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‘Big Up Jamaica’ is 2019 Festival Song

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Jamaica Festival Song Winner 2019, Raldene ‘Loaded Eagle’ Dyer, receives his winning trophy from the Hon. Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport.

Raldene ‘Loaded Eagle’ Dyer’is the 2019 Jamaica Festival Song Winner. 

His winning song, Big Up Jamaica, will become the soundtrack for Jamaica’s 57th Anniversary of Independence, which is being celebrated under the theme One Nation, One People.

Dyer took home the coveted title at the 2019 Jamaica Festival Song Competition’s free Grand Final concert which was held on Saturday at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in Kingston.

In addition to winning the competition and its respective $1 million cash award, Dyer, took home the award for Writer of the Winning Song, which also carried $1 million cash award, as well as the sectional prizes for Best Performance and Best Vocalist, which carry a cash award of $300 000 each.       

Second place in the competition and its respective cash award of $400 000 went to Alero ‘Alley Bless’ Perrier with Her song Queen Jamaica.

While third place and it’s respective cash award of $250 000 went to Jerome ‘Jay Smith’ Smith for his song Embassy Appointment, which also saw him receiving the sectional award for Most Popular on Social Media, and its respective cash award of $300 000.

Beginning at 8:00 pm, the Grand Final concert saw all 11 of the competition’s finalists going head to head in a battle of performances.

The other finalists, who competed for the title were: Edwin Meyers with Piece A Jamaica, Jason ‘Iya Concord’ Wright with Hero Fight; Percival ‘Dharma’ Lord with A Jamaica We Love; Escarpment Road New Testament Church of God Choir with Jamaica Bless; Nickoy ‘Shawn-D’ Green with Sweet Jamaica; Nester ‘Humility’ Chung with Battlefield; Vernon ‘Ramize’ Smith with Jamaica Fi Life; and Meckedah ‘McKada’ Henry with Love for Jamaica.

ABOUT THE WINNER: Raldene ‘Loaded Eagle’ Dyer

Reggae and Dancehall artiste Raldene ‘Loaded Eagle’ Dyer became interested in the music industry younger than most. Born in Steer Town, St. Ann, Dyer’s love for music first sparked when he witnessed his mother singing on the church choir. Now an energetic performer, Dyer is a seasoned artiste in the dancehall arena as both vocalist and professional dancer. In 1998, Dyer, then a member of Cosby Kids, entered the JCDC Performing Arts National Finals in the area of Dance, placing first in their class. Loaded Eagle began his solo recording career in 2005 with “Nowadays” a local hit that won him much notoriety in St. Ann. He is currently collaborating with producer Lenworth ‘Jupiter Phillips’ Phillpots, with whom he teamed up for his festival song entry “Big Up Jamaica”. 

A signature programme of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), an Agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Jamaica Festival Song Competition started in 1966, and continues to serve as a musical platform for cultural exposition and for entrants to make an indelible mark on Jamaica and the world. The competition boasts past winners like Toots and the Maytals, Desmond Decker, Eric Donaldson, Roy Rayon, Heather Grant and Stanley Beckford.

The 2019 Jamaica Festival Song Competition is sponsored by Tastee, Geoland, Lasco Money, JF MILLS, Shirley Biscuits, Shades of Africa, and Jamaica Corporate Credit Union League (JCCUL).

Top Boy gets government scholarship

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D’Shaun Fletcher, Top Boy from Howard Cooke Primary and recipient of a government scholarship

Rashaun Stewart -Summer Intern

The top-performing boy from Howard Cooke Primary has secured a government scholarship for the pursuit of his secondary-level education. Hailing from the community of Tucker, twelve-year-old D’Shaun Fletcher obtained a score of 353.4 in the 2019 staging of the inaugural Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations. That particular score is reportedly the highest obtained by any male student from the county of Cornwall.

The young scholar’s father, Rohan Fletcher, was ecstatic. “I felt good. I was really looking for something like that. I was saying to myself that my boy did excellently well and I didn’t really see any other male student doing as well as he did in this western region. The principal assured me that he should get a government scholarship. So, when I got the call, I wasn’t very surprised. I had dropped him at orientation at Herbert Morrison and right after I dropped him off, I got the call that he had gotten a government scholarship.”

