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Jamaica to Strengthen Technical Co-Operation with Rwanda

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#Kingston, April 16, 2022 – Jamaica is to strengthen its technical cooperation with the Republic of Rwanda in several fields, including culture, information and communications technology (ICT), health, tourism and sport.

This was disclosed by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, in his address at a joint sitting of the Houses of Parliament on Thursday (April 14), which was held as part of activities for the three-day State visit of the President of the Republic of Rwanda, His Excellency Paul Kagame.

“We congratulate and admire Rwanda for its many milestone achievements over the past 28 years, and we believe that there is much for us to share and learn from each other,” the Prime Minister said.

Mr. Holness said the country is also looking forward to advancing both States’ economic relations through increased trade and investment prospects, particularly as it relates to logistics, special economic zones, agriculture and manufacturing.

“I also welcome the other occasions and events during this visit that will allow for us to share views and opinions on a variety of global and local issues,” he said.

Mr. Holness noted that Jamaica and Rwanda have forged a collaborative partnership since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1998, and that the Rwandan President’s visit is a great opportunity to deepen both countries’ collaboration at the bilateral level and maximise the level of engagement.

“Indeed, the Jamaica/Rwanda relationship is one of kinship, and so we hope to continue to deepen our friendship, in keeping with my Administration’s goal to strengthen engagement with the African continent,” he said.

The Prime Minister stressed that Rwanda is a powerhouse of socio-economic development and advancement, and, like Jamaica, has a level of influence and impact that far surpasses its geographical size.

“Rwanda has overcome unimaginable challenges and it now embraces its rightful place in regional and global leadership. Rwanda’s rise and its status as one of Africa’s fastest growing economies has been achieved under President Kagame’s able leadership, steady guidance, built upon his fight for the country’s liberation,” he said.

Mr. Holness noted that Rwanda is now a model of the true spirit of “umuganda” – the coming together in a common purpose to achieve an outcome – adding that Rwanda is also a practical voice for environmental management and innovation and stands as a shining example in its empowerment of women and girls.

In his address, President Kagame congratulated the country on the launch of its celebrations last evening marking the 60th Anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence, which he said, was “a fitting tribute to the enormous progress Jamaica has made”.

“Independence is a date in history, but it is also a mindset. The power of an anniversary comes from the opportunity to remind a new generation of the struggles that came before. Even more important is upholding the spirit of self-reliance needed to sustain and deepen what has been accomplished in the time since,” he said.

The Rwandan President also expressed the desire to strengthen ties with Jamaica, noting that several Jamaican professionals residing in Rwanda have been making meaningful contributions to the African continent.

“As Rwanda, we are also keen to cooperate with Jamaica much more closely and share experiences in trade and investment, as well as national unity and citizen development. Let’s exchange with each other directly and, thereby, honour the history that joins us, and make it a potent force for practical cooperation in the modern world,” he said.

Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Marisa Dalrymple Philibert; and President of the Senate, Senator the Hon. Tom Tavares-Finson, also welcomed President Kagame in their remarks.

President Kagame’s visit is intended to deepen bilateral relations between Jamaica and Rwanda. He has the distinction of being the first Rwandan Head of State to visit Jamaica.

 

Contact: Alecia Smith

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13 Guadeloupean Students Visit Dominica to Deepen Understanding of Kalinago History and Culture

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Roseau, Dominica – Thirteen second-year high school students from Maison Familiale Rurale Education Orientation Lamentin (MFR Lamentin) in Guadeloupe have arrived in Dominica for a five-day educational exchange focused on the Kalinago people—Dominica’s Indigenous community. The initiative forms part of their Caribbean history curriculum and aims to foster deeper understanding and appreciation of the region’s rich and often overlooked Indigenous heritage.

This immersive experience, coordinated by Black Island Girl Multimedia, is designed to educate students on the Kalinago people’s contributions, traditions, and resilience, both past and present. By bringing students directly into contact with the Kalinago Territory, this program seeks to reshape the way Caribbean history is taught, centering authentic narratives and challenging historically inaccurate portrayals.

During their stay, students will engage with several cultural leaders including:

  • Anette Sanford, Dominica’s first female Kalinago Chief
  • Cozier Frederick, Minister for Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment, and Constituency Empowerment
  • Earlson Matthew, Chief Cultural Officer of Dominica

The itinerary also includes serval heritage sites and cultural experiences. They will participate in a traditional Kalinago naming ceremony, culinary experiences with locally made cassava and other traditional foods, and visits to historical and natural landmarks such as the Indian River, Fort Shirley, and Titou Gorge.

Educators from MFR Lamentin have extended a heartfelt invitation to members of the Kalinago community and cultural experts to meet with the visiting students. “We would be honoured if you could spare some time to engage with our students and share your perspectives on the significance of the Kalinago civilization in both historical and contemporary contexts,” said Mahailiah Mellow, teacher and development officer from the delegation. “Your expertise and leadership would greatly enrich the students’ understanding and appreciation of this vibrant and enduring culture.”

This exchange not only represents a powerful educational moment but also contributes to the ongoing efforts to preserve and promote Kalinago heritage across the Caribbean.

Black Island Girl Multimedia is a media and communications company founded by Jael Joseph, a Dominican-Canadian journalist, media producer, and cultural storyteller. The company is dedicated to amplifying underrepresented Caribbean voices, reshaping narratives around Caribbean identity, and telling stories that center Black and Indigenous perspectives particularly those often excluded from mainstream historical accounts.

