JET is scheduled to leave their current location on 11 Waterloo Road to 123 Constant Spring Road by the end of this June. Hon. Gordon Butch Stewart and the Sandals group have generously donated to the use of their Earth House location for the last 13 years and are thankful even though Butch may be finding other use for the property soon.
As JET will now be renting an office space, they will need donations to assist with this unbudgeted move.
Please click on the link provided below, organized by Booster, and make your donation today no matter how big or small. Their goal is to raise $1000USD and they are currently at $525USD with 4 more days to go!
The Rotaract Club of St. Martin Nord won Club of the Quarter recently in Rotaract District 7020, which comprises of 9 other territories including Jamaica. Suga was interested to see the work they did to accomplish that position, as clubs across the District have been doing outstanding work not only in their communities and islands, but internationally as well.
There were quite a few projects executed, however, there were two that Suga wished to highlight.
In March, Rotaract Club of St. Martin executed a Garden Beautification Project at Bethany Home, a Senior Citizens home. They planted some beautiful flowers in their garden. The seniors were very happy with the initiative and were even excited to give them some tips on planting from their younger years of experience.
But the most exciting and overwhelming time of the afternoon for club members, was when they sat down and shared snack time with the seniors. The President had baked 2 delicious cakes and a few drinks were bought and offered to them. During that time, some of the seniors seized the opportunity to share some stories with the Rotaractors while others had quite stimulating conversations. Both parties enjoyed the interaction so much that they didn’t have enough time to complete the gardening and returned a few days later to do so.
Since Rotaract also speaks to Personal and Professional Development of its members, the Rotaract Club of St. Martin Nord organized their 4th edition of ‘Speed Working’ for Start Ups in the quarter as well.
The club wished to assist the future entrepreneurs by setting up an original concept of Speed Working. Mrs. Angele Dormoy, Entrepreneur and 1st Vice-president of the French Chamber of Commerce, did a special presentation on how to evaluate and create your own company successfully.
After the presentation, all participants had the opportunity to network with 7 different professionals during the speed-coaching mentoring part of the program.
The concept was very simple. It allowed the future, young entrepreneurs to meet professionals and also key interlocutors (persons who take part in a dialogue or conversation) who intervened in the process of the new business start-ups. They were granted 10 minutes with every interlocutor to present their projects, ask questions and also benefited from advice for their new business start-ups. Each attendee was followed up with to ensure they had advanced with their company or respective project. This action allowed 17 projects to benefit from advice of experimented professionals!
They were able to exchange with professionals/interlocutors from the Bank, Chamber of Commerce, Accountants, Business owners, Artistic designers and the Support Federation for Small Businesses (FTPE).
As each territory faces different kinds of challenges, Rotaract assesses the needs of their communities by priority and funds available to assist. They also find the most innovative ways possible to improve their members personally and professionally in order to be better people, build their careers and most importantly, to serve their communities and the world in a better way.
Congratulations to the Rotaract Club of St. Martin for their outstanding work, as well as the other clubs who continue to improve our nation.
AfC Chairman, Col. Stacey Thompson (R) and Project Coordinator, Brandon McFarlane (L) pay a courtesy visit to Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Mr. Robert Ready (C) after securing support from the Canadian DFATD earlier in April ’15.
The aim of the Non-profit Organization, Abacus for Communities (AfC), is to work with communities in collaboration with national, regional and international governments and organizations to promote the development of safe, prosperous, stable and developing communities.
Their current focus is on helping to build the level of Preparedness of Communities to Disasters, however all aspects of Community Development is part of Abacus’s long-term vision.
AfC offers Services in Disaster Preparedness, Institutional Strengthening and Community Capacity Building as well as Disaster Response, all tailor-made for the particular country considering the specific needs of the target audience.The Services offered in the previously mentioned areas are listed below:
1. Disaster Preparedness
– Training workshops; Simulation exercises; Consultancies, Planning and Projects
2. Institutional Strengthening and Community Capacity Building
– Conferences and Training; Community Projects
3. Disaster Response
Coordination; Assessment; Response Projects
So how is Jamaica being assisted by AfC? AfC has secured support in the form of CA$81000 from the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Development (DFATD) for the ‘Community Emergency Communications for Disaster and Climate Change Adaptation in Jamaica’ project.
