“Generosity is doing something for someone without expecting anything in return”
Volume 45 April 2021
Produced by: Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA)
Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased)
New Market P.O., Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica, West Indies
E-mail: beershebaoldstudentsassn@gmail.com
Officers: Glenis Daley, President
Victor Smith, Vice President
Vincent Samuels, ASC, BBA, Secretary/Treasurer, Newsletter Editor/Producer
Ann Hamilton, Assistant Secretary
OBJECTIVE
The objective of BOSA Newsletter is to inform and educate the people in Beersheba Primary School Community and all Beersheba Primary School Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora by means of clean and wholesome news. In doing so, the Newsletter will continue to highlight and celebrate their achievements, mourn their losses, defend their rights and articulate their needs. With meticulous calculated professional news reporting, the Newsletter will ceaselessly expose the entrenched culture of silence, secrecy, non-response and pussy-footing that has characterized the unscrupulous tyrannical oligarchy rule that is tarnished with nepotism that is designed to frustrate Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) as it continues to work assiduously as the safety net and mentor for voiceless and vulnerable students who reside in the impoverished peasant farming Beersheba Primary School Community from falling through the cracks cognizant of the fact, that had it not been for intervention of the Association, these students would be left alone to fend for themselves contrary to the vision of James “Dick” Richards, (1872-1965), Beersheba Primary School Alumnus, Soldier, Self-made Businessman, Philanthropist and Icon.
Reflection on Beersheba Primary School Alumni that have passed on
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) joins with family members, relatives and friends who are grieving and mourning the loss of their love ones who have passed away since our last newsletter was published. May the memories of these bereaved love ones continue to linger in our hearts and minds cognizant that Sunset in one land is Sunrise in another.
NO — Decision Taken By the School Board At Beersheba Primary (Government Leased) and the Managing Committee for James Richards Educational Trust Fund Re Shanisa Jones, Upper Six Form Student Saint Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) And Bachelor of Arts First Class Honours, Class of 2020, University of Technology (UTECH) JAMAICA
As a result of the entrenched culture of silence, secrecy, non-response and pussyfooting by the School Board, the contentious outstanding subject matter that is mentioned on pages 1, 2 and 3 of 10 in Volume 40 January 2020 of BOSA Newsletter remains unresolved.
PROGRESS REPORT ON NICKAYLA STEVENS, NASHENA DOBBS, NASHANA DOBBS AND DURVANE BROWN AND SAMEIKA MAITLAND
NICK AYLA STEVENS
No recent progress report has been received on Nickayla Stevens.
NASHENA DOBBS
No recent progress report has been received on Nashena Dobbs.
NASHANA DOBBS
No recent progress report has been received on Nashana Dobbs.
DURVANE BROWN
No recent progress report has been received on Durvane Brown.
SAMEIKA MAITLAND
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is pleased to report that Sameika Maitland continues to maintain excellent performance in academia in her pursuit of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Health at the University of Technology (UTECH) Kingston Campus, Jamaica West Indies.
Despite challenges that Sameika is encountering in not being able to attend face to face classes because of COVID-19 Pandemic, Sameika’s dedication and discipline to online classes, has rewarded her with A’s and B+’s for Christmas Term 2020.
PRIMARY EXIT PROFILE (PEP) WHICH REPLACE GRADE SIX ACHIEVEMENT TEST (GSAT) IN 2019
Parents and Guardians are urged to familiarize themselves with information that the Ministry of Education has promulgated on its website and through various Media Houses in Jamaica regarding Primary Exit Profile (PEP) with its focus on critical and analytical thinking that replaces Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) with its focus on pencil and paper and multiple choice task in 2019. Curricula in education systems worldwide have been changing and Jamaica must keep up with scientific and technological change or the country will be left behind.
