Labour Day brings new look for Crescent Basic School

May 25, 2011

Dr Andrew Wheatley (right), chairman, St Catherine Parish Council, squares up the
kitchen cupboard at Crescent Basic School to install a new surface.
Looking on are Donna Boothe, principal, and Floyd Williams,
 Flow's senior customer-service agent. 

CRESCENT BASIC School in Spanish Town, St Catherine, established in 1951, received a much-needed facelift on Labour Day.

Scores of volunteers from various community-based and other organisations gathered at the institution, one of this year's 14 national/parish projects. The scope of work carried out on the facility, relocated to its present site, Lot 21 Angel's Inn Drive in 1969, included refurbishing of the kitchen and bathrooms, painting of the ceiling in classrooms and the principal's office, and correction of electrical faults.

Dr Andrew Wheatley, chairman, St Catherine Parish Council, said the school was selected in keeping with this year's Labour Day theme - 'It takes a Village to Raise a Child'.

"The council as one of the lead agencies in the parish recognises the importance of ensuring that we provide for our youths, and through this infrastructural work we are doing here, I believe that it will lay the foundation for the children to learn in a more comfortable atmosphere," Wheatley told The Gleaner.

funding for project

Together with the Labour Day Secretariat, which contributed $100,000 and Flow's donation of $50,000, the council funded the project, which cost approximately $300,000.

According to Floyd Williams, Flow's senior customer-service agent, his company's contribution is in keeping with its corporate social responsibility.

It was an elated Donna Boothe, teacher at the institution for more than 30 years and principal since 2005 who, along with other staff members, witnessed the refit.

"We are here for a long time and we have been waiting for something special to happen, and I am really thankful to all those who are participating here today and especially to those who provide the funds to undertake the work. I feel like we are finally back on the map," a smiling Boothe told The Gleaner.

Equally thankful for the work carried out on the institution, which houses 97 students, was Debbian Thomas, a parent.

"It's a good thing that the school is getting a facelift. I also hope that the relevant persons will now fix the road that leads off the main road to the school because it's in a really bad condition," said Thomas.

St. Ann Parish Council Focuses on Youth for Labour Day

The Beechertown Primary School and The Rhoden Hall Basic School saw much needed upgrades on Monday May 23. This as the St. Ann's Parish Council initiated improvements to the facilities at both schools, in keeping with this year's Labour Day theme "It takes a village to raise a child."

One project saw the completion of a computer lab at Beechertown Primary School, while the other completed the fencing at the Rhoden Hall Basic School.

Her Worship Vinette Robb, Mayor of St. Ann's Bay is particularly pleased with the donation, which Flow initiated, "Flow found us! They just came on board in Ocho Rios and knowing about the Labour Day project, they approached us with a much needed donation of $50,000," Mayor Robb said. The Mayor was also pleased that Flow did not just donate cash, but that the staff joined the labour efforts on Monday.  "The Parish Council and especially the communities of Beechertown and Rhoden are very grateful for Flow's involvement. To me it is tremendous that there is a company that without asking would offer their assistance."

St. Ann is one of six parishes including St. James, St. Mary, Manchester, Portland, and St. Catherine to which Flow donated $50,000 each, in aid of their respective Labour Day projects.  Flow also contributed to the National Labour Day activity.

Most projects were focused on improving the lives of children in the area, focusing on preemptive measures to ensure the educational and physical well-being of the children who attend schools in the area.  "This was very important to us at Flow, says Denise Williams, PR Manager at the Broadband company.  Flow has always maintain a focus on youth in our outreach activities and it is gratifying when we can participate in efforts such as these and be a part of the community that raises a child.  We are very excited to be on board and look forward to the benefits that the children will reap."

Children’s Ward Gets Make-Over By St. Mary Parish Council

On Monday May 23, the St. Mary Parish Council took on a mammoth task for its Labour Day Project. The organization, as its official project, took on the renovation of the Port Maria Hospital Children’s Ward.

Director of Administration at the Council, Myrnel Grant, says that despite the great amount of work at hand, “The Port Maria Hospital Children’s Ward was chosen as it conforms to the national [Labour Day] theme: It Takes a Village to Raise a Child”.

One corporate entity has joined the community effort in aid of children. Triple play digital provider Flow donated $50,000 to the St. Mary Parish Council for work to be carried out at the children’s ward. Public Relations Manager at Flow, Denise Williams, says her entity which began operations in Jamaica five years ago is pleased to partner with the Council.

Ms. Williams explains that, in addition to the St. Mary Parish Council, Flow has contributed to five other councils $50,000 each towards their Labour Day projects. “Flow views this partnership as significant to the overall development plan for Jamaica,” says Ms. Williams , “we are pleased with the response from each Parish Council and we certainly commend them for the dedication to improving the lives of residents in their localities”, she adds.

Confronting the task with gusto, duties at the ward included the painting of security grills, the reconstruction of cupboards in the milk room, construction of a linen cupboard, replacement of a drainage board, replacement of fluorescent light trays, and repainting of the entire children’s ward. The Council also began a mural on the walls of the ward in an effort to uplift the aesthetic environment.

This year’s national theme has resonated throughout St. Mary. Miss Grant says dozens of volunteers turned out to lend their assistance towards the project. Resources and manpower aid were recieved from the National Solid Waste Management Authority and the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Members of the Jamaica Defense Force were also on location, to prepare the day’s meals and provide technical assistance.

