November2014t

ONE LOVE Free Publication

Volume 7 Issue 11

NOVEMBER 2014

ARIBBEAN

COMMUNITY • CULTURE • CONNECTIONS

COMMUNITY

Houston Missouri City

Domino Club Award Banquet Page 4

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Page 2 • ONE LOVE CARIBBEAN • NOVEMBER 2014

CONTENTS

The Publisher’s Thoughts The Community Immigration News Caribbean Caribbean Life in Houston Islander on the Move

Page 3 Page 4 and 5 Page 5 Page 6 and 7 Page 8 and 9 Page 8

Connection Birthdays in The Diaspora An Inspirational Momen Open Editorial Health & Wellness Culture

One Love CARIBBEAN P.O. Box 742291 Page 10 Page 11 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 15

Houston, TX 77274 281-769-2253

Website

www.olchouston.com

Sylvanus Donaie

Founder/Publisher Phone: 832-881-9745 sdonaie@olchouston.com

Main Office

P.O Box 742291 Houston, TX 77274 Phone: 281-769-2253 info@olchouston.com

Billing Department

P.O Box 742291 Houston, TX 77274 Office: 281-769-2253 billing@olchouston.com

Staff Writers

Sylvanus Donaie Marcelline Chitolie Terry Layne Thecia Jenkins Charmaine Bailey Attorney Latania Mena Advertising Tel: 281-769-2253 Tel: 832-881-9745 Tel: 504-460-9638

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The Publisher’s Thoughts Disrespect the President

The Democrats got a well-deserved cut-ass in the 2014 election. And like we would say in the island, “Ah good fi dem. Dem too nuff” (Translation: Serves them right.

They are too disrespectful) Who Jah bless, no man curse.

It was a “boo-boo” moment. I am talking about the Democrats sitting on their butts. Instead of fighting and developing strategies to win the election, they elected to keep the President away from their campaign. What a big booboo! Oh, by the way, who are their advisors? Don’t they know to keep Obama away from their campaign is synonymous to echoing to Americans that Barack is evil? Or could it have been their intended message?

One other thing, what was the Republican platform? Maybe I’m deaf. So, did anyone hear it? The Democrats’ action or rather inaction has led to their demise. Needless to say, the Republicans are laughing all the way to Washington.

But first, let me say this; I am not a Democrat, a Libertarian, nor a Republican. The question is not whether I support Obama, but why the disrespect. How would you feel if a family member insisted that you cannot attend their party? Is there a problem? It is a total imbalance in the economies of scales; the cost advantage that Obama brings would have totally increased their likelihood of being reelected.

But given the stats, history will show that President Barack Obama will never be one of the forgotten presidents of the USA. In fact, the world will be annotating his presidency as the line of demarcation for the old and new America and using the prefixes “Before Obama” and “After Obama.”

But it never fails. Now, the Democrats have joined the obstructionist congress in disrespecting the President. And, we all are wondering about the rationale.

When we talk about disrespect, the Republicans are good at it.

Recently, I had a steadfast anti Obama person approach me. He wanted to ensure that I was aware of this tidbit of information. He said that President Obama ordered $1 billion worth of disposable coffins for FEMA camps to bury Ebola victims. Some coffins were being built to hold up to four people. According to him, the President wants to kill millions of Americans with Ebola.

The funniest thing about the interaction was that in his heart of hearts, he believes it. Now, I wonder. Why would anyone believe this boloney? But it all boils

down to his sources of information, which are the Obama hating websites and radio stations.

From his stunning victory in 2008, there has been small groups who want to ensure his demise. You remember, a few days before his inauguration, Rush Limbaugh boasted publicly that he hoped the president would fail. Then we had the birther issue with Donald Trump inflaming it. The story traveled on for years. But that’s not all.

In January 2012, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer put her finger in the President’s face at the airport in Phoenix. In explaining her action, she claimed that she felt “a little threatened” by the President. (politic365.com, Jan. 2012) “I must say, I was not hostile. I was trying to be very, very gracious. I respect the office of the president, and I would never be disrespectful in that manner.” (cbsnews.com, Jan. 2012) Yeah! Right! Tell me its chocolate!

Rep. Joe Wilson, R-SC, interrupted President Obama’s speech on the floor of the House of Representatives to yell “You lie!” at the president, in reference to the president’s assertion that his proposals wouldn’t provide health insurance to illegal immigrants. (abcnews. go.com, Sept. 2009) The list of disrespect to the President is ginormous. Of course, Americans can disagree with the President, and that’s all right to criticize his policies. That’s how politics roll. But the total disrespect… that is just sickening.

Where are the supportive Democrats?

I am POed; not because the President’s enemies are going overboard, but the indecisiveness of Democrats in support of Obama.

They don’t have the cojones to rally round. Instead, they are hiding and denying his existence in the same way Peter of the Bible did.

“Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.” (KJV John 18:17) But is Obama a bad President?

Is he hardheaded and listen to no one? I don’t think so! Oftentimes stuff just don’t pass the smell test; what you may think is chocolate, may just be something else.

I am seeking the help of factcheck. org to highlight some of Obama’s performances: Obamacare: Millions of Americans have gained health insurance because of Obamacare, and the number signing up for Medicaid keeps rising. But the exact number of newly insured won’t be known for some time. Some estimates put the figure at more than 10 million, or even up to 11 million.

Federal Debt: The federal debt owed to the public has more than doubled under Obama, rising by 103 percent. But federal spending has gone up only 7.9 percent.

Inflation: This year the economy is adding jobs rapidly and paychecks are rising faster than inflation at last. Real weekly earnings for workers, adjusted for inflation, averaged 0.7 percent higher in August than when Obama entered office.

Jobs: The total number of jobs in September was nearly 5.5 million higher than when Obama was first sworn in. Four times more jobs have been added under Obama than were gained in George W. Bush’s eight years in office.

Poverty: Census report showed that although nearly 1.2 million fewer people were living in poverty in 2013 than the year before, the number still remains nearly 5.5 million higher than in 2008.

The official poverty rate dropped 0.5 percent in 2013, but it still remained 1.3 percent higher than in 2008.

Unemployment: As of September, the U.S. had 5,459,000 more people employed than it did when Obama took office in 2009. And the official unemployment rate had dipped to 5.9 percent, which was 1.9 percentage points below where it was when he first took office.

Corporate Profits: The Obama years have brought dramatically better times for corporations and their stockholders. Corporate profits (after taxes) reached a record annual rate of more than $1.8 trillion in the second quarter of this year, the most recent figures available. That was 174 percent higher.

Energy: Under Obama, the nation has taken great strides toward increasing domestic oil and natural gas production, and has more than tripled the production of electricity from wind and solar power.

Wind and solar power in the most recent 12 months on record was 241 percent higher than 2008.

Also during Obama’s tenure, new drilling technologies have brought about a revolution in U.S. oil production. Production of crude oil in the U.S. has increased by nearly 70 percent, comparing the AprilJune quarter of 2014 to 2008.

During the same period, net imports of petroleum have gone down by 51 percent. As a result, the U.S. imported only 28.3 percent of its petroleum during the first eight months of 2014, a dramatic plunge in dependency from the 57 percent that was imported in 2008.

War: the U.S. has signed an agreement with Afghanistan that will allow up to 10,000 U.S. troops to remain there past the end of this

Sylvanus Donaie, year. The president also has authorized U.S. air strikes in Syria, and sent hundreds of additional military “advisers” to Iraq.

(Source: www.factcheck.org. October 6, 2014) Border Enforcement: Formal deportations at the U.S. border have gone up under Mr. Obama, even as the number of people attempting to cross the border has fallen. Twothirds of all deportations last year stemmed from border patrol apprehensions. That is partly because of a tough “zero tolerance” policy that puts large numbers of people who are trying to cross illegally into formal deportation proceedings, compared with a time when people were informally turned back.

Another explanation: the Obama administration has made enforcement at border crossings a priority. (Wall Street Journal, May 2, 2014) Deportations: The process has fallen from about 238,000 in 2009 to 133,500 in 2013. That is partly because the administration has prioritized deportation of people with criminal records and prior immigration violations—and not immigrants with strong family ties who are settled in the U.S. (Wall Street Journal, May 2, 2014) Now folks, with these facts, can you make a case to the American people? I say yes. So why did the Democrats elect to keep the President away from their campaign?

Was it because the President is worthless or could it be something else? Think about it.

So until then, One Love!

Sylvanus Donaie, BA, BSEE, MTM, MPM, MBA Publisher Of course, I love when you disagree with me, and I want to hear from you. If you disagree, please let me know. You can always email me at sdonaie@olchouston.com.