BOSA INVALUABL, BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL ALUMNI, HONORARY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, AND WELL-WISHERS WHO CONTINUE TO GIVE IN THE INTEREST AND WELFARE OF OUR STUDENTS
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wishes to place on record and express its sincere gratitude and appreciation to those Beersheba Primary School Alumni – including Roy Holness, Kenneth Smith, Dr. Trevor Hamilton, Dorette Lind,` Winston Hamilton, Neville “Butty” Cooke, Professor Patrick Brown, Merlene Holness-Pryce, Howard Hamilton et al for their invaluable financial support that they continue to give to the Association.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) welcomes inquiry from Roderick Colquhoun, Beersheba Primary School Alumnus captioned: How Can I Support BOSA? Information has been received from Roderick that his financial assistance is in the mail.
NEED FOR PRIMARY EXIT PROFILE (PEP) STUDENTS GRADUATING BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL IN THE CLASS OF 2019AND BEYOND TO BE COMPUTER LITERATE
It is with great joy and long awaited accomplishment that Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) announces that Broadband Internet Wi-Fi Service is now available at Beersheba Primary School.
The Association wishes to commend the Administration at the school for its tenacity and innovation in bringing Broadband Internet Wi-Fi Service to the school. The Association hopes that now that Information Technology (IT) is now available at Beersheba Primary School, that the Administration will take appropriate action to ensure that all students that are enrolled at the school will be exposed and trained to use the technology so that no student will graduate from the school as a computer illiterate. Beersheba Primary School Alumni who would like to contact their alma mater can do so by email to: beersheba.primary.sch@moey.gov.jm
BI-MONTHLY MEETINGS OF BOSA
Due to restrictions pertaining to gathering stipulated in the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA) that regulates COVID-19 Pandemic in Jamaica, bi-monthly meeting of BOSA has been suspended indefinitely.
FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION WITH BOSA SUPPORT FUND FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
BOSA Members, Honorary BOSA Members, Friends, Well-wishers, and other Beersheba Primary School Old Students who have not yet heard but who through the help of other Old Students, and this News Letter, will be made aware of BOSA existence and the work that the Association has been doing in the interest and welfare of students at Beersheba Primary School, are urged to make Checks(Cheques)Money Orders for their generous financial contribution to BOSA Support Fund payable to BEERSHEBA OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION and is to be mailed to: Vincent Samuels, Secretary/Treasurer, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) at 99 Jacaranda Avenue, Flat Rocks Subdivision, Black River P.O., Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica West Indies. All donations received will be promptly acknowledged in writing on BOSA official letter head.
Persons living in Jamaica, West Indies may deposit their generous financial contribution to BEERSHEBA OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION Savings Account No. 5501336655 at any Branch of Sagicor Bank
Jamaica Limited and advise the Secretary/Treasurer of the Association when the deposit has been made so that such contributions can be promptly acknowledged in writing.
MEET THE ACHIEVERS AND TRAILBLAZERS
No profile has been received from anyone to be posted under the above heading in this newsletter.
Editor’s Note: If Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora would like to see themselves being featured under this heading, Alumni who have not yet responded to appeals made in BOSA Newsletters to send the Editor/Producer their curriculum vitae, academic, and communal profile as an attachment to the Association’s e-mail address: beershebaoldstudentsassn.@gmail.com as soon as possible so that they can be published in Volume 39 as well as future Volumes of the Newsletter.
RESOLUTION TO RENAME BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL JAMES RICHARDS PRIMARY SCHOOL
As a result of the above subject matter being thoroughly discussed with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education in a meeting that was held at the Ministry’s Head Office in Kingston, Jamaica west Indies on March 13, 2013, and the matter being given full support by the Saint Elizabeth Parish Council, South Coast Resort Board and Jamaica Heritage Trust Foundation, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is hopeful that with the full backing of the entities named herein,the School Board at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) will do the right thing so that James “Dick” Richards, Beersheba Primary School Alumnus, Soldier, Self-made Businessman, Icon and Philanthropist will be officially recognized and honoured as an integral part of the heritage in Beersheba School Community.
