Monthly Archives: December 2019

The JN Foundation continues to be humbled by the opportunity to serve, by finding ways to help countless Jamaicans fulfil their potential. In 2019, the JN Foundation team was pleased to be able to work in partnership with our young people, their communities and with our JN membership to inspire change in small and large ways.

Education

At the JN Foundation, we strongly believe in the role that education can play in uplifting families, communities and the nation at large. Over the course of 2019, we disbursed 264 scholarships, with at least 100 of those who benefitted being identified as residing in volatile and underserved communities.

Increasingly, our young people have been demonstrating a desire to understand ways of generating and managing money. This interest is to be commended. We were able to impart such knowledge to 817 young persons between the ages of 6-17 over the course of 2019. We truly look forward to them not only applying the information shared but also telling a friend or loved one. This is a key and necessary ingredient in generating the economic stability associated with Jamaica’s vision 2030.

Supporting our communities

At the heart of the endeavor to become the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business, is Jamaica’s need to solve and resolve the complex needs of a myriad of communities spread across the island. Here at the JN Foundation, we have elevated two areas that we see as critical to this endeavor – helping to shape a positive identity and addressing the unnecessary loss of life on the nation’s roadways.

In collaboration with the UWI Mona, we have been able to research, document and publish the parish histories of St. Thomas, Portland, Trelawny, St. Mary and St. Catherine. There is so much to learn from our past that can help in our decision-making for a better tomorrow. We continue to encourage community members to avail themselves of this information.

Research commissioned by the JN Foundation in 2017 – the Cost of Care report – revealed the extremely high cost and heavy burden being borne by the country, individual families and communities every time a road traffic crash occurs. This illuminating report has helped to us to further solidify our commitment to addressing road safety issues. During 2019, we continued to keep focus on the “X Marks the Spot School Crosswalk Campaign”, a partnership with UNICEF, designed to ensure our children have safe passage to and from school.

Labour Day 2019

For Labour Day, the JN Foundation partnered with UNICEF, Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport and Ministry of Labour to deliver the nationwide Labour Day campaign – “Child Safety – It’s You, It’s Me, It’s All Ah We”. What an inspirational moment to see so many communities coalesce around the need to keep our children safe, by electing to re-paint crosswalks in their locales.

2019 also heralded the inauguration of the JN Circles initiative – a network of JN members and customers who, together, are being exposed to opportunities to realize their full potential, and at the same time are jointly finding ways to help their communities.

The JN Foundation was pleased to work alongside the Member Ombudsman to conduct inaugural meetings for the new clubs and share with Circle members, different ways they could deliver impactful interventions in their communities.

Our Partners

It should be evident that all of the Foundation’s work over 2019 simply won’t be possible without our partners – our external donor partners, our sister companies in the JN Group and JN staff members. You make it all possible. We simply won’t want to do this without you.

A very special mention of the JN Foundation team – you persist in spite of the hurdles and are beyond committed to our various communities of interest. Well done, and let’s make 2020 even more memorable and impactful.

Onyka Barrett Scott

General Manager

JN Foundation

Parris Lyew Ayee, CD     

Chairman

Theme: “JN Foundation Will Help You Find A Way”

Over the course of 2019, the JN Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Jamaica National Group, delivered truly impactful initiatives, each designed to help Jamaicans to find a way. This was achieved through continued commitment to programme delivery under our five key areas of work: skills and personal development, education, health and safety, social empowerment, and the environment.

Our Financial Literacy Project, a flagship initiative of the Foundation, was relentless about engaging and sharing the tools and knowledge on managing finances with countless Jamaicans. A total of 3,179 persons benefitted from 71 financial literacy sessions held across the country. The JN Foundation team is to be commended for their commitment, which has allowed them to engage 23,608 persons since 2014, helping each to understand their finances better.

An ongoing concern for us at the JN Foundation is the number of persons who lose their lives unnecessarily on the nation’s roadways each year. For several years we have dedicated ourselves to raising awareness on good road use habits, to reduce the carnage on the roads. Through our X Marks the Spot road-safety initiative, a partnership with UNICEF and ABERTIS Foundation, more than 5,000 students benefitted from the upgrades completed under the initiative. Further, 15,026 primary school children were better able to keep safe on our roads because of their participation in the Police in Schools Programme.

