Fathers urged to be more responsible

WESTERN BUREAU:

Rainforest Seafoods yesterday honoured 11 of its employees' children - ranging from primary to tertiary level - with bursaries for outstanding performances throughout the 2010-2011 academic school year.

In his keynote address at the function, which was held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, General Manager Ernest Grant lamented the low ratio of males in tertiary-level institutions, and the failure of fathers in the Jamaican society to stand up to their responsibilities.

"Unless we, the men, become more responsible for our children, our male kids may not progress beyond a certain level," he said. "It's heartening to see the kind of support that fathers at our company give to their kids because in the wider society, we are not seeing that kind of paternal support."

In his charge to the honourees, Grant encouraged them to maintain their high standard of excellence.

"Don't pity yourself when you have lost. When you lose or fail, get up, brush yourself and start over again."

Largest fish supplier

The Brian Jardim-owned Rainforest Seafoods is the Caribbean's largest supplier of fish and seafood. The 16-year-old business has two large distribution centres strategically located in Kingston and Montego Bay, with markets throughout the region, offering a wide range of both frozen and fresh products.

In offering his congratulations to the awardees, Jardim committed his company's continuous support to their efforts.

"For us to be a part of your education is very significant to us," he said. "It is our esteemed pleasure to have been part of your journey all these years and we look forward to even more years to come."