In the pursuance to ensure that James “Dick” Richards gets full recognition for using for his own money to purchase the land on which the Ministry of Education built Beersheba Primary School as well as his money that Bermuda Trust Company transformed to the school as New Trustee from which James Richards Educational Trust Fund is established at The Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Limited (Black River Branch); representatives of Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) met with His Worship the Mayor of Black River and Chairman Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation Councillor Derrick Sangster and Mr. Errol Lebert, Chief Executive Officer, Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation in the office of CEO on January 15, 2018 to thoroughly discuss this outstanding.
Councillor Richard Solomon, Member Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation for New Market Parochial Division who was invited to the meeting and participate in the discussion on the above mentioned subject matter did not show up.
Representatives from Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation who attended the meeting acquiesced that the Corporation will pursue the matter with the Ministry of Education since all criteria stipulated by the Ministry to rename the school has been met. In addition, it was agreed that the Councillor for New Market Parochial Division will take appropriate action to organize and hold a non-political, non-partisan Town Hall Meeting in the main auditorium at Beersheba Primary School. The purpose of the meeting is to enable Councillor Solomon to obtain feedback from all Stakeholders in Beersheba Primary School Community on the matter and report his findings to Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation which has an active Education Committee on its establishment.
STORY BOARD TO BE CREATED ON THE EMBANKMENT OF THE INTERSECTION OF BEERSHEBA/FLINT VALLEY PAROCHIAL ROAD AND BYE PASS ROAD THROUGH CARR DISTRICT IN MEMORY OF JAMES “DICK” RICHARDS (1872-1965) WHO WAS BORN IN CARR DISTRICT, NEW MARKET, SAINT ELIZABETH
As a follow up to honour conferred posthumously on James “Dick” Richards by Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation in recognition of his philanthropy to the people in Beersheba Primary School Community, Carr District and Bermuda; Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is urging the Corporation to take appropriate action to ensure that a STORY BOARD is erected on the embankment of the intersection of Beersheba/Flint Valley Parochial Road and Bye Pass Road through Carr District, in memory of James “Dick” Richards (1872-1965) who was born in Carr District, New Market, Saint Elizabeth. This project was being handled at one time by Shane Taylor, Former Director of Planning, Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation.
For additional details about the life and philanthropy of James “Dick” Richards and the legacy that this icon has left behind, Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation and readers of this newsletter are invited to refer to book: FROM BEERSHEBA TO BERMUDA written by Vincent Samuels, ASC, BBA, Mandeville Publishers Limited (2014). A copy of this book which launched at Saint Elizabeth Parish Library on Black River Day, July 30, 2014, was handed in person by the author to His Worship the Mayor and Chairman Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation Councillor Derrick Sangster and Mr. Errol Lebert, CEO of the Corporation at a meeting that was held in the CEO office on January 15, 2018.
MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL, NEW MARKET, SAINT ELIZABETH, JAMAICA, WEST INDIES
The National Council on Education (NCE) has published the names of the following persons whom the Honourable Minister of Education Senator Ruel Reid has appointed to serve on the School Board at Beersheba Primary School (Government School), New Market, Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica West Indies for 2016/2017 Academic School Year:
Chairman: Rev. Christopher Euphfa
Principal: Mrs. Tatlin Smith-Williams
Academic Staff representative: Mrs. Naomi Foster-Brooks
PTA Representative: Nickesha Lawrence
Community Representative: Mr. Valdes Hamilton
Member: Mr. Michael Morgan (Deceased)
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) assumes that:
- As a result of the retirement of Mrs. Tatlin Smith-Williams as Principal Beersheba Primary School, National Education Council (NCE) will take appropriate action to ensure that Mrs. Michele Sanderson, Acting Principal is appointed to fill the vacancy on the School Board and its website updated accordingly.