True to our mission to inspire change across the nation, the JN Foundation partnered with UNICEF and the Ministry of Culture under the national theme, “Road Safety – It’s You, It’s Me, It’s All Ah We”, to support the rehabilitation of crosswalks all over the country. It was good to see communities and individuals across the country get involved.

Each year I am inspired by the young students we assist to complete their high school education, through the JN Foundation’s Annual Scholarship Programme. In 2019, some 264 high achievers were awarded scholarships. A total of 34 students were awarded PEP Scholarships: 14 were parish high performers, 18 were the children of JN members of staff, and two were specially awarded scholars. Eighty-seven recipients were repeating JN Scholars who achieved averages of 70% and over on their high school reports, and 16 university students received a one-year tuition grant.

JN FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS – SEPTEMBER 8, 2019

The JN Foundation was especially pleased to award 26 student scholarships under our new scholarship offering – the Michael Holding Cricket Masters disbursement.

The JN Foundation Parish Histories Project continues in capturing the authentic stories and factual records of each Parish for the people of Jamaica to easily read.

Under the Water Project Jamaica, the JN Foundation pursued a dynamic programme to sensitize and educate Jamaicans to practise diverse water-saving measures at home and to improve their conservation of water with the installation of water-saving devices. This year, we piloted training in rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling for several developers, architects, students, and other interested persons.

Rainwater Harvesting & Grey Water Recycling Training Launch

I commend the outstanding JN Foundation team, led by Onyka Barrett Scott, General Manager, and the dedicated Members of the Board of Directors for being steadfast and committed to ensuring that the JN Foundation delivers on its promise, to “help Jamaicans to achieve their full potential.”

Well done, Team JN Foundation!

Parris A. Lyew-Ayee, CD

Chairman, JN Foundation

The smiles on the faces of the teachers and students at Rainbow Kids Centre & Kindergarten School in St Thomas shone brighter, following the delivery of desktop computers from the JN Bank Member Advisory Council for St. Thomas, on Monday, December 16.
Mrs Sonia Richards, principal of the school, on accepting the presentation, shared that the introduction to computer technology will enhance the teacher’s planning and students’ appreciation for learning.
“We appreciate the computers, and we thank Jamaica National for considering Rainbow Kids Centre for these gifts. It will definitely make teaching and learning more informative and enjoyable, considering that we are in the computer age, and we want our students to be more ‘hands on’,” she said with elation.
Established 14 years ago, Mrs Richards pointed out that the school has a population of approximately 150 students. She also stated that the students usually perform well academically, and as such, there was demand for their graduates, who moved on to the primary level.
Troy Bygrave, JN Bank business relationship and sales manager for St. Thomas and Portmore, said the bank was happy to present the computers to the school, as the gifts will assist in making learning more fun, and, at the same, time give the students an early start in computer literacy. 
“The school was in need of computers for the little minds. Therefore, this will go a long way to improve their computer literacy, considering that we are in the digital age,” he informed.
The computers will also assist teachers to plan more creative lessons, which will, in turn, assist students to grasp more, as they become computer literate, added the JN Bank business relationship and sales manager.

Mr Bygrave said that the JN Bank MAC plans to continue its intervention at the school; and will be upgrading the bathroom facilities; as well as, installing a water tank at the school.
He also pointed out that future community projects in the parish of St. Thomas will be generated by the recently established JN Circle, a network of service clubs, which has been established to undertake activities, which were being pursued by JN MAC.

