Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (Centre), pauses for a photo after completing the Miramar leg of the Hi-5 5k Run/Walk on Saturday (May 11). The Minister is flanked by Mayor of Miramar Wayne Messam (left) and Oliver Mair, Consul General of the Jamaican Consulate in Miami.
The Jamaican Diaspora has literally raced to lend a helping hand to healthcare in Jamaica, following this year’s staging of the Hi-5 5K Run/Walk, which has generated financial support for five local clinics. Health clinics located in Portland, St Mary, St. Ann, and two based in St. Catherine, will continue to benefit from the proceeds of this year’s race.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, who participated in the Miramar leg of the race on Saturday (May 11), said “the Diaspora’s support to the development and expansion of Jamaica’s healthcare facilities is truly inspiring and embodies the positive outcomes of the Jamaica-Diaspora partnership, which the upcoming 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference celebrates and encourages”.
“Through the Ministry of Health’s Adopt-a-Clinic initiative, this annual 5K event has played a crucial role in enhancing our healthcare infrastructure. This includes upgrades and expansions, minor maintenance and the acquisition of vital clinical, dental and office equipment. These improvements not only elevate the quality of primary health services and beautify our community health centres, but they also create a better environment for both healthcare workers and patients, laying a stronger foundation for improved quality of life across Jamaica”, she said.
While commending Consul General Oliver Mair and Miramar’s Mayor Wayne Messam for organising the Miami[1]based event, Minister Johnson Smith highlighted its extensive reach. She noted that in addition to Miramar, this year’s run simultaneously took place in four other regions across Southern USA— including Orlando, Atlanta, Phoenix and Houston — engaging over 1,500 members of the Diaspora in the race.
During the run, participants were treated to lively reggae music along the course, which infused energy and rhythm into the race. The day concluded with a vibrant post-event celebration featuring awards, authentic Jamaican food and live performances, all of which attracted an enthusiastic crowd to its fifth staging.
In sharing the enthusiasm, Consul General Mair said “the energy and spirit shown by participants today exemplify the strength and unity of our Jamaican community. Several communities across the Diaspora have come together to not only promote a healthy lifestyle, but also rallied significant support for crucial healthcare services back home. I am profoundly grateful for the overwhelming support and solidarity demonstrated here today and we thank our charitable and alumni associations, churches, corporations and individuals for their active involvement as volunteers, donors and sponsors”.
The Jamaica Hi-5 5k Run/Walk is built on five pillars, committed to supporting health and education initiatives in Jamaica through community-based fundraising events in the USA. In partnership with the Jamaican Diaspora, the Hi-5 5K Run/Walk provides sustainable resources to essential public services in Jamaica. Through structured arrangements like the Adopt-A-Clinic Programme, members of the Diaspora help to play a critical role in improving the provision and access to primary healthcare through their philanthropic support to a pool of over 100 clinics identified for Adoption.