- As a result of Miss Nickesha Lawrence no longer residing in Beersheba Primary School Community, that National Education Council will take appropriate action to appoint someone as the PTA Representative on the School Board and its website updated accordingly.
Editor’s Note: At the meeting that the School Board at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) held with representatives of Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) on Wednesday, September 19, 2018, with “Shana”, a new face introduced by the Chairman of the School Board as the representative of the PTA, the Secretary/Treasurer of the Association informed the Chairman that the name of the new representative of the PTA that he has introduced to the meeting is not on the official list of members published by National Council on Education (NCE)
THE ELESA HAMILTON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME
By way of update to information that is given in Volume 35 October 2018 of BOSA Newsletter on the above subject matter; the said matter was thoroughly discussed between the School Board at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) and Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) at a meeting that was held in the main auditorium at the School on Wednesday, September 19, 2018. With respect to the position that the School Board has taken on the matter that the criteria set by the Administrators of The Elesa Hamilton Scholarship Programme is too stringent, the Secretary/Treasurer Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA), told the Chairman that since the Association has no jurisdiction with respect to how the Scholarship Programme is administered, the School Board should write to the Administrator of the Scholarship Programme to discuss the Board’s concern. Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is still awaiting a copy of the email message that the School Board has sent to the Administrator of the Scholarship Programme regarding concern the Board mentioned at the meeting.
BOSA SCIENCE AND HEALTH CORNER
How To Survive A Sudden Heart Attack When You Are Alone
It is 7:25 PM and you are going home from work alone. The mood you are in after a an unusually hectic day on the job is that you are really tired, upset and frustrated, you start to experience severe pain in your chest that starts to drag out into your arm and up in to your jaws. You are only about five kilometers away from the hospital nearest your home.
Cognizant that you do not know if you will be able to make it to the hospital; what do you do in this emergency that you are encountering? You have undergone training in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) but the Health Care Professional who taught you the course did not tell you how to perform CPR on yourself.
Since most individuals are alone when they suffer heart attacks; the individual whose heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel faint; has only about 10 seconds left before he/she loses consciousness. Howbeit, this individual can help himself/herself by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough and the cough must be deep and prolonged similar to when coughing to produce spectrum from deep inside the chest. A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without easing up until help arrives or until your heart is felt to be beating normally again.
Deep breaths allow oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on your heart also helps it regain normal rhythm.
Individuals who suffer sudden heart attacks and follow the advice that is given in this article, will be able to stay alive and make it to the Emergency Room at a hospital. A Cardiologist will tell everyone who reads this article and make other persons aware of the advice that is given in it, that they can rest assure that they will save at least one life!!
Editor’s Note: Information in the foregoing article is taken from WhatsApp Messenger Chat with a Medical Practitioner who wish to remain anonymous.
GOLDEN THOUGHTS AND NUGGETS
“God has modelled what true success is – not what is written on our business cards and resumes, but how we are becoming like Him.”
Sheridan Voysey, Contributor to Our Daily Bread Devotional, Wednesday, December 30, 2020 in his article captioned: TRUE SUCCESS.
“If we too resemble a sour green fruit, we can trust that God will help to soften us through His Spirit as we get to know Him through reading and obeying the scriptures.”
Amy Beacher Pye, Our Daily Bread Devotional, Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.”
Victor Hugo (1802-1885), Poet and Novelist who is best known for his classic Les Miserables.
“We are determined to work and fight until justice rains down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
Editor’s Note: Words uttered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr which are taken from Amos 5:24, are inscribed on the walls of the Contemplative Court in the National Museum of African History and Culture in Washington, D.C., USA.
“Pride is a vice of the utmost evil and the chief cause of misery in homes and nations. Pride is a spiritual cancer that eats up the very possibility of love, contentment and common sense.”
C. S. Lewis, author of MERE CHRISTIANITY.
“No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his Commanding Officer. (2 Timothy 2:4 NIV)
“Generosity can’t be forced because it’s a dynamic of the heart.”
