#MotivationalMondays: Oran Green races towards his dreams | Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News | Loop News

Life can present many pathways and regardless of the one you have chosen, you can still take the passions that lie deep within you, on the journey of building yourself.

Oran Green, a bellman at Beaches Negril Resort and Spa, has proven this statement true.

Although committed to his duties at his resort, his love for sports is something he is determined to always take with him.

Prior to the onset of the pandemic, Green made a living from being an active member of the Jamaican sporting arena, as an assistant coach at Edwin Allen High School and refereeing local football matches.

The pandemic brought with it so much uncertainty and the need for a job to continue earning a living, which motivated Green to step outside his comfort zone and try something different.

Encouraged by his twin brother, who is also a bellman at Sandals South Coast, Green applied for a job with the resort and was successful.

Now with almost a year’s worth of experience under his belt, Green has become a familiar face at the resort.

He is known for his warm personality and sharp-wittedness, which comes as no surprise – he’s an athlete at heart!

Green shares that though it has not been a full year in his new job, he’s always had the drive to aim for the best.

“I see myself as a quick learner and I don’t want to sit around waiting so there is always a need to go and seek the information and skills that I need. I am always open to new ideas and will always be willing to jump at opportunities when they present themselves. If I don’t succeed I can at least say that I tried,” Green shared, beaming.

Beaches Negril Bellman Oran Green. (Photo: Contributed)

Noting that the job of a bellman is no easy role, Green shared that though he is not a shy person, his job has truly helped to improve and instil qualities that he will take with him for a lifetime.

He adds that he is committed to maintaining ‘tunnel vision’ as he pushes toward his goals.

As you may already deduce, Green is no stranger to adapting; whether to a task or to life in general.

Growing up in a single-parent family after losing his father in high school, Green shared that he had to find it within him to complete his studies and perform at the expected standards for his sports teams – he had to keep his head in the game.

“The day after my father passed, my brother and I had a football match, we showed up and we played hard,” he shared.

He believes this has not only helped to strengthen his bond with his mother, but also mold him into a family man.

Moving on from high school to study Sports Coaching at the University of Technology, Jamaica, a tenacious Green held dreams of building young Jamaican talents in sports and giving them the platform and tools to get ahead.

Acting as an assistant coach then at Edwin Allen High School, he shared that he was always committed to ensuring the athletes were not only physically, but also mentally prepared each season.

“Being responsible for recruitment and welfare it was always my intention to seek out the best opportunities for youths, I ensured that their education was prioritized so it was not just about sports, but also placing emphasis on the essential qualifications, life skills and training to perform and be their best selves,” Green shared.

Green has taken the same positive outlook in his experience in sports to his duties on the resort, noting that just as how any form of athletics requires consistent training and mental fortitude, his duties require the same mindset and attitude.

Some of his fellow team members may agree that the trolley he uses to carry his guests’ luggage is no different from a baton, as he is always on the move and ready to hand over and deliver his best performance.

Front Office Supervisor at Beaches Negril, Genette Murray sees Green as one who represents the company well.

“Oran always walks with a smile and is very dedicated to his job, he goes above and beyond to deliver the best service to his guests. He approaches both the guests and his team members with much care and grace. I am sure he will grow to greater heights and continue to excel in whatever he does,” Murray noted.

Green still makes the time to be active in different sporting events such as refereeing for School Boy Football and national football games.

He added that even though he is no longer directly involved in track and field, his Edwin Allen High School team will always have a place in his heart and will always be ‘family’ to him.

It is his desire to grow with the Beaches Resort brand and adds that there is no slowing him down.

He has his eyes currently set on hopefully joining the butler team, as according to him the company provides many opportunities for upward mobility and he will always make himself available for his spot at the top.

When asked how he plans to make his love for sports a part of his work, Green shared that he would like to play an active role in the on-resort sporting events and to motivate his team members to lead a healthy life with the hope of them also finding additional passions in the world of sports.

There is still much to learn on the job at Beaches Negril, and though there is no doubt that Green is fast on his feet he still believes in taking his time to understand his resort operations, get the job done correctly and make a positive impact.

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Williams mourns suspected murder of former senior educator | Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News | Loop News
Loop News

2 hrs ago

Fayval Williams

NEWYou can now listen to Loop News articles!

