Author Archives: Kate Chappell

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About Kate Chappell

"And all I offer here is the distilled poetry of my existence..." Claude McKay, Poet Laureate of Jamaica, 1890-1848 I have been a reporter since 1998, covering mainly business and politics. I have also capitalized on the many skills journalism requires to become an all-around communications specialist. In addition to being a professional curious person and communicator, I have a bad case of the travel bug and can't seem to stay put. Finally, I have put my skills to work as a volunteer in the community wherever I have lived. Now, follow me as I combine these compartments of my life in Kingston, Jamaica, where I am a writer, reporter, journalist and lecturer.

Universal Children’s Day

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Today, by declaration of the United Nations, is Universal Children’s Day. In an ideal world, we would not need such a commemoration. All children would be protected and would have access to adequate nutrition, education and nurture. There is still much work to do, however.

Jamaica’s population stands at almost 2.8 million people. According to the UN’s most recent Country Report, just over a third of this population consists of children (age 18 and under). This report also states that Jamaica has made progress in terms of achieving the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), but there is still room for improvement.

And although 97 per cent of children will have a chance of surviving beyond age five and 100 per cent will have a chance to be enrolled in school, significant threats remain for young people. These include violence, abuse, natural disasters, the effects of poverty and inadequate education.

Exposure to violence is perhaps the most immediate issue. With the third highest murder rate in the world, crime and abuse persist and many young people are exposed and subjected to experiences that have a detrimental effect on their development. But changes are occurring at the highest levels and these policies will slowly start to have a trickle-down effect at the ground level.

In 2004, the Child Care Protection Act was established to create a policy framework to address some of these issues. An offshoot of this is the Office of the Children’s Advocate. They are doing great work, but the country’s desperate financial situation is placing constraints on so many of the government agencies that are trying to do good work. The financial strain is also extending to the civil society organizations, which are struggling to operate with inadequate funds.

In short, much has been achieved in terms of protecting Jamaica’s children but much remains to be done to protect the most vulnerable segment of the nation’s population.

Thanks to fellow volunteer Onyka for reminding me of Universal Children’s Day.

Bird wings in my ears

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This morning I was up at Mona Reservoir for a long run. I had it all to myself, for the most part. Just me and some music in my ears and my thoughts in my head. For a minute, in this solitude, I pretend that Kingston is all mine as I look down upon it and up at the Blue Mountains. The mist hovered above them as the sun climbed higher, it rolled in and out. Other than a few workers from the reservoir who came and went, my only company consisted of several species of birds. I would never consider myself a birdwatcher or anything, but I do appreciate them as I trot around the circle of water.

There is something so comforting about their stately presence. They perch together at the shore, different kinds all mingling in harmony. The pelicans swoop and crash into the water in their attempt to skewer breakfast. There is a smallish dark bird that possesses feathers of such a stunning, dark, chalky, dusty, navy blue that contrasts with a purple neck and a periwinkle blue beak that I stare every time I see them. The pure white herons stand with grace on the cement wall, their necks so long and their head swivelling to watch as I pass by. Sometimes they perceive me as a threat and take off, so powerful and efficient, their wingspan lifting them above us all.

Often, I can hear the sound of the feathers on their wings rubbing together. It is a sound like no other, so beautiful. How can I describe it? It is silky, gentle, smooth, soft and like nothing that a human being could ever emit. The sounds hovers for just seconds in my ear before the bird is lifted too high above me. It is an otherworldly noise and I feel privileged to hear it. For a moment, I can escape out of my life and into a moment in which I experience nature and beauty and grace.

I left the reservoir with some peace this morning and delved back into the concrete, noise and heat of Kingston for another blessed day.