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ONE LOVE CARIBBEAN

NOVEMBER 2014

FEEDBACK

Houston Missouri City Domino Club Fifth Annual Award Banquet

OLC: On October 4, 2014, the Sugarland Ballroom at 869 Dulles Ave, Stafford, Texas was transformed into a night of glamour, elegance and fanfare.

It was the Fifth Annual Award Banquet of the Houston Missouri City Domino Club, one of the fastest growing Caribbean events in Houston.

Cosma Dennis was the Master of Ceremony.

The Club prides itself in creating a niche in the Caribbean Community, whereas they are the only organization, where everyone is welcome to socialize and have fun regardless of their socioeconomic background.

So, just what does the domino club do? The President of the Club, Mr. Leslie Weir, explained, “The name Houston Missouri City Domino Club is somewhat of a misnomer because we are really a social club that not only plays dominoes, but is here to serve the Caribbean community. Members enjoy the privilege of having a place to play dominoes, cards, checkers or table games, 4 days a week, celebrate member’s birthday, and host community events.”

On the Publisher Thought, October 2014 Edition Returning to the homeland Well researched article. The biggest of all the obstacles in my opinion apart from the economics of it is the shift in cultural values and crime. The influence and negative stereotype of the culture here has an adverse effect on our societies. A man’s life values nothing anymore and respect for our elders has wavered.

Elton Brown

Errol Anthony Wilks in the Theater

Reggae singer, Glen Washington, and members of the Club

above par; all are welcome with open arms. A visit to the clubhouse may land you with some of the best home cooked meals.

And that was the theme of the keynote speaker, Carl Gardiner Ed. D, an assistant professor at Prairie View A&M University.

He spoke on the effects of the game on our emotional and psychological wellbeing. In particular, he explained that domino is a household game to all Jamaicans. Moreover, “the game is part of our natural heritage, culture and pastime, cost effective, and popularly between the rich as well as the poor,” Gardiner explained.

Whenever the situation arises, we assist members during times of need such as death or illness, Weir continued.

The domino effect is of key importance. When you are engaged in a game of domino, all social statuses/barriers are broken down. The effect is phenomenal giving participants a fun fare attitude and a spirit of comradery.

Truly, the comradeship is way

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dience on the life skill that the game reinforces. “Like all games, there are rules to be followed and agreed upon, and you will inevitably have discourse with your opponent as well as your partners during the game. You also have to learn some simple courtesies such as taking turns and learning to be a gracious winner as well as a classic loser.”

Furthermore, dominoes can also be played in teams. Therefore, it helps one to better understand the strength of collaboration knowing that goals are easily achieved through the synergies of partnership. “No man is an island; each man is your brother; each man is my friend,” he continued.

On the therapeutic effect side, the game “heals the mind, body and soul, reduces depression and stress. Most importantly, playing the game has positively impact persons who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease,” Dr. Gardiner continued.

OLC: Prominent Jamaican actor and director, Errol Anthony Wilks, is at it again. This time he is directing the play “FAMILY DEBT.” Koi (Callina Situka) goes to visit her estranged grandfather, Jesse (Wayne Dehart), trying to resolve her responsibility to family and her right to choose her own path.

Wilks is showcasing his talent in a series of short plays and monologues called “A Dysfunctional Family Album;” a play written and directed by radio personality at KTSU 90.9 FM, Devan Wade.

He explains the event as, “It is all about the stress, strife and humor of dealing with all that comes with family dynamics.

The play will take place at Express Theatre, for seven performances from November 6th – 15th. This unique series of short plays and monologues is the debut effort for Devan, who just

completed producing the 24th Annual Scriptwriters-Houston 10x10 Short Play Showcase this summer. Although relatively new to Houston’s community theatrical scene, Devan has recruited 15 actors and seven directors whom have combined to produce or perform in hundreds of plays in dozens of venues in and around the Houston-area.

The play is held at the Express Theatre at 446 NW Mall, Houston, TX 77092 (Inside of Northwest Mall, Entrance C).

Congrats Errol.

The Night of Two Caribbean Galas

Awards were given: Most Valuable Person: Everard Ramsey.

Community Service: Beverly Ford and Crystal Hair Salon.

Service to the Domino Club: Lucille Bariff, Angela Brown, and Millicent Campbell.

Top Disc Jockey: Loxley Haye The award ceremony culminated with the legendary Jamaican reggae singer, Glen Washington, rocking the attendees away. With his dusky, emotive voice, he sang from his collection of lover’s rock reggae to include “Kindness For Weakness, Strangers In The Night, One Of these Days, Jah Glory, and If Loving You Is Wrong.” The triumph of Glen Washington’s endurance has been 25 years in the making. Congratulations.

Dancing at St. Kitts Nevis Association of Houston Gala

OLC: It was evening to discover as well as night of history on October 18, 2014. On the Houston Northwest, the Kittians and Nevisians celebrated the 31st anniversary of the independence of their homeland. And, on Houston Southwest, the Dominican nationals celebrated the 35 years of independence.

The St. Kitts and Nevis Association of Houston (SKNAH) Houston Kittians and Nevisians commemorate another milestone in the history of their homeland celebrating their 31th Anniversary of Independence of their twin-island federation from the British.

As in past years, St. Kitts Nevis Association of Houston (SK-

NAH) has taken on the task to highlight this momentous occasion. This year was no exception. But, instead of the keynote speaker, SKNAH opted for culture expressions with food and dance. The Galaxy Band, Houston premier Caribbean Band, provided the entertainment.

The organization celebrated gala at the IG&G Reception Hall at 16427 W Little York Road, Houston, Texas.

SKNAH awarded scholarships to the following students: • Shavern Browne: Doctoral student of Counseling Psychology at University of Missouri – Kansas.

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NOVEMBER 2014

ONE LOVE CARIBBEAN Page 5

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Jamaica Launches “Mapping the Diaspora” in Texas OLC: The Jamaican diaspora is among the largest in the world and is estimated to be in excess of three million people, with about 200,000 residing in the United States, some 650,000 in the United Kingdom and an estimated 300,000 in Canada.

Above all, the Government of Jamaica wants to connect with its most precious asset, which is its people, and to create a borderless Jamaica involving its nationals, wherever they reside.

In accomplishing this task, the government wants to build a database to provide information on its people, their location and interests. As a result, Jamaica has launched an 18-month diaspora mapping project. Hence the reason, a Jamaican Government Delegation and a team from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) were in Houston on October 30, 2014 to meet with Jamaicans.

A Town Hall Meeting was held at the First Methodist Church, 10570 Westpark Drive, Houston.

Franz Hall, Consul General at the Jamaican Consulate Gener-

Jamaica’s Minister of State Arnaldo Brown meeting the Diaspora in Houston.

al in Miami, along with Arnaldo Brown, Jamaica’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade, led the delegation to promote dialogue between the Jamaican government and the Diaspora and to launch the Diaspora Mapping project in Houston.

“A comprehensive database of Jamaicans in the Diaspora is a necessary developmental tool, since it will assist the Government in locating Jamaicans in the Diaspora who possess certain skill sets associated with our critical development projects, that we may currently not have in sufficient supply,” said Minister Brown.

The Mapping Project – the first

L-R: Ambassador Vince Henderson, DHA President Colette Julie St.Rose, Vice President Justine Alfred, and former DHA President Gerald Bellot

• Shanequa Hazel: Undergraduate Law student at the University of the West Indies – Cave Hill, Barbados.

• Azard Gumbs: Graduate Law student at the Norman Manley Law School, Kingston Jamaica.

St. Kitts/Nevis gained its independence from Great Britain on September 19, 1983.

Dominica Houston Association (DHA) The Dominica Houston Association marked the Indepen-

By Latania Mena Attorney at Law

The road to a green card is not always paved with smooth and clear directions. We could sit around with our cups of hot chocolate and some fried bakes and exchange endless stories and tears on the process and possible dilemmas.

I’ve discovered that it is a part of the Caribbean culture to take immigration advice from relatives and friends, based solely on something they heard or experienced, instead of opting for a consultation with an experienced immigration attorney. Often times the consultation is either free or inexpensive and could save you a lifetime of misery.

of its kind - is being administered by the Jamaican Government with support and funding from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). It aims to determine the location, interest and skills of members of the Diaspora, while building government’s capacity to more strategically and effectively engage with the Diaspora.

During the 18-month project, members of the Jamaican diaspora will be invited to participate in an online survey in order to determine their location, interests, skills, and willingness to contribute to Jamaica’s development.

Continue on Page 14

and become energy independence. Explaining, “Renewable energy is a priority for Dominica. It has always has been. We are spending a lot of money and time in this area.”