This project called, ‘EARS’ (Emergency Affiliated Radio Service) will train and equip 360 persons in 10 of the most vulnerable communities throughout Jamaica with radio communication equipment for immediate response to disaster in order to minimize loss of life and damage to infrastructure and environment.
There are many non-profit organizations that exist, helping to develop communities but this particular non-profit organization has obviously thought outside the box. This is so, as if disaster strikes at any given time, all the work done to lift these communities often goes down the drain and rebuilding of infrastructure has to start from ground zero, not to mention repairing and redeveloping the mindset of the people in the community after such a disaster. As Jamaicans often say, ‘Prevention betta dan cure.’
Kudos to AfC for assisting communities from a totally different angle, recognizing the importance and necessity for preparedness and offering resources for such, making efforts to protect lives and infrastructure. Thus, developing our communities household by household and the quality of life of the people in it.
Like their Facebook page, ‘Abacus for Communities’ and see the link for the website for what Afc is doing in a country or community near you.
The Lions and Leos of Downtown Kingston have a monthly feeding at the St. Matthew’s Anglican Church in Allman Town. Though a few months ago, Suga is happy to highlight how they started their year under the theme, ‘Relieving World Hunger’, feeding over 100 senior citizens on Sunday, January 25, 2015.
The seniors were treated to a scrumptious, filling meal of Curried Goat, Rice and Peas, Tossed Salad and Fruit juice, topped off by Ice cream and Fruit cake for dessert.
It was also an inspirational day, as members of the St. Matthew’s Anglican Youth Fellowship offered prayers and inspiration via songs to the seniors present.
Items of clothing and shoes were offered to individuals in need as well.
Kudos to the Lions and Leos of Downtown Kingston for keeping up such a thoughtful and helpful initiative.
The Paint Jamaica initiative started in 2014, with the concept of transforming Jamaica’s visual surroundings as a social intervention via art and uplifting messages.
For instance, Paint Jamaica has connected with residents of Parade Gardens to understand their aspirations. Their feedback has been translated into beautiful, insightful murals with a positive impact designed by talented artists from all over Kingston.
Paint Jamaica has now grown into a true community project, engaging volunteers from various backgrounds as well as residents of Parade Gardens.
Paint Jamaica plans to carry the movement islandwide. In recent news, I-Octane should have shot his new music video, ‘Don’t stop di vibe’ on Fleet Street last Sunday. A huge, abandoned warehouse used to be on 41 Fleet Street, which has been transformed into a new street art landmark.
Paint Jamaica can be contacted at [email protected] and feel free to keep up to date by liking their Facebook page, Paint Jamaica.
If you would like to make donations in order to contribute to uplifting inner-city communities through the arts, follow the link: http://tinyurl.com/kbg7rto.
The various murals created by Paint Jamaica have also been framed,  printed on mugs etc. for sale in their new Paint Jamaica Store at http://tinyurl.com/p9y93cb with all proceeds going towards future Paint Jamaica Projects.
InstaRepost from @simichelee and @nuhduttyupjamaica
RECYCLE RECYCLE RECYCLE!
Many persons have not made the effort to recycle, thus sending plastics, rubbers and other wastes to the dump. Do your part. Spread the word. #nuhduttyupjamaica
Who knew cashing in crates of bottles could do so much? RCLP cashed in bottles from a bottle drive to purchase educational charts and over 100 seedlings for the Shalom Pre-School Feeding Programme. The University of the West Indies, Mona Social Services and parents will also assist with the growth and maintenance of the Vegetable Garden.
The club also donated books to the school courtesy of the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association and gave them Four Way Test Signs to be placed on the walls of the School.
What is the Four Way Test? It is said by Rotaractors and Rotarians at each meeting they hold, it is also a way to live by. With each situation, test yourself. Ask,ÂÂ
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
This was done during World Rotaract Week to commemorate when the organization began in March, 1968.ÂÂ
Please share this with family, friends and coworkers. Help find untrained artists from inner-city communities that wish to progress today! If they want this opportunity they will work for it and burn that midnight oil.
This project has helped to pave the pathway for a great artistic career for many untrained artists over the past 8 years. Help to pave the way for more. Thanks!
If you know any untrained artists in inner-city communities, please advise them as quickly as you can about this great opportunity for a start or further development of their career. Contact information is on the image above. If unclear, feel free to email [email protected].