Astro, the morning star

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Yesterday, we attended the opening of an art exhibit in downtown Kingston. The artist, Astro Saulter, is part of a talented family of Jamaicans, including Storm Saulter, who produced the movie Better Mus Come. Astro, 34, has cerebral palsy and uses a computer and his head to create digital line drawings. (Here’s a story about Astro.) Thirty-five pieces were shown yesterday at the open and airy gallery. Astro incorporates bold colours and stark, graphic images. I’m not an art expert, but I enjoyed the unique and inspired nature of the pieces. The dedication and love of art and self-expression are also clear in Astro’s works. According to Astro’s Facebook page, it can take one month to create a piece, which he does by using a computer program called EZ-Keys. This program allows Astro to use a headswitch on the back of his wheelchair to create the drawings.

Astro is one of eight children, and was sent to a rehabilitative school in New Hampshire, US, where he learned to communicate via Morse code, which he inputs into a computer by moving his head. Astro completed high school in Miami and returned to Jamaica at age 20. He continues to create works of art and aims to inspire others. From his Facebook page: “…no matter who you are, or where you come from, or what background you have, or even if you have a disability – if you have a dream or a vision of something that you really want to do in life you must face it and challenge that goal head on. Do not let anything stand in your way, or anyone try to stop you or tell you cannot do it.”

The event saw the launch of another of Astro’s creations- a film, which was looping during the exhibit. Spotted at the event was Chris Blackwell of Island Records and Bob Marley fame, as he is a supporter and sponsor of Astro’s. NoMaddz performed, a beloved Jamaican reggae band.

It is never easy to go through life with a disability, and Jamaica appears to be an especially challenging place to live. Stereotypes, fear and marginalization prevail. Nowhere accommodates people who use a wheelchair. It is difficult enough for able-bodied people to get around the streets, I can’t imagine what it is like with a wheelchair or other aids. But events like this help to raise awareness and to show people that a disability need not impede one’s goals or dreams. It also illustrates the irrational fears and prejudices towards people with disabilities. It seems as though the message is starting to get out. Digicel (a major telecom company) is getting on board in supporting the cause. Let’s hope the growing awareness continues.

Skyfall, my first Jamaican movie

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Last night marked my first time watching a movie in the theatre here in Jamaica. It was a fun experience. The movie itself, Skyfall, was entertaining and kept me interested through the entire two plus hours. I had heard about the Jamaican movie experience- it is a little bit different as the national anthem is played prior to the movie and there is an intermission. So of course, I missed the anthem as I was out buying water. But I was there for the intermission, which was strange, in a good way. The crowd was into the movie, there was some commenting and opining, although a lot less than I expected given what it is usually like at live events. As far as the movie itself goes, it is what you would expect of a James Bond film. Daniel Craig is fine, in fact, everyone does a great job. The scenery and explosions are impressive, too.

This morning, I was up early for a walk to raise funds and awareness for diabetes. Hosted by fellow volunteer Wendy’s workplace, the National Volunteer Centre/ Council for Voluntary Social Services, the walk consisted of 10 laps around Emancipation Park, free diabetes screenings and a draw for prizes. There was a small turnout, but people seemed to enjoy themselves.
And of course, Wendy won the prize least suitable for her- a gift basket of hair products for Jamaican hair. It worked out well, however, as she gave it to her friend Annemarie, who celebrates her birthday tomorrow.

It was serendipitous event for me as well. I was asked by a couple to take their picture. It turns out the man is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of West Indies. He loves Hannah Arendt’s book The Human Condition, which is one of my favourite pieces of literature of all time. I also wrote my Master’s thesis on Arendt’s work. It is hard to find people who have heard of Arendt, let alone those who enjoy her. She is a controversial figure for several reasons.
In any case, it has already been an eventful day and I am headed out later this afternoon for several more.

Banana and Tea

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Banana from JA, tea from Ethiopia, courtesy of Erin. Thanks!

LIME, photo ops, Santa and free phones!

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Today Youth Opportunities Unlimited had a photo op with LIME Jamaica (Landline, Internet, Mobile and Entertainment Services). LIME has recently provided YOU with some funding to aid us in our Christmas card fundraiser. They invited us to attend their tree-lighting ceremony at their headquarters.