Herbert Morrison Technical High School was the school of his choice, due largely to the Science and Mathematics programmes that it boasts. D’Shaun believes that his aspirations will be actualized while he is at Herbert Morrison Technical High. He served as Head Boy of Howard Cooke Primary, was an avid participant in the Science and Environmental Club and was involved in the Music Club during his tenure at the primary-level institution.

Rohan is convinced that the level of excellence that his son has thus far displayed will persist while his son is enrolled at the secondary level. He also believes that the guidance and support that D’Shaun has received from family and well-wishers alike will continue henceforth.

“I would like him to continue on the same path. He’s a diligent young man, you know. His priority is his schoolwork,” Rohan told the Western Mirror. “He always had excellent grades and he never gave any form of trouble. He even served as the Head Boy of Howard Cooke Primary so that should indicate the standard he holds himself to.”

There are several stakeholders who contributed to the success that D’Shaun has attained. Of these stakeholders, Paul and Michelle Robinson both played particularly important roles. They assisted D’Shaun in conducting his preparations for the PEP exams and played an integral role in motivating him in all his pursuits.

“In terms of academics, if someone beats D’Shaun, then they’re good. I have to give him his credit for that. I also must say thanks to Doctor Paul Robinson and his wife Michelle Robinson from Westgate Hills. They were very helpful and they supported us all the way throughout,” Rohan added.

MAKES NO COMPROMISES

D’Shaun aspires to a career in medicine and has a long-standing history of being a diligent, assiduous worker. Rohan insisted that his son dedicates himself assiduously to the pursuit of all his goals and makes no compromises when it pertains to education. The proud father affirmed that D’Shaun has always excelled academically and makes it a point of his duty to prioritize education above all else. This attitude, Rohan revealed, has served him well in all of his endeavours and he believes that if he maintains this attitude then there will be nothing that can stop him on his quest. 

“My son is the kind of guy that focuses on academics. If he gets homework, then he will focus solely on that homework. He studies hard and he’s always doing well. His behaviour is perfect and he is not a child that will give any trouble. He’s always in his books and that’s why he’s achieved what he has.”

Guns, Drugs and Car Chase

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CRASHING HALT: After a long and dangerous pursuit, this Freightliner truck, which led police officers on a death-defying car chase, came to a crashing halt at this residence, but not before completely totaling another vehicle, and pinning it against the gate leading to the residence. Onlookers observe as police assume control of the scene. - KT photo

Michael Nattoo – Staff Reporter

Police-mounted roadblocks, multiple vehicles destroyed in a car chase, and men firing high-powered weapons at the police from an out-of-control Freightliner truck may all sound like parts of an action-packed Hollywood script, but it is the sum of events that led to the arrest of four men on drug-related charges, after they were chased along the Water Wheel main road, Cave district, Westmoreland, last Tuesday.

In that dramatic anti-narcotics operation, the police seized 1,300 pounds of compressed ganja, which was divided into 170 parcels of the illicit drug.

HOT PURSUIT

About 1:40 p.m., according to reports, a Freightliner truck, which was suspected to have been carrying the illegal drug, was signaled by the lawmen to stop.

Ignoring the commands of the lawmen, the truck sped off, which resulted in a dangerous high speed chase on the busy roadways. The hot pursuit of the lawmen was kicked into high gear when, in an attempt to slow down the rampaging truck, a roadblock was mounted by officers who responded to the urgent situation. Almost immediately, however, men aboard the speeding truck unveiled high-powered weapons, and opened fire on the supporting lawmen, who luckily escaped that ordeal unharmed.

Other officers, however, who were in a Toyota Voxy motorcar, were not as lucky, as their vehicle was rammed into by the truck, after the driver began using it as a weapon by attempting to mow down the officers, according to reports. Those lives would not be the only ones endangered by the reckless driving as, in another attempt to elude the lawmen, the truck crashed into an Isuzu motor truck, significantly injuring its occupants. The truck then crashed into another vehicle – a Toyota Camry motorcar.

It finally came to a halt after running into a perimeter fence. Its occupants, however, were not done trying to escape.