From Opposite Page

Renewing Your Green Card

dence of Commonwealth of Dominica. The event was held at Crowne Plaza, 8686 Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas. This year Dr. Vince Henderson was the keynote speaker. He is the Permanent Representative and Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Dominica to the United Nations in New York.

He touched on the importance of Dominican in the diaspora in contributing to build their homeland into a great nation.

Most importantly, he focused on the desire for the island to build an international airport

Henderson was pointing to the island’s government on the geothermal energy, which will be used to generate a more affordable source of energy for Dominica. In the long term, the project and earn foreign exchange by selling electricity to Guadeloupe and Martinique via interconnection with submarine cables.

Colette J. St. Rose, DHA President, called on Dominica to unite as a path to success. “We are a people who define ourselves by the richness of the tangible and intangible gifts we share and by our desire to advance ourselves and to help others” the St. Rose said.

Dominica Houston Association awarded four scholarships,

Continue on Page 10

Many of our people are familiar with having a family member sponsor them, a petition filed on their behalf and subsequently getting their green cards. For those who arrived at a U.S. port of entry with their big envelopes, carefully sealed and only to be opened by the Customs and Border Patrol Officer, the wait ends, and life with a green card begins.

For those persons who make the decision to call the U.S. home, once there is a family member capable of sponsoring them, but before a visa becomes available, careful analysis and planning are required. You may miss the hurdles you need to overcome while you try to figure out the next steps to get you closer to that green card.

Our community labors under the misconception that as long as the sponsor is a U.S. citizen, they will be eligible to receive the green cards in the U.S. Think again! Unless you fall into category 1- parents, spouses, children under 21, of U.S. citizens or category 2 – those in lawful status when the visa becomes available, you must leave the U.S. to get the green card, when notified that it is available.

WHAT IS THE CATCH? To be eligible to adjust status in the U.S. you must have entered the U.S lawfully or remain in the U.S lawfully (unless you

are grandfathered by one amnesty or another). Simply put, if you came to the U.S. without inspection or overstayed your visa, you must return to the embassy assigned to your home country to get your green card.

It will not matter that your sponsor is a U.S. citizen if you came to the U.S. illegally. If you came lawfully, it will still not matter that your sponsor is a U.S. citizen if you failed to maintain lawful status, unless you fall into category 1 above.

For those not eligible to adjust in the U.S., once a visa is available, you will be given instructions to start making final preparations for your interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate assigned to your home country.

Before you venture to make that trip home, you want to make sure you are actually eligible for that visa. Everyone who applies for a visa is first checked to see whether he/she is “admissible” to the U.S. Most persons discover they are inadmissible to the U.S. because of the prior unlawful presence, upon departing the U.S. and attending the interview.

If you remained in the U.S for more than 180 days but less than one year after your lawful stay ended, upon leaving the U.S., you will be subjected to a 3 year bar for your unlawful presence. This means the consulate will deny your visa on the day of your interview and you will be required to wait outside the U.S. for 3 years before requesting future permission to re-enter.

If you remain in the U.S. for a year or more, after your lawful stay expired, you will not be granted admission to the U.S. Continue on Page 14

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ONE LOVE CARIBBEAN

ARIBBEAN Briefs Ex-Haiti Ruler Duvalier dead at 63 OLC: On October 4, 2014, Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier, the former ruler of Haiti, died of a heart attack in the capital of Port-au-Prince. He was 63.

He was not given a state funeral, but the Haitian government sent representatives to the service. However, hundreds of Haitians attended his funeral.

President Michel Martelly, on Twitter, called him “an authentic son of Haiti” and sent his “sincere condolences to the family and to the nation. Love and reconciliation must always prevail over our internal quarrels. May he rest in peace,” wrote Martelly, who was paying tribute to the former president despite their quarrels and differences.

Duvalier ruled Haiti with an iron fist from 1971 until his ouster in 1986. But, he was well-known for ruling with an iron fist and for accusation of corruption and widespread human rights abuses during his 15-year rule.

Haiti’s President Michel Martelly (L) with Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier (R) during a meeting in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in Oct. 2011

In the early 1970s, at the young age of 19, Jean-Claude inherited the title of president-for-life from his father, Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier, who had ruled Haiti since 1957.

Like his father, he relied on a brutal militia known as the Tontons Macoutes to control the country. An estimated 30,000 people were killed during the reign of the Duvalier father and son, rights activists say. In 1986 he was forced from power by a popular uprising and US diplomatic pressure, and went into exile to a life of luxury in France. Baby Doc was said in reports to have looted as much

as $300 million from the coffers of the most impoverished country in the Americas before being forced to flee.

He returned in 2011, apparently having seriously misjudged how the country would receive him, and was charged with embezzlement and misuse of funds during his rule. He denied all the charges, and his case stalled.

Returning to Haiti, the former president was allowed to live in the obscurity of a Port-auPrince suburb, freely roaming the capital as he pleased until his death.

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Barbados Driving Interest in its Diaspora of Panama OLC: Barbados’ contribution to the maritime and engineering wonder called the Panama Canal cannot be forgotten, nor can the recognition of the descendants of Barbadians be eclipsed.

This was acknowledged by Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Senator Harry Husbands, as he addressed over 100 students at the Edu-Nation discussion at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed.

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Senator Husbands stressed that the Ministry was cognizant of the significance of creating awareness of and preserving the “historical and ancestral linkage of Barbadians and the descendants of Barbadian immigrants in Panama.”

To this end, he pointed to the number of activities identified to celebrate the centenary of the opening of the Canal. It includes an exhibition currently on at the Barbados Museum that would run until February 2015. In addition, the General Post Office issued a commemorative stamp. The island’s schools are encouraged to have discussions on Panama during their Social Studies lessons.

Senator Harry Husbands

Senator Husbands also noted that the Archives Department was moving ahead with an initiative to facilitate the tracing of the ancestry of Barbadians, who migrated to Panama. A list of such persons, along with their birth, baptism and marriage records and savings bank records, is available.

The government has a driving interest in a Barbados-Panama relationship. For instance, they can explore scientific and technological opportunities which might accrue from linkages between Barbados and Panama.

There are also cultural and educational benefits to be explore.

Education Officer, Peggy Agard, in recounting tales told to her about her own family ties Continue on Page 14

Dominica’s Airport is now Douglas-Charles OLC: Dominica’s Melville Hall Airport is now the Douglas-Charles Airport. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit renamed the airport in honor of two deceased prime ministers, Roosevelt Douglas and Pierre Charles.

Skerrit said, “I wish to highlight the role of two former leaders who, history will show, made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of this nation. Former prime ministers, the late Roosie Douglas and Pierre Charles, died in office in the service of this country. They died at points when each was battling with the task of transforming the economy of Dominica in the throes of the worst economic recession in nearly 100 years.”

Roosevelt Bertrand Douglas was the fifth prime minister of Dominica. He came into office on February 3, 2000, remaining in power until his sudden death on October 3, 2000. He was prime minister for eight months.

He first became a member of parliament in 1985 and leader

PM Roosevelt Skerrit

of the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) in 1992, after the death of Mike Douglas, his brother.

He led the DLP to victory over the Edison James-led United Workers Party in January 2000.

He later formed a coalition with the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP).

Pierre Charles’ citation said he dedicated his life to the political independence of Dominica.

“And upon becoming prime minister of independent Dominica, he tackled the national, fiscal and economic crisis of the first decade of the 20th century,” it said.

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NOVEMBER 2014

ONE LOVE CARIBBEAN Page 7

Trinidad and Tobago Signed Oil Exploration Licenses OLC: Trinidad and Tobago Minister of Energy & Energy Affairs, Senator Kevin Ramnarine signed three Exploration and Production (E&P) licenses for land based petroleum operations on October 31, 2014.

The companies include Range Resources Limited from Australia, Primera Oil and Gas Limited (Touchstone Exploration Inc.) from Canada, and Lease Operators Limited from Trinidad and Tobago.

The state-owned Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (Petrotrin) has a 20% stake in all three licenses. This signing comes out of the 2013 Onshore Competitive

Bid Round. Ramnarine hailed the signing as one of the most significant achievements of the Ministry in the last three years.

These three licenses provide for an investment of $US 55 million in support of the combined minimum work obligations (MWO’s) and could result in a possible maximum expenditure of $US 945 million in the development phase. It also means the creation of new jobs and the stimulation of significant economic activity.

alize new sources of indigenous crude oil for its refinery.

The total area under license in these three blocks is 250 square mile with an estimates potential of over 800 million barrels of oil.

Governor John P. de Jongh (L), Jr. and Robert Moore (R), Chief Executive Officerof Atlantic Basin Refining VI sign the Operating Agreement.