Other organisations which offered their support were The National Youth Service, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority, the Jamaica Public Service Company, the St. Mary Fire Department, the Social Development Commission and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

The St. Mary Parish Council’s effort will began on the weekend with some eight volunteers on location each day preparing for Monday’s activities. The huge multi-sectoral partnership towards renovating the Port Maria Hospital Children’s Ward was led by Mayor Richard Creary and the hospital’s staff. The Parish Council marshalled all its resources and that of affiliates to make a reality, in enhancing the living condition for inmates of the Port Maria Children’s Ward.

Seaga dedicates Flow Cup victory to Tivoli community

May 10, 2011

Tivoli Gardens Football Club president Edward Seaga said he was very proud of his team this season after they added the Flow Champions Cup to their Digicel Premier League title they won only a week earlier.

With the community still recovering from an excursion by the security forces into the West Kingston enclave last May, Seaga, a former prime minister, insisted that this success was for the people of the community.

"This was all for them and they needed it," he said.

He also pointed out that winning the league and cup double, and the style with which they did it, undoubtedly makes Tivoli Gardens FC the best football side in the country for this season. "Yes, that is correct (Tivoli is the best) and

that is why we won," Seaga said on Sunday after the team defeated Portland's St George's SC 3-0 for the Flow all-island knockout trophy.

"We have been consistent in terms of being in first place, as we have been in first place 28 times out of the 38 games and 24 of those were in one sequence. So with that sort of record, I expected that we would win," noted Seaga who is also chairman of the Premier League Clubs Association.

He added that he would not have been satisfied with a one-goal victory margin in the KO final, but said the players rose to the occasion and ended the game and season in style to take home the $1 million prize money.

"Quite frankly, I was disappointed with when we were ahead by one... but I said we can't leave here with a 1-0 victory, as this is not the type of game we should win one-love and the boys felt that way too, so when they saw time running out they just put on the accelerator and scored the last two goals," beamed Seaga.

Meanwhile, coach Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey, who is on a one-year contract with the double champions, says he will be savouring the success before he makes a decision on his future with the club.

Bailey, who helped the club to the championship back in the 2003/04, replaced Lenworth Hyde at the helm for this season, and the rest is history.

"Right now I am going to enjoy the moment and rest a little and see how it goes, because the big question is if I am going to be back next season. But I don't know as yet, as this was a one-year contract, so we will get back to the table afterwards and see how things goes," he said.

"But I never like to plan way ahead so quick, and so I am going to use this opportunity to relax... but life is funny and anything can happen, so I will stay focused and positive... and we just want to do things stage by stage and step by step," Bailey explained.


Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Seaga-dedicates-Flow-Cup-victory-to-Tivoli-community_8779135#ixzz1MicgDgtL

Five nominees for Star Baller award

It has come down to this. Five players, critical to their teams' success in the Flow Champions Cup, are in a keen tussle to see who will be named the Red Stripe Star Baller and come away with a cheque for $300,000. That award will go to the player who best demonstrates sportsmanship, camaraderie, teamwork, being there for his peers and, of course, strong skill sets on the field of play.

The award is to be made on May 11 at the offices of the Jamaica Football Federation.

Dervin Campbell is a striker for Sandals Whitehouse, a team that made it all the way to the semi-finals before being eliminated by St Georges. Campbell scored two goals in the four matches and, according to coach and vice-president, Aaron Lawrence, he plays a major role in the team's success.

The club's secretary, Rochelle Forbes, echoed Lawrence's sentiments and revealed that his impact goes well beyond the field of play. "Dervin is very passionate about football," she said, "and he motivates the team." Forbes explained that Campbell never allows his teammates to hang their heads, no matter what the challenge. "You will hear him tell them, 'We play because we love to play, so let's go do this. We want to fight and we want to win'," she said.

Journeyman Demetrio Billet seems to have found a home at Santos. He scored two goals - both against Benfica - during the Flow Champions Cup. Wayne Shaw, a director at Santos, describes Billet, who is better known as Zico, as a player who many of the younger players look up to. "He plays link and centre forward and is very skilful," Shaw said. "So a lot of the younger players look up to him."

In his early 30s, Billet has played for several teams and is a seasoned campaigner who doesn't ruffle feathers. "He is very quiet and gets along with everyone," Shaw said, adding that he is a very dedicated footballer who is always at training sessions.

Two nominees from St Georges

Flow Champions Cup finalists, St Georges Football Club, boast two nominees for the Star Baller Award - Richardo Watson and Romeo Parks. Between them, they have scored five of their club's goals en route to the finals against Tivoli and they will be key to their club's chances of defeating their more fancied rivals Tivoli Gardens.

"Watson is a skilful player with pace," explains Cedric Ormsby, the club's manager.

Ormsby said Watson, who has two goals in the competition to date, is carrying a few injuries, but he is often upbeat and is very much a team man. "He is a team player, he gets along with everyone," the manager revealed. "He has a never-say-die attitude and when the chips are down, he is one of the players who rallies the team."

Unlike Watson, Parks is injury free and according to Ormsby is a dangerous player who has been called to national duty on several occasions. "If you give him a half a chance, he will score," the manager said, adding that it is not unusual for opposing teams to assign two players to him. Just as important, Ormsby explained, Parks is also a team player who possesses a sense of humour.

Last, but certainly not least, is national representative Keammar Daley who represents finalists Tivoli Gardens. Daley has, for years now, been a stand out for his club and is perhaps one of Jamaica's most popular players. He has not scored in the competition to date but his value to the club goes well beyond his goal-scoring abilities. "He doesn't have to be a goal scorer to be outstanding," club manager Brian Rose argued. "He can be a leader and a distributor on the field and those are the qualities that Keammar displays."

Rose also revealed that Daley works hard and displays high levels of good sportsmanship, especially in terms of fair play. "With these skills, he has a good a shot as any at winning the Red Stripe Star Baller Award."

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110507/sports/sports6.html