The driver of the truck, in addition to three occupants, quickly exited the completely totaled vehicle, and began another episode of cat-and-mouse. They were ultimately chased and caught by the lawmen, and were taken into custody. Their identities are being withheld pending further investigations.

A search of the truck revealed the exorbitant amount of ganja, disclosed earlier, that was on board.

Western Gala to rival Kingston’s

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IT’S OFFICIAL: Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, Olivia Grange (centre) and Custos Conrad Pitkin (right) applause, while Mayor Homer Davis’ smile of approval signals the official unveiling of the JCDC –St. James Emancipation/Independence Celebration 2019 Activities Board. The unveiling took place last Thursday at a civic ceremony held in Sam Sharpe Square. – Phillip Green photo

Some 12 million dollars will be spent this year to stage the inaugural Western Gala in observance of Emancipation and Independence celebrations.

The activities, set to rival those in Kingston will mark the commencement of the inaugural Western Gala, which will expand to become an annual occurrence, not unlike the grand gala held in Kingston annually.

The joint Emancipation/Independence celebrations, slated for the western region of Jamaica, were launched officially on Thursday, July 25, at a ceremony held in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay.

The ceremony preceded the announcement of the sequence of activities slated for the Western Jamaica celebrations. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, Oliva Grange, outlined the sequence of events that will occur, beginning with the vigil on July 31. First on the agenda is an event for Wednesday, July 31, which is an emancipation parish vigil commencing at 8 p.m. in the Sam Sharpe Square. On Thursday, August 1, a kiddies’ village will be held at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex at 10 a.m.

On Friday, August 2, a culture talks special, featuring drummers will occur and the kiddies’ village will continue. A gospel fest commencing at 7 p.m. will also occur on that day. On Sunday, August 4, an Independence Thanksgiving service will be held in the Bethel Baptist Church located in Chatham, St. James. The Western Gala will also occur later that day. On Tuesday, August 6, an Independence Civic Ceremony will be held and an Independence float parade will also be on display. 

Minister Grange asserted that this inaugural staging of the Western Gala will be the start of many to come, and was emphatic in her declaration of the importance of expanding the annual Emancipation/Independence celebrations to Western Jamaica. “I’m delighted to be here with you in Montego Bay tonight to launch the Western Independence Village and the Western Gala. We have heard it said so often that Kingston is not Jamaica and we know this is true. That is why we are leading by example and ensuring our citizens in Western Jamaica are able to enjoy the best of Jamaican culture, just as the folks in Kingston do.”

ADEQUATE FUNDING

The government has allocated $10 million under its auspices to the successful staging of the Western Gala. An additional $2 million donation came from the Minister of National Security, Horace Chang. This $12 million endowment was entirely dedicated to the Western Gala and Minister Grange was adamant that the funding opportunities provided are sufficient to launch the celebrations.

“Indeed, Western Jamaica has produced some great cultural icons. The theme for celebrations this year—our 57th year of Independence—is “One Nation, One People” and it speaks to the diversity in our country. To add to that, our fashion theme is roots and culture. This means that for Independence, you can dress up in whatever you consider your roots and culture,” Grange added. “The government of Jamaica has committed to spending 12 million dollars to make the Western Gala spectacular, through the kind contribution of 2 million dollars from Dr. Horace Chang and 10 million dollars from the government.”

The gospel festival and other events slated for the Western Gala will feature a lineup of several sterling recording artistes. The likes of Eric Donaldson, Chi Ching Ching, Professor Nuts, Ernie Smith, Luciano and more, will display their talents during the gala. This is all part of the government’s effort to promote inclusivity and expand the scope of operations from the Corporate Area.

“We will have, for the first time, a fantastic fireworks display. We believe that Western Jamaica is worthy of this level of attention, of having your own celebrations,” Grange affirmed.

Rashaun Stewart – Summer Intern

Rastas cry foul

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Changa Changa

Michael Nattoo – Staff Reporter

When Robert Lee Young, more popularly known as Changa Changa, shows up to court today, he is not only expected to be fully decked out in his usual banana balk fashion wear (despite being warned against wearing such), but he will also be backed by a number of Rastafarian protesters, who have recently petitioned and demanded that all charges against him – assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest – be dropped.