In the event of commercial discoveries, the Government would also benefit from taxes and royalties while Petrotrin would re-

Louis Farrakhan wants the Caribbean to demand Reparation for Slavery from Roman Catholic Church

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Monday October 20, 2014, CMC – The leader of the Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan is calling on Caribbean countries to demand reparation for slavery from the Roman Catholic Church in addition to Europe.

Farrakhan, who was addressing the 19th anniversary of the “Million Man” march here on Sunday, said the Roman Catholic Church must be included in any discussion on the issue of reparation.

“When you talk about reparation, you can’t leave the Pope out….There was something in the Catholic Church called the Papal Bulls authorising slavery, it is a type of letter issued or patent by the Pope,” Farrakhan told the ceremony that was also attended by government ministers.

He said Pope Nicholas V issued

St. Croix Oil Refinery to Reopen

OLC: It was considered the largest oil refinery in the world, but in 2012, Hovensa closed and placed over 2,000 workers in the unemployment line. This upended the reeling economy of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). But there is light at the end of the tunnel. The U.S. shale boom is giving new life to the refinery.

Atlantic Basin Refining Inc. agreed to buy Hovensa LLC.

L-R: Minister Louis Farrakhan, JA Minister of Culture Lisa Hanna, General Colin Powell and former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson - See Credit: norcalblogs.com

a Papal bull granting Portugal and Spain, “full and free permission to invade, search out and capture… and unbelievers and enemies of Christ wherever they may be and reduce their persons into perpetual slavery”.

Farrakhan said even in today’s world, this Papal Bull is being

regarded as “an endorsement of slavery ….so when we are asking for reparation, we can’t leave the church out.

“You can’t leave the Pope out, nor can you leave European countries out,” he added”.

Continue on Page 14

Last month, the Governor of the USVI Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. and principals of Atlantic Basin Refining VI signed a 22-year Operating Agreement on St. Croix. Once approved by the VI Legislature, it will begin the process towards a restart of the oil refinery on the island’s south shore.

“Today’s signing is an important step towards finalizing the Operating Agreement that has been negotiated between the buyers of the refinery and the Government of the Virgin Islands prior to its submission for the Senate’s review and consent,” de Jongh said.

The Operating Agreement defines the rights and obligations of ABR VI going forward to includ the rebuilding and restarting of the refinery, which will employ hundreds of Virgin Islanders and make substantial payments to the government totaling more than $1.6 billion over the life of the agreement.

The governor explained that

many former Hovensa employees moved to Houston, Louisiana and the Dakotas after the plant closures. ABR VI will be seeking their return to Virgin Islands for employment.

De Jongh noted, “This agreement is a critical step towards getting the refinery back as an economic generator providing jobs and business activity on St. Croix. It has been two and a half years of a focused process to achieve this objective. The time is now for us to evaluate this opportunity, understand what it can achieve and then work with the prospective buyers to bring the refinery and the economy of St. Croix back to life.”

The Governor noted that approval of the Operating Agreement by the 30th Legislature can provide a much needed shot in the arm for St. Croix’s economy and generate hundreds of additional jobs to support refinery operations. “The buyers have committed to employing more than 500 full-time staff at the refinery, 75% of whom either need to be Virgin Islands residents or current or former HOVENSA employees.”

The St. Croix refinery is expected to refine about 300,000 barrels per day of crude oil when it restarts in about two years.

Hess Corporation built the refinery in 1966. Hess expanded the plant to 650,000 barrels a day in 1974. The company sold a 50% stake to Petróleos de Venezuela in 1998 to create Hovensa.

Page 8

ONE LOVE CARIBBEAN

Islander on the Move

MERVYN COOPER

His Works Continues Under MCF

By Abigail Monah OLC Baytown Reporter Every community has its own heroes, and the Caribbean community here in Houston is no exception. Moreover, our heroes never die. They live on forever in the hearts and minds of those who would follow in their footsteps. And that is the long and short story of Mervyn Cooper and The Mervyn Cooper Foundation.

Mervyn Cooper’s caring heart and generosity lives on through the many lives that he touched.

Cooper was born on May 3, 1953 in Trinidad. Nineteen years later, he migrated to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Island,

NOVEMBER 2014

CARIBBEAN

LIEE LIFE PHOTOS THE MONTH

and then four years later move to Texas.

It is the place, where he met the love of his life, his wife, Allison Parks.

Mervyn was proud of his heritage. His friends, the world, people far and near knew for sure, that he was a Trinidadian. Despite being a Trini, he never pondered to help others regardless of their nationality. Any opportunity given to help others, he was right there to assist.

He was a real “Trini to de bone!”

Cooper was employed as a welder most of his life, which became his perfected craft. He was a man that wore many hats.

He was a son, husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, mentor, and an encourager.

Continue on Page 14

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NOVEMBER 2014

ONE LOVE CARIBBEAN Page 9

PHOTOS

Houston Caribbean

Giant Leap: Merlisa “Determined” becomes UN Ambassador I’m poised to empower women and girls - Her Excellency Merlisa “Determined” Langellier, Diplomat

Cloned with inert passion for movie acting, Merlisa Determined has unstoppably been determined to contribute enormously in putting a much-needed smile on the faces of less privileged girls and women around the globe. This unending urged has always put her on the road to showing this love and commitment whenever she has had the chance to do so. An anti-HIV/AIDS university and college tour (not too long ago) that emanated from a film project to that effect vividly comes to this writer’s mind.

The impact of this outing has remained very strong on whom it was destined for.

Then came September 18, 2014! From the office of the UN Strategic Alignment of Like Minds, Inc., the news broke: “I am very elated to include you on our panel of UN Ambassadors.”

Merlisa was born in St. Croix, Virgin Islands of St. Lucian parents, and has continuously contributed to uplift the culture and awareness of the Houston Caribbean people.

According to the UN diplomat, Merlisa, now one of the Accredited Ambassadors to the UN office in Geneva, Switzerland, will set to work upon receiving her official appointment letter at her installation.

Her first outing is billed for Geneva from November 17-18, 2014 when the movie actress cum UN Ambassador will take part in the second session of the Preparatory Committee of the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction at the Palais des Nations.

The international actress’ advocacy role for women and young girls from a not-too-favorable background and her endless desire to step in has fortunately not gone unnoticed. Someone, somewhere had been keenly observing and it was a matter of time for them to speak out.

Dr. Delphina Chikamele Amuneke-Samuel, Chief Envoy UN Strategic Alignment of Like Minds, writing to the international actress, praised Merlisa Determined for her desire in helping women and girls from a disadvantaged background. It is this goodwill that fetched the movie icon the new diplomatic status she now possesses.

WELCOME - NEW BUSINESS

Page 10

ONE LOVE CARIBBEAN

ONNECTIONS

Haitian American goes to U.S. Congress appear in the Broadway Production, “Smokey Joe’s Café,” which was scheduled to open a couple days prior to her marriage to Jason Love in December 1998. The couple has three children.

Terry Layne Staff Writer tlayne@olchouston.com Outsiders and naysayers said “it ain’t gonna happen!” “Not in Utah; not in my lifetime!”

They couldn’t be more wrong; because the great State of Utah made history in these mid-term elections by voting Mia Love to become their 4th Congressional District Representative. Mrs. Mia Love becomes the first Black LDS female Republican ever to be elected to the U.S. Congress. And by all reports, she earned every vote to her well-deserved seat in the House.

Mia Love is the daughter of Haitian parents, who reportedly emigrated from Haiti in 1973 leaving dire conditions in pursuit of a better life for themselves.

Two years after their arrival in Brooklyn, New York, Mia was born. It almost seem like she was destined to “stardom;” as she developed and worked hard through early school and all the way through the University of Hartford, Connecticut where she graduated with a degree in Performing Arts.

According to a publicized report, she rejected an offer to

Before going into politics, Mia held starter jobs with Sento Corporation, and the Ecopass Corporation; in addition to being a Flight Attendant with Continental Airlines Company. During the same year of her graduation from college, Ms. Love converted from Roman Catholicism to become an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. And as part of her employment with the airlines, she relocated from Connecticut to Utah. It wasn’t long after establishing her new residence in Utah that Ms Love became involved in community advocacy.

It was a combination of her impressive work in community affairs, her popular public appeal, along with her documented resume; that Ms. Love won her seat on the Saratoga Springs City Council in 2003. By this she became the first female Haitian-American elected official in Utah County. After only six years on the City Council, Mia Love was then elected Mayor of Saratoga Springs, a position she held from 2010 to 2014.

Ms. Love campaigned tirelessly on three longstanding principles of the Republican Party: fiscal conservatism, limited government, and personal responsibility. That’s it! Nothing else goes.

