This little girl from the Salvation Army School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is one of dozens who will benefit from a donation of braille machines. 

Braille machines, computers and furniture valuing 7.7 million JMD (50 000 USD) have been donated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support critical learning needs of student who are blind and deaf in Jamaica, and the administrative capacity of the Combined Disabilities Association (CDA).

UNDP Resident Representative, Denise E Antonio officially hands over a gift of 20 braille machines to Salvation Army School for the Blind Principal, Iyeke Erharuyi.

This little girl and her teacher demonstrate how to use one of the old braille machines that frequently break down.

Students who are blind & deaf are often left behind because of inadequate learning tools. UNDP support is paving the way for recovery of learning loss.

Top photo: Group photo of the ten youth organizations which participated in UNDP's Amplifying Youth Voice and Action project; 2ND ROW LEFT: UNDP Programme Associate Kerry- Ann Willis poses with UNDP Intern Neville Charles, whose POSITIVE youth organization was one of 10 grantees; 2ND ROW RIGHT: UNDP Resident Representative Denise E Antonio gives a certificate of appreciation to UNESCO Caribbean's Paula Isturiz; 3RD ROW LEFT: UNDP Assistant Resident Representative Ava Whyte Anderson poses with representatives of AYVA grantees, National Police Youth Club Council of Jamaica; 3RD ROW RIGHT: UNDP Resident Representative Denise E Antonio poses with UNDP interns Neville Charlton, Dana Atkinson and Domonique Darling.

Ten youth organizations awarded UNDP micro grants to innovate and lead citizen security and safety projects in Jamaica, reported highlights and lessons learned at their Closing Conference in March. As grantees under UNDP's Amplifying Youth Voice and Action project, the ten organizations implemented micro projects on: Bullying, police reporting services for the deaf, mentorship, peace ambassadorships, entrepreneurship and skills training, creative arts therapy, conflict resolution, telemedicine and fire safety. Collectively, hundreds participated in the project activities with two projects showing early signs of impact. Reports indicate two police reports have been made by deaf persons using the sign language services implemented by the National Police Youth Club Council of Jamaica, and 26 out of 32 young people trained as security guards are now employed under a micro project implemented by I-SEEED. 

Click the image to WATCH UNDP's Amplifying Youth Voices and Action project Closing Ceremony, featuring testimonials and results from youth organizations. Pictured: Terri Karelle, event moderator.

The Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology (MSET) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) partnered on a Digital Readiness Assessment Survey (DRA) to gather rapid, high-level insights into Jamaica's digital strengths and weaknesses. The data will provide valuable inputs into Jamaica's plans to become a digital society  

Applications for mining licenses, mining export permits and other search, tracking and coordination functions of the Development Minerals industry in Jamaica, have now gone digital with the launch of the Jamaican Mining Cadastre (JAMinCAD). Officially launched 11 March, JAMinCAD is a new digital platform for clients and managers of the minerals industry. 

A new report offering fresh insight into the impacts of COVID-19 and hurricane Dorian on Micro, Small and Mid-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Grand Bahama and Abaco is now available to the Government, people and business sector of The Bahamas. The report – Socio-Economic Impact Assessment of Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 Pandemic on MSMEs in The Bahamas – includes in-depth analysis from UNDP's Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) which uncovers many layers of vulnerability of MSMEs in the face of crisis.

A “Mobile Outdoor Classroom” on board a brand-new fully electric vehicle was launched on Wednesday February 9th, by the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) as part of their ongoing efforts to make marine environmental education safe, fun and engaging. The electric outdoor classroom vehicle, soon to be outfitted with solar panels, was donated to BREEF through a strategic grant from the Global Environment Facility’s Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

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Small Grants valuing up to $50 000 USD each became available to finance environmental projects under the latest Call for Concepts from the GEF Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).  

How sign language services were introduced to two police stations so that the deaf could file police reports that are admissible before the courts. One of ten projects funded by UNDP under the Amplifying Youth Voice and Action project.

Five years after Jamaica ratified the Paris Agreement, UNDP takes a retrospective journey through Climate Action projects and initiatives founded on a solid partnership between the Government of Jamaica and the UNDP.

UNDP Resident Representative, Denise E Antonio addressing the Closing Conference of the Amplifying Youth Voice & Action project

UNDP partnered with UNESCO Caribbean, Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Education and Youth, Private Sector Organization of Jamaica, Planning Institute of Jamaica, and RISE Life Management Services to seek answers to one critical question: What if we moved youth from the margins to the leadership of citizen safety and security interventions targeting their peers? We tested our theory in two main ways: First, by strengthening mechanisms to foster youth participation in decision making; Second, by financing and mentoring youth groups to implement innovative and sustainable solutions in Citizen Security and Safety.  

People Living With Disabilities suffer disproportionately when disaster strikes. They often cannot pick up the emergency, preparation and survival messages distributed, and many more die because of it. Through a project funded by the UNDP/ GEF Small Grants Programme and implemented by the Environmental Health Foundation, a survival guide in braille has been produced. Watch our podcast featuring Gloria Goffe of the Combined Disabilities Association and Sherine Gordon of the Jamaica School for the Blind.