OCTOBER 7, 2022

Nuff respect, Janet, nuff respect

I would like to pay tribute to Janet Silvera, my friend and media colleague whose act of kindness was one of my personal highlights of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace in San Juan, Puerto Rico this week.

There was initial concern about the viability of staging the conference following the devastating blow of Hurricane Fiona to the residents of the south, southwestern and mountainous areas of Puerto Rico, which prompted a visit by U.S. President Joseph Biden to visit the Territory while we were on island.

Thankfully, the city of San Juan was spared, and not only did Marketplace and a preceding Caribbean Travel Forum come off without a hitch, an appeal by CHTA invited delegates to spring into action to help communities rebound from the impact of the storm with in-kind and cash contributions.

Janet, the prolific tourism writer with the Jamaica Gleaner, who is the immediate past president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce, understands the importance of responding to needs, as she works tirelessly to champion the cause of the underprivileged at home and abroad.

Upon seeing the appeal, she decided that she had to find anything possible to bring from Jamaica to Puerto Rico with her. She had about nine school bags in her possession and rallied some friends to purchase toiletries and pampers, while another friend sent her money to give to the people in Puerto Rico. 

This is not the first time Janet has responded to a call to help Puerto Rico after a storm; previously she volunteered for a day to work in an impacted community. 

“Once there is a need, once there are people whose lives have been disrupted, I feel the onus is on us as people of the world to ensure that we help in some way or manner. So that is what I did,” she said.

As I rest my pen this week, I do so with a degree of emotion, for I have had the privilege of being associated with this incredible woman for decades. 

And as I reflect on Janet’s act of kindness during Marketplace, I recall her consistent contributions to the lives of Jamaicans and Caribbean nationals through her communications, her philanthropy and her downright goodness.

The scriptures have taught us “do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” (Hebrews 13:2 NKJV)

Thank you, Janet, for your angelic gesture, which coupled with the contributions of others, will no doubt positively impact lives across La Isla del Encanto.

Bevan Springer is the President and CEO of Marketplace Excellence, a global public relations, marketing and media company.