Monthly Archives: August 2025

 Over 400 residents now benefit from vital services

The Goshen Postal Agency in St Elizabeth is once again serving the community after a dedicated team of residents, spearheaded by the Goshen Community Development Committee (CDC), successfully restored the facility, which was damaged by Hurricane Beryl.

The category four hurricane, which wreaked havoc in the southern parts of the island last year, severely damaged the roof of the postal agency, forcing its closure and the relocation of its operations to the Pepper and Santa Cruz post offices.

The restoration, completed and officially reopened on July 7, has brought back vital services to the rural St Elizabeth community, particularly for the nearly 400 beneficiaries of the Government’s Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), who rely on the postal agency for the distribution of their benefits.

“Everybody’s excited. A lot of people didn’t know it would happen,” said Desmond Williams, president of both the Goshen CDC and the Santa Cruz JN Circle. “But I had confidence in my team. We knew we had to get our PA (postal agency) back on track.”

Mr Williams explained that the Goshen CDC played a central role in galvanising the community around the restoration effort. Through regular meetings and outreach, residents at home and abroad were mobilised to contribute resources and volunteer their time.

But the journey was not without challenges.

“Getting donations was very, very slow,” Mr Williams admitted. “It was difficult getting people on board at first, but we persevered.”

Support eventually came from all corners. “We received assistance from the JN Foundation, which gave us furniture for the building and monetary support,” Williams said. The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) also lent support, and several individuals in the diaspora contributed.

“One dollar from each person went a long way,” Mr. Williams said, adding that even those without financial means found ways to help.

Hyacinth Greaves, a resident of Goshen for more than 20 years, was ecstatic about the reopening.

“It is a tremendous relief. We missed it (the postal agency) a lot. It was difficult going up to Pepper, and now that our own postal agency is open, we are delighted with the help that we received. It is absolutely beautiful,” she said.

The restored postal agency is more than a building; it’s a symbol of resilience and unity, Mr Williams emphasised.

“This project shows the power of oneness. It proves that when community groups come together, outside of the norm, anything is possible,” he said.

Mr Williams expressed deep gratitude to every individual and organisation that contributed, noting that while JN Foundation and RADA were the only formal groups involved, the majority of the work came from the people of Goshen and their extended community abroad.

“I can’t say enough how grateful I am. I passed by the building just now and said to myself, ‘It really happened,’” he said.

With the Goshen postal agency now fully operational, residents no longer have to travel long distances to access postal services or PATH distributions, and the community has a renewed sense of purpose and pride.

Hakeem Atkinson, Member Relations supervisor at the Jamaica National Group, praised the community’s initiative.

“We were deeply moved by the determination of the Goshen CDC to restore such an important institution,” he said. “Its projects like these that demonstrate the power of people working together for the common good. We are proud to have played a part in this community-led success story.”

Recognising the importance of the communal space for the community, Mr Atkinson said that the JN Group, through the JN Foundation, launched the ‘I Support Jamaica Fund’ shortly after the passage of the hurricane to help with its restoration and strengthen the community in the aftermath of the hurricane.

Shanoy Harris Coombs, communications strategist and branding expert, delivered an engaging presentation to over 70 young participants of the JN Financial Academy Summer Camp, aged 12 to 18 years old , encouraging them to embrace their personal stories and cultural heritage as vital tools for building globally relevant brands.

The virtual summer camp, now in its fourth year, was hosted by the JN Foundation from July 28 to 30 under the theme “Building the Future Business Mogul: Diversifying Income for Wealth Creation.” The programme aimed to expose youth to entrepreneurial thinking, financial literacy, and personal development through interactive workshops and inspiring stories shared by accomplished Jamaicans.

Speaking on the topic, “Global Goals, Local Roots: Branding with Culture for Global Success,” Mrs Harris Coombs shared her personal journey from being a shy primary school student to becoming a confident communications professional, illustrating how every stage of her life contributed to shaping her personal and professional brand.

“I was that chatty child who always ended up on stage for every poem and scripture reading, but when the time came to perform, I would freeze,” she recalled. “The turning point came after a particularly embarrassing moment as valedictorian, where I was unable to deliver my valedictory speech due to stage fright. I decided I had to change.”

Through debating in high school and studying social marketing as a specialisation under the Media and Communication Programme at university, Mrs Harris Coombs developed confidence and an understanding of how communication can be used for positive change. Her career path has since taken her through media, advertising, government, and international development, including working with the United Nations, regional and governmental organisations.

Each experience, she explained, added a layer to her brand: “Now if someone asks me to describe my brand, I say I am confident, inclusive, and passionate about using communication for good.”

Mrs Harris Coombs, who is also the chief executive officer of Infinity Integrated Communications Limited, emphasised that branding is not limited to businesses but is just as important for individuals.

“Your personal brand is the image others have of you when you are not in the room,” she explained. “It includes your values, how you present yourself, and how consistently you show up, both online and offline.”

Participants were encouraged to reflect on their reputations and aspirations as they explored branding fundamentals.  Using familiar brand logos and real-life scenarios, she stressed that personal branding is an intentional process that can begin at any age.

“Even as young as you are now, you’re building a brand. It’s in how you treat people, how you show up, and what you stand for,” she said.

Mrs Harris Coombs pointed out to campers, “Global success is possible, but your roots, your culture, and your authentic self are your strongest assets. Own them.”