Jamaica: Articles

Work Permits Revisited

Mon, 01 Jun 2008 05:44:00 GMT

One of the most asked questions of me is "How can I get a job and work in Jamaica?" For most people this is extremely hard, if not impossible. Unemployment is double digit with no signs of easing. All work is offered to Jamaicans first. Some fields in highly skilled professions are open to the world primarily because there aren't enough Jamaicans with expertise in those areas.

A Jamaican Single Dad’s Reflection-A Father’s Day Special

Mon, 01 Jun 2008 06:32:00 GMT

Many stories are told of the single mom and her journey raising her children. Here is the story of a single father who shouldered his responsibility, as son, who he raised on his own. When he thought of his decision to take Michael and raise him by himself, Lance says he would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Expats Moving to Jamaica

Mon, 01 Jun 2008 06:59:00 GMT

If you're an expat and you're planning a move to Jamaica, you have probably spent hours scouring the internet for information use to help make the transition. If you're a Jamaican who has been away for more than ten years, this may apply to you also.

Preacher, Returning Resident - Part 1

Mon, 01 Jun 2008 05:50:00 GMT

Part 1 of a short story by Oren Cousins - PREACHER is back in Jamaica, after spending nearly thirty years in Britain. He has built a fabulously new church – the talk of the country parts- in his native High Mountain District. Preacher , with his wife, Mother Mildred, after thirty years , has qualified as a bona fide Returning Resident. He is proud of the name , for the word , has a status ring to it, a stamp of distinction , like a heraldic title. Moreso, it is a symbol of struggle and triumph.

Problems That Spawned Gangs Have Yet to be Addressed

Fri, 01 May 2008 03:54:00 GMT

Public housing projects that were created to replace Jamaica's shantytowns have become :garrisons' where bloody gang warfare rages unabated. And no one seems willing or able to fix the underlying problems..

To Build or to Buy?

Fri, 01 May 2008 04:32:00 GMT

One of the foremost thoughts of those migrating to Jamaica is to buy a piece of land on the beach or one with a panoramic view of the Caribbean ocean to build their dream home. It isn't as easy or as practical as it sounds. Over the years I have touched on this subject on several occasions but never gave it the justice it deserved. I have been prompted this month by two articles in recent editions of one of Jamaica's national newspapers, The Jamaica Observer.

My Greatest Challenge.

Wed, 06 May 2008 12:22:00 GMT

Different does not necessarily mean deficient and so with love, devotion and persistence some children beat the odds, but doing so is not easy. Samaj Barrett is one such child. She attends the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf in Kingston, Jamaica. Here is her story told in her very own words and in her very own unique way.

Stalking Prince Charles in Jamaica

Fri, 01 May 2008 03:54:00 GMT

Since “discovering” Jamaica 25 years ago and finally making it my home in 2005, I’ve had many wonderful moments in the Land of Wood and Water. Including my one and only brush with royalty. The occasion was Prince Charles’ visit to the Montego Bay parish of St. James in March 2008. I have zero status in such matters, no official credentials in high society—I’m a retired boat captain; I have no business power, no social influence. I never sought a position in civic affairs.

Street Festival

Fri, 01 May 2008 03:54:00 GMT

Last month we held a short story contest. We had many great entries. Our forum users voted they picked "Street Festival" by ILP_Again as the winner.

Groundbreaking Ceremony - An American Retiree in Jamaica

Wed, 01 Apr 2008 04:54:00 GMT

In August of 2007, I wrote an article entitled "Pomp and Circumstances", about the graduation exercises of Jamaica Christian School For The Deaf (JCSD). This was my first experience of the "differently-abled" children from the countryside of Jamaica. This heart-touching experience prompted me to become more involved with this special school, whether it be financially or otherwise.

Would Obama Really Be America's First Black President?

Sun, 01 Mar 2008 05:58:00 GMT

Many years ago I knew an intelligent and talented black journalist named Alva Ramsey. As I recall, he covered tennis and golf for The Gleaner. But that’s not why I remember him.

When a Jamaican Man Loves a Woman - A Valentine's Day Special

Sat, 01 Feb 2008 02:51:00 GMT

Jamaican men candidly express what it is like for them to love a woman. Damie says “I agree that Valentine’s Day is not the only day to celebrate your love, but it is a reminder for us men that there is this very special person in your life. And you should take the time out to make her feel that way. For me, Love is that never ending adventure. That’s what it's like for me.”

The Obama Phenomenon Offers Hope to Us All

Sat, 01 Feb 2008 03:22:00 GMT

Make no mistake; the fact that Obama is African-American is of very great importance - not just to Americans but to people of color around the world.

My New Car - An American Retiree in Jamaica

Sat, 01 Feb 2008 03:29:00 GMT

The art of buying a car in Montego Bay is not what I was used to in the U.S.A. First of all, there aren't any new car dealers anywhere in town. If I did want to purchase a new car, I would have to travel to Kingston, about a 4 hour one-way drive. Not wanting to venture that far away, I opted for a used car. There are two types of used cars; one that has been driven in Jamaica all its life or one that has been shipped directly from Japan. In either case, the supply is very limited.

Jamaica Year in Review 2007

Wed, 01 Jan 2008 02:53:00 GMT

A Year of Significant Milestones’ is how journalist Michael Burke headed up his list of reminders in The Sunday Observer in January to Jamaicans at home and in the Diaspora. And indeed most new events this year seemed to have paled in significance when compared to anniversary events, including the first Local Government Election held in 1947, three years after Universal Adult Suffrage.