Veteran Journalist Revels in Community Work in Kitson Town

For 36 years, Senior Reporter at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), Garfield Luther Angus, has been making a positive contribution to the development of his beloved community of Kitson Town in rural St. Catherine.

Helping to improve the lives of residents, particularly students and the elderly, is at the heart of his endeavours.

“I started making my contribution since I was 20 years old when I became President of the Seventh-day Church of God Inc,” Mr. Angus tells JIS News.

“We would put together assorted packages for indigents and shut-ins,” he notes.

He later become Vice-President of the Kitson Town Primary School Past Students’ Association (KTPPSA), which established an award for the most disciplined students – a boy and a girl, and upon progressing to President, he decided to pay attention to the teachers as well by introducing a trophy for the Teacher of the Year.

“At first, the response was lukewarm, but we persisted. The school gave us the top-three teachers based on its appraisal system and the parents also had an input,” says Mr. Angus.

“The response from all the sponsors was so overwhelming that all the educators received prizes,” he points out.

Mr. Angus tells JIS News that his passion for assisting others comes naturally.

“My grandmother, Iris Angus, believed in helping others out of the little that she had, and I grew to emulate her. I don’t know how to live any other way. It’s in my DNA. From I was three years old, I was raised by a community mother. A number of persons outside of my immediate family have poured into my life over the years, so it’s natural for me to want to give back,” he notes.

In keeping with the tenets of his profession, Mr. Angus ensures impeccable integrity in the disbursement of resources entrusted to him.

“Upon receipt of six tablets and distributing them, there was one left, and my niece needed a device, but I decided against it to avoid any possibility of a conflict of interest,” he says, noting that “thankfully, two months later, she got a tablet from an unconnected source.”

Moreover, Mr. Angus is always on the lookout for opportunities to be of service. He calls on his experience and knowledge of the programmes and policies of the Government to advise persons where they can turn for assistance.

“My position here at the JIS makes it easier for me to assist the elders with some of their pension issues, guide students in obtaining scholastic assistance and help some less fortunate to get on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH),” he expounds.

“Sometimes, people would stop me on the road to voice their gratitude, some of whom I don’t know personally. It’s quite a touching experience,” he reveals.

Mr. Angus has been awarded for work done for the school, youth club and church but his most recent accolade took him by surprise.

The journalist and community stalwart was one of 40 men who were recently recognised by the Bureau of Gender Affairs (BGA) for their outstanding contribution to community and family life.

“When I got the call from Principal Director of the BGA, Sharon Coburn Robinson, and she began asking me certain questions, I sensed something was under way,” he recalls.

“I truly appreciate it, although I never started out with that in mind. It’s nice to know that people value what you are doing,” he says.

A published author, Mr. Angus wrote ‘Triumphs’ in 2017, a book of inspiration, befitting his own character.

This noble son of St. Catherine has no plans to cease his charitable deeds. He is currently Chairman of the Kitson Town Civic Committee and remains on the executive of the KTPPSA.

He wants to be remembered for making an impact and is inspired by the following words of Martin Luther King Jr, who spoke about living a committed life.

“If you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice, for peace, for righteousness. I won’t leave any money behind, but I just want to leave a committed life behind.”