As it relates to her opponents; Ms. Love is on record publicly promising to join the Congressional Black Caucus “to try and

take that thing apart from the inside out!” She describes the Democrat-dominated Caucus as demagoguery. “They sit there and ignite emotions and ignite racism when there isn’t.” Mia takes pride in recounting a story about how her parents migrated to this country in 1973, having only ten dollars in their pocket.

Ms. Love characterizes the Democratic Party’s campaign promises of Hope and Change as one which has turned into fear and blame. Fear that everybody will lose everything under Republican principles; and blame Congress for everything else…instead of taking personal responsibility.

As I listened to her on election night following a well secured victory, she actually sounded like a disciple of Condoleezza Rice. In 2012 she was named among the top ten Republicans to follow on twitter. And she was also a speaker at the Republican National Convention on August 28th of that same year.

Any way you look at it Ms. Love has clearly demonstrated sound personal qualities of leadership with a passion to offer nothing but the best of her experiences.

Whatever pathway she chooses, I believe she will prove herself worthy of the people’s choice in her party on a national level. I salute Ms. Love on her accomplishments this far, wishing her well in the many years ahead with her career in public service.

Terry is a retired counselor with broad experience in the fields of mental health and education for more than thirty years. Layne hold a MA in Counseling and MA in Psychology.

NOVEMBER 2014

United Nation identifies

the Deadliest Country In the World Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Venezuela continue to take the lead with the highest murder rates in the world.

The grim statistics have just been published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, known as U.N.O.C.D., which also concludes that Latin America, with only nine percent of the global population, experiences a shocking thirty-one percent of the world’s murder.

Honduras is the deadliest coun-

try in the world; Venezuela is second, Belize is placed third with a murder rate of forty-four point seven percent and El Salvador is fourth. The bright spot in Central America is Costa Rica which has the lowest homicide rate. According to the report, drugs, gangs, firearms and weak governments have long been blamed for fueling the persistent levels of violence in the region, especially in the “Northern Triangle” region of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

Dominicans (L-R) Shamah Lloyd, Patrick Christmas, and Kelly St. Rose

From Page 5 Galas...

which was sponsored International Bank of Commerce.

• Sophia Gilkes of Southwestern Adventist University Major in Pre-Engineering • Felix De’Quan Stoute of the Dominica State College Major: Information Technology

group represented the Houston Association of Panamanians.

Other dignitaries the Houston Caribbean family were also in attendance, namingly the Jamaica Foundation of Houston and the Barbados Association of Greater Houston.

• Albertina Alfred of the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill in Barbados Major: Physics

The Dominicans, themselves, were instantly identifiable with the ladies wearing their wob dwiyet and men with their cultural madras shirt. But it was the DHA Dancers that showcases the islands culture in music and dances. The gala climaxed with attendees dancing to the music of the Jamai Band and DJ Blackstone International.

Groupo Folklorico Raices de Panama made a visiting performance of cultural dances; the

Dominica gained its independence from Great Britain on November 3, 1978.

• Ancilla Felix of the Texas Southern University Major of Psychology

One Love CARIBBEAN is published monthly.

All materials published in One Love CARIBBEAN is Copyrighted by OneLove CARIBBEAN and may not be reproduced without our written permission. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: OneLove CARIBBEAN is not responsible for any claims made by advertisers. The views and opinions express herein do not necessarily reflect the publisher.

Mia Love speak at a gun rights rally and march at the Utah State Capitol on March 2, 2013 in Salt Lake City.

She won the race for Utah’s 4th Congressional District. -- George Frey/Getty

OneLove CARIBBEAN assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscript, photographs, and other material unless accompanied by a self addressed stamped envelope.

NOVEMBER 2014

ONE LOVE CARIBBEAN Page 11

BIRTHDAYS IN THE DIASPORA

AN INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT Encouragement from the Word of God

What Is Your Legacy?

Triston Thompson Jamaica

Marshal Jones St.Kitts

Jo-Anne Blanchard Saint Lucia

Ricardo Perez Djsilentkilla Puerto Rico

Beryl Rivera St. Croix

Andrea Marshall Barbados

others. I had the pleasure of hearing testimonies from foster, adopted and grandchildren, nieces, nephews, godchildren, neighbors, co-workers and friends who gave testimony to the quality of the “dash” of these people’s lives and the fact that their lives touched others. Some were examples of how to live and also models of how to die.

Elaine Jean-Marie St. Lucia

Errol Anthony Wilks Jamaica

Andrea Jean-Baptiste St. Lucia

Charmaine Bailey Staff Writer cbailey@olchouston.com “In the space of two weeks I attended three funerals and had others that were too far away to attend. So I’m reflecting on the lives of those who died and taking the opportunity to reassess mine. One truth that I have come to realize is that much of what I know about life I learned at funerals, including - the value of a life well-lived, the importance of forgiveness, the pain of regret, people do die young, life is a race to be run and the “dash” between one’s birth and one’s death represents that race.

I have had the sad occasion to attend funerals where very little was known about the deceased, so no one had much to say, or where friends and associates of the deceased were better acquainted with the deceased than relatives were. I have also experienced grief because I had not visited the person during their lifetime, and regret that we had not known each other better.

Dennis Warner St. Kitts

Yvonne Clark Jamaica

Original Dragon Jamaica

Arthur Braham Jamaica

Beverly Ford Jamaica

Cristal Wilson St Lucia

Marilyn Douglas-Jones Jamaica

I have also had the joy of attending funerals that were not times of mourning but rather, celebrations of a life. On these occasions, there was no mention of wealth, great adventure or achievement, but of people who lived unselfishly, giving of themselves – to raise children, to mentor, to share what little they had. They were giving and caring; they laughed and brought happiness to

Naturally, one cannot help but evaluate one’s own life. Does it count for anything? Am I a blessing to anyone?

When I pass on, what legacy will I leave?

What will I be remembered for? This has nothing to do with being famous or well-known. Really, not too many people have the opportunity to attend the funerals of great people, except by television. The greatness here is not due to one’s impact on the world at large, but simply on the immediate environment.

What do your children think about you?

What would your relatives say? What expression would your supervisor or your employee give? Would the key words be positive or negative?

The good news is, while we are alive we can decide on the legacy we leave.

There is time to build bridges of friendship, repair breaches in relationships and to tear down walls of anger. It’s not enough to sigh and say “She was a good person”, but rather: “Lord, show me how to be a better person and how to make my life count. Many of those who have gone before us were trailblazers, now it remains for us to pick up the torch and make a difference. We have the opportunity to embrace Christ Himself, who left an eternal legacy and who is the One who transforms hearts and minds, resulting in life and behavior change. Submit your heart, your will and your whole self to Christ and let Him create a new you – new attitude, thoughts, goals and actions, so that your good heritage will remain long after you have left this life. 2 Cor. 5:17(NLT) 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Charmaine Bailey is a speaker and a Christian Education Teacher. She studied Christian Education at Jamaica Theological Seminary and hold a BA Linguistics from the University of the West Indies.

Sharon_Jefferson USA

Ina Foster Jamaica

Donald Roy Johnston Celebrating his 90th Birthday Mrs. Charmaine Bailey’s Dad

Page 12

ONE LOVE CARIBBEAN

OPEN EDITORIAL P.J Patterson Passes

NOVEMBER 2014

Greg Abbott

The Next Governor of Texas

“Reparations Torch” to Antigua’s PM

The Honorable P. J. Patterson, the former Prime Minister of Jamaica, passed the torch to the younger Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda entrusting the continuity of the pursuit of Reparations for Native Genocide and Slavery.

Patterson delivered the keynote address at 2nd Regional Conference on Reparations in Antigua on October 15, 2014.“As one who belongs to the older generation of Caribbean leaders, I am here today to present that torch to a leader of the younger generation and to say: Never let that torch be extinguished,” Patterson said.

In accepting the responsibility, PM Browne stated: “Let me assure you Mr. Patterson that the current Caribbean leaders have accepted the torch and will never allow it to be extinguished.”

Patterson paid special tribute to the Rastafari brethren and ‘sistren’ in the audience whom he said “ were among the first to carry on the struggle of indigenous and slave ancestors for reparatory justice. In the post-colonial period, they stoked the embers and fanned the flames of the dying reparation fire. It has now become an unstoppable conflagration.”

Patterson focused his address on the issue of Africa’s role in the historic evil of human trafficking. He challenged critics that assert that Africans should share moral responsibility for the crime against humanity that was committed because they were complicit.

One should not place on a victim the guilt for a crime; so we should stop putting the guilt of the collaborator on the shoulders of the victim. The African continent was the victim of imperial exploitation and slavery and suffered a massive loss. It resulted in a major depopulation of Africa, with its heavy male bias. It destroyed age old political traditions, undermined tribal systems, corrupted both moral and civil practices. In short, it crippled the potential for economic growth and social development,” he said.

