The 18 Degrees North team won an award from the Press Association of Jamaica this weekend for human interest reporting. Congratulations!

Some good news from the Possibility Program, which I have written about several times. Possibility, run by the gentle and kind Leroy Campbell, works with street boys who are “unattached.” In other words, they most likely come from a single parent home, live on the streets, don’t attend school and don’t have jobs.

Possibility Program is enabling these boys to acquire knowledge such as reading, writing and math, and some skills such as leather-craft. Some of the boys are enrolled in school and are succeeding academically. Read more about the program here. However the story, while positive and enlightening, does not discuss the fact that the program is being evicted from its current location. They must move from the building they occupy in Half-Way Tree.

The building is not conducive to learning, as it is in the heart of one of Kingston’s busiest spots. It is also run-down and in need of major repairs. It seems there is some movement on finding a new location though. This must happen. This is a program doing a lot with very little and these boys cannot lose the guidance and love of a man like Mr. Campbell.

This is interesting. A young doctor and past president of the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association, Dr. Alfred Dawes, is declaring Jamaica a failed nation, as opposed to a failed state.

There are specific criteria for designating a failed state as such, and Jamaica does not technically fit them. However, one wonders sometimes when we hear about the poverty levels and economic performance, inadequate infrastructure, crime rates and extrajudicial killings.

Calling Jamaica a failed nation may be more accurate then. Dr. Dawes won’t make any friends with this statement, but I’m sure many people will agree with him, and perhaps do some thinking. Check out the story here.

Have a wonderfull day.

Last Friday celebrated Transgender Day of Remembrance. This is a picture from a J-FLAG-sponsored campaign to raise awareness of transgender people. What beautiful, courageous individuals. Have a good Monday.

Disheveled mother selfie.

A box of books to read to my girl.

Some tranquility for you today.

With all the talk about an upcoming election, I was wondering about procedure. It seems from the coverage that the Prime Minister can drop the writ at her pleasure. This is true, according to the Representation of the People Act. 

This clearly leaves the power in the hands of those in charge, as countless trial balloons and by-elections can be floated and held. Polls also help leaders to test the winds. The opposition is left always in the position of catching up.In addition, there are currently no term limits, although there has been talk of implementing them in the past.

This used to be the case in Canada, until fixed election dates were enacted. So now we have more American-style elections that seem interminable.

In any case, it looks like Jamaica is gearing up for an election in the next few months. Here is another take on the situation from a fellow blogger.

Walking with my sweet girl.