- Contributed
Major General Neish (right), Executive Director of the Digicel Foundation in discussion with Danville Walker, CEO of the Office of National Reconstruction at a recent press conference.
Erica James-King, Contributor
FORMER CHIEF of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Major General Robert Neish has worked tirelessly to touch the lives of others in a positive way, for over five decades.
In fact, his enthusiasm to serve his fellow men and his country, led him to defy his father's wishes for him to pursue a career in engineering. Instead, he took on the mantle of military life.
These days we can find the former JDF chief of staff, on a different journey. Since October, the 64-year-old Robert Neish has been at the helm of the charitable, non-profit organisation, the Digicel Foundation. A far cry from the rigours and people-oriented lifestyle of his 32 years in the army and 11 years as JDF chief of staff? Only in some respects.
"I like to make a big difference in people's lives, and the Digicel Foundation is focusing on developing communities through the help of the citizens and the company," asserted Neish. "I am glad to be involved in that development process."
The Major General spends his days conceptualising and strategising for the foundation. Unable to conceal his zest for the work of the four-month-old foundation, he says the board has chosen to focus overwhelmingly on education projects and this he believes has the scope of having islandwide impact overtime.
He said the staff "is very excited about the foundation's projects".
"The emphasis is on voluntary labour and sharing in community life important qualities in moulding character, and it will redound to the benefit of the individual staff members and the welfare of the country."
The foundation was established for the sole purpose of building sustainable communities across the island and in other Caribbean territories. Its mission is to increase investments into rural areas, break the cycle of dependency in the communities by providing income-generating and social opportunities and empower communities in policy design and implementation.
Recently, the foundation rebuilt the Lakes Pen Basic School in St. Catherine in a record time of six weeks, with the combined effort of the community and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund.
Projects
The executive board of the foundation is chaired and entirely staffed by Digicel employees. Communities can access application forms for projects by getting in touch with the foundation.
But what of the private side to Major General Neish? The woman who has won and kept his heart for the last 39 years, and has been married to him for 37 of those years, is fond of the general's passion for adventure, his great love for people and his sentimental vibes.
"He is my best friend and soul mate," Jan Neish acknowledges as she tells the tale of being a young English nurse who came to Jamaica, when she was swept off her feet by the young helicopter pilot - Robert Neish.
Indeed, the same year that they were married, this dare devil soldier rescued a foreign counterpart who had suffered spinal injury while on training in the Blue Mountains. The young Neish earned himself an Air Force Cross Award for that act of bravery.
Unlike many men, he never forgets anniversaries and birthdays, and this has won him many kudos with his wife.
"He is such a loving person and very sentimental."
Mrs. Neish confesses that she is the more outgoing of the couple, but they both enjoy entertaining and throwing big family parties at home. They also enjoy working on home projects and re-decorating together. Mrs. Neish feels her husband is a dynamo at interacting with their two sons, but unlike the two children, she does not share his boating hobby.
"When he and the boys go sailing around the island or racing across the harbour, I would go by road and meet them at the end of their journey," she admits with a chuckle.
Jan Neish describes the object of her affection as an honest man and those persons who know Major General Neish would agree. In fact, honesty and integrity seem to be the defining principles of his life.
The Jamaica Defence Force
Referring to his years as Chief of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force, Major General Neish recounted, "I was able to maintain the professionalism and impartiality of the Jamaica Defence Force under both the People's National Party and Jamaica Labour Party governments."
The general has also charted new horizons for disabled persons. For several years he served as the CEO of the Mona Rehabilitation Foundation, helping to garner mobility aids and employment opportunities for disabled persons.
Other organisations that are benefiting from his management and people-oriented prowess are the Jamaica Legion where he is chairman, Royal Air Force Association, Crime Stop board and the Private Sector Standing Committee on National Security.
This son of an army Captain prays that his work with the Digicel Foundation and the non-profit organisations will help to rescue youths who are on a self-destructive path.