Changa Changa was, on Friday, July 12, 2019, walking along a section of Kent Avenue in Montego Bay, when he was approached by two police officers. In an earlier report, the Western Mirror revealed the circumstances under which the entertainer, who has been so known for over 40 years, got caught in a tangle with the law. According to the report, “Changa Changa was asked for a search by one of the officers, to which he obliged. He was further asked to declare whether or not he had any illegal items or substances on him, which he denied. The lawmen’s search, according to Changa Changa, turned up nothing illegal. At that point, he was asked for a strip search, which he passionately refused.”

In his words, Changa Changa claimed that he was manhandled by the police, who sought to “make a mockery” of him. He was taken to the Barnett Street Police Station, where he was charged for assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest. The former Herbert Morrison Technical High School student was also warned that his court appearance dress code had to conform to “normal” attire – a seemingly impossible request for Changa Changa, who has, for the past 40 years, donned his banana balk-fashioned clothing. He disclosed he has no intention of wearing “normal” attire.

CORAL GARDENS BENEVOLENT SOCIETY GETS INVOLVED

Following the series of events that led to Changa Changa’s arrest and the subsequent charges placed against him, the ever-active Coral Gardens Benevolent Society (CGBS) added its voice to the mix, and has made several bold demands. In a statement to the Western Mirror, the CBGS shared: “The action of the police in this case is a stark reminder of the human rights abuses that were meted out to members of the Rastafari community during the State-sponsored atrocities of 1963. Rastafari Coral Gardens Benevolent Society has been at the forefront advocating for such atrocities to stop and that the constitutional rights of members of the Rastafari community be respected by agents of the State.”

The CGBS then disclosed its demands, foremost among which is that all charges be dropped against the entertainer. The Society outlined that: “1) All charges be dropped against Robert Lee Young, aka Changa Changa. 2) Targeting, searching, arresting and detaining Rastafari individuals must stop. 3) State and society prejudices, discrimination and harassment of members of the Rastafari community, especially by police, must stop. 4) Police stop regarding and portraying Rastafari as criminals.” The demands ended with the Society calling for the sovereign rights of members of the Rastafari community be acknowledged, as is currently the case with the United Nations.

Amidst the demands, it was also revealed to the Western Mirror that a number of Rastafarians will be showing up to court today in solidarity with their brother, Changa Changa, and will be reinforcing their demands.

When the incident was first reported, Changa Changa disclosed that, “I don’t sell drugs and I don’t pimp the tourists. The police want to make a mockery out of me. Everybody know me as a entertainer, and I’m not no wrongdoer.” He was granted bail in the sum of $30,000. Charles Sinclair Jr. is expected to represent him.

Gunmen take off with $25M

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Barrington Flemming – Staff Reporter

The Trelawny Police have enlisted the support of the Counter Terrorism and Organized Crime Division, as they step up their probe into the armed robbery of $25 million dollars from a group of subcontractors at Emancipation Drive, Duncan Hills, Trelawny, last Thursday, July 25.

Superintendent Kirk Ricketts, in charge of Trelawny police, said while it is early days yet, they have made some progress in the case.

Reports indicate that the sub-contractors, who are part of a team working on the Ocean Coral Spring Hotel site, went to the bank where they withdrew the cash intended for the payroll of the workers on the construction site.

 It was while the men were at a house at Emancipation Drive, Duncans Hill, that four men gained entry to the house about 11p.m. and demanded that they hand over the money bag.

The gunmen, it is reported, tied up and beat the men, inflicting wounds to their upper body, before making good their escape with the bag of money. 

Trelawny’s top cop said the major heist is cause for concern among law enforcers as the money could be used to further fuel criminal activities, in and around the parish. 

“It is of great concern to the police that such a large sum of cash is now into the hands of the criminal underworld. Inadvertently, it will be used to fund nefarious activities,” he said.

He also issued an appeal to business operators and other persons handling large sums of money to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves.

