THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM a bit frustrated with the way things are turning in Jamaica. Ever so often when I take up the newspaper, listen to the talk show hosts or look at the nightly television news, all I see and hear is doom and gloom on our country and people. 'Jamaica is a failed state', 'Jamaica is failing itself', 'The police fail ...', 'CXC designed to fail students' - and these are only a few of the negatives that greet me daily. If I look at the news in the mornings and all I see is failure, what kind of a day am I supposed to have as a productive citizen of Jamaica?
An article published in the Friday Gleaner, September 16, 2005, entitled 'Chester's chicken takes flight' caught my attention. At first glance, I thought they were going to report on this franchise packing up and leaving Jamaica, but to my relief they are expanding across Jamaica.
So you see we have had successes too. Look at all those young people who did so exceptionally well in their CXCs and A'Level examinations. They all make me so proud. I take this opportunity to unreservedly congratulate you all, likewise our teachers and parents. And for those of you, who did not get the ones, twos or threes in your examinations, it's not the end of the world; you can try again. Just go back to school and give the next try all that you have. I implore you to listen more to those who can help/motivate instead of put you down. We need to remember that we are all here for a purpose, and our purpose is definitely not to fail.
I am, etc.,
CECELIA WAUGH
cecelia.waugh@uwimona.edu.jm
Kingston 20
Via Go-Jamaica
