Today I must reblog Jessica’s story, check it out here. I have worked with her for awhile now and never fail to be inspired. You can learn more about what it feels like to be transgendered from Jessica’s story. Of course, it is one story, but it is one of courage and strength. And check out this new blog called Transwave, billed as promoting transgender health and well-being.

This is going round social media. Sometimes my ear is still not attuned to patois:)

Kingston city.

A window in Mountain View.

Last week, we had one day of substantial rain, but the drought continues. For most of the summer, my neighborhood has been fortunate enough to escape the water rationing, but I guess it is catching up with us now. We have had two three-day periods of no water. Today, we are starting on the third day. It is not a pleasant situation, to be sure, but it could be alleviated somewhat if we could plan.

Alas, there are no regular updates anywhere, from any government agency. The National Water Commission fails to provide any information, save for a general press release here and there. How easy it would be to update customers on social media or the radio, or even the newspaper. But, we receive nothing. (I should note that the NWC issued a press release on Sept. 3 stating that there is a “break” in a line coming from Yallahs that will affect most of Kingston’s supply. What does that mean? When will it be fixed? Why do some regions have water and others don’t? As usual, a government press release that creates more questions than answers.)

Over the weekend, there were inserts in the newspaper from the Ministry of Health about how to maintain safety with no running water. Wash your hands, use bleach, etc. But if you don’t have water, how do you do this? Why is the Ministry spending money to advertise this? Why is there no budget for informing people about when their neighborhood will face restrictions?

And now it appears an underground economy has sprung up, with people buying trucks for a nominal amount, rebranding them and then selling water. This is not safe, of course, because there is no policy or directive from the Ministry of Health. It seems they are drafting one now, however.

In any case, it is the most maddening thing to not know when the water will flow again. If there was some kind of schedule, it would allow one to plan, to know when to stock up on water and to do some domestic duties.

One of Jamaica’s few programs that helps boys get off the streets is in peril after being told it must move out of its current location. The Possibility Program is in “limbo”, says Leroy Campbell, who has run the program since 2001.

That’s because Heart Trust (which partners with Possibility and provides funding) has deemed the building in which Possibility operates as unfit. Indeed, the building is an older structure, located in the HalfWay Tree area. It is noisy due to the constant traffic, and requires some repairs. However, while Campbell says they are searching for a new location, there have yet to be any prospects.

“Heart Trust doesn’t think this facility is conducive to learning. We need a proper layout and the noise is distracting,” Campbell says. They must move by the end of October or Heart will cease to be a partner. They must also up their attendance to 20 boys. Fifteen are attending now. (I have written about the program here and here and here, check it out to learn more.)

“We are very concerned about this, as it is an excellent program.” Indeed, it has saved lives. It has helped otherwise unemployable men gain work experience and full-time jobs. It has kept them off the streets, educated them and loved them. “We really deal with a lot of the issues that unattached youth have,” says Campbell. “They maybe would return to a life of crime” without Possibility, he ventures. “We offer a lot of hope. But we are in limbo, wondering what is going to happen to us.”

Campbell can be reached at 434-6709 if you know of any means of helping out.

A windy day at Gloria’s in Port Royal. Delicious steamed fish and crackers and good company.

(Photo courtesy of Loop Jamaica).

I have to congratulate these young ladies for their impressive finish at the UANA Pan American Synchronized Swimming Championships. Jamaican duet team Nyouka Baugh and Felice Coombs placed fourth in their duet, behind the Mexicans, US and Canada, while Baugh placed fourth in her solo.

They also recently won gold and silver at the CCCAN Caribbean Regional Championships in July. Having done this sport myself, I know it is no joke. The amount of training and discipline it takes is incredible. They deserve as much recognition (as does Alia Atkinson) as the nation reserves for Bolt and Shelly-Ann etc.

Here’s a bit more about the competition, from Loop Jamaica:

Over 200 athletes from 12 countries were in Calgary to compete at the Talisman Centre in the Championships, which is held annually for synchronised swimmers in the region of the Americas.

They compete in 12-and-under, 13-15 and 16-18 age groups featuring solo, duet, team and free combination events.

The duo was prepared by coach Olga Novokshchnova of Island Aquatics Synchro Club and national coach Jun Tochino, who accompanied the swimmers.

They were encouraged by the improved scores compared to the CCCAN, especially since this event was a higher level of competition. They also believe that the swimmers can do even better in the future, especially with improvement in the figures portion of the scores.

Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica, which governs synchronised swimming, wanted to send a larger contingent to the championships, but inadequate funding prevented this.

This little guy was playing on a beach in St. Thomas. He spotted my sister and I and this apparently prompted him to fill a bottle with sand, walk over to us and dump the sand on my feet. Then he dumped his juice on my feet. He couldn’t understand why we were laughing. It was a perfectly logical action to him, of course.