Jamaica Diaspora: Preserving Jamaica's Art Forms Globally

Diaspora Contributions Important To National Development, Says Minister

Published:Friday | March 3, 2017 | 3:00 AM

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, has underscored the value of the diaspora in making contributions to national development. She noted that Jamaicans abroad continue to play a significant role in the country's growth and job-creation strategy.

The minister was speaking at a handing over ceremony on Tuesday, where she received a cheque from Althea Byll-Cataria, a member of Jamaican diaspora in Switzerland, which will cover the cost of eight art workshops to be hosted by the Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning (JFLL) in 2017. The funds, in the amount of US$4,450, were raised at a Caribbean fundraising dinner in Switzerland last November.

EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS

The art workshop project, conceptualised by Byll-Cataria and Jamaican artist Garfield Morgan, aims to empower individuals through the use of art as a form of self-expression and communication, as well as income generation.

Johnson Smith congratulated Byll-Cataria for the initiative in identifying a need and taking action to fulfil it.

"This project will go a long way in not only boosting the confidence of persons who are part of the literacy programme, but also in providing a steady income for those who start businesses after discovering their artistic talent at these workshops," said the minister, who also hailed the project for finding a creative way to address the literacy needs of Jamaicans.

The project commenced in January 2016 and has since hosted three eight-week workshops, where individuals learned to construct simple craft or jewellery items from paper, string, beads and recycled materials. The JFLL shared that it is also making concrete efforts to expand the programme.

Paving the Way: How can we use this initiative to move forward in teaching citizenship?

Culture Bash! - Beecham Hill Infant And Primary Students Explore Heritage

Published:Thursday | March 2, 2017 | 3:00 AMOrantes Moore

Students at Beecham Hill Primary and Infant School in Flint River, St Mary, explored the issue of national identity by performing as British, Indian, Chinese, Taino, and African models during a fashion show to celebrate Jamaica Day last week

FLINT RIVER, St Mary:

Last week, in the tranquil district of Flint River, St Mary, around 200 students, parents, and teachers celebrated Jamaica Day at Beecham Hill Infant and Primary School with an innovative exhibition comprising cultural displays, crafts, and performing arts. The school's 'Culture Bash' event explored issues such as heritage and identity and culminated with a concert and fashion show highlighting the African, European, Asian, and Indian elements of Jamaican culture.

During a brief tour of the displays, teacher Annie Ashman told Rural Xpress: "In our antiques section, we have things like a typewriter, enamel cups, and a chamber pot because we're trying to teach the younger generation about the things our fore-parents used.

Increased Understanding

"We want them to understand that although technology has made their lives easier, they should appreciate these things, also.

"Our pastry section has grater cakes, toto, drops, coconut drops, and potato and cornmeal puddings. These things are all extremely important to Jamaican culture and most of them include coconut, which is versatile and can be used in so many different ways. And they are all unprocessed, natural foods, so they are healthy, too."

Local wicker craftsman Barrington Smith added: "I'm here today to showcase my craft, which I've been doing since 1977.

"This type of craft is important because it's the root of Jamaica, from back in the days. I born come see these things, but there aren't many people still doing it, so we're trying to bring it back by showing the young people."

According to acting principal Dawnette Rose, although Beecham Hill functions with limited resources, the school scored above the national average in last year's Grade Six Achievement Test; achieved 100 per cent mastery in numeracy and literacy in 2014; and attracts twice as many pupils as it did a decade ago.

She said: "When I came here 10 years ago, we had 50-something students and now we have doubled that by changing the whole ethos.

"People used to resort to other schools, but we are committed to making Beecham Hill a school of choice.

"Today, we are looking at exposing Jamaica in a global context, so we have displays that help us look back and forward. We are looking at our history and what makes Jamaica what it is today. The students are having a fashion show to depict the various ethnic groups that form the Jamaican culture because, as the motto says, 'Out of many one people'."

rural@gleanerjm.com

Donated By: Samantha Bromfield