Devon DickAS JAMAICA continues its efforts at reconstruction, we need to be aware of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.
Jamaica has a glorious history of resilience. We bounced back from the 1907 earthquake, 1951 Hurricane Charlie, 1988 Hurricane Gilbert and are already bouncing back from Hurricane Ivan.
Corporate Jamaica has made public donations to the reconstruction efforts. However, what will not make headlines is the collective contribution of churches in Jamaica.
The church has always responded in time of need even as it dealt with its own losses. After Hurricane Charlie, the St. Andrew Parish Church recognised that many members of its congregation had inadequate housing and they took the decision to build Moreton Park Cottage, which became a reality in 1955. Hurricane Ivan has again shown that still too many persons have inadequate housing and some are built in inappropriate places. This issue needs to be tackled.
OVERSEAS DONORS
After Gilbert, Samaritan's Purse (Canada), an organisation started by evangelist Franklyn Graham of the USA, made cash donations to help with the reconstruction in Hanover. The executive director of the Canada branch, Sean Campbell, allowed us to spend the money according to greatest need. There were no strings attached to the money. That is a good model for overseas donors.
In addition, a team led by Joe Yoder of the Mennonite Church met Jeremiah Duhaney, now manager of Poor Relief in St. James, and myself to discuss assistance to help with the reconstruction in Mt. Pelier, Hanover. Many houses were flattened in that village. It is an image in my saved memory. It was a sight to behold. Persons were helped in the reconstruction of their houses.
DISRESPECTFUL AND UNNECESSARY
I, however, distanced myself from them when they decided to build community bathrooms and washrooms. I thought that this was disrespectful and unnecessary. However, I was shocked to observe how grateful the citizens were for the community bathrooms and washrooms and that the opening was a news item on RJR. It was then, in spite of my regular visits to the community, that I saw for the first time that many persons did not have individual bathrooms and washroom facilities. I could therefore, empathise with private sector leaders who a couple years ago said that they did not realise that there were some Jamaicans living in that condition in the Denham Town area. I could also understand why constituents of Dr. Omar Davies would be grateful for toilet facilities. The reconstruction efforts should undertake to address issues of bathroom and toilet facilities.
The Patterson administration should be congratulated in having NIR, which can take care of imports for the next six months. In addition, being able to honour credit commitments is reassuring. This will enable one to plan in calm.
The passage of Hurricane Ivan also provides an opportunity for national soul-searching. It is time to clarify our vision and build a national consensus on where we want to go so that a majority can work towards reconstruction and renewal. It seems that for Jamaicans important core values include being good neighbours both to those who live close by and to those in great need. It appears that Jamaicans expect the media to be first and foremost a source of credible and relevant information to deal with the crisis at hand. Jamaicans desire music that will lift our spirits and strengthen our resolve to tackle great challenges.
SERIOUS WEAKNESSES
There, however, are some serious weaknesses. The murder rate is still too high. It can be likened to a modern form of slavery. It is a monster that drives fear in our hearts. It weakens the bones. It can lead to sleepless nights. It can make people feel listless and hopeless. A continued concentrated communal response to make a serious dent on this problem is therefore essential.
The continued slippage of the value of the Jamaican dollar in relation to the major trading partners is a sign of weakness in the economy. The JMMB 2004 Annual Report traces the exchange rate from February 1995 to March 2004. It was $33.20 to US$1 in 1995 and by March 2004 in was $60.90. Every year there has been slippage. This is a recipe for the rich to get richer and the poor to get poorer. The Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Jamaica have some questions to answer and some solutions to offer. There needs to be, not only a new economic order in the world but also in Jamaica. These are serious weaknesses, which are also grave threats to the well-being of the nation.
If we build on our strengths, use our opportunities and deal with our weaknesses and threats then reconstruction could lead to a more peaceful and prosperous country for the majority.
The Rev. Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church and author of 'Rebellion to Riot: The Jamaican Church in nation-building'.