Education Minister Fayval Williams has expressed shock and sadness at the suspected murder of former Principal of the St Ann-based Ferncourt High School, Sharon Kelly-Stair.

Williams, in a statement, noted that initial reports suggest that Kelly-Stair was killed sometime between Thursday night and Friday morning.

“It appears that the 71-year-old former educator was robbed then killed at her home in the Bobo Hills area of Bull Bay, St Andrew,” said Williams.

“This is another unfathomable act of brutality that just leaves us numb with anger and bewilderment. Mrs Kelly-Stair gave so much of her time to moulding the minds and character of young Jamaicans and it is very, very sad to see that this should have happened to her in her twilight years,” added Williams.

Kelly-Stair joined the staff of Ferncourt High School as a teacher of mathematics in 1977. She acted as principal between 1981 and 1987 before going on to serve as principal between 1988 and 1993.

She then went to the National Council on Education as its first Executive Director.

The education minister is appealing to anyone with information that can help the police with their investigations to share this as quickly as possible

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Williams mourns suspected murder of former senior educator | Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News | Loop News
Loop News

2 hrs ago

Fayval Williams

NEWYou can now listen to Loop News articles!

Education Minister Fayval Williams has expressed shock and sadness at the suspected murder of former Principal of the St Ann-based Ferncourt High School, Sharon Kelly-Stair.

Williams, in a statement, noted that initial reports suggest that Kelly-Stair was killed sometime between Thursday night and Friday morning.

“It appears that the 71-year-old former educator was robbed then killed at her home in the Bobo Hills area of Bull Bay, St Andrew,” said Williams.

“This is another unfathomable act of brutality that just leaves us numb with anger and bewilderment. Mrs Kelly-Stair gave so much of her time to moulding the minds and character of young Jamaicans and it is very, very sad to see that this should have happened to her in her twilight years,” added Williams.

Kelly-Stair joined the staff of Ferncourt High School as a teacher of mathematics in 1977. She acted as principal between 1981 and 1987 before going on to serve as principal between 1988 and 1993.

She then went to the National Council on Education as its first Executive Director.

The education minister is appealing to anyone with information that can help the police with their investigations to share this as quickly as possible

Related Articles

More From

Jamaica News

Shock and grief have engulfed the rural district of Benbow in Guy’s Hill, St Catherine after a popular security guard was shot dead by gunmen at a gas station in Angels outside Spanish Town on Friday

Jamaica News

A suspended police officer who allegedly killed a Jamaican woman after she rejected his advances, is to stand trial in Antigua and Barbuda in November of this year.

A report in the Antigua Observe

Jamaica News

Remains in custody after alleged physical, sexual assault of girlfriend

Sport

Women’s 100m hurdles

Jasmine Camacho-Quinn owns the Olympic gold medal. Kendra Harrison holds the world record. What neither has is a world outdoor title.

That could easily change at the July 15

Jamaica News

Law enforcement can be a really hard task, especially in places like some urban, inner-city communities of Jamaica, where residents – these days – have seemingly made it a habit of taking on heavily a

Jamaica News

St Thomas was rocked by another double murder on Saturday, the second in less than two days, when a taxi operator and a shop operator were killed in Seaforth.

The deceased are 41-year-old Germaine

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Senate set to examine Road Traffic Regulations | Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News | Loop News

The Road Traffic Regulations, 2022, which provide a slate of new offences and fines under the 2018 Road Traffic Act, were tabled in the Senate on July 8.

The document was tabled by Leader of Government Business in the Senate and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith.

In her remarks, Johnson Smith said she welcomed the tabling of the legislation.

“We look forward to reviewing them to ensure that they accord with the requirements, but we trust that the extensive time that has been taken to promulgate these regulations has ensured that they are, in fact, ready for us to be taken,” she said.

Johnson Smith said the Regulations have been adopted in the House of Representatives.

The Road Traffic Regulations, 2022 contain 299 orders, grouped into 13 parts, which provide for a slate of new offences and fines under the 2018 Road Traffic Act.

The legislation also addresses the requirements for a motor vehicle to be operated on a road, including obtaining a certificate of fitness, registering a motor vehicle, and obtaining a certificate of title, and licensing (whether yearly or half-yearly).

