Intend to VIsit, Migrate or a Student Wanting to Participate in US Work and Study Programme?

Many people have been seeking information from persons about visiting, migrating, or working in the US. Recently, it was reported in the news that once again students have lost thousands of dollars trying to go on the US study and work programme. 

My advice is to work with professionals who are well-trained and are persons of integrity. If you don't use people who are qualified and experienced, then you could end up losing far more than you were hoping to save. You could also find that you are unable to go to the US and to other countries in the future. SpotOn works with professionals like Opal Lee who can assist you. We have a doctor, lawyer, realtor, IT professional, consumer advocates, pharmacist, and other professionals. We are also in touch with business leaders and leaders in the public sector who can assist you. We are the people to lean on.

Click the icon below to listen to this informative conversation with Opal Lee:

Click here to listen to the conversation.

Please share this blog with students who plan to go on the work and study programme in the US. These students should not seek assistance in getting work using agencies that are not registered with the Ministry of Labour. Persons who plan to travel to the US to study should consult with a US immigration attorney.

Please share this blog with all the tertiary students you know and others who plan to travel to the US. They will appreciate the gesture.

Remember to register for the Bark Di Trute blogs and also subscribe to the Bark Di Trute YouTube channel. Have a great day. 

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Learn Technology Talk In Minutes!

Andre Monteith is the People's Technology Man, and he ensures that you do not have to be a computer expert to understand Technology Talk. He is part of the SpotOn With Vernon Derby Team, providing information to people across the world and also providing assistance and support. 

Click on the icon below and be technologically informed.

Click to listen to the conversation

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Temporary Water Supply Schedule For Some Areas in Kingston

 Press Release From The NWC - 20250108:

TEMPORARY WATER SUPPLY SCHEDULE IN EFFECT FOR QUEEN HILL DRIVE, KIRKLAND HEIGHTS & SURROUNDING AREAS - ST. ANDREW

A temporary water supply schedule has been implemented for customers in the Queen Hill Drive, Pembroke Terrace, East and West Kirkland Heights and surrounding areas in St. Andrew. This measure is necessary to facilitate emergency repairs of one of the pumping units at the Forest Hills Relift Facility, which is currently operating at reduced production.

Piped Water Supply Schedule:

Until further notice, piped water will be temporarily supplied to the impacted areas as per the following schedule:  

 

PIPED SUPPLY TIMES	SUPPLY AREAS
6:00 AM  TO 2:00 PM   DAILY	Queen Hill Drive, Cleopatra, Catherine Drive, Throne Circle, Pembroke Terrace, Marie Road, Elmwood Terrace, Mayfair Ave, Leas Flat, sections of Red Hills Road, Belvedere Road
2:00 PM TO 6:00 AM DAILY	East and West Kirkland Heights, Kirkland Crescent, Kirkland Ave, Stanmore Terrace Stanmore Drive, Brentwood Terrace, Forest Ave, Forest Drive, Topaz Crescent, Kimberly Drive, Amethyst Drive, Belvedere Road, Asquith Drive, Happy Grove, Heffes Crescent, Plantation Heights, Cyprus Hall Road, Cyprus Drive, Pleasantville, Mosquito Valley, Belvedere Drive, Blue Mountain Road, Burnside Valley Road, upper Stanmore, Swain Spring Road, Sterling Castle Heights, Thompson Blvd, Rock Pond, Pitcairn Valley, Alpine Road

 

Trucked Water Supply Schedule:  

In addition, special trucking arrangements are in place to supply the following higher elevated areas:

Thompson Blvd, Rock Pond, Plantation Heights, Cyprus Drive, Cyprus Hall Road, Sterling Castle Heights, Pleasantville

The NWC apologizes to its valued customers for any inconvenience caused and appreciates their patience and understanding during this time.  

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Who is MAD and Who is Suffering from Mental Illness?

It is said that a society can be judged by how it treats its most vulnerable people. One such category of persons is those who suffer from mental illness. Mentally ill people are sometimes abandoned by family members; they are physically and sexually abused, and some are even killed. Let's not forget the story of those street people who it was reported were taken from Montego Bay and dumped at another location. Reports are that these dumped persons have not been found! Persons have set street people and mentally ill persons ablaze. Some mentally ill people have been lost in the penal system without trial.

There is a thin line, between sanity and insanity. You reading this blog and also the writer of this blog, are probably suffering from a form of mental illness.