Contact:  Dionne Rose l JN Corporate Communications

Residents in Brown’s Town, St Ann have identified poor waste management and traffic congestion woes as some of the social problems which they would like to tackle “through advocacy,” to improve the situation in their community.
The residents discussed the areas they want to be improved in their communities, at the inaugural meeting of the JN Circle Brown’s Town, which was held at the JN Bank in Brown’s Town, St. Ann, recently.
They noted that waste management was a result of the poor garbage collection system; and highlighted the need for changes in the manner in which persons disposed of their garbage.
They also cited the need for improvement in road infrastructure, as one solution to address the congestion in the town.
Chevanese Peters, project coordinator at the JN Foundation, encouraged the residents to come together and find out about the plans for the town’s development from the Municipal Council.
Addressing the issue of waste management, Ms. Peters said, “We need to take a multifaceted approach, as we strive to change human behavior, among other issues. This is what the JN Circle will seek to accomplish, as you sit down and discuss the situations. No idea is too small or too big. It is a safe place to speak about your issues and then you go into a planning mode to implement a campaign,” she said.
Earlier in the meeting, Claudine Allen, member ombudsman at The Jamaica National Group, in explaining the rationale of the JN Circle, informed residents, that it was a local network of service clubs, driven by the JN Group and its members, with the aim to improve the lives of its members and positively impact the development of their communities.
“The mandate of the JN Circle is community building, advocacy and networking,” Ms. Allen informed. “There is power in advocacy, and we want to give power to that advocacy. We want to work with you and assist you to make decisions that will positively impact your communities,” she explained.
Ms. Allen stated that the JN Circle was recruiting members who have a ‘fire in their bellies’ for change and want to see improvements in their communities and Jamaica.
Dr Ransford Davidson, business relationship and sales manager at JN Bank, explained that the JN employees and members will come together in the JN Circle, to build relationships and leverage the JN network to implement activities, designed to positively impact the lives of citizens, in communities where entities within the JN Group operate.
“The JN Circle’s intent is to connect people and empower members to boldly enrich their own lives as they build their communities,” he informed.
The JN Circle initiative is being guided by the Member Relations team at The Jamaica National Group, in collaboration with the JN Foundation; along with other JN member companies and organisations.
To date, JN Circles have been established in Port Antonio, Morant Bay, Spanish Town, Linstead and Mandeville.

Contact:  Dionne Rose l JN Corporate Communications

The Jamaica National (JN) Group has introduced a network of service clubs to its members with the aim of encouraging members to work together to take action, which will improve their life and the lives of all Jamaicans.

Earl Jarrett, CEO of The Jamaica National Group, explained the role of the JN Circle to JN members, at a Corporate Area Circle Meeting, held at the JN Bank Half-Way-Tree Branch, recently.

“The JN Circle will provide an opportunity for our members to meet and to share interests,” he explained. “It is my hope that the JN Circle will agitate for change; assist in resolving issues; and find solutions to problems, such as: health and wellness; technology, and safety, among other areas.”

He outlined that in the JN Circle, “you will also take on troublesome issues; and identify solutions, which you can send through to me and the rest of the team; and, if necessary, through advocacy to the policy makers.”

The Jamaica National Group CEO said it was his vision that chapters of the JN Circle will be established in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America, where other JN members, with similar interests, can come together and create a movement.

Explaining how the JN Circle will work, Chevanese Peters, project coordinator at the JN Foundation, said the Circle’s mandate was to network, advocate and build communities.

She outlined that the benefits of the JN Circle will provide members with the opportunity to build their network; benefit from empowerment training; leadership and capacity building; and its members will be exposed to JN representatives with subject matter expertise and resources.

“You must be volunteer minded… you must be passionate about your community; we want members who are honest, have integrity; and are accountable and upstanding in their community,” she explained about the attributes of prospective members.

Claudine Allen, member ombudsman, member relations and quality assurance executive at The Jamaica National Group, said that chapters have already been formed in Portland and St Thomas; and others will be rolled out in parishes across the country, in the coming months.

“The JN Circle will provide a platform for our members and customers to lead change in their respective communities and to improve lives,” she said.

Ms Allen also stated that through the JN Circle, members will have the opportunity to improve their bond with the organisation; build networks, with like-minded persons; and initiate sustainable projects to assist in the development of their communities.

The initiative is being led by the Member Relations team at The Jamaica National Group, in collaboration with the JN Foundation and JN member companies.

See the original article here!

Members at the Spanish Town branch of JN Bank welcomed the introduction of the JN Circle, a global network of service clubs, which are empowered by Jamaica National to advocate for change and strengthen their community.

The members expressed their delight about the initiative at the inaugural meeting, which was held at the branch in St Catherine, recently.

“I believe that this is quite interesting. Once it has something to do with building, conserving and preserving our communities, then this is something that I want to be part of,” Alvin Lawson, a JN Member for some 30 years, said.

Peter Chin, another member, said that he believes that Spanish Town will benefit from having a JN Circle chapter in the old capital.

Pastor Phillip Johnson stated that he has high expectations from the JN Circle. “I believe that this JN Circle is not simply another talk shop. I believe that great things will come from it, therefore, I’m happy to be a part of the JN Circle,” he affirmed.

