The Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) has been facilitating several product enhancement, business development and training programmes and initiatives to further boost the craft industry and diversify Jamaica’s tourism offerings. “An important part of the tourism offering is craft, as it contributes to the diversity of the tourism product, demonstrates the colourfulness of our people and allows our visitors to...

Hundreds of residents from communities in St. James and Westmoreland have benefitted from free health services through the Don Daly Medical Mission. The eight-day programme started on December 10 and will continue until Monday (Dec. 17). A 55-member team, comprised of volunteers from the Florida-based Nova Southeastern University (NSU), is offering free medical checks, optometry services and pharmaceuticals at locations...

For Linstead resident, Fallette Vidal, the official opening of the Drug Serv Pharmacy at the Linstead Public Hospital in St. Catherine on December 13, affords her the opportunity of getting her prescription filled quickly, as the waiting time has been reduced significantly. Ms. Vidal shared with JIS News that it can sometimes be a hassle to wait for her medication,...

Christall Byfield is a very dynamic individual who sets very high standards of achievement for herself. The 30 year-old educator has created history by being the youngest person to be appointed Principal at the St. Ann based Carl Rattray Staff College, where she is tasked with guiding the training and development of the country’s Correctional Officers. Interestingly, Ms. Byfield, who...

The National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC), which has 84,000 registered members islandwide, is ensuring that the country’s golden-agers live full lives, through several programmes and activities. The NCSC, an agency of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, networks with the private sector, voluntary organisations and citizens to develop programmes and activities that promote active ageing; encourage participation in...

The National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC) is stepping up efforts to equip parents to properly raise their children. Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kaysia Kerr, tells JIS News that the entity is concerned about the number of parents who are showing low coping skills and are consciously ‘opting out’, not wanting to continue the duties associated with parenting. Over the past...

Ten years ago, Karmen Josephs’* life was changed forever, when she was diagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). She tells JIS News that at the time, she was about two months pregnant, and had gone to the doctor for prenatal checks, which included a blood test for HIV. “I did the HIV testing. When I went back with my...

The Clarendon-based Hazard Primary School, located along the busy thoroughfare between Mineral Heights and May Pen, has been transformed into a safety zone for students and other pedestrians. The school, which has been the site of several road crashes, none of which has been fatal, has benefited from the installation of road-safety infrastructure under the Jamaica National (JN) Foundation’s ‘X...

Genuine care and concern for others are hallmarks of a life spent in voluntary service for Social Development Commission (SDC) Kingston and St. Andrew Leadership and Community Development Award recipient, Hazel Veronica Espeut. Now 101 years old, Mrs. Espeut has dedicated her life to giving back to her community of McIntyre Land in Brown’s Town, Kingston, where she has lived...