A Jamaican Christmas

THE WEEKLY GLEANER | DECEMBER 10 - DEC EMBER 16, 2020 | www.j amaica-gleaner.com | I say that the arrival of the novel coronavirus has had an impact on every facet of our lives. Jamaicans at home and abroad have felt the rippling ef- fects of this invisible enemy, which include threats to physical and mental health, increased unemployment and, in some regrettable instances, death of a loved one. We have had to employ strategies for staying healthy, COVID-19 free and for maintaining regular connections which were unthinkable only months ago. Nevertheless,despitethemanyunwantedchangesforcedupon us by the virus, in particular‘social distancing’, thanks to techno- logical advances, we have been able tobridge the distance and, inmanyinstances,forgenewpathwaysandreigniterelationships that hadgonedormant. Throughout the year, you have shown strength, resilience and compassion in coping with the unforeseen challenges of 2020. A case in point, during the closure of the Jamaican borders, several of our fellow Jamaicans, including students who were uncertain of their stay in Canada, were placed in a vulnerable position. Members of various Jamaican diaspora groups, inclusive of the Jamaican Canadian Associations, Canadian Representatives of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC), Jamaican honorary consuls, churches, and businesses with the support of the high commission and the consulate-general inToronto, organised the JamaicanCanadian COVID-19 ResponseTelethons inMay and June 2020. The tel- ethons raised over CAD$14,000, which benefited more than 100 vulnerablepersons. I convey to youour gratitude. Our collaboration was further enhanced with the coming together of Jamaicans coast to coast in Canada, to celebrate Jamaica’s 58th anniversary of Independence. This three-day virtual affair, paying homage to Jamaica, land we love, served toliftourspiritsandtoremindusthatourdestinyisinourhands. I must also recognise those who are working quietly and selflessly to ensure that disruptions toour lives and livelihoods are minimalised during these unprecedented times. There is comfort in the countless reports of solidarity and compassion, as well as the valuable lessons that are emerging for our post- COVIDworld. To those silent heroes among us, I salute you! As we close 2020, I encourage you to usher in 2021 with confidence, secure in the knowledge that better days are ahead. The prospects for a COVID-19 vaccine to counteract the effects of the virus, and which should be globally avail- able, are positive signs of hope for the future. I look forward to working with you in 2021. As we say in Jamaica, ‘mek de Chrismus ketch you in a good mood’. Merry Christmas to all and a happy and prosperous 2021. H.E. Sharon J. Miller, High Commissioner 8 BLESSINGS CONTINUED FROM 2 M Y FELLOW Jamaicans at home and those within the diaspora, I, along with the staff at the Consulate General of Jamaica, New York, extend warm- est greetings to you all in this holy Christmas season. This year, as we pause to reflect on the spirit andmeaning of Christmas, we do so, in part, with an awareness of the mixed fortunes that have redefined the realities and circumstances of so many of our brothers and sisters. In light of the global pandemic, we have been called to a greater degree of solidarity and camaraderie in spreading that much-needed Christmas cheer. This has taken on renewed significance A wish for peace this holiday season MESSAGE CG Alsion Roach Wilson. CONTRIBUTED PLEASE SEE PEACE, 10 CHRISTMA S FEATURE THE WEEKLY GLEANER | DEC MB 10 - JANUARY 9, 2020 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | CHRISTMAS F EATURE THE WE KLY GLEAN R | DECEMBER 10, 2020 - JANUARY 9, 2021 | www.jamaica-gl aner c om | F