Con Campbell, Contributor Our Daily Bread Devotional.
DISCOVERY OF SLAVE BURIAL GROUND AT PAYNES TOWN, NEW MARKET, SAINT ELIZABETH, JAMAICA WEST INDIES
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) again invites readers of its Newsletter to log in to its website: bosaonline.org to read and view photographs related to the above captioned news article that is published on its web page.
Mrs. Elvie Miller , 79 year old widow (owner of the property on which the Slave Burial Ground is located) and her daughter Mrs. Madge Mullings who reside on the same property, is awaiting the visit from Archaeologists from the History and Archaeological Department of the university of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica West Indies and Jamaica National Heritage Trust to take over, preserve and secure the site where the mortal remains of Hon. John Salmon, former Custos Rotulorum for Saint Elizabeth and President of the Legislative Council in Jamaica, Samuel John Manley, grandfather of Norman Washington Manley, former Prime Minister of Jamaica and Jamaican National Hero and myriad African Ancestors are buried.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) and Paynes Town/New Market Community anxiously await the visit of Archaeologists from the History and Archaeology Department University of the West Indies (Mona campus), Jamaica National Heritage Trust to fulfill their written commitments to visit the historic site with a view to preserve and secure the site and declare it a National Heritage Site.
As a result of the significant discovery of the Slave Burial Ground, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) in anticipation of New Market – including Carr District, birthplace of James “Dick” Richards – being declared a National Heritage Site by Jamaica National Heritage Trust – has written to the Ministry of Youth and Culture (copied to other related Government Ministries, Agencies and Quasi Agencies and Hon.
J. C. Hutchinson, Member of parliament NW Saint Elizabeth and Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Investment, Commerce and Agriculture requesting that favourable consideration is given to refurbish the Old New Market Police Station into a Museum that will be managed by a trained professional Curator.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is delighted to inform readers of its Newsletter that as a result of representation that the Association made to Government Ministries and Agencies to rid the Old Police Station at New Market of Squatters who had illegally occupied the building, that the building has been repossessed and the entire premises is being cleaned and cleared of thick overgrowth and vegetation. The Association looks forward to the building being turned into a museum and the monument that was built on the site and dedicated in a civic ceremony on the night when Jamaica gained Independence from Great Britain refurbished.
In its email message dated June 10, 2017 addressed to Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Friends, Well-wishers and related Jamaica Government Ministries and Entities, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wrote quote: While Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) and other Stakeholders in the impoverished peasant farming New Market Community eagerly await the visit of Archeologists from UWI History and Archeology Department and Jamaica National Heritage Trust to take over, preserve and declare the Slave Burial Ground a National Heritage Site, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) invites everyone to procure and read Maureen Warner-Lewis book: ARCHIBALD MONTEATH, IGBO, JAMAICAN MORAVIAN, University of the West Indies Press 2007. Maureen Warner-Lewis book which can be purchased in various bookstores as well as at www.amazon.com will open readers eyes and help them to better understand the events that occurred on the Slave Estate at Kepp, Paynes Town, Hopeton, New Savannah and elsewhere in the Parish of Saint Elizabeth. Unquote
At the invitation of Councillor Richard Solomon, the Secretary/Treasurer Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) accompanied by Mrs. Elvie Miller and her daughter Madge Mullings visited and toured The Slave Burial Ground at Paynes Town, New Market, Saint Elizabeth on Sunday, February 03, 2019. Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is looking forward to hear from Councillor Solomon with respect to the way forward in dealing with the matter.
Editor’s Note: The foregoing subject matter was thoroughly discussed in a meeting that was held in the office of the Chief Executive Officer, Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation on January 15, 2018. The meeting which was provided over by His Worship the Mayor of Black River and Chairman Saint Elizabeth Municipal
Corporation Councillor Derrick Sangster, was attended by Mr. Errol Lebert, Chief Executive Officer, Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, representatives of Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA), New Market CDC, and Mrs. Elvie Miller and her daughter Madge Mullings; Owner of the property on which the Slave Burial Ground is located; acquiesced and decided that the Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation will pursue the matter with the History and Archaeology Department of the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica West Indies so as to get the Department and Jamaica National Heritage Trust Foundation to honour the commitment that was given to the association that they would visit, take over, secure and preserve the site.
