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Apr
17
Jamaica has changed Significantly!
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Has it?
Have you heard this before “in the last 10 years you will find that Jamaica has changed significantly” I am sure you have? I am a returning resident and lived here for over 6 years and I can tell you Jamaica has not changed in over 50 years. Sure most Rasta’s have a cell phone and cable TV but can we call that changes.Jamaica’s new Highways are still being built but can we also call that a change or is the Government getting outside people to help build these roads and amazing Hotels. I have to face the truth and so too have a lot of returning residents here in Jamaica, where is the change.
Third World Country!
The real problem is the fact that we are still considered a third world country and until we can get away from that fact we can never change, so why am I saying all this. My aim is to let you all know that Jamaica is still one of the most beautiful countries in the world with some of the best beaches and views you can find anywhere with sunshine all the year round, that I hope will never change.But candles are still sold here by the bucket load and the significant change you will find is mainly on the North Coast of Jamaica, where the Tourists visit and mainly stay and that is not always good for Jamaica and it’s people.
Don’t think you are going to come to Jamaica and get into Internet Marketing because PayPal, the most used money transfer on the Internet do not recognize Jamaica. We have no Zip Code here so P.O. Box has to do and you have to travel to the Post Office and stand in the queue to get your mail, just as it was 50 years ago.
As for local shops to get your groceries, no, use them for bits to see you through the week and usually at a much higher cost, you have to travel to the supermarket in the main town, no change there. You need to have transport if you are going to live here, so think hard about the swimming pool you were going to build as this could get you your transport. And also keep in mind that Jamaica is the only country that the value of a second hand motorcar goes up in value, else where in the world the moment you buy a car it goes down in value!
Do I sound Negative?
Good! You need to know the truth about Jamaica and it’s problems that will never change. (Let’s face it that is what makes Jamaica!)In most case the Chinese and the Asian Indians are making a good living here, why?
Because they know poverty in there own countries and know what is needed to fight it here and do well in Jamaica. Japanese cars are everywhere, in fact Japanese cars account for 95 percent or more of cars on the Jamaican road, so the Japanese are doing well here in Jamaica. Even the Irish with Digicel phones are making more money than the Jamaican government, so where is the change?
If you are a labourer working in the sunshine all day you can expect to earn $1500 Jamaican Dollars a day, that’s less than £11.50 pounds – US$17.00 a day and if you have traveled to Jamaica the first thing you will say is “Jamaica is very expensive”, yes it is!
The imagination of Jamaicans!
I could go on and on about the Jamaican way of life but I do not wish to prolong the ‘where is the change’ discussion any more, I just want you to see some of the ‘real Jamaican problems’ that all Jamaican has to face each month. Yet we come to Jamaica and build these amazing Villas with all the money you have and get some of the cheapest workers around, no change there!Without the imagination of Jamaicans trying to stay alive and ‘eat a little bread’ each day you would not have your Villa. How many Americans, British, Chinese and Asian Indians do you see building homes in Jamaica, very little if at all, you could not afford them. I remember going to Florida and visiting a food hall in the shopping center, I have never eaten so cheap in my life, try doing that in Jamaica!
Now, put all this together and you will find that building your home in Jamaica can be cheaper than America or the UK and the main reason for this is labour cost, material is costly here, just like anything else.
Now I am not saying you should pay more for the work, that is for the government to make that change, not you, but maybe you can buy some of the tools for the workers to use giving you a faster turn round, tools you can keep after the work is completed or sell some of the items. Small Cement mixers are cheap aboard and can easily be fitted in a container and shipped down with your other items, that alone can save you a vast amount of cost. A Gas Cooker for the workers to make a ‘pot’ of food instead of them spending what amounts to a fortune on food each week. That is what I call changes in Jamaica, believe me just those simple items will not only save you money but also give you some of the most loyal workers around.
Your work friend!
We need changes in Jamaica and Returning Resident and Overseas Owners are the people who will change Jamaica for the better, not the Government, the people are still crying out for help and changes will never come in the next 20 or 50 years unless you take responsible measures to do so. Be part of the build and do not use the workers as indispensable items but your work friend. Trust in each other ideas and you will both learn from the experience and as you know Jamaicans can be some of the most helpful people around, that will never change!For JA Projects Website GO HERE
Val Barclay
JA Projects – Keeping an eye on your Construction in Jamaica.- val@japrojects.com
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