What is interesting is that people in the media were rushing to get a picture of the man who threatened to commit suicide and tumbling over one another to interview the man as he was paraded from the Transport Centre Building to the police station. 

The real hero, Leo Bennett, who gave the man a hug and got him to come down from the Transport Centre Building, has been forgotten already. It makes me wonder who has a mental condition and who is mad!

I understand that it is being considered to secure the Transport Centre Building in Halfway Tree. Leave it alone. The building is not the problem; it has become a monument. It is just a place where challenges are hoisted so all will recognize these challenges and hopefully will deal with them.

Click to listen to the conversation

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Consumer Speaks Out - Listen Digicel!

Report From a Digicel Customer:

My experience on Wednesday, January 8, 2025:

I arrived at Digicel Liguanea at 8:55 am. On my arrival, there were about 5-6 customers waiting ahead of me and two Digicel employees (they wore branded red shirts).

The door was locked and had a small, rather neat-looking black box, which seemed like a security/ safety device hanging on one of the two doors.

Nine o'clock came and the door remained locked and the two employees seemed unperturbed—one continued with her phone conversation and the other enjoyed a quick bite of her pastry.

A gentleman and myself conversed about how unpunctual this is and worse yet - no explanation nor apology from the workers.

We waited.

I smiled as I looked at the situation and the annoyance on my fellow customers' faces. You see, right across from Digicel closed doors -  FLOW's glass door showed they were abuzz with customers. I commented out loud to the gentleman I was talking with earlier. He laughed and said, "They opened on the dot of 9." 

Hmmm🤔

At 9:07 am I sent my first voice message to the lead consumer advocate, Mr. Vernon Derby.

A former colleague arrived and he too was amazed at the locked doors so he went over to the employees and spoke with them. He returned and said, "Something about the person in traffic coming."

Hmmm🤔

At approximately 9:14 am a woman walked up to the door—I didn't hear Good morning or an apology.  She did something with the neat little hanging black box on the door; a key manifested, and the door was opened.

We started to enter when a man  raised his hand signalling for us to stop and said,

He said, "Oonu haffi wait!"

We gasped.

I  exclaimed  "Wait again, why!?

He said, " De machine dem haffi come up."

He locked the doors.

Shortly after, he came and invited those using "The machine" to enter.

I indicated my purpose there he said, "Wait."

He locked the doors.

He went inside and in a short while called me in and directed me to a representative.

I enquired of him as I walked towards the representative, "What about the other people outside?"

He said, "Machines, come up now."

He unlocked the door and they were let in.

I concluded my business and left at 10:08 am.

Digicel, WAKE UP, please!!! 

Now, I'm well aware that even with the best plan in the world, the unexpected can occur. Christ, not even an apology or someone with authority to ascertain from the two workers there on the ground if there are customers waiting and then tell them what to say to us (since clearly they were not willing or able to speak for Digicel)?

What's the use of all the pomp and pride, advertisements, humongous sponsorships, and 'political' hobnobbing if we can't get basic service, punctuality, and courtesy, right?

 Jamaica can do better! 

 We deserve better! 

 Things must get better!

COME ON DIGICEL!!!!

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Cayman Islands - Shocking News

The world is being overwhelmed by crime and violence. I just got information from Cayman that a man stabbed his wife multiple times and then took his own life.

I have no more unformatuon at this point.

No Case of HMPV or Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Detected in Jamaica - Ministry of Health

Minisry of Health Press Release - 20250107:

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie, CD

The Ministry of Health & Wellness wishes to advise that no case of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been detected in Jamaica and that the Caribbean Public Health Agency has indicated that the risk to the Caribbean is low but may increase. 

HMPV is a respiratory virus in the family with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). HMPV usually causes upper and lower respiratory disease in people of all ages. Vulnerable groups, including children under five years old, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, are more at risk. Similar to other respiratory viruses, symptoms include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath, which may progress to bronchitis or pneumonia. 

A seasonal increase in respiratory pathogens is expected in countries of the northern hemisphere, particularly during the winter period. 

INCREASE IN RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES 

Jamaica is currently experiencing the rise in respiratory illnesses normally seen at this time of the year. Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic strain 2009 is the predominant strain (256 cases in 2024) in circulation in Jamaica, followed by Influenza A (H3N2) (62 cases in 2024) and a few cases of Influenza B (5 cases in 2024). No case of Avian Influenza A (H5N1) was detected in Jamaica in 2024.