We arrived at about 1:20 as we were told the ceremony started at 1:30. We were greeted by a LIME marketing person who told us we would be called in about 2:00. So we hung out in a gazebo and drank juice. There were about 20 YOU youth who have benefitted from our programs. They all wore their YOU t-shirts, tucked in, pulled up their belted pants and hid their flashy jewelry.

Around 2:00, we were rounded up for a photo op with Santa, five elves (young women in rather revealing dresses?!?) and the LIME CEO Gary Sinclair. The media love LIME events, so there were lots of cameras. We all gathered around the Christmas tree as Sinclair lit it up as carols played in the background. Then, one of the marketing people grabbed one of our youth by the wrist (a young girl in her school uniform) and shoved her by the tree for Sinclair to officially present her with a “gift”, which was a LIME backpack with a phone inside! It is obviously very generous of them. Sinclair is a YOU board member.

Then, the entire group of youths were herded under the tree for another photo op with Sinclair, Santa and the elves. I snapped lots of pictures as well. And then it was all over. We were treated to a catered meal of chicken, oxtail, fish, rice and peas and salad. Everybody was clearly pleased with their new phones. And that was it.

Would Petraeus affair have changed the outcome?

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Today I will steer away from Jamrock and address what the rest of the world seems to be talking about: former CIA director General David Petraeus’ resignation after it was discovered that he had an affair with his biographer. It is making news in JA, but more with a sort of detached fascination. More broadly, it seems like a lot of the coverage consists of either a whole lot of people casting their own morals on the situation or simply expressing a voyeuristic penchant for gossip. Both natural reactions, of course.

Let’s start by stating that powerful people are not immune to affairs and scandals and rotten judgment. The premise that politicians or military generals or even CEOs are immune to such behaviour has never made sense to me. Although, it would not be so far-fetched to think that a disciplined and brilliant fellow such as Petraeus might be able to control himself. Alas, he could not.

But that’s not what this post is about. Instead, I’ve been wondering about the timing of all of this. If the news had broken prior to the Nov. 6 election date, would the outcome have been different? As soon as I heard the news. I immediately thought: whoever was able to keep this under wraps until after the election deserves a gigantic raise, and whoever is responsible for digging up dirt on the Obama administration must be kicking themselves.

Putting on my PR hat, if I were the Romney camp, I would have spun the story to capitalize on the potential threat to national security and to question the competence, integrity and trustworthiness of the administration itself. I have heard commentary that Obama and those in his inner circle are not implicated in any way, though.

I have no conclusions or certainties. Only the question as to whether or not we would have been waking up to another U.S. President on Nov. 7. Just an interesting, now purely academic question.

Fellow bloggers

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There are about 15 of us volunteers here in Jamaica at any given time. We come and go, in fact, three of us will leave this weekend. Several of us blog, and today, I want to highlight five other fellow bloggers who have influenced the way in which I approach this business of documenting my life in JA.

Wendy Lee
Wendy is from Vancouver and has been faithful in writing about her experiences here in JA. Her matter-of-fact and delightful words are highlighted by her camera skills. She has a gorgeous, fancy camera, which she has recently complemented with a skills course put on by our mutual friend Kashta Graham (Kashta is an impressive entrepreneur in her own right, check out her Facebook page.) Unfortunately, Wendy is departing Jamaica next month. I will miss her blog, but I will miss her face way more.

Brianna Strumm

Brianna is from Calgary and arrived in Jamaica in July. She is my new running partner and we are training for the half-marathon next month in Negril. Brianna’s blog is honest and personal and thought-provoking and it has inspired me to delve more into the emotional aspect of living here.

Julia Magnuson-Ford

Julia lives up in Montego Bay. We do not get to see her much, but when we do, it is a pleasure and I love hearing about life up on the North coast.

Onyka Barrett

Onyka is from Trinidad and has been in Jamaica on-and-off for awhile now. I love her writing style, it has inspired me to break out of my fact-heavy, “objective”, journalistic style. She has prompted me to seek out different, more colourful words, to stretch the way I express things beyond my normal mandate of telling you what happened.

