This column has always supported the call for the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to be our final appellate court and Jamaica to become a republic after decades-long talk.

As we embarked on the ‘Jamaica Road to Republic’ project, both of our political parties participated in meetings with the Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC); however, there is now dissonance despite assurances from Legal and Constitutional Affairs Minister Marlene Malahoo Forte that consensus was achieved ahead of the preparation of the CRC report.

The accusations going back and forth between the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and People’s National Party (PNP) lead us to wonder how our Caribbean neighbours Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados were able to make their transition so seamlessly. Our national heroes, some of whom sacrificed their lives to free their people, must be turning in their graves. Both of Jamaica’s political parties have been missing the republic bus: Trinidad and Tobago became a republic in 1976 when the PNP headed our Government while Barbados made the change in 2021 during this JLP Administration.

Is it that we do not respect and trust ourselves enough? A matter such as this should supersede political arguments. No wonder less than half of our electorate showed up to vote; they are disillusioned by politicians who create contention over even the most positive issues. After the Alexander Bustamante-led JLP triumphed over the Norman Manley-led PNP on April 10, 1962, Manley continued to collaborate with Bustamante as he had chaired the committee for drawing up the constitution for an independent Jamaica. This is the spirit that will take our country forward.

Before he went into politics, Mark Golding was a fellow board member of Food For the Poor Jamaica, contributing his services. Before she went into politics, Malahoo Forte was our inspiring president of the Women’s Leadership Initiative. These are intelligent, good-hearted people among many others in both political parties. It is up to them to clear the obstacles on our ‘Road to Republic’ programme, signalling that the first order of politics is to protect and advance the sovereignty of our country.

Proud Day for Clarendon

Hundreds of well-wishers gathered last Thursday for the ceremonial installation of Edith Chin as custos rotulorum of Clarendon. She was also conferred by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen with the Order of Distinction (Commander class) at the event. Chin, a graduate of Glenmuir High School and The University of the West Indies, pursued postgraduate studies at University of Oxford, earning the Master of Science in Sustainable Urban Development degree.

With her husband, Jukie Chin, founder of Juici Patties Limited, they have developed their extensive Clarendon Park property, dubbed Empowerment Park, as they enthusiastically conduct educational programmes for their staff and involve them in outreach for the young and elderly. Indeed, the Juici Patties Youth Leadership and Volunteer Programme “fosters a new generation of volunteers and leaders… impacting over 2,000 students over the past 20 years”. The multi-talented Edith Chin designed the Juici logo and has tutored blind students in statistical computing.

With their children, businessman Daniel and attorney-at-law Alyssa, on board, Juici saw the success of their first franchise in Hollywood, Florida, selling out one month’s projected sales in one week. CCRP was proud to honour Jukie and Edith Chin with the J Lester Spaulding Award for business in 2019.

At her initial swearing-in, Custos Chin had stated, “With over 600 justices of the peace on our register and a diverse range of needs and stakeholders across our parish, I am committed to prioritising partnerships, unity building, and encouraging dialogue.” She lauded Custos William Shagoury for his 13 years of outstanding service. The event was an affirmation of the Clarendon spirit, as declared by emcee Fae Ellington, exuding pride in her fellow high-achieving parishioners.

AFJ honours Campbell and Zacca

Last weekend, we attended the memorable American Friends of Jamaica’s (AFJ) Charity Gala, where VM Group Limited CEO Courtney Campbell and Sagicor Group Jamaica CEO Christopher Zacca were honoured. Their citations described their superlative academic and business careers and their service to private and public sector organisations. It was moving to watch the videos in which family members and business colleagues described their dedication and exemplary leadership.

AFJ is led by the dynamic Wendy Hart and is comprised of US ambassadors to Jamaica, past and present, and other volunteers. I had a sense of pride to see the first Jamaican-born US Ambassador N Nick Perry taking his place with his fellow distinguished diplomats. It was a joy to see Ambassador Sue Cobb, who, with her husband Ambassador Charles Cobb, had sponsored the stirring series of Cobb Lectures which should be required reading.

AFJ Grant Committee Chair Laura Tanna received a long service award for her dedication to overseeing the distribution of millions in donations to multiple worthy causes in Jamaica.

Christel House Jamaica expands

The Christel House Learning Centre in St Catherine, part of an international network of fully funded schools, provides “world-class education for underprivileged children”, according to Sally Porteous, co-founder and national ambassador of Christel House Jamaica. The school, which has now served over 350 students, from kindergarten to grade 5 at Twickenham Park, is being expanded to serve high school students and add 60 additional kindergarten places.

At a ground breaking earlier this month for the new building, Christel House International President and CEO Bart Peterson gave a strong vote of confidence to the Jamaica expansion. “Why Jamaica? Because Jamaica is special,” Peterson said.

In her address Education Minister Fayval Williams acknowledged the generosity of Christel House International, while Christel House Jamaica board chairman and custos for the parish of Kingston Steadman Fuller congratulated the Christel House Jamaica team for their sterling service. Head of the St Catherine Municipal Corporation and mayor, Norman Scott, also congratulated the founders and leaders of Christel House International.

Christel House Jamaica is organised around the unique model as the organisation’s international network of learning centres. It provides daily breakfast and lunch, transportation to and from school, uniforms, and also health and social interventions, all free of charge. Since its inception in 1998, Christel House serves 19,000 students in Mexico, India, South Africa, and the US. The organisation has outperformed similar models, with an over 90 per cent success rate.

Great day in Bull Bay

The sweet pupils at Bull Bay Infant School recited and sang for us as they and their principal and teachers celebrated the opening of expanded facilities, including classrooms, sick bay, and a colourful play area. Kudos to Principal Esther McFarlane-Smith, board Chair Jodi Bernard-Kerr, and parent -teacher association President Leon Thompson, whose call for greater community involvement was roundly applauded. This is the eighth infant school renovated by Digicel Foundation, which has invested US$946,746 so they can meet the standards of the Early Childhood Commission.

Jean Lowrie-Chin is the founder and executive chair of CCRP. Send comments to lowrie-chin@aim.com.