Scenes from NKRC’s annual Wing Sauce Competition held on Saturday, March 7, 2015
In other parts of Kingston last Saturday, Suga was asked to host NKRC’s Wing Sauce Competition, which is also a fundraiser with proceeds going towards their Community Service Projects. The competition was held at Red Stripe’s playfield on Spanish Town Road. I was amongst great company as Jahson Peart from Pop-Up Gourmet Jamaica and Amanda McCreath from Gourmet Jamaica were the other two judges.
There were 9 teams on the day including 6 Rotaract clubs, 2 Rotary Clubs and 1 independent team, all with creative names for their sauces and exciting team names as well.
It was a hot day out but the teams came out with their members and supporters in full force. Well except for one lone ranger from Rotary Club of New Kingston (A Jus Me One). Thankfully he was supported by a few of his club members towards the end of the competition. Teams were observed from start to end.
All teams were asked to highlight 3 ingredients in their sauce, Otaheite Apple, which was the secret ingredient that was revealed to them on the day, as well as the mystery ingredients, Red Stripe Sorrel Beer and Rosemary. Club support, their sales pitch, theme and decor of their booth as well as plating and of course the taste of their wings were all scoring criteria. However even with high scores for all of that, if they failed to highlight the 3 ingredients and show some originality with a great tasting sauce, which carried the majority of the points, they would finish with a very low score.
Teams were also asked to incorporate Yaad Flava sauces that were being promoted that day such as the The Yaad Flava Spicy Ketchup, Pimento BBQ, Molasses and Jamaican Jerk Gourmet Blend sauces. Suga has promoted Yaad Flava on this website before when introduced to them at Sovereign Supermarket, so knew that if not scantily used, they could easily overpower the originality of the teams’ sauces. They have a very strong, sharp flavour and really shouldn’t even be used with anything else. They are great on their own.
All teams showed remarkable effort whether they placed in the top 3 or not.
The Rotaract Club of St. Andrew looked the most professional, all uniformed in team shirts and black aprons with a member who delivered a sales pitch in an all black suit. The taste of their sauce was lovely and it was impressive that the taste aligned with their sales pitch of it being sweet then spicy, which is not easy to pull off.
The Rotaract Club of Liguanea Plains did very well across the board, finishing 4th. Their plating was very impressive apart from the overload of Rosemary, sauce was delicious and required ingredients were highlighted.
New Kingston Rotaract Club boasted culinary style, hotel-like plating. THE best plating in the competition, even being presented on different levels.
Tristen,who finished 5th also looked very Professional in Chef jackets and scored high points for use of the main ingredients.
The Rotaract Club of the University of the West Indies Mona,who finished 3rd, had cheerleaders, tonnes of crowd and member support. They had impressive plating, originality and their sauce was delicious.
Interestingly, the sauces from the two Rotary clubs  (Rotary Club of Kingston East and Port Royal and Rotary Club of New Kingston) were the least exciting of the bunch. But it was a fantastic look that they participated with good spirit. They were entertaining, creative with their sales pitch and had a good theme.
Second place winners, Rotaract Club of Kingston aka 50 Shades of K, were quite entertaining and creative. Impressive plating. The best decor. Originality was off the charts and their sauce had a nice, sharp taste with the essence of required ingredients.
That leaves us with the winners. All the other clubs failed to highlight ALL 3 required ingredients effectively. However the Rose Grillaz from the Rotaract Club of University of Technology were the clear winners with their Rosella Soiree sauce. The only team whose sauce actually had the colour of the secret ingredient, Otaheite apple. When asked how they did that. One of their chefs confidently broke down their preparation process starting with how ‘dem draw the apple’, continuing to talk about straining and measuring etc. They clearly had it down to a science. Not surprising right? Because they have a Food Lab and this is their 3rd consecutive year winning. Perhaps it should be called the UTECH Wing Sauce Award of Excellence next year with a member of their Hospitality crew on the judging panel. A team with absolutely poor plating and decor walked away with the trophy. They were confident that they were the sauce boss and their skit with cheerleaders informed us of that. Overwhelming support was there for them as well.
Suga was really impressed with the effort put out by all teams, their competitive nature, their interest to do post mortems and of course originality and creativity of their sauces. Congratulations again to the winners, Rotaract Club of UTECH and hope to see you and more clubs next year!