Erin MacLeod

Erin is a never-ending source of information on all things Jamaican. She is a scholar at the University of West Indies as well as a Cuso volunteer. She is also an awesome writer who inspires me to portray Jamaica with the affection she clearly has for this island nation.

For all these ladies and their blogs, I am grateful for their influence on the way I tell you what it is like to live here in Kingston, Jamaica. It is never a simple existence here, so it is never easy to pick an angle and determine the best way to express it. On another note, notice we are all women? What’s up with that? One reason is that volunteers in the development sector tend to be female (probably the subject of a doctoral thesis), and two, the men here, at least by my count, do not blog. I wonder why. In any case, check out these talented ladies and spread the word.

Honeymoon to homesick

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My feet have not left Jamaican earth for nine months. Except when I am floating in the ocean, I guess. Does this count? This marks the longest stretch of time I have remained in one country for years, I think. Coming up to the nine month mark, I have been reflecting on this journey. The best characterization I can come up with, while cliched, is that the honeymoon with JA is over, but the relationship is growing into something stronger and better. I fell hard and fast for this place, for the very things that many people cannot cope with. The noise, the energy, the music, the food, the people. From the moment I landed in Kingston and exited the airport, I was taken: with the Blue Mountains presiding over the city like a protective grandfather, with the heat- and blossom-infused air, with the guttural, gleeful shouts and communications flowing amongst its people. Of the cities I have lived recently, I fell for this place like no other. Not like Washington, D.C., where I was infatuated with its stately architecture and the mysticism that surrounds the source of power of the most powerful nation in the world; not like Boston, where I was captivated by the history and sheer intellectual magic churning out of its hundreds of academic campuses, and certainly not my hometown of Ottawa, where I delight in the delicious freedom of doing yoga on Parliament Hill or the city’s physical beauty.

The best way I can describe my relationship with Kingston now is encapsulated in my journey to and from work. I do this trip 10 times a week, if I am at the office every day. Back in North America on my commute, I could tune out, whether it was on the T in Boston or in my car in suburban Ottawa. I could tune out because the same thing happened every day. I was Bill Murray in Groundhog Day. Here, despite leaving the house at the same time every day, almost to the minute, at least one variable shifts every day. Whether it is something different on a crazy coaster ride or schoolgirls saying hi to me or the crazy dude on the corner trying to grab me, it is never predictable.

This is what I love. This is also what I struggle with. It is exhausting. Mostly, the harassment. I am loathe to complain, because I was warned. But I must always have my guard up. Because nothing is ever predictable, I can never zone out. I must regard every potential interaction with wariness. But I suppose my obsession with novelty outweighs the negative aspects of this lifestyle. At the same time that living here drains me, it recharges me. I return to my initial statement: the honeymoon is over. We were told in pre-country training that this would happen, and indeed, it has. My view of JA is now of a different hue and focus, mostly due to some scary and troubling experiences. But I am entering reality, I suppose, and reality is always the best place to be. Here and now. That is the best time and place in the universe and that is all we have. So now that this honeymoon is over, the ignorance of flaws and failures has expired, I am beginning to see JA as it really is. I am assembling who I need to be to survive here, discarding the idealistic imagery and tumbling to the ground. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Okay, maybe I would change one thing. It would be to arrest the breathlessness that comes with being homesick. It would be to stop the pain and powerlessness that comes with being so far from loved ones. It is a universal feeling, and it comes on at inappropriate times, causing your breath to catch in your throat when you see a loved one’s face in your mind, or tears to escape when you wonder if you will ever see an elderly relative again. But the time for me to visit home is approaching. My arms are itching for a hug, my lungs for an uncontrolled laugh and my heart for the love that awaits me there.

The Kriativ Aktivis

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Randy Mclaren performed at our graduation ceremony last week. He is a spoken word dub-poet performer who calls himself the Kriativ Aktivis. He is from a tiny village in St. Thomas. Here he talks about succeeding in the academic and work world. He captivated the audience. Even if you can’t understand it all, you can get the point. Enjoy.