BOSA DEVOTIONAL
FOLLOWING GOD INSTEAD OF EVERY OTHER VOICE
All of us are shaped by cultured values, taboos, norms and idiosyncrasies in our internal and external environments that surrounds us. The impact of these two environments on our psycho-social lifestyle usually occurs without us ever noticing.
In the Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Romans, we read in Romans 12:2, (NIV) “Do not conform to the pattern of this world. Here in the text, the word world used by the Apostle Paul does not mean physical universe (cosmos) but it rather refers to the ways of thinking that pervades our existence. The word used by the Apostle Paul also refers to the unquestioned assumptions and guiding ideals and societal inhibitions handed down by the two environments with which we interact.
In Romans 12, the Greek word phroneo which denotes to think, exercise the mind; appears in many forms. Throughout his discourse in Romans 12, using various forms of the Greek word pgroneo, the Apostle Paul urges his readers not to conform to pattern of thinking that pervades our existence in our internal and external environment. Conversely, we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
In essence, the Apostle Paul was and is still urging us, rather than passively adapting the ways, thinking and believing that engulf us in our internal and external environments in which we interact, we should actively pursue God’s way of thinking and seek and learn how to understand His good, pleasing and perfect will (thelo) rather than our will (thelema).
Let us all be guided by the lyrics that Horatio Bonar (1808-1899) wrote relating his adherence to God’s Divine Will (thelo) rather than his will (thelema):
Thy way not mine O Lord
However dark it be,
Lead me by Thine own hand
Choose out the path for me.
Smooth let it be or rough
It will be still the best,
Winding or straight it leads
Right onward to Thy rest.
I dare not choose my lot
I would not if I might,
Choose Thou for me my God,
So shall I walk aright.
Take thou my cup and it
With joy or sorrow fill,
As best to Thee may seem
Choose Thou my good and ill.
Not mine not mine the choice
In things both great and small,
Be thou my guide my strength
My wisdom and my all.
COVID-19 WHICH IS NOW IN COMMUNITY SPREAD IN JAMAICA HAS CHANGED THE WAY PEOPLE LIVE AND INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) urges Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Honorary BOSA Members, friends and well-wishers and our readers in Jamaica and the Diaspora to keep up with updates that are issued periodically by World Health Organization (WHO), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and various Health Authorities in countries where you live and travel.
In light of information published in Jamaica Gleaner dated Saturday, September 5, 2020 captioned “COVID everywhere! – Health ministry says virus can no longer be easily traced from one person to the other.”, BOSA endorse and underscore invaluable information given by Dr. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health quote: “Jamaicans will now have to assume that everyone they come in contact with is positive. We are alerting the public that the transmission of the virus can no longer be easily traced from one member of the population to the other” Dr. Tufton said during a virtual press conference that was held at the Ministry of Health, Kingston, Jamaica West Indies on Friday, September 4, 2020.
BOSA also urge everyone to wear masks, maintain social distancing and adhere to and observe all protocols that have been established and promulgated by Health Authorities.
Stay safe, stay smart and stay strong! Please lend and give a helping hand to the elderly and the poor and needy who are most vulnerable to COVID-19 Pandemic. As we all continue to invoke Divine Guidance and Deliverance from JEHOVAH-rafa (God who heals) in the crisis; be assured, that THIS TOO WILL PASS!!
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wish to urge all Beersheba Elementary and Primary School Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora and all readers of our newsletter, to resist vague conspiracy theories, heresies and old wive’s tales that are being propagated and circulating about COVID-19 Vaccines that was rolled out by the Government of Jamaica on March 10, 2021.