Black Island Girl Multimedia focuses on:

  • Documentary production and multimedia storytelling; “Territory”, a documentary on the Kalinago people won Best Short Doc in 2023 at The Caribbean Tales International Film Festival in Canada.
  • Cultural preservation through digital media, podcasting, and live events
  • Education and advocacy, especially around Caribbean history, heritage, and the experiences of women, migrants, and Indigenous peoples
  • Event partnerships that align with social justice, cultural upliftment, and regional empowerment

The name “Black Island Girl” is both a declaration of identity and a mission: to represent the richness, resilience, and reality of Caribbean life through creative media rooted in truth and lived experience.

For Interviews, media contact:
ACEM By Jael Inc.
Email: jael.joseph@gmail.com
Phone: 767 277-3699 / 614 1770

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Cabinet Approves Unemployment Insurance Benefit for NIS Contributors

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Kingston, Jamaica, May 17, 2025 – Cabinet has approved the introduction of the unemployment insurance benefit, which will be added to the suite of provisions under the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

The new benefit will serve as a guaranteed safety net for all employees who contribute to the NIS, except for self-employed persons.

Additionally, work is under way to establish the requisite legal and institutional frameworks to implement this important national support system.

“One of the key lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic is the urgent need for a system that supports workers who lose their jobs, helping them to remain financially stable while seeking re-employment,” Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said during his 2025/26 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 13).

Meanwhile, the Government has taken a decisive step to strengthen the nation’s social security framework by implementing the Social Protection for Increased Resilience and Opportunity (SPIRO), a US$20-million initiative supported by the World Bank.

Mr. Charles Jr. noted that SPIRO, which was launched last year, represents a transformative shift in social governance, with three strategic pillars – the creation of a unified Social Protection Information System (SPIS), supporting the introduction of unemployment insurance, and modernising of the Labour Market Information System (LMIS).

“The project is already generating impact through comprehensive assessments led by expert consultants, aimed at overhauling labour market services,” he stated.

The Minister further indicated that there will be upgrades to the Electronic Labour Exchange (ELE) and LMIS, which will enhance the digital infrastructure for employment services.

 

CONTACT: LATONYA LINTON

Release: JIS

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A cut above the rest, Maria Cash Williams, BTC’s lead butcher shares her journey

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: How did a young girl from a small Caribbean island grow into a skilled butcher and a leader in one of the most cutting-edge hospitality teams in the Turks and Caicos Islands?

This is the remarkable story of a woman who, for over a decade, has mastered her craft in a field traditionally dominated by men—transforming raw cuts into culinary art. With precision and passion, Maria Cash Williams has carved a path of her own as a respected kitchen supervisor in the butcher shop at Beaches Turks and Caicos.

Williams was employed at the leading family resort for more than 18 years. Her journey in the hospitality industry at Beaches Turks and Caicos started in 1995 at the then Royal Bay Resort as a cook. Due to a loss within the family Maria took a hiatus in 2013 to focus on her family and herself.

She rejoined the Beaches team in 2022. “One of my most difficult periods was when I lost my husband and decided to take a break to focus on providing emotional and physical support for the rest of my family. This period gave me a chance to task myself to rise above every obstacle. I’m happy for the continued support that I have received from friends and family,” Maria shared.

When asked what she loves most about her job, according to Maria, “I adore the motivation my profession gives me to improve my skills daily. While I’m passionate about growth, I also enjoy assisting my team members in enhancing their abilities. I also have a profound desire for  butchery because it allows me to be creative in how I prepare meat for guests’ consumption,” Maria said.

She also indicated that her passion for the field developed as she managed the butcher shop for more than 10 years.

Maria furthered her education through the Sandals Corporate University (SCU) where she completed a total of 10 certifications including Certified Hospitality Supervisor, Train the Trainer, Safe Surf and Customer Service. Some of the leaders who have had the most profound impact on Maria since she started working at BTC are Collin Watson, former executive chef, for the way he molded her into who she is today and a former manager Caston Carr who also encouraged her to never settle for less as he constantly reminds her that she is capable of achieving anything she puts her mind to.

“The qualities that Mr. Carr embraces and demonstrates as a manager, seeing that from a supervisor’s stand point is what encourages me every day to improve my abilities which shows in the work that I produce. I would say Mr. Carr was a mentor to me, someone I can go to for guidance, and to get clarity on whatever I found to be unclear,” Maria noted.

“She’s an outstanding role model who leads by example and brings her best to work each and every day. Maria is dependable and a committed team player whose passion for the industry helps in creating a healthy working environment,” shared Executive Chef Craig Nazareth.

Lawrence Haye, cook in the banqueting unit added, “the quality of Maria’s work can be seen in everything that she does. She is a mentor to the culinary team in the kitchen and around the resort. She’s approachable and sports a smile at all times. She is truly a gem.”

Maria noted, “my most memorable experience at BTC was meeting my new team members and getting to know their cultural backgrounds, and helping to enhance their present skills.”
She shared that if she wasn’t working as a kitchen supervisor she would be working as a bartender since she started out working at the bar in the early 1980’s.

When asked what she loves to do in her leisure time, Maria highlighted that she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, listening to music and relaxing with a cold drink while watching her favourite television shows. If she had one day to live she would spend it by giving God thanks and enjoying quality time with her children and grandchildren, whom she loves dearly. Maria describes herself as a bubbly person; someone who is funny, joyous and high spirited.

Maria Cash Williams, a veteran in the hospitality field of butchery, still enjoys what she considers to be her first love.

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