“So, we are saying to business operators, sub-contractors or other persons who are entrusted with and have to move around large sums of cash and you are going to be vulnerable, that you seek the services of a private security company or seek the assistance of the police,” Superintendent Rickets said.

itelbpo invests in career advancement of agents

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New Customer Experience Coach Brian Milton (left), from itelbpo Montego Bay, accepts his certificate of excellence from Customer Experience Manager, Ricardo Neil, recently, for his high performance in the itelbpo Jr Quality Analyst programme held between March and May this year

Up to 2018 the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry contributed $1.7 billion to Jamaica’s economy and employed some 32,000 people. While a majority of employees in the industry are customer service or sales agents, others have been able to successfully advance along career paths that lead to managerial and support roles.

At itelbpo, the possibility of advancing from an agent to operations supervisor, or trainer, or quality analyst is not left to chance. Rather, it is a carefully curated process, known as career mapping, in which agents are invited to participate and take advantage of opportunities for online and peer-to-peer training.

“Our learning paths are a combination of e-learning modules which are self-paced and instructor-led classes that are created by itel SMART Academy,” itelbpo’s head of training & development, Shurland Buchanan, recently disclosed.

“We also have peer-to-peer training embedded in the learning path, which is feedback from people who graduated from the programme and believe it has added value to them,” he added.

Buchanan, also the head of the BPO’s training arm, itel Smart Academy, explained that in order to successfully navigate any learning path, agents must be willing to “subscribe” to the curriculum and work alongside a mentor. In fact, among the training paths offered, he informed that the two most prominent are the Jr Quality Analyst (QA) and Jr Trainer programmes.

Describing the Jr QA programme, the head trainer said it is a combination of compliance, data analysis and coaching. “It’s the most intense because it’s a well-rounded programme that is the starting point for people to hone their skills, and from there some have even segued into other learning paths.”

Lasting about six weeks, the last installation of the Jr QA programme took place between March and May earlier this year. Over 200 agents applied with 130 being shortlisted. Of that number, three participants in Freeport, Grand Bahama — Davinia Armbrister, Sheena Lightbourne, Shannon Porter — were promoted on July1 to customer experience coaches, a title which replaces quality analysts.

TOP PERFORMER

Brian Milton, the top performer from itelbpo Montego Bay, has also been promoted to being a customer experience coach.

“This year’s Jr QA programme has truly been an enlightening, exhilarating and self-fulfilling

experience,” Milton said of the training. “The opening stage proved to be both helpful and insightful, as it introduced me to the various quality management systems and the skills required for the role of a QA. I would therefore recommend the Jr QA programme to anyone as it was a very thorough and fulfilling experience, and when I was promoted, the role was nothing new as I was already provided with all the skills, I needed to be successful.”

Individuals who have graduated the Jr QA programme can subsequently transition to training for customer experience supervisor and customer experience manager.

Like the Jr QA programme, the Jr Trainer curriculum marks the start of a three-tiered career path which also includes Sr Trainer and Training Manager. Also, a six-week training, the programme received over 90 applications, with only one candidate, Monekelya Sommerville from itelbpo Montego, being promoted to an open Jr Trainer position.

Sommervile expressed satisfaction with the programme, though admitting that at first, she was sceptical, and today proudly boasts being named as a member of the training and development team. 

Speaking on the demands of the Jr Trainer programme, Buchanan stated: “For the trainer role, you are responsible for the trainees’ success, so it’s going to require a little bit more assertiveness, which some people don’t have, to exercise class control. So, all the skills you have acquired as a coach, you now have to use to lead a cohort.”

The head of training revealed that itelbpo is currently revising its learning paths with a view to add more training for support roles in the People Success, Operations, and Workforce Management departments.

Asked if the knowledge gained from these trainings can be transferred to other companies and industries, Buchanan quipped, “It is knowledge gained that cannot be taken away.”

Distin heading to Texas A and M

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Lamara Distin, draped in the National flag

Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts

The flurry of Western student athletes leaving the comforts of home continues with jumper, Lamara Distin, the latest name to be added to the growing list.

Nineteen-year-old Distin, who started out participating in sporting events while at Corinaldi Avenue Primary, is jetting off to Texas A and M University, in Texas, USA,  where she has inked a 4-year scholarship which will see her majoring in Sports Management and Business.

Distin, who describes herself as jovial, but very shy, revealed that a number of other high-profiled universities, with lots of Jamaican acquaintances, courted her – namely Louisiana State, Florida State, the University of Texas, IOWA and Oklohoma, among others, but disclosed that she chose Texas A and M because of its rich history.