In the meantime, the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, which seeks to facilitate the accurate implementation of the road traffic regulations, was also tabled.

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Eyewitness: Hiding…(NGSA) bright bulbs??

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana

Well, there it was; one of our annual rituals – our little (11+) darlings writing what used to call their “Common Entrance” exams! Just as de rigueur were the little tykes’ parents – mostly mothers – fussing and wishing them luck and all that!! That the name of the exam is now NGSA – the National Sixth Grade Assessment – Is supposed to be significant. The “Common Entrance” signalled the colonial-era exam that was open to all the “Standard 4” children across our not-so-fair-land to compete for “entrance” to a few spots at Queen’s or Bishops’.

That “exam” was said – by the “experts” at the Ministry of Education – to put too much pressure on the little ragamuffins at such an early age. So, instead they instituted not one but THREE “assessments” – at Grade 2, Grade 4, and Grade 6!! They’re not REALLY “exams” – the kids were now assured from age seven!! But what exactly is different!?! The results of the 2nd and 4th Grade “assessments” are factored into the NGSA – on the premise that the students’ strengths and weaknesses were monitored over a larger span!! And when they enter High School’s 7th Grade, the teachers would have a good assessment of the raw material they’re being handed to mould into the new Guyana citizen!!

Have you even heard such a crock? Your Eyewitness would like to know of a SINGLE instance where this kiddie utopian paradise was achieved!! The bottom line is there’s been ABSOLUTELY no change in whatever pressures the Common Entrance exam brought on and the present NGSA. It does what was always the case – it determines whether the kid will enter one of the five or so “elite” schools in GT or whether they’ll be schlepping over to their local “Secondary School”. Where, in addition to not having the posh facilities of the “town school” bears the “familiarity breeds contempt” burden!!

And the pressure?? Since it’ll pretty much determine the “life chances” of the kids’ success or failure, why’d you think?? Of course, there’re gonna be exceptions, but, by and large, the race is gonna be won by the “bright”. So, over in La La land of the Carnival and Calypso, THEIR powers-that-be have decided to quit publicly releasing their Common Entrance Exam results which had been dubbed SEA – Secondary Entrance Assessment – and have them only available on a portal!!

Each kid can now check his or her score personally. So, what’ll happen when the same old “high flyer” cohort shows up at the premier High Schools?? Won’t the regular students know THEY didn’t get in – and suffer by comparison?? Some feel the change is to hide that one ethnicity dominates the top rankings.Did you ever hear of such schupidness??

…Indigenous swing power

There’s a bit of a little dust-up over the hosting of the annual National Toshaos Conference – which will now be held this week. Seems the funds that couldn’t be found to grease the activities of the Conference have now been located by the Government. Who, not surprisingly, are being accused of wanting to “control” the goings-on by setting the agenda and not inviting the previous executive!!

Now, from where your Eyewitness sits – on his high horse observing the goings-on in his native land – he’s not surprised. Doesn’t matter what subject you’re talking about here – be it horse racing or beauty pageants (same thing?!) – politics will intrude. Now you’ll hope they won’t be too heavy-handed– but since when politicians have been known for sensitivity?! All he knows is our Indigenous Peoples are in the driver’s seat when it comes to politics – since they pretty much hold the “swing vote”.And to tell politicians to keep off their affairs is like telling a bee to abjure honey!!

…and bailing out

The Rajapaksa family ran the affairs of Sri Lanka like their personal fiefdom. But once the bottom fell out of the economy, the natives became restless.Pres Gotabaya Rajapaksa just bailed when his barricades were stormed.

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Saint Lucia Records 85 New COVID-19 Cases – St. Lucia Times News

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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Today Monday July 11, 2022 the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs reports a total of 85 new cases of COVID-19 from samples processed on Friday July 8, 2022 and Saturday July 9, 2022.

This is from a total of 290 samples from the Ezra Long Laboratory. These samples werecollected from July 6, 2022 to July 9, 2022. This number of positive cases makes up 29.3% of all the samples processed on that date.

These new cases bring the total number of cases diagnosed in country to date to 27, 337.

Confirmation was also received of the recovery of 56 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19.