Patterson also pointed out that the infrastructure established to support the heinous trafficking of Africans was not known in Africa before the mass exportation of Africans to the West.

These included fortified forts along the African coast that directed the process of kidnap-

Greg Abbott

Wendy Davis

Popular vote 2,790,227 59.25%

Popular vote Democratic 38.91%

Republican

P. J. Patterson, the former Prime Minister of Jamaica

ping; a booming shipping industry of floating prisons that transported the captured human beings; a system of production centers with forced labor plantations; the transport of the products from these centers to Europe; a distribution infrastructure for the consumption of these products and the banking and insurance sector to finance the whole process.

Patterson asserted that “the ideology of racism and the articulation of superiority and inferiority linked to race and color were absent in Africa before the trans-Atlantic trade in Africans.”

He also posited that history also showed that some African leaders were induced by intimidation or bribery or greed to collaborate in the capture and transport of Africans destined for slavery. However, many African leaders opposed vehemently the capture and trans-shipment of their people.

“There is no principle in law which permits the organizers of a criminal enterprise to escape responsibility because others collaborated in carrying out the enterprise. Legal responsibility is not affected by any collaboration,” Patterson said emphatically.

“It was European nations who conceived the trade, put the enterprise into motion, controlled its operation and were massively enriched by it,” he concluded.

The Opening Ceremony also featured presentations by Prime Minister Browne, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Commission; Dr. Douglas Slater, Assistant Secretary-General, Human and Social Development, CARICOM Secretariat; Mr. Stanley Liauw Angie, representative of the Indigenous People’s Organization in Suri-

name; and a feature address by Dr. Julius Garvey, son of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, National Hero of Jamaica.

The Second Regional Conference on Reparations is being convened under the theme `Scientific Engagement and Community Mobilization’. The objective of the Conference is civil society engagement by widening the dialogue and intensifying scientific and popular discourse on the CARICOM Reparations Commission’s Ten Point Reparatory Justice Plan.

The CARICOM Reparations Commission was established in September 2013 following a mandate from the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government at their Thirty-fourth Regular Meeting held in Trinidad and Tobago in July 2013, to establish national committees and a regional commission to pursue reparations from the former European colonial powers for Native Genocide, the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and Slavery.

Twelve CARICOM Member States have established national reparations committees to date, namely: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

The First Regional Conference on Reparations was held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in September of 2013. Since that time, the action of the CARICOM Member States has re-energized the reparations movements on the African continent, the United States and the United Kingdom and has generated tremendous international media attention and interest.

Source: www. caricom.org

Democratic

The next Governor of Texas is Republican State Attorney General Greg Abbott beating Democratic State Senator Wendy Davis. He was elected in the November 4, 2014 general election.

Abbott is the first new Texas governor in 14 years. He will be sworn into office in January and govern alongside Republican Dan Patrick, who easily defeated Leticia Van de Putte in the lieutenant governor’s race.

Exit Polls showed Abbott winning Whites (73% to 26%), while Davis performed well among African Americans (92% to 7%) and Latinos (55% to 44%).

Going Bananas

Jamaica will be supplying more bananas to the United Kingdom (UK), while Trinidad and Tobago has given clearance for the produce to enter its territory.

Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, said that on October 16, a contract was signed with a UK entity for the supply of one container of bananas per week, which is expected to increase to 10 containers over time.

He informed further that last week, “the authorities in Trinidad and Tobago gave Jamaica phyto-sanitary clearance to export our bananas to their country.”

In June, Jamaica resumed banana shipments to the UK after a six-year absence from that market, due to the devastating effects of several hurricanes on the sector and changes in the preferential agreement with the UK. The weekly shipments of the fruit, weighing 2,000 lb, continued up to the end of August, and the Ministry had informed that a UK buyer would arrive in Jamaica to negotiate long-term contracts for importing Jamai-

can bananas into Britain.

Minister Kellier, who was delivering the keynote address at the launch of the ‘Eat Jamaican Month’ Campaign today (November 5), at the Jamaica Agricultural Society’s (JAS) downtown Kingston offices, said the Ministry continues to seek new export markets for local produce through the Fresh Produce Consortium.

Earlier this year, a team from the Ministry, along with farmers and exporters, attended the London Produce Show as guests of the Fresh Produce Consortium, resulting in transactions to supply sweet potato, yam, Julie mangoes, ginger, Moringa, castor oil, a variety of herbs and spices and a range of fruits to that market.

NOVEMBER 2014

ONE LOVE CARIBBEAN Page 13 Improving Your Quality of Life

Health & Wellness

THE EBOLA EPIDEMIC Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Because the natural reservoir host of Ebola viruses has not yet been identified, the way in which the virus first appears in a human at the start of an outbreak is unknown. However, scientists believe that the first patient becomes infected through contact with an infected animal, such as a fruit bat or primate (apes and monkeys), which is called a spillover event. Person-to-person transmission follows and can lead to large numbers of affected people. In some past Ebola outbreaks, primates were also affected by Ebola and multiple spillover events occurred when people touched or ate infected primates.

When an infection occurs in humans, the virus can be spread to others through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes in, for example, the eyes, nose, or mouth) with • blood or body fluids (including but not limited to urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, and semen) of a person who is sick with Ebola • objects (like needles and syringes) that have been contaminated with the virus • infected fruit bats or primates (apes and monkeys) Ebola is not spread through the air, by water, or in general, by food. However, in Africa, Ebola may be spread as a result of handling bushmeat (wild animals hunted for food) and contact with infected bats. There is no evidence that mosquitos or other insects can transmit Ebola virus. Only a few species of mammals (e.g., humans, bats, monkeys, and apes) have shown the ability to become infected with and spread Ebola virus.

Healthcare providers caring for Ebola patients and family and friends in close contact with Ebola patients are at the highest risk of getting sick because

they may come in contact with infected blood or body fluids.

During outbreaks of Ebola, the disease can spread quickly within healthcare settings (such as a clinic or hospital).

Exposure to Ebola can occur in healthcare settings where hospital staffs are not wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.

The symptoms of Ebola The incubation period, that is, the time interval from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms is 2 to 21 days, but the average is 8 to 10 days..

Humans are not infectious until they develop symptoms.

First symptoms are the sudden onset of fever fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat.

This is followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding (e.g. oozing from the gums, blood in the stools). Laboratory findings include low white blood cell and platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes.

Recovery from Ebola depends on good supportive clinical care and the patient’s immune response.

People who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that last for at least 10 years.

Treatment and vaccines Supportive care-rehydration with oral or intravenous fluidsand treatment of specific symptoms, improves survival. There is as yet no proven treatment available for EVD. However, a range of potential treatments in-

cluding blood products, immune therapies and drug therapies are currently being evaluated. No licensed vaccines are available yet, but 2 potential vaccines are undergoing human safety testing.

Good outbreak control relies on applying a package of interventions, namely case management, surveillance and contact tracing, a good laboratory service, safe burials and social mobilisation. Community engagement is key to successfully controlling outbreaks.

Raising awareness of risk factors for Ebola infection and protective measures that individuals can take is an effective way to reduce human transmission. Risk reduction messaging should focus on several factors: • Reducing the risk of wildlife-to-human transmission from contact with infected fruit bats or monkeys/apes and the consumption of their raw meat.

Animals should be handled with gloves and other appropriate protective clothing. Animal products (blood and meat) should be thoroughly cooked before consumption.

• Reducing the risk of human-to-human transmission from direct or close contact with people with Ebola symptoms, particularly with their bodily fluids. Gloves and appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn when taking care of ill patients at home.

Regular hand washing is required after visiting patients in hospital, as well as after taking care of patients at home.

• Outbreak containment measures including prompt and safe burial of the dead, identifying people who may have been in contact with someone infected with Ebola, monitoring the health of contacts for 21 days, the importance of separating the healthy from the sick to prevent further spread, the importance of good hygiene and maintaining a clean environment.

One Love Caribbean Call 281-769 2253

What are our joint pains, stiffness, and swelling telling us?

By Dr. Tomeka Mena Chiropractor Contributing Writer This month, I want to focus on the unexplained discomforts, that are felt, especially when we get up in the morning. I am talking about joint pain and stiffness, joint swelling, and feverish tendencies. Yes, gone are the days when this complaint could be streamlined only to individuals who are in their mid-forties and older; today this has become very commonplace in individuals from all age groups.

Now, I want you to ask yourself, what has really changed?

Let me put it in this manner.

Osteoarthritis and effects from past injuries, and other health problems are contributing factors to joint stiffness, inflamed joints and joint pains. I will explain. But first, we must as Caribbean people take a closer look at the root cause of the problem, not only in the older generation but also in the younger generation as well.