“It (Texas A and M) is well-known for its academics and prestigious programmes,” she noted, it has a great environment. “It’s a beautiful place and has my major, something many of the others don’t, so my choice was pretty simple.”

“They may not have the best jump programmes, but I know with the help of coaches and my drive and passion to excel, I will do well and make my mark,” she added.  

Distin, who’s a firm believer in the works of the Almighty, says she is confident all will go well as “with God, all things are possible”.

The university is among the ten largest in the US and Distin is looking forward to making her mark and leaving a legacy where so many other Jamaican athletes have gone and excelled.

HANOVER-GROWN

The soft-spoken, Distin who hails from the quiet parish of Hanover, told the Western Mirror she was born at the now crippled Cornwall Regional Hospital, but spent her early years in Hopewell.

Much-travelled for her years, Distin has been to three high schools since departing Corinaldi.

She spent three years at Rusea’s High in Hanover, before leaving for Vere Technical where she did another two, and then the final stop at Hydel, where she says she has “gained a wealth of valuable knowledge and experience that will take her through a lifetime”.

The lanky athlete, who declared sports has always been a passion of hers from an early age, has gained several spots on National Youth teams, gained her first call at the national level, at age 14 when she travelled to the CARIFTA GAMES held in Martinique.

There, Distin opened her National youth medal count winning the team’s first gold medal. She has won an overall four between 2015 and 2018.

She has also represented the country at the World Under-20, where she was ranked amongst the 12 best in the world.

The Pan American Junior Under-20 Games in Costa Rica was another of her tournaments last year where she bagged a silver medal.

She has also won several medals at the ISSA Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships held annually at the National Stadium and capped last year, her final appearance, with a record performance in the High Jump, clearing the bar at 1.87 metres.

She was also first in the Triple Jump, cutting the sand at 13.37 metres.

A stand-out amongst her peers largely because of her height, Distin says making National teams over the years has impacted her life, exposing her to the outer world and allowing her to compete with the best in the world.

“My best year so far was my final at high school where I left a mark. Why am I so satisfied with it? I broke a record and it’s always something I wanted to do at Champs – break a record.”

Distin, who is scheduled to leave the island in early August, is the latest set to depart for an overseas scholarship.

Just last week, news came that Leacroft Lettman, formerly of Cornwall College and St. George’s College, is also down for departure, after he signed a 4-year academic and soccer gold scholarship with Maine University.

Lettman, also 19, will carry out studies in attaining a Bachelors of Science in Nursing.

Four blind women, one act of Kindness

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The four blind women – The four members of the Baker family who are blind – (L-R) Venicia Baker, Virris Lynch (mother), Shanell Baker and Vanessa Baker. Here, they sit in their yard of the Crowder, Westmoreland home.

Alan Lewin/Michael Nattoo

Last year, a family in Crowder district, Westmoreland, was thrust into the national spotlight after a mysterious phenomenon saw a mother and her three daughters all losing their sights. Despite the national attention, the family was still left to fend for itself in heartbreaking fashion, stumbling their way through their new realities, until last Thursday, July 25.

Dave Brown, who was born in that community but migrated to Canada while he was still young, caught wind of the situation and was moved with compassion. Through tears, Brown set out on a mission to lighten the burden for the bewildered family, and reached out to several of his church members and coworkers for help.

The home of the Baker family

That collective effort amounted to last Thursday being one of the most memorable for the four women in a while, with a barrel of goodies – to include food items such as flour, cornmeal, cooking oil, cornflakes, Ensure drinks, among others – being delivered to their home by Brown.

Derrick Baker, father of the three daughters, had to bear the sole responsibility of caring for the entire family. And with no steady source of income, Baker was beyond relieved when Brown gifted the family some much-needed funds to help with their expenses. Despite the gifts, however, Brown’s visit revealed that there was much more to be done to assist the family.

Dave Brown, along with his team of good Samaritans, present food items to members of the Baker family.

“I am appealing to carpenters, plumbers, masons, handymen and any other person who is in a position to make this family’s life more comfortable,” Brown shared. He went on: “They need materials such as building blocks, boards, cement, sand, stone, steel, more food stuff, as well as furniture and a number of other things.”

