IAJ AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

IAJ was a sponsor for   a Workshop for Motor-bikers   safety at mountainside , St. Elizabeth,   organized by the  National Road Safety Council  in May 2022.

IAJ was also involve in a  Defensive Driving Seminar held for Taxi  Drivers  in  May put on by  Grennell’s Driving School, support  by the National Road Safety Co9uncil.

In May 2022, IAJ Vice President – Life Rosemarie Henry also took time out to be Guest Speaker at a Special Education School  on Teachers Day and handed out  prizes to outstanding teachers

EXCERPT FROM  A SPEECH BY ROSEMARIE  HENRY, IAJ VICE PRESIDENT – LIFE,  GIVEN  AT A  THE 2022 TEACHERS DAY CEREMONY TO HONOR TEACHERS AT A SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL.

IAJ is pleased to be given the opportunity to salute our teachers on the Teacher’s Day 2022. The importance of teachers in society is best demonstrated by the two following quotations that have become popular over the years. The first one is “ If you can read this sign , thank a teacher” and secondly “ If you think education is expensive, try to evaluate the cost of ignorance”. As we celebrate the 60^th Anniversary of our Independence we have a lot to be thankful fo,r and a lot to be proud about. But at the same time there are things that we need to remedy in our society. Teachers are a critical part of our success but they are also very important in helping correcting our failures.

A lot of what we take for granted has come with the blood sweat and tears of those who have gone before us. It is therefore necessary that each generation recognizes that they have to summon the will the courage and the fortitude to deal with the issues that confronts them in their time. We have all had to deal with the difficulties of the COVID Pandemic, which has been particularly challenging for teachers.

Not withstanding all of this it is the teachers who will have to lead the process of coping in this new environment. You will be called upon to respond to your students, parents while you yourselves try to come to terms with your own experiences with COVID. It is no easy task, but throughout history that has always been the task handed to teachers, it is a tough ask, but the country is depending on you to help them manage the transition because as the good book says “this too will pass”.

As we salute your work today, I have no easy words of comfort for you. We at the IAJ have simply provided some tokens to acknowledge the work you do which is often times done without thanks or a proper reward. Nonetheless we encourage you to keep the faith and keep up the good work with the hope that tomorrow will be better because you tried and did not give up. I leave with the immortal words of the Jamaica National Anthem to strengthen you when you feel down. You can join be if you wish

Eternal Father bless our land, Guard us with Thy Mighty Hand, Keep us free from evil powers, Be our light through countless hours. To our Leaders, Great Defender, Grant true wisdom from above. Justice, Truth be ours forever, Jamaica, Land we love. Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica land we love.

We thank you for your service.