Students from across St. Elizabeth have the information and confidence to face an earthquake, as they participated in a series of earthquake drills, which tested their readiness for the natural disaster. The exercises formed part of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) Earthquake Awareness Campaign, with Wednesday, January 15, designated as Earthquake Awareness Day in Schools. Eight-year-old...

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has emphasised the impact of the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) in reshaping the lives of beneficiaries. He said it is difficult not to have a deep emotional connection to the stories of individuals and families who have benefited from the initiative. “The most important thing anyone can own or acquire in...

Members of the Salt Spring, St. James, arm of the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund Programme Group have installed water-harvesting systems at Salt Spring Primary and Infant School and Hartfield Basic School in the community. The projects were funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies in collaboration with United Cities Local Governments (UCLG) and the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation (BCPI) at Johns...

The recent raising of the age limit to 30 for participants in the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition has sparked favourable responses, including from former contestants. Traditionally, the competition, organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) is open to women between the ages of 18 and 25. This year, the rules have been updated to permit young women up...

At 102 years old, St. Thomas centenarian, Eliza Cooper, has a mind as sharp as a razor, and will mention in any conversation that it has been her faith in God that has helped her to sustain long life. The devout Christian, born on June 3, 1922, was visited by the Lyssons-based Sunshine Senior Citizens Club at her cozy home...

Technological Solutions Limited (TSL) Health and Wellness Centre in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, has been lauded for its readiness in the event of an emergency involving cruise visitors. The commendation comes from Chairman of the National Cruise Council and Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay, Councillor Michael Belnavis. The facility is situated in the Island Village Shopping Centre, just a stone's...

More Jamaicans are now getting involved in backyard gardening as a means of bolstering their own food security. Backyard gardening does not require a lot of space, and persons can save money by having a steady supply of fresh fruits and vegetables without relying on outside sources For one backyard farmer, Donald Lewis, the decision to cultivate his space was...

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has hailed the late Robert "Ducksie" Russell as a true visionary and patriot whose impact will forever be etched in the hearts of Jamaicans. He said that Mr. Russell was an “ambassador of goodwill” whose contributions to the country’s business landscape are unparalleled. Dr. Holness was delivering a tribute at the funeral...

Farm worker Victor Lettman has been on the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP) 24 times. On Friday (January 3), he departed Jamaica for his 25th trip to Canada, a country that has provided for his family’s needs for more than two decades. “I couldn’t get any job. I had my young kids and couldn’t find anything fi give them, so...