For a better Jamaica

Brain drain. Waste of human capital. These issues surface from time to time whenever we look at what’s wrong with the country. From a positive perspective however I read something that absolutely makes sense to me, you wonder how come no one has thought of it before. ‘A top World Bank official recommends that we invest more in the development of human capital. Jamaica’s human capital should be used to create jobs. It is suggested that we become a player in the market for services that require higher levels of education. After all we are good at creating highly educated nurses, accountants et al and such services are in demand in many countries. There is a possibility that Jamaica can deliver these services more cost effectively than others. Jamaica could also leverage its educational facilities by offering training to foreign students. Why not get students to come here and pay us instead of the other way around?’ Wow, sheds a whole new light on whether brain drain isn’t really so bad after all especially not if you can churn out another set of talented home-grown brainiacs! Did you all see this year’s list of graduates from the tertiary institutions, pages of students with bachelors and masters degrees, many with distinction, a magnificent production. Now what to do with the product, export Jamaican brains, infiltrate the global market! Can you imagine the dominance, a Jamaican brain in every part of the world, no longer a drain or a waste but earning remittances from the human capital inflows.

Trust me, only on JamRock!

Although sex work is illegal trade on the island, did you know we have a legitimate female President of the Sex Workers Association of Jamaica (SWAJ)? Her first name (wait for it), a nice popular local name befitting the position, that’s right, Princess! They have been organized for some 2 years now looking out for the rights of the workers. There is also a book out which highlights their plight and hellish working conditions. Trust me, only on JamRock!

Record for Charity

Well we did it again, “To di world.” Another record, this time for charity and not sports. Jamaica now has a Guinness World Record for the most books donated to charity in a seven-day period. The record of 657,061 books shattered the old mark of 241,624 books, collected by Rotary International in Los Angeles, California, two years ago.

Profound, Controversial, and Gaffe

This feature presents three (3) recent quotes from famous people around the world. See if you can figure out who said what and which statement in your opinion was the most profound, controversial, or a gaffe. Today’s clue, these three persons all had a political agenda.

1. “We will have to look at ways in which we would be able to assist ..... but there must be some ways in which (our country) would also benefit.”
[This one was totally unexpected and spent quite some time on social media sites]

2. “We were in such a hurry to get things done that we didn’t change how things were done.”
[This one reminds me of another famous statement, “If you continue to do things the same way, you will get the same results.”]

3. “I speak on behalf of the Government ...”
[Duh, well who else would you expect this person to generally speak on behalf of?!]

Well good luck, did you get them all right? If you did, congratulations, you are in the know!

Welcome

Hi. I am setting up this blog for the first time without any promotion, just basically fiddling with the design settings so overtime there might be changes. Had some time on my hands because of hurricane "Tomas". The news of its passage had everyone in a tizzy spending money (which we don't have or which could have gone elsewhere) to stock up and make preparations.  Emergencies throw budgets out of kilter, that's why you always have to make provisions - better to be safe than sorry. Usually, educators get a break during bad weather as schools are closed but emergencies bring out other characters - politicians, journalists, volunteers, rescuers, and the naysayers. Sensible folks stay in, like myself, don't move a muscle, lol, all part and parcel of the recovery process! Take care.