Caribbean News
JAMAICA: We Must Learn From Our Ancestors – Vivian Crawford
#Kingston, August 7, 2018 – Jamaica – As Jamaica marks 184 years since Emancipation and the 56th anniversary of Independence, Executive 
Director of the Institute of Jamaica (IoJ), Vivian Crawford, is highlighting the need for greater focus on the country’s rich heritage. He points out that there are important lessons to learn from how the ancestors lived and conducted themselves, including the social norms and values, which, he notes, have relevance for society today.
“We should know where we are coming from. It is important to visit the heritage sites and learn about those who were before us and who handed the baton to us,” he tells JIS NEWS.
He notes, for example, that there is a lot to learn from the setting up of the free villages shortly after emancipation in 1834.
The first of these societies was established in Sligoville, St. Catherine, with others developed in Sturge Town, St. Ann; Bethel Town, Westmoreland; Mount Carey, St. James and Islington, St. Mary.
“The free village concept was established by the former slaves through support from missionaries for what (noted Jamaican writer) Olive Senior calls ‘social reconstruction’,” Mr. Crawford points out.
“This is important. Because of the pride of these people they did not want to be squatters. They wanted a structure in which they could raise their families. Emancipation was forced on the planters; they were compensated, but the 311,000 former enslaved had nothing. They were driven off the plantation and the planters hoped that they would be forced to return but their pride said ‘no’,” he notes.
Mr. Crawford says the free villages made a significant impact on Jamaican culture as it was through these societies that people learnt how to live and grow in a community.
“There was community pride and people knew their history and where they were coming from,” he says. “There was the concept that we are proud, we are free and we must behave in a certain way. It highlighted the role of the church, the role of the school, the role of the entire community, which took care of you and that was passed down from generation to generation,” he adds.
Mr. Crawford tells JIS NEWS that one feature of Jamaica during the period after Emancipation was the lack of crime and violence in the society. In 
fact, he says, when the new Governor Sir Charles Metcalfe arrived in 1839, he noted that “the generally tranquil state of the country, without any police, is strong proof of the present peaceful disposition of the inhabitants.”
Mr. Crawford laments that “we who have benefited from education, we who have benefitted from many opportunities, cannot say the same.”
“We need to embrace the history and tell these stories to our people, particularly our young people, who would want to misbehave that no; the people before us didn’t operate like that,” he says. “There was a level of social control… when you talk about values and attitudes those things were there in the home, in the church and in the wider society. This is a signal for us to return to the values that maintained the free villages…people are to know that after Emancipation we didn’t have any police until 1866,” he says.
Mr. Crawford is urging greater pride in self and the country’s rich culture, which is recognised worldwide.
By: Rochelle Williams
Release: JIS
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
“Founded on the principles of Unity, sisterhood and community service,” is how Alicia Swann, One Nation TCI Founder, and President, describes the organization as it gears up for its inaugural showing, to be marked by a pageant and parade of nations, family fun day and cultural show.
When Magnetic Media spoke to Swann she explained the inspiration behind the name.
“The reason why we chose ‘One Nation’ was because we wanted to ensure that all of our beautiful ladies within the Turks and Caicos feel as if they are a part of our society. Speaking with the ladies I’ve gotten the opinion that a lot of them feel as if they are in our country but they don’t actually feel fully a part of it,” she explained. With constants whose heritages span the DR and TCI, TC-Trinidadians and more the contest is showcasing the rich and diverse culture of the country.
At least two contestants flew in from the UK and the US to participate in the pageant and the event is not just an array of pretty girls.
“We’ve taken the aspects of pageantry to another level, the young ladies have a platform based on our pillars of the organization which include education and mental health,” Swann continued “We wanted to ensure that they understand the value and importance of having a role and voice in society.” 
The contestants were all allowed to choose an area to speak on and advocate for, and the President told Magnetic Media that so far the young women are taking the challenge seriously. There are 10 contestants overall, five in the ‘Miss’ category and five in the ‘Teen’ category.
The pageant is already receiving regional recognition as the eventual winner has been invited to take part in a regional pageant in St Kitts in August, a feat which Swann says she is extremely proud of.
In addition to that event a cultural showing, family fun day and parade of nations will be held.
“We will be honoring people from across the Turks and Caicos, out of every island, for their lifetime achievement in terms of giving back to their society. The persons being honoured are unsung heroes. They have been active in their communities in various roles and we felt the need to recognize all of them.” Swann explained.
The Founder didn’t share the names of those being honoured, preferring to leave it a surprise but did drop hints about who would be highlighted during the event; a smiling clinic nurse in South Caicos, a Grand Turk Taxi driver committed to the island’s development, a dedicated principal from North Caicos, a shipping pioneer from North Caicos as well and a creative founder from Providenciales.
“Our company is huge on ensuring that the community is involved and a part of doing that is ensuring that persons in the community are honoured,” the president said.
Several sponsors have stepped up to the plate including
No monetary support has come from TCIG but endorsements from both Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, and Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism, have been shared and the girls are currently undergoing intense training with a pageant coach in preparation for their big night.
Swann is hoping that once the community has a chance to see what One Nation TCI is doing they’ll understand the importance of the events,
“We are a diverse culture and society and– we want people to understand the importance of diversity, supporting our young ladies and empowering them so they can see they have a role in the Turks and Caicos– The more we offer our young ladies [the more] we are able to retain that talent. Once they feel empowered the sky’s the limit.”
The Pageant and Crowning will be on the 25 and 26th of April while the parade and family fun day will be held on the 27th.
Caribbean News
Agriculture Ministry Providing Two Water Trucks to Serve St. Elizabeth and St. Catherine
#Kingston, Jamaica, April 24, 2024 – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is to unveil two more water trucks this week, which will be used to service communities in St. Elizabeth and St. Catherine.
Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, made the disclosure during Wednesday’s (April 24) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
He also informed that of the $90 million earmarked to support farmers being impacted by the current drought, the Ministry will be
providing additional support for storage and drip-irrigation systems.
“So, we have targeted about 600 water tanks and about 400 12-millimetre drip irrigation hoses, and that distribution has already started. Additionally, we have earmarked about $8 million to really help with our livestock farmers,” Mr. Green said.
“We know the difficulty that you’re facing now in this time; [it’s] very hard to get the right nutritional support for your animals. As such, we will be providing some hay, and we will [also] provide some trucking of water to you. Again, our livestock farmers, if you are in need, please contact the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and let us see how we can help in these times,” he further stated.
Mr. Green also encouraged farmers to download the RADA App, so that the Agency can “help guide you, not only in relation to what is happening on the rainfall side, but also in relation to your integrated pest management”.
“We do see some increases of certain types of pests during this time, and it’s important that our farmers are paying attention to that. It’s also important that you’re taking drought management seriously [by undertaking] soil mulching, looking at planting drought-tolerant crops, timely harvesting, implementing land husbandry treatments and contour ditches,” he stated.
Contact: Latonya Linton
Release: JIS
Photo Caption: Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, speaking during Wednesday’s (April 24) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
Donald De La Haye Photo
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