The Gleaner NA

THE WEEKLY GLEANER | DECEMBER 13 - DECEMBER 19, 2021 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 10 THE W EKLY GLEAN R | DECEMBER 13, 2021 - JANUARY 2 2 F OR YEARS, popular Christmas prime time feature ‘Greetings Across the World’ (GATW) has helped to connect families through greetings recorded in the diaspora and broadcast across Jamaica. IT HAS given many a glimpse of their long-lost relatives at a time when they need it the most: the holidays. For producer of the feature, Krystia Royes, “it’s moments like those that pro- pel us to continue”. The feature was created by her father, Clarence Royes, a filmmaker, with his own production company, in 1987. It emerged fromhis own longing for home in Jamaica after emigrating many years before. “He went to school in England, and he was there by himself. Although he was with other people from the Caribbean, he was missing home. He toldme a story about how his mother would sit and lis- ten to the radio and the greetings that would come across at times. But in those days when people emigrated, they barely saw each other, so he thought it would be great if they could actually see, not just hear, each other,” Royes related. 34-YEAR PARTNERSHIP “It took off from there, and Jamaica National (JN) got involved and remains our partner 34 years later,”she continued. The effort was a natural fit, Leon Mitchell, general manager of the Jamaica National Group, who played an integral part in the establishment of JN’s repre- sentative offices in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the US in those early years, said, given the organisation’s strong re- lationship and thrust to foster Jamaica’s connection with its diaspora. “It was a unique way to keep families and friends connected, most of whom had not seen each other in many years, and as the organisation helping to main- tain those relationships, we saw it as a means of further strengthening that movement,”Mitchell said. The show, which traditionally show- cased Jamaicans overseas simply sending greetings to their loved ones in Jamaica on screen, remains popular at Christmas time and is aired throughout December to early January. But similar to other ventures in 2020, ‘GATW’ has not been unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In previous years, the crew would travel to various diaspora markets to film. However, with restrictions in place in some countries, travelling abroad was not practical this year. Therefore, the pro- duction team has launched an initiative to invite persons, locally and overseas, to send their videos to the ‘GATW’ team. “They can simply videotape their greetings and send it to us,” Royes said. The show, which has become a part of the modern Jamaican Christmas tra- dition, will be aired from December 4 to January 6, 2021. For instructions about how to send videos, visit jngroup.com/gatw . - Published in The Gleaner December 10, 2020 ‘Greetings Across the World’ Clarence Royes (left), film-maker and creator of Greetings Across the World, with the producer of the show, daughter, Krystia. CONTRIBUTED A Jamaican Christmas tradition accounts at any MultiLink ABM, with a VMBS debit card for free • As a saver you get additional benefits when you apply for a mort- gage at VMBS. MORTGAGES VM’s mortgages are also offered at very competitive rates and the team of caring experts has all the information to help returning residents hit the ground running for the new chapter of their lives back on the island. AUTO LOANS The VMDrive Auto Loan continues to be a favourite amongmembers. Members are able to access up to 100 per cent financing and discounts on auto insurance while making low monthly payments. The return to Jamaica will be so much sweeter with no restrictions on movement. From Negril to Morant Point, the island is waiting to be explored. VM’s chief representative officer for the diaspora, Leighton Smith, said the Group was fully equipped and ready to help returning resi- dents transition smoothly, with easy access to life-improving financial products and services. “VM’s overseas offices allow returning residents to get a head start on resettling comfortably in Jamaica. This makes the experience more enjoyable. It’s a major move, after all, and we are here to help make it a great experience,” he said. “It’s part of our Group-wide commitment to offer the best products and services in the most convenient ways. VM also puts a lot of effort into providing financial education. We believe that knowledge empowers and we want our members to be empowered to make the best financial decisions for themselves and their families.” For more information, please contact any of our representative offices or the VMMember Engagement Team: By phone: Toll Free (from Jamaica): 1-888-YES-VMBS (937-8627)Toll Free (from USA/ Canada): 1-866-967-VMBS (8627) Free (from UK): 0-800-068-VMBS (8627) By email: manager@myvmgroup.com VM GROUP CONTINUED FROM 8