Four more awarded Gleaner honours

Sheldon Williams, Gleaner Writer

Arts and culture, education, science and technology, and health and wellness were the select areas for which recipients were recognised on the second day of The Gleaner Honour Awards luncheon held yesterday at the company's North Street head office.

Dr Fenton Ferguson, minister of health, was recognised for his decisive implementation of a public-smoking ban with the aim of improving health for many Jamaicans. An appreciative Dr Ferguson expressed how humbled he was by the gesture as he noted politicians were often more chastised than lauded throughout their tenure in office.

"I am very happy and elated, and I am elated because it helps to vindicate politicians. Oftentimes, politicians are not the benefi-ciaries or recipients of these kinds of awards, especially from the media, and so it is not just an award for me, but I think it is an award for a profession that is oftentimes treated like there is nothing good coming out of politics," he said.

Filmmaker Lenny Little-White collected the award for arts and culture on behalf of reggae singer Jimmy Cliff, who is currently on tour in North America. He said Cliff was moved by the recognition and regretted not being able to attend.

"He said this is like a national award because The Gleaner is such an important institution and he is touched by being considered, and he is only sorry he isn't here ... but he was very touched and I know it will be special to him," Little-White said.

Cliff, whose real name is James Chambers, is being lauded for his contribution to the export of Jamaican culture in 2013 as a part of Volkswagen' SuperBowl campaign and for his exposure and support of local talent.

crayons count

In the category of education, Do Good Jamaica was recognised for the initiative Crayons Count. Through that programme, funds and awareness were raised for the provision of critical learning resources to early-childhood institutions across Jamaica.

Deika Morrison, creator of Crayons Count, on accepting the award, noted that she would be sure to keep her promise to show it to the many children she had worked with whom she promised to share it.

The Early Childhood Commis-sion, with which all schools must be registered to qualify for assistance, designed the kit for 60 students. Each kit contains non-toxic, age-appropriate, brand-new, brand-name material, including 240 crayons, two sets of blocks (shapes and ABC/123), books, puppets, play dough, paper, manipulatives (including pegs and pegboard sets) kids paint, paintbrushes, glue sticks, and scissors.

Michelle English president of Flow, a subsidiary of Columbus Business Solutions, accepted her company's award in the category of science and technology. It signified their role in using innovations in technology to transform Jamaica's cable service, entertainment industry, and customer service