Highlighting young and positive movements

posted by Focused on August 20, 2010 @ 1:12 pm in MEDIA

The Gleaner recently published an article about an event organized by Kingston-based non-profit organization Manifesto Jamaica. While it is not unusual for the Gleaner to cover artistic events, such an article is refreshing as Manifesto Jamaica is still a relatively new Jamaican non-profit

A doctorate in life and academics

posted by Focused on July 13, 2010 @ 5:06 pm in MEDIA

A recent Gleaner article told the very inspiring story of Harcourt Fuller, a man who overcame the challenges associated with growing up in a volatile Kingston 13 community. Born as the eighth of nine children, Fuller attended Greenwich Primary followed by Trench Town Comprehensive High. Despite his

Diaspora tourism

posted by Focused on June 13, 2010 @ 1:43 pm in MEDIA

A recent Gleaner edition contained a very interesting article about the Jamaica Ministry of Tourism’s overlooking of the Jamaican Diaspora as a key tourist market. It gives the annual ‘Champs 100’ athletics event as an example of something that could be packaged and marketed to

The spread of crime: What role does the media play?

posted by Focused on May 15, 2010 @ 5:14 pm in MEDIA

The power of mass media is often underestimated. When used properly, the media can strengthen, educate and uplift society. When used the wrong way, mass media can divide and cripple society. The way in which some media (too many) cover crime has had subtle but devastating effects on people.

From hardship to ownership

posted by Focused on April 28, 2010 @ 8:10 am in MEDIA

Share | I came across an inspiring article in the Jamaica Gleaner recently. It highlights a young man’s resilience and tenacity! Kevin Frith faced a lot of adversity while growing up in Kingston. Due to his lack of finances, he had to work in order to put himself through high school.

Reading by age 2: How a mother taught her baby

posted by Focused on February 3, 2010 @ 3:34 pm in MEDIA

Today’s edition of the Gleaner highlights the amazing story of 20-year-old Mesha-Gay McKenzie. She started teaching her then-six-month-old daughter how to read with the aid of a DVD, flash cards and books. Many people laughed at her initially but McKenzie’s daughter, now 2 years old, can

Under-23 Programme: Good news for Jamaican football

posted by Focused on January 14, 2010 @ 2:29 pm in MEDIA

Today's edition of the Gleaner brought good news in the form of the announcement that Jamaica's Under-23 football programme is set to begin this year. "What's so special about this?", one might ask. Well, the main benefit is that young players who don't make the senior Reggae Boyz team will still be able

Higglers cut out the middleman

posted by Focused on December 13, 2009 @ 6:57 pm in MEDIA

I came across an interesting article in Today's Gleaner. It sheds light on a growing trend: higglers (Jamaican Informal Commercial Importers) going straight to China to buy goods. Traditionally, higglers would buy goods in places such as Panama and Florida. Although the trip to China is much longer, it

Jamaican AIDS support group gets more recognition

posted by Focused on December 2, 2009 @ 11:16 am in MEDIA

Today’s online edition of the Jamaica Gleaner highlights the achievements of an organization called Jamaica Aids Support for Life (JASL). JASL works in different communities across Jamaica, part of their aim is to ensure that people living with HIV/AIDS do so with dignity. JASL is actively involved

Glen Mills' dedication to Jamaican athletics

posted by Focused on November 9, 2009 @ 7:19 am in MEDIA

                Today's edition of the Jamaica Gleaner (Jamaica's oldest daily newspaper) contains an interesting article about athletics coaching legend Glen Mills. It highlights the fact that he has been turning down lucrative