Major Effiom Whyte, member relations coordinator with JN Group, in explaining the aims and objectives of the JN Circle, said that its goals are to, “Improve the lives of members and serve as a platform for advocacy.”

“This service club is going to provide a platform for all of us to use our voices and to experience and create change for ourselves and others, through networking, advocacy and community development,” he related.

Outlining the benefits of the JN Circle, Chevanese Peters, project coordinator, JN Foundation, informed that participation in a JN Circle will afford members the opportunity to build their network.

“You will benefit from empowerment training, leadership and capacity-building. Through unmatched access to JN’s subject matter expertise and resources, JN Circle members will live better lives,” she said.

Peters further added that “JN Circle members will be connected to Jamaica National, as their relationship will extend beyond the business relationship and also include, JN’s support for issues which impact them and their communities.

JN Circle chapters have been established in Port Antonio, Portland; Morant Bay, St Thomas; Linstead, St Catherine and Mandeville, Manchester. Additional chapters will be rolled out in other parishes during the coming months.

Claudine Allen, member ombudsman, at The Jamaica National Group, who is driving the initiative, stated that the JN Circle presents an opportunity for JN members and employees to work together, to ‘do good,’ in their respective communities; and contribute to building their country.

“Connecting people, communities and doing good are the main objectives of the JN Circle. It will provide an avenue through which members can be engaged in meaningful, sustainable partnerships with JN and their communities, as the group of companies and organisations work to unleash the potential of Jamaicans, wherever they reside,” Allen affirmed.

The initiative is being guided by the Member Relations team at The Jamaica National Group, in collaboration with the JN Foundation and JN member companies.

See the original article here!

The Christmas season is here and some Jamaicans may want to enjoy a more ‘bountiful’ season than they can afford.

Some persons may be tempted to borrow money to buy gifts for those near and dear. Others may want to take out loans to purchase hams, stock up on sorrel and other food and drink or decorate their homes with lights and new appliances.

A survey of local lending houses to find out the costs attached to securing a Christmas showcase revealed that what are essentially personal loans might be rebranded as Christmas loans as the season begins.

Commercial banks and micro financiers have been rolling out loans that consumers can use for their personal needs. All loan sources canvassed for the details of their Christmas loans declined to share their rates.

However, Jamaica National chief of retail sales at JN Bank, Steve Distant explained, “JN Bank provides loans to assist our members to meet their personal goals on an ongoing basis. These loans are purpose-driven and are not categorised by social events.”

He added, “through the BeWise financial empowerment programme executed by the JN Foundation, we provide our members with information to assist them with developing their financial acumen and managing their expenses carefully.”

The consumer watchdog, the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) says in an online report that currently, many advertisements are offering same-day loans, pay-day loans and quick loans.

It warns, however, “as a consumer, you need to be cautious in responding to these offers, especially during the Christmas season when they may seem even more attractive, but not everything that glitters is gold. “

The CAC stated, “Many of these “deals” are often unrealistic and are being offered by predatory loan companies, which, are not regulated.”

The consumer body asserted that many lenders at this time of year practice over-lending to customers and sometimes impose excessive fees and onerous contract terms which once signed to, the consumer has to honour because it is a private contract.

The most common of these is the requirement to pay a non-refundable processing fee. The loan application is frequently denied, as it is often used by unscrupulous lenders as a means of accumulating funds.

In instances where the loan is approved, consumers are faced with high loan repayments that are burdensome and some are not able to repay.

“As such,” the CAC noted,” consumers find themselves in a bind when they are unable to make loan payments, and some may even go to other lenders — formal and informal — to get a new loan to repay the old one while accumulating more debt.”

If you are seeking a loan for the Christmas season this year, try to approach reputable organisations like banks and credit unions, the CAC advised.

Before you do so: consider the purpose of the loan; review the terms and conditions of the loan -including interest (add-on- versus reducing balance) and processing fees; the period for repayment; and other non-interest related charges, the CAC added.

“Remember, Christmas is only one day of the year. We want you to enjoy the season. However, be mindful that after Christmas, all the other bills will have to be paid (rent, utilities, transportation, food as well as sending the children back to school),” the consumer watchdog warned.

Think carefully before assigning your hard-earned cash to loan payments Christmas loans that will follow you all year long. It’s better to budget and save towards the extra spending that the season usually demands.

See the original artile here!