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This brings the number of active cases in country to date to 172. Currently, there are four positive case of COVID-19 admitted at the Respiratory Hospital.

To date, a total of 54, 404 individuals have been fully vaccinated. Another 5, 285 are partially vaccinated and 7, 660 have received their booster shot.

Vaccination will take place tomorrow Tuesday July 12, 2022 at various Wellness Centres as per the published COVID-19 vaccination schedule. Vaccination will be available from 9am to 4pm.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs will continue providing daily updates to the public as new information becomes available.

Source: Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs. Headline photo: Stock image 

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Three New Monarchs Crowned For Saint Lucia Carnival 2022 – St. Lucia Times News

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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After an exciting weekend of intense competition, three new kings have been crowned for Saint Lucia Carnival 2022.

Copping this year’s Groovy Monarch title for the third time was Ricky T, with the song “Mal Pale”.

Crowd favourite for the power soca segment, Fross, took the title of Power Soca Monarch with his hit song “God Made Man” which saw the entire crowd at the SAAB jumping and waving their piles of money in unison.

 Calypso Monarch Dezral, left fans yearning for more with his song “legacy”, where he was joined on stage by his father, local Calypso legend, The Mighty Pep.

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The results for this year’s Monarchs were as follows:

Rank 
Groovy Soca Monarch 
Power Soca Monarch 
Calypso Monarch 
Winner 
Ricky T
Fross
Dezral
1st Runner- Up 
Ti-Blacks
Ricky-T
Ti-Carro
2nd Runner- Up 
Q-Pid
Dhirv 2Funny
Walleigh
3rd Runner- Up 
Ezra DaFunMachine
Ezra DaFunMachine
TC Brown

Chairperson of the Carnival Planning and Management Committee (CPMC), Tamara Gibson said “We were expecting a very tight competition this year and our artistes certainly delivered. We saw some very high-quality performances, making it very difficult for our judges to select a winner. We were also very pleased with the turnout this past weekend and happy to see patrons getting back into the groove of Saint Lucia Carnival. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the season has to offer.”

Saint Lucia Carnival 2022 runs from July 7 – 19, with the Parade of the bands scheduled for July 18 and 19.

Source: Carnival Planning and Management Committee. 

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Bajans excited, fingers crossed ahead of Tipsy headlined by Burna Boy | Loop Barbados

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Barbados News

Burna Boy, who is set to headlined Tipsy – the All-white Party in Barbados and kick off his Love, Damini summer tour, did not take to the Wireless stages over the weekend as planned.

On Twitter, four days ago, the Nigerian singers told his fans:

“I won’t be doing Wireless 2moro. Sorry.”

And while some of his fans held out hope that since Wireless was two days, though he would not be in London, he would make his appearance and perform in Birmingham, they were quickly disappointed.

Minutes later, Burna Boy tweeted again, saying:

“I Also won’t be doing Wireless Birmingham, Sincerest Apologies”

However, he went ahead with his album drop as promised and despite the disappointment felt by the fans in the UK, Love, Damini has been getting mad love with ‘Last, Last’ still being deemed the ‘Top, Top’ hit of the summer 2022. Even Tidal tweeted that ‘Last, Last’ is an ‘absolute smash’.

Burna Boy told his supporters, “Apparently I was born just after midnight, so I’m gna be dropping teasers everyday till release at midnight #LOVEDAMINI” and the love every day since is very apparent.

Many people are showing in their tweets that they are going out to cop their tickets. While many others are tweeting that the album has been on repeat since it dropped. One fan tweeted it is “damn near perfect” and Burna Boy retweeted her tweet.

On Bajan Twitter, few fans who already have tickets in-hand for his first Love Damini Summer Tour stop in Barbados on July 17, when they caught wind of his apology tweets were saying, he better not cancel his Bridgetown show.

One tweet that got a lot of traction jokingly said, “If burna don’t show up at Tipsy, Bajans gonna blast them and next year it gonna name Sober.”

But on the flipside, most Bajans were unfazed by the Afrobeats singer’s move in the UK because he has truly been promoting his new album, of which he is most proud and ready to share with the world. He also was not headlining Wireless.

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Oprah Winfrey’s father, Vernon, dies at 89 | Loop Barbados

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Barbados News

Oprah Winfrey’s father, Vernon Winfrey, has died at the age of 89.