Brown’s plea for those items came against the backdrop of realizing that despite the family living in a home together, their conditions, as well as the lack of resources, have contributed to the house being somewhat in a state of disrepair. “Whatever they can give to help this family will be greatly appreciated,” Brown added. “I took a walk inside their house and I can tell you that they really need the help.”

Amidst Brown’s pleas for additional assistance for the family, other visitors poured out well-needed items to the family, as curious community members watched the grand show of kindness.

Brown’s efforts were assisted by youth club community member, Knollis Johnson, among others.

GRATEFUL

“I want to thank you all for this kind deed. We need all the help we can get from all the world, because all four of us are blind,” shared Venicia Baker, one of the sisters who lost her sight two years ago – around the same time as her mother, Viris Lynch. The others – Vanessa Baker, who lost her sight 10 years ago, Shanell Baker, who lost hers four years ago, and the mother, along with two brothers who were there at the time of Brown’s visit, were just as grateful.

Venicia further shared that they are still in the process of seeking medical help. “We are trying to get help from any doctor who may be able to restore our sights. We went to Montego Bay to meet with a foreign doctor, who diagnosed us with glaucoma. Right now, we’re just going to have to wait,” she said.

For the two brothers, Derrick and Errol Jr., who were present, they made their case for having someone buy them a bike that they can use to assist the family. “If we get a bike, we can run bike taxi in the area so that we can assist with food and money on a weekly basis,” they shared.

Cambridge take lead

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YOOW! HOW YOU DO THAT? Ajay Dixon of Heights is left frozen on the spot as he admires the one time take of his Cambridge opponent, Okennon Allen, during the two’s showdown in the St. James FA Sandals Resorts International Under-20 match at UDC play field.

Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts

Cambridge are the new leaders of the St. James FA Sandals Resorts International Under-20 competition after a third win, while Bogue pulled off a stunner,and Montego Bay Boys’ and Girls’ Club (MBBGC) climbed to nine points following Monday’s round of games.

Cambridge rushed to the top of the standings by a single point, amassing 10, after a third victory in four matches, slamming West Green 3-1 in a lopsided showdown at West Green.

Okeen Allen sent the fancy-playing Cambridge ahead after 9minutes, but they were pegged back minutes in, before Alex Humphrey and Rainnor Barnes made the points safe with strikes in the 24th and 84th minutes.

John Marc Myrie, with an equalizer in the 12th minute, had given West Green a glimmer of hope.

Meanwhile,the versatile Matthew Thorpe, who is set to leave for the United States on a scholarship late next  month (August), found a powerful header minutes from full time to propel MBBGC to a struggling 1-0 win over a tottering Heights at the UDC field.

After several missed chances and huffs by the star-studded MBBGC, Thorpe, operating on the wing, arrived unchallenged at the back post to send home a well-guided header into the back of the net, getting on the end of a weighted delivery from Shavon McDonald.

Heights too had their moments in the contest, forcing three good saves from the opposing goalkeeper.

One tipped over the bar from a free kick, another directed around the corner by a flying save and another stopped at the front post, on its way in from shots on the run just outside the 18-yard box. 

The unimpressive victory by the Boys’ Club team lifted them to joint 9 points with disposed first place occupiers, Flanker, but below on goal difference.

SHOCK RESULT

Elsewhere,the prolific Sanjay Patterson, Philip Eubanks and Michael Williams, the last two a minute apart, all found the back of the net as unfancied Bogue pulled off a stunner, stinging the highly touted and previously undefeated Flanker United in a five-goal thriller (3-2).

Bogue, with what was their first win of the season after two straight draws, stayed fourth but improved their points tally to five, while Flanker, entering the showdown occupying top spot, slipped to second following the defeat.

West Green were also in winning form and ticked off their first, slamming rock bottom club, Norwood FC, 4-0.

Rojae Edwards found the opener 16 minutes in, as West Green held a slender 1-0 lead at the halftime break.

Roqqayne Thompson, Anthony France and Antonio Kerr in the 51st, 59th and 81st minutes respectively, added the others as they completed the victory charge.

Montego Bay United, yet to tick off a win, come head on with Bogue later today, Wednesday, July 24, at the UDC field beginning at 3 p.m.

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