“It From Grit”: Storytelling on Women’s Entrepreneurship Day 2017

November 9th, 2017

It’s not very often that women get to share their personal stories of challenge, success and growth in a large room filled with other women (and a sprinkling of men). However, A. Cecile Watson of Gr8Way Consulting spectacularly made this happen on November 8 at the Terra Nova Hotel on Women’s Entrepreneurship Day. The theme […]

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CVSS, the United Way and The Power of Youth Volunteerism

October 14th, 2017

What do you know about the Council for Voluntary Social Services (CVSS) and United Way of Jamaica? I’m sure that you have been hearing about them for years, but are unaware of the work they do. Well, my feet turned into the entrance to the National Volunteer Centre (NVC) on Camp Road. This is where […]

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What is the Problem With Implementing the Disabilities Act?

September 21st, 2017

Yesterday I attended a lunchtime information session at the offices of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Jamaica. Executive Director of the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) in Jamaica, Dr. Carolyn Gomes and Rodje Malcolm of Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) gave us a succinct presentation on the state of human rights on the island. It […]

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Hurricanes and the Media: Yes, We Have a Choice

September 10th, 2017

Hurricane Irma (and her boyfriend, following along behind, José) both decided not to bother with Jamaica, for which we are thankful. While the north coast had blue skies and sunshine however, down in Kingston we have had heavy showers, stopping and starting, and thunder grumbling away. A storm on Friday has sent our dogs into […]

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National Integrity Action Works With Communities: Part 1 – Women’s Resource and Outreach Centre

July 19th, 2017

“Corruption is basically about opportunity. And risk.” So said Professor Anthony Harriott of the University of the West Indies during a radio interview. Those who are considering getting involved in a corrupt act weigh things up: opportunities and risks. If the former outweighs the latter, then a wrong turn can be taken, so easily. It […]

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Twitter Thoughts, Part 2: Dancehall vs Soca vs Noise

April 24th, 2017

Oh no, not again, I hear you cry! It rolls around every year. Carnival has just come and gone – and by all accounts, including mine, it was the best in years – but not without the chorus of protests from people who don’t appreciate the “imported” phenomenon. Of course this has not only been a […]

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