According to Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie, CD, “there was high RSV activity in October (102 cases) to November (122 cases) 2024, however, this decreased in December 2024 (7 cases)”.

“COVID-19 cases,” she noted, “remain at low levels at an average of four cases per week for the last three months of 2024”.

“We are now in the influenza season, when an increase in influenza cases is expected. However, the figures are in keeping with what is expected at this time of year. Based on routine surveillance reports, at the end of 2024, weekly Severe Acute Respiratory Illnesses (SARI) and influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) visits were below alert and epidemic thresholds,” added the CMO. 

Similar to the pattern noted in 2023, in December of 2024, the number of cases of admitted lower respiratory tract infections increased and in week 51 of 2024 was above the epidemic threshold. The Ministry continues to monitor the situation in the hospitals and ask persons visiting health facilities to wear masks to prevent the spread of respiratory infections.

As a reminder, all persons are at risk for respiratory illnesses and for transmitting infections. Every effort must be made to safeguard vulnerable individuals, including the very young, the very old and persons with chronic illnesses that make them immunocompromised. These persons are at risk for severe illnesses. Persons should wear masks in crowded areas and if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms, they should wash hands properly and avoid touching the face. 

The National Surveillance Unit in the Ministry will continue to monitor the evolving epidemiological situation in Jamaica and analyse sentinel and laboratory surveillance data related to fever and respiratory symptoms. Influenza data are published in the Ministry’s Weekly Epidemiology Bulletin posted on the Ministry’s website.

Jamaicans are encouraged to practice proper infection prevention control measures including taking the flu vaccine to guard against illness and severe outcomes. 

Click icon below to listen to audio: 

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Dr Llewellyn Johnson Talks About the Flu Affecting Jamaicans

Dr. Llewellyn Johnson has a brother and a sister. His parents loved and served the people of their communities well. Both his parents were teachers, and many Jamaicans have sat at their feet and absorbed their knowledge. This couple produced a son, a father, a husband, a friend, and a doctor who now serves the people of Jamaica. He has worked as a doctor in hospitals in Jamaica and Bermuda.

Today I spoke with him about the flu, which is affecting many Jamaicans. I am now experiencing it. I spoke to Dr. Johnson about the flu. You can learn many things from this conversation. Click on the picture below to listen to the conversation.

Click to listen to the conversation.

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Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. Sends Off Ninety Six Farmworkers To Canada

Press Release From The Ministry of Labour - 20250106: 

Despite freezing temperatures in Canada, the 96 farmworkers who were sent off by Minister Charles Jr last Friday, received a warm welcome upon arrival at their destination.  

The Jamaican Liaison Service (JLS) led by Chief Liaison Officer Althea Riley, was on hand with several partners, at the Pearson International Airport in Toronto Canada, on Friday January 3, to greet the first set of farmworkers who arrived in Canada for the 2025 agricultural season. 

Partners on location included Jamaica’s Consul General in Toronto Mr. Kurt Davis, Claude Thompson of JN Money and other members of the Jamaican Liaison Service. 

In welcoming the workers, Riley said, “Welcome to Canada gentlemen, I want to encourage you to exercise professionalism in executing your duties and interacting with your peers. Also, please be mindful in maintaining the established standard of high performance for which we are known. The continued success of the programme rests heavily on their shoulders as does your own welfare. So, it is your responsibility to report to the Jamaica Liaison Service any issues or concerns that may arise, rest assured that all matters will be swiftly and confidentially addressed.” 

In acknowledging the JN representative on location Riley described the partnership established with JN Money. JN Money has been providing farmworkers ease of access when sending money back home to their families. “Last season the JLS powered by JN Money embarked on a series of social events across all the provinces in Canada which was aimed at engaging farmworkers and building more sustainable relationships with their liaison officers, employers and peers. These events were a success, and we are already planning future iterations of the series” Riley said. 

The cadre of 96 workers have benefitted from several recent changes made to the programme including improved services from the JLS with an increase in the frequency of visits and 24-hour access to liaison officers. Further, upon arrival in Canada, all farmworkers are to be greeted at the airport on arrival a briefing session held with them before they are dispatched to their respective farms. 

Chief Liaison Officer, Jamaica Liaison Service, Mrs. Althea Riley is
surrounded by arriving farmworkers

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NEWS FLASH!!!

US Experience first human bird flu death. the first severe H5N1 in the US. Jamaica has to be on watch!!!

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