Oprah confirmed in an Instagram post that her father died in Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday, July 8.

“Yesterday with family surrounding his bedside I had the sacred honour of witnessing the man responsible for my life, take his last breath,” the media mogul wrote. “We could feel peace enter the room at his passing.”

Details about funeral plans were not immediately released.

Earlier last week, Oprah surprised her father by throwing him a surprise barbeque in Nashville on the Fourth of July. The event was called “Vernon Winfrey Appreciation Day”, which included a barber chair to honour his long career as a barber and owning his own shop in Nashville for nearly 50 years.

Vernon served as a member of Nashville’s Metro City Council for 16 years and was a trustee for the Tennessee State University.

Oprah spent her early childhood at her father’s hometown of Kosciusko, Mississippi, and in Milwaukee with her mother, Vernita Lee, who died in 2018. However, she also lived with her father in Nashville, between the ages of 7 and 9 and during her teens.

“If I hadn’t been sent to my father [when I was 14], I would have gone in another direction,” Oprah told the Washington Post in 1986. “I could have made a good criminal. I would have used these same instincts differently.”

________

ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Mayaro residents relive brush with bad weather: ‘I saw my roof flying’

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Franklyn Charles of St Anns West Street, Mayaro, stands in house which is now without a roof after it was sent flying by high winds during bad weather on Sunday. – Photo by Lincoln Holder

Sitting on a chair in the ruins of his home in Mayaro on Monday, 80-year-old pensioner Franklyn Charles recalled that Sunday morning’s strong winds ended a conversation prematurely with his neighbour.

The winds ripped off his roof, which landed on the road in front of his home at St Ann’s West Street. His house was one of nine damaged by heavy rain and strong winds in several parts of the community early Sunday, affecting about 20 people. There were no injuries reported.

“I was right here talking to him. His car was on the road, and with the noise, he left to move it. The roof in the kitchen was raising, so I leaned against the front door. I heard another noise and saw my roof flying in the road,” Charles said.

“The spot where his car was, the roof fell right there. He moved that car in time. When I watched, the winds ripped off the (electric) meter, and wires were sparking.”

Charles, who moved from Station Road, Siparia, to Mayaro at 21, said he did not have the money to rebuild immediately. TT Electricity Commission workers disconnected the electricity and helped put a tarpaulin over the wooden structure.

“I live alone. I have some clothes to wash, but I have no electricity. I would have to do it like long ago. Everything is wet inside,” Charles said.

Mayaro Rio Claro Regional Corporation chairman Raymond Cozier and workers from the corporation’s disaster management unit revisited affected residents on Monday.

Mayaro MP Rushton Paray also met with them.

Two other houses in the street were also damaged.

Renaldo Heminez said he was awakened by the “whistling winds” at about 6 am. He looked outside and saw strong winds pushing his neighbour’s roof inside the wooden house.

To his disbelief, the roof raised off again and landed about 20 feet away. The winds also ripped off several boards from his home, and with the help of others, they secured his roof.

“If she was home, she would not have made it out alive,” he said, referring to his neighbour Christine Roop.

Roop was not in the area when Newsday visited on Monday.

At Lewis and Sucre Street, off the Manzanilla Road in Mayaro, four families were affected.

Recalling the ordeal, Veronica Noel said she prayed from 6 am to around 8 am when the rain and winds stopped.

Veronica Noel of Lewis and Sucre streets in Mayaro, points to a section of her roof which was damaged during bad weather on Sunday. – Photo by Lincoln Holder

“The galvanised sheets above my bedroom were raising. I got off bed and went to the gallery. I was praying and praying for protection,” Noel said.

“I never experienced anything like this in my 59 years on this earth. My bed got wet, but the roof did not blow off. My brother came later on and tied it down with a rope. I saw one of my neighbour’s roofs raise like a sheet of paper.”

She referred to the recent storm warning saying, had the storm passed over Trinidad, she would have been dead.

The house would not have been able to withstand the winds.

She and other affected residents were filling out several forms from the National Commission for Self Help Ltd for grants to repair their homes.

Residents from Solomon Street, Mayaro, and Calmapas Village in Guayaguayare were also affected.

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