Osteoarthritis, an inflammatory disease that affects the joints, occurs during the normal aging process or as a result of the younger generation being predisposed to pre-arthritic changes due to a prior injury.

Although, it is inevitable due to aging, middle age and older individuals, should not embrace this as their fate. Knowingly, there are simple solutions, such as increased movement, that help to minimize the episodes of the flare ups of joint stiffness and joint pains.

While aging is a natural and unavoidable, remember that this is a station but not necessarily your final destination as far osteoarthritis is concerned.

Although we have no control over aging, we can control over our quality of life.

Good quality of life means having an active life, careful selection of food choices (foods high in fiber and low in carbohydrates), increased hydration, and stress containment.

Movement by means of walking, yoga, aerobics, swimming, can prove very beneficial, as it is by means of motions that our joints and discs receive their

nutrients in order to remain healthy. An increase in joint motion leads to reduced restrictions and increased agility and mobility. While exercise is in fact important, we should remember that this has to be done in moderation, as overworking the areas can in fact further complicate the problem.

Many of the issues, we face today, are as a result of a collaborative effort of a sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition. Although physical activity is important, we must also remember that nutrition also plays a very critical part in our body, and the overall health of our organ systems as well.

Many of inflammatory processes are as a result of an overload of process sugars that we ingest.

Remember folks, the body sees sugars as sugar, whether it is labeled as sugar, starch or carbohydrates. Sugars ingested in excess, does not only interfere with our insulin production, but it also leads to inflammation in the body.

Just remember excess sugar leads to inflammation, which leads to joint pains. Some health care providers even speculate that it is because of excess sugars that we develop some form of cancers and organ toxicities.

With proper diet and exercise, we are able to minimize our aches, pains, and complications with osteoarthritis and other underlying health conditions.

In order to maximize our life span and quality of life, we must take a new approach to life. Remember the skin is the biggest whistleblower. Whatever we are feeling like on the inside is a clear depiction on what will be shown on the outside. It is time to make a change, eat right, hydrate, stress less and get moving.

One Love Caribbean Call 281-769-2253

Page 14

ONE LOVE CARIBBEAN

NOVEMBER 2014

COMMUNITY MARKETPLACE Mount Bethel House of Prayer in Houston 6818 Cullen Boulevard Houston, TX 77021‎

Spiritual Baptist Church Mother Kathleen Joseph

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From Page 8 Mervyn Cooper...

From Page 6 Barbados...

Above all, he was always availed to help someone in need.

to Panama, said Barbadians students needed to hear the stories of hardships in Panama as it “was not all a bed of roses.”

On December 31, 2012 Mervyn passed. Even though he is not here in the flesh, his memories still lives on in the heart of his family, friends and even strangers who didn’t get the opportunity to meet him. Mr. Cooper will always be missed.

Notwithstanding, in February 2013 The Mervyn Cooper Foundation (aka MCF) was born. The Board is made up of nine members to include President- Shelly Crichlow, Vice President- Allison Cooper, and Secretary-Marilyn Langellier.

MCF serves the Caribbean and American Communities in Baytown, Houston and surrounding areas. MCF has helped individuals who has been through a little hard time with bills, Christmas gifts, food, prescriptions, medical bills, just to name a few.

Here is an example of the reach of MCF. Fitzpatrick Francis, a fifty-four year old from Antiguan, received assistance from The Mervyn Cooper Foundation. Earlier this year Francis was involved in a horrific acFrom Page 7 Reparation...

Last week, at the end of a twoday conference on reparations in Antigua, the chairperson of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Reparations Commission, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, said the movement has been energized and the Commission is working towards mounting a region-wide rally.

“We are going to organize, with the support of all of these national commissions, a regional rally in which we will move the reparations banner from the northern Caribbean, through to the centre, to the south, all the way through to Brazil,” Sir Hilary told reporters at the close of the Second Regional Conference on Reparations late Tuesday.

Mervyn and Allison Cooper

cident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. MCF was well positioned to help him.

The Mervyn Cooper Foundation is greatly appreciated by many. As the communities grow, MCF grows too. It is slowly and steadily maturing.

Even though, Mr. Cooper is no longer here with us, his legacy lives on through MCF. In life sometimes unfortunate things happen, and helping hands are always needed. So let’s join together and help The Mervyn Cooper Foundation grow.

If anyone needs more information about The Mervyn Cooper Foundation or would like to donate, please call 1-800-9573177.

The renowned historian and Principal of the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), said such an event would engage the talents of artists, musicians and youth, while bringing regional and global attention to the matter.

As part of its mandate, the reparations commission seeks to establish reconciliation between victims and beneficiaries. It also seeks to achieve the Caribbean Reparatory Justice Programme 10-Point Action Plan that tackles various social, educational and economic issues including debt cancelation, public health, illiteracy eradication and psychological rehabilitation.

One Love Caribbean Call 281-769-2253

Alluding to research she undertook that made use of Professor Velma Newton’s book The Silver Men, Ms. Agard said of Panama, “For me it is something that is full of life; it is something that we should all know; maybe even some of the literary works we should be From Page 6 Dominica...

After his death he was succeeded by Pierre Charles, who was prime minister from 2000 to 2004. He became MP for Grand Bay in 1985 as an opposition parliamentarian with the DLP, which was under the leadership of Mike Douglas. He maintained his seat in the 1990, 1995 and 2000 general elections. When the DLP formed the coalition government with From Page 5 Immigration...

unless you remain outside for at least 10 years. If you came to the U.S without inspection, you will also trigger the unlawful presence bar and be required to remain outside the U.S. for the requisite time.

POSSIBLE RELIEF? The dilemma - once you are unlawfully present in the U.S. and must go home to get the green card, you will face this denial. It is imperative to determine if you qualify for an unlawful presence waiver before you make the decision to leave.

A waiver may be obtained by demonstrating that your U.S. From Page 5 Mapping Project...

The website is www.mapjadiaspora.iom.int/ Results from the survey will further guide the Government’s engagement of the diaspora and strengthen partnerships ensuring a mutually beneficial relationship between Jamaica and its diaspora. The government will also be able to determine the availability of skills within the diaspora relevant to specific industries.

The mapping exercise will support the development of a Lo-

reading… but I am wondering if, perhaps, the language barrier is what might have been preventing us all along from getting knowledgeable and being less ignorant about what happened in Panama.”

Meanwhile, moderator and curator of the Barbados Museum, Miguel Pena, appealed to students to visit the Museum’s exhibition, and called on them to urge their relatives to assist in researching their own ties to Panama. the DFP he was made minister for communication and works.

He died suddenly on the evening of January 6, 2004.

The airport was constructed on the former Melville Hall plantation owned by General Sir Robert Melville, hence how the infrastructure was formerly named.

Skerrit said “I am adamant that we cannot continue in this day

He said, “This is our challenge to you – if your grandparents are still alive; if you have a greataunt or uncle; go speak with them. Have a conversation with them; ask them if your father or grandmother or anyone had ties to Panama. It is very possible…

That is something you need to explore more of because these people made a tremendous sacrifice to work on the Panama Canal and they were really tough, good people.” and age to have our main airport named after a 18th century slave owner.”

“For those who want our airport named after a slave owner, that is a matter for them,” he said. “It is long overdue that we have to honor our own. History will not be kind to those who decided to display their ingratitude to two men who served this country with distinction.”

citizen or permanent resident parent or spouse will suffer extreme hardship unless you are forgiven. Your U.S. citizen children will not be considered qualifying relatives for this waiver, and it takes a considerable amount of evidence to prove that a waiver should be granted. You will have to weigh the potential benefit –seeking the green card against the risks involved. Think twice about pursuing the visa through the consulate if you do not have any qualifying relatives and if you cannot prove that your qualifying relative will face “extreme hardship”, as ultimately your case will be denied.

Folks do not go blindly into an unintended immigration consequence, leaving yourself and family to suffer the ensuing hardships. Immigration law is complex and constantly changing.

Inform yourselves adequately, using the right resources.

gistics Hub which will help to address shortages of relevant local skills by identifying persons with maritime industry, logistics, shipping, and engineering experience.

in Jamaica by identifying members of the diaspora willing to fill these gaps.

The Government also seeks to advance creative industries such as animation and mobile application development.

IOM expects that the project’s results will lead to a matching of expertise and the skills gaps

Until next time, walk good!

The analysis and suggestions offered in this article do not create a lawyer-client relationship, is for information only, and are not a substitute for personalized representation that is essential to every case. Latania Mena is an Immigration Attorney and a Caribbean National based in the Southwest Houston, Texas.