Everyone is urged to obtain updates directly from the Ministry of Health & Wellness or in news releases that the Ministry will make through electronic and printed media with respect to Vaccination Sites, days and times when the vaccine will be given to individuals in categories that will be announced.
The Editor of this newsletter like several other individuals in various countries worldwide, has received COVID-19 Vaccine shot/jab and he is living his normal life and is coherent in his thinking and reasoning. I is comforting to know that because I am fully vaccinated after having received the second dose of the vaccine, my immune system is being built up to protect me against the deadly infectious respiratory killer disease.
ADVERSE EFFECT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON PRIMARY, HIGH SCHOOL AND TERTIARARY EDUCATION
Not only has COVID-19 Pandemic delayed the reopening of Primary, High Schools and Tertiary Institutions from September 3, 2020 that was pushed back to October 5, 2020, but notwithstanding effort by the Ministry of Education to use seventeen (17) pilot schools to resume face to face teaching, up to the time that this newsletter is being written, the Ministry is still struggling to resume this method of teaching.
With online use of the Ministry of Education Digital Platform to teach students at home, parents and guardians – many of whom are computer illiterates – are finding it extremely challenging and difficult to help children in their homes do their school assignments.
DGITAL BANKING IS HERE TO STAY
Announcement made by The Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Limited to close its flagship branch at 6 High Street, Black River, Saint Elizabeth and its Christiana Branch in Manchester in February 2021, in addition to converting six (6) of its other Branches to Digital Non Personal Banking, is proof that Scotia Bank in re-engineering its operation to reduce and eliminate fixed costs (rent, salaries, health insurance benefits and utility bills); has joined other financial conglomerates in making transition from inhouse to online digital banking that ultimately is going to result in a cashless society that has advantages and disadvantages.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is urging elderly customers of Banks to come to full realization that their “banger phones” have become obsolete and must be immediately replaced with a Smart Phone with at least 16 GB Internal Memory that is capable to download and install Mobile Banking Apps that will enable them to do their banking transactions from their homes. Young people including those in academia who are computer literate, are urged to help the elderly who must not be scammed or abused in the process.
CHANGING CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR AND BUSINESS DECISION TAKEN BY JAMAICA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY LIMITED (JPSCO) TO CLOSE SEVEN OF IT’S OFFICES
In a news article captioned: JPS addresses concerns about impending closure of branches that appeared in Jamaica Gleaner on Thursday, February 4, 2021, Senior Vice Resident Customer Service at JPS, Ramsay McDonald, is quoted as saying “While we fully appreciate the concerns of the residents, our decision to close the office – speaking in reference to the closure of the Portmore Office which is among seven (7) offices that will be closed effective March 8, 2021 – was made after careful consideration and observation of the changing behaviour of our customers. Over the past four years, customers have increased their use of online platforms to do regular transactions.”
Since less face-to-face transactions with JPSCO is going to be the norm going forward, consumers are urged to utilize several options that are available to them. One option is downloading and installing JPS App from Google or Apple Play Store on Smart Phones through which electricity bills can be paid.
EDITOR’S CLOSING STATEMENT
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wish to commend and Big Up Caribbean-American Democratic US Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke, daughter of late NYC Councilwoman Una Clarke, a Jamaican immigrant who on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, introduced legislation in the US House of Representative that would allow Caribbean and other “Dreamers” to earn lawful permanent resident or green card and US Citizenship.
Caribbean-American Democratic US Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, has distinguished herself as an Achiever and Trailblazer by introducing H.R.6, the Dream and Promise Act of 2021. The bill which is coauthored and has full support of New York
Democratic US Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez and Democratic US Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard from California; will enable US-raised immigrant youths known as “Dreamers” – an acronym for Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors – to earn lawful permanent residence and American citizenship.
“A heart that is focused on others will not be consumed with self”
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