Jamaica has a dynamic and vibrant music culture; however structured music training is not always readily available to youth from the inner city. Musical talent abounds in these environs but is mainly focused on dancehall and its associated cultural elements. The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), with its long and rich tradition of music and its culture and structures of discipline and character building has been responding to this need by hosting a music summer camp targeting inner city youth.

The third staging of the initiative was held between July 1-19, 2024 but was pushed back to July 24 because of the passage of Hurricane Beryl. CHASE was pleased to partner with the JDF to engage with a group of at-risk youth, who participated in playing orchestral and pop band instruments as well as vocal training. The camp also provided the participants with motivational and team building exercises which prepared them for the closing concert ceremony. This led to the formation of three different groups:

• Strings
• Piano
• Drums

The closing concert ceremony was held, and the youth artists put on a show for all to enjoy. From solo sets to group medleys, the audience filled with sponsors/stakeholders including JDF members, community members, family members and their peers were proud to see what children who had no experience with musical instruments, were able to achieve in three (3) weeks of mentorship.

Since inception, CHASE has provided funding to 90 schools and bands to the tune of J$176.4M to support music programmes at different levels in different ways. Recently we have included funding to colleges which currently train teachers in music for different levels of the education system, the story of one of such is linked here.

 

On Sunday June 30, 2024, Mr. W Billy Heaven, OD, JP, Chief Executive Officer of CHASE Fund was delighted to hand over musical instruments along with the Member of Parliament for South- East Clarendon, Hon. Pernel Chales Jr. to the Golden Touch Marching and Performing Band. Among the musical instruments that were handed over were various drums, trumpets and tambourines for their band.

Both Mr. Heaven and Mr. Charles in both their speeches made mention of the fact that music is a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, playing a crucial role in the development of young minds in fostering creativity, discipline and teamwork. Mr. Heaven also included that learning music improves math skills.

CHASE Fund is well aware of the role music plays in our lives and is Connecting the Dots for our youth. Since its inception, CHASE Fund has provided funding to 90 schools and music bands amounting to J$176.4 million to support music programmes at different levels. CHASE has also included funding to colleges which train teachers in music for different levels so that the music doesn’t stop.

Pediatric surgery, the delicate art of operating on infants, children, and adolescents, last week witnessed a remarkable advancement with the first laparoscopic surgeries performed at the Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC).  The appendectomy (removal of the appendix) and cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal) were made possible with the laparoscopic machine, donated to the BHC by the CHASE Fund.

Dr. Sarah Marshall Niles, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon at the BHC responsible for the gall bladder removal, said the surgical team was happy to be able to provide this type of procedure with significant benefits to patients. “We are quite humbled and grateful to have finally achieved our long-standing vision of being able to truly provide world class surgical service to our nation’s children,” she said.

Dr. Sarah Marshall Niles, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon (centre), performs an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal) at the Bustamante Hospital for Children recently. She was assisted by Dr. Lindburg Simpson (right), Consultant laparoscopic surgeon from KPH and Paediatric Surgeon, Dr Ian Fearon.

Laparoscopic surgery, also known as minimally invasive surgery, involves the use of specialized instruments and a laparoscope—a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light source—to visualize and operate inside the abdomen or pelvis through small incisions.
Dr. Marshall Niles said the surgeon benefits from increased visibility during the procedure as the field of surgery is viewed with a telescope that provides magnified vision which improves surgical precision.

Commenting on the surgeries, Dr. Claudine DeSouza, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon who performed the appendectomy noted that Laparoscopic Appendicectomies had been a goal of the hospital for some time and she was extremely grateful to see it come to fruition.

Dr Claudine DeSouza, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, performs emergency Laparoscopic appendicectomy at the Bustamante Hospital for Children recently. She was assisted by Assistants Dr Kimberly Thomas and Dr Orville Morgan

“It means we are able to offer similar surgical care to the children at Bustamante Children’s Hospital as they would receive in most first world countries for certain procedures. It means smaller scars for some procedures, less pain, a quicker recovery and likely quicker return to physical activities. We will continue the legacy of our mentors and do our best for our nation’s children,” she said.

“The patient made a full recovery and has very small scars that are barely obvious,” she added.

The integration of laparoscopic machines into BHC’s surgical practice represents a significant advancement in care at the institution which is the only children’s hospital in the English-speaking Caribbean. The institution caters to patients from birth to 12 years, providing a comprehensive range of diagnostic, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and ambulatory services in paediatric medical and surgical specialties and sub-specialties.

The acquisition of the laparoscopic machine was financed at a cost of $20 million by the CHASE Fund under its Health portfolio. The Fund supports health initiatives that advance the promotion of healthy lifestyles; build, upgrade, restore and equip health facilities, children’s homes, palliative and drug rehabilitation centres, AIDS hospices and shelters for the homeless, while also providing training for personnel who administer such facilities.

 

Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal) in progress at the Bustamante Hospital for Children recently.

The Pembroke Hall Wellness Park was officially handed over to the Pembroke Hall Civic Association and the Pembroke Hall community on May 12, 2023. The Wellness Park was developed by the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund, at a cost of $16M.

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, who is also Member of Parliament for the area, in his remarks, pointed out that the park will help to improve residents’ wellbeing and quality of life.

“Communities cannot be established if we just stay in our homes and have nowhere to congregate. It aids the emergence and deepening of a sense and spirit of community to have spaces such as this wellness park,” the Minister added.

Commenting on the development of the park, CHASE CEO, Billy Heaven noted the benefits of providing urban residents spaces for physical activity and social interaction and allowing psychological restoration to take place.,

“This park has something for everyone, a jogging trail and exercise equipment for those who want to work out. A social area with chess tables, benches for just cooling out or for meditation”, he said.

Chairman of the CHASE Fund, Omar Frith, said the Fund would be installing a public bathroom, lighting and landing pads by the playground area.