The Government of Jamaica has long recognized the benefits of engaging the diaspora, which has been demonstrated through various Government-led initiatives, including the Biennial Diaspora Conference, creation of a Diaspora Advisory Board, and the recently drafted Diaspora Policy.

One Love Caribbean Call 281-769 2253

NOVEMBER 2014

ONE LOVE CARIBBEAN Page 15

JOKES, SATIRE, AND POEMS

ULTURE

BWOY ... GO GET YUH MODDAH

ISLAND RECIPES THE ART OF CARIBBEAN COOKING

Thanksgiving in the Virgin Islands

CRUZAN POTATOES STUFFING Ingredients 3 lbs potatoes; 6 tbsp olive oil 3 tbsp butter; 1 medium onion, minced 1/2 stalk celery, minced 1/4 medium sweet pepper minced 1/4 tsp thyme; 1/2 cup tomato sauce 2 tsp parsley; Dash black pepper 3-4 tbsp brown sugar 1/4 cup milk; 1/2 cup raisins; 2 eggs

ROAST GOAT Ingredients 2-3 pound boneless leg roast 2-4 cloves garlic 1 tablespoon rosemary 1 tablespoon thyme 1 1/2 cups white wine peeled whole onions Direction Insert knife into roast to create small pockets for garlic slices. Add garlic to taste (2-4 cloves). Place roast and herbs in dish (or pot or bag). Add 1 ½ cups water or substitute white wine for the water. If desired, add peeled whole onions, small whole unpeeled potatoes, and chopped carrots. Roast at 325F for approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours or until internal temperature reaches 145F for medium rare, or 160F for medium.

Direction

Peel potatoes, boil in salt water, drain and mash. While potatoes are boiling, warm frying pan and add oil and butter. (Pan should not be too hot or butter with scorch). When oil is heated add minced onion, celery and sweet pepper. Cook over low flame until tender. Add thyme, tomato sauce, parsley, black pepper and sugar. Cook for about 3 minutes.

Add this mixture to mashed potatoes and mix thoroughly. Add milk, raisins and eggs. The mixture should be a little more moist than mashed potatoes. If not sufficiently moist, add a little more milk and butter. Pour into a greased flat casserole dish, and bake at 325 degrees for about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Top should be golden brown when done.

Roast Goat

Remove from oven, allow to rest, slice thin and serve with cooking juices spooned over the meat. Left over juices and meat make a wonderful soup or stew.

VI Thanksgiving Ham

VI THANKSGIVING HAM

Ingredients 1 (5 to 7 lb) fully cooked ham Juice from two oranges; 1 tbsp whole cloves 1/3 cup packed brown sugar; 2 tbsp rum (optional) 1 tbsp honey; 1/2 tsp prepared mustard 8- pineapple slices (reserve juice) Direction Preheat oven to 325 degrees Place ham in a baking pan or casserole dish Cover the ham with pineapple slices.

Press whole cloves through the pineapple slices into the ham to secure them in place.

Direction Place all ingredients in a blender and mix well. Store in a glass container, refrigerate and serve chilled.

Coconut Sugar Cake

Combine brown sugar, orange juice, rum (if desired), honey, prepared mustard and reserved pineapple juice; pour over entire ham.

Cover tightly with aluminum, foil and bake 2 to 2 ¼ hours, basting halfway through and towards the end of the baking period.

In the last 15 minutes of cooking, remove foil and allow to brow

COQUITO Ingredients 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk 1 (14-ounce) can condensed milk 1 (15-ounce) can coconut milk 2 egg yolks; Pinch salt 1 tsp cinnamon 1 cup Cruzan Rum

Cassava Pone

COCONUT SUGAR CAKE Ingredients 2 cups of sugar; ½ cup of water 1¼ cups of coconut; ½ tsp nutmeg ½ tsp cinnamon; 2 bay leaves, dried Direction Mix together all the ingredients in pot. Cook slowly, stirring only occasionally to avoid sticking, until mixture form a soft ball when dropped in water that is room temperature.

Remove from heat and beat a while. Drop by spoonful on cookie sheet that has been lined with waxed paper. Let cool to form sugar cakes.

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A boy and his father from the Jamaica were visting Houston for the first time.

The first time they went to a mall, they were amazed by almost everything they saw, but especially by two shiny, silver walls that could move apart and then slideback together again.

The boy asked, “Ah whahdat, daddy?” The father (having never seen an elevator) responded, “Son, minevah see notting so inna mi life! Mi nuh know what it is!”

While the boy and his father were watching with amazement, a older lady in a wheelchair rolled up to the moving walls and pressed a button.

The walls opened and the lady rolled between them into a small room.

The walls closed and the boy and his father watched the small circular numbers above the walls light up sequentially.

They continued to watch until it reached the last number and then the numbers began to light in the reverse order. Finally the walls opened up again and a gorgeous, voluptuous 19-year-old woman stepped out. The father, not taking his eyes off the young woman, says quietly to his son, “Bwoy... Go get yuh moddah!”

ONE SUNDAY MORNING

Sunday morning in Dallas, Texas.

The church is packed and the devil decides to pay a visit.

The doors burst open; a white cloud rolls in with the devil in its midst.

People jump out of the pews and run outdoors, screaming - all except for two people. One is the Pastor, and the other is a Grenadian.

Satan is a bit perplexed. He points to the Pastor and says, “You! I can understand why you didn’t run away!

You are in your Lord’s house. You preach against me everyday and you aren’t afraid of me.”

But you (pointing to a Grenadian woman), why didn’t you run out scared like everyone else?”

The Grenadian crosses one leg over the other and replies, “See one, see de other! I been married to your brother for 36 years!”

A SMART HAITIAN

Three Caribbean men were arguing about what kind of moon it was.

The first man, a Dominican, said it was a full moon, the second man, a Lucian, was arguing that it was a half moon and the third man, a Vincy, was saying that it was a quarter moon.

They could not agree, so they called in a fourth man, a Haitian, who was passing by and asked him what kind of moon it was. The Haitian took one look at the three men, then looked up at the sky and said: “Let me tell you this. You asked the wrong man. I just came into Houston after the earthquake.

I am not from around here.”

I LOVE MY ISLAND IN THE SUN

By Denise Smith-Lewis O Lawd! Ella gal, you did hear de news? Poor Miss Genie up deh, she so confused. She tried so hard fo bring up her son; Working from morning, till night come; He didn have no Father, so she was the only one. Now like tree chop from de roots, all her dreams gone dung!

You did know Doctor Bailey? de lady from Gunthropes? Well is she las boy, who Miss Genie boy shoot up!

Gal when me hear bout it, me heart nearly drop. Like everything in me constitution jus come to a stop. And me drop down pun de pavement wid one big plop! Now police gone with Miss Genie boy; he gone go lock up!

Is wat happen to dem young people in dis here land?

Why deh can’t play like we use to, in a Chin Chin band? Remember how we enjoy ourselves and frolic in the sand? Now deh behaving bad, like deh some kinda brigand; And we, fraid fo straighten them out, wid one back hand. But you see dem children God give me, me nah mek nuh excuse! Even if dem international people say, to hit is abuse.

Well deh can say wa dem want, deh can go ahead and accuse; For de good book says to train the children, and is de rod, dat we must use.

So nah bodder with dem, fo them counsel you betta refuse. O Lawd, my beloved country, so beautiful, so tranquil, so sweet! I remember how we would hug up we friends, when we meet. And boy and girl did have dem own special way fo greet!

Now nearly everyday some poor modder crying, de next one buying wreath. Because deh children killing off dem one another in de streets. But why all these killings, and whe deh get dem guns? Fo hold up so many people? Everybody even police, on the run! O me heart is bleeding, for I love my island in the sun. Where I use to play and play and have so much fun.

Lawd like dem good times gone, like dem good times dun… O me soul churn up within me for my lovely, little nation! Too much fighting and killing, and political separation; We are accustomed to live be loving, and not all this vexation. But like human decency and self respect gone on vacation; People we got to rise up and change this bad situation!

We haffu stop all dem rapes! Treat our women with dignity! For God sake jack is woman, woman bring all a we!

We nuh need de drugs and guns, fa everything is not money. Look the stick that licking you, is the same one licking me; We betta change or wake up tomorrow, jus like Miss Genie.So hold you neighbour hand, leh we go mek de wrongs dem right.

We go work fo heal de land, work from morning till night. For this land a fo awe land, we pride and delight. We mus teach our children well, so their days can be bright. And make we island beautiful, beautiful in our sight. Oh from you, my beloved country, I would never, ever part; From de day me modder birth me, me love for you did start. So leh me play me warri, and ride me donkey cart; Then drink me lickle bebrige and eat me bun and tart; For you me darling country, a de pride and joy a me.