Being awarded the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for Service to Education is more than a recognition of personal achievement for Dr. Darien Henry. It affirmed the purpose he discovered years ago when he transitioned from the newsroom to the classroom, now leading one of Jamaica’s most dynamic tertiary institutions. “Broadcast journalism was my absolute first calling, but eventually, I...

For more than three decades, Elaine Carlene Elliott-Matthews nurtured the minds of pupils of Marlie Mount Primary and Infant School in St. Catherine. What gives her most satisfaction is to see children overcome ignorance and progress to learn to do tasks that once seemed too difficult. “It is truly fulfilling to watch a child evolve from basically knowing so little...

For school administrator Kayon Whyne, education is more than a profession—it’s a mission deeply rooted in a lifelong love for people and country. With more than 20 years’ experience, the Principal of Mount Alvernia High School in Montego Bay, St. James, has dedicated her career to transforming classrooms into spaces of empowerment and hope. Mrs. Whyne was recently honoured with...

For many young Jamaicans, the journey to homeownership can be daunting, marked by financial hurdles and competitive real estate markets. Recognising these challenges, the National Housing Trust (NHT) has introduced a unique solution called the Parent Assist Programme, designed to help young Jamaicans achieve homeownership by leveraging the contributions of their parents. For Jody-Kay Turner, this has made a significant...

The Government of Jamaica is expending billions of dollars on initiatives to strengthen capacity in the key growth sectors of agriculture and tourism, which together account for an estimated 18 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). The development falls under the second phase of the five-year Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI), which is being implemented by the Jamaica Social...

When the phone rang in his London hotel room on the morning of August 19, businessman, Gary “Butch” Hendrickson, found himself facing a moment of disbelief and overwhelming gratitude. The voice on the other end of the line informed him that he was to receive the prestigious Order of Jamaica (OJ) during the 2024 National Honours and Awards ceremony at...

Thousands of Jamaican households are being provided with legal connections to electricity, through the Community Electrification Programme. The programme, which is being administered by Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), in partnership with the Jamaica Public Service Company, has two components –house-wiring and pole line construction/extension. Providing an update on the initiative, Managing Director, JSIF, Omar Sweeney, informs JIS News that...

Praises are being heaped on the HEART/NSTA Trust for offering training opportunities to Jamaicans with disabilities. Among these persons is Jerome Jackson, who, though blind, holds Level Three certification in Massage Therapy from the HEART College of Beauty Services. He was one of the HEART trainees providing back and hand reflexology massages to volunteers and staff of Stimulation Plus Child...