart from an intrusively loud motorbike rider – we need to do something about the “enhanced” mufflers they put on their bikes) we were thrown straight into 2021 with a great deal of agonizing over “back to school” (a dilemma shared by other … More ICYMI in Jamaica, January 5, 2021: The Back to School Edition