Blog

At an age when many people are enjoying a quiet retirement, 97-year-old Jamaican Aileen Chin has become the internet’s favourite adopted grandma, winning over millions around the world with her recipes, warmth and infectious personality.

The Highgate, St. Mary native has officially been recognised by Guinness World Records as the oldest living female food/cooking YouTuber after building an online following of nearly two million people who tune in to watch her prepare traditional Jamaican dishes while sharing stories, laughter and her now-famous catchphrase, “Mi rahtid!”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lucas Wong (@zionhousetv)

For Chin, however, cooking is nothing new.

She began cooking at just five years old before turning that childhood passion into a lifelong career. Alongside her late husband, she opened Chin’s Bakery in Highgate in the 1950s, operating the beloved wholesale bakery for 58 years before it closed in 2008. Although she later moved to Miami to be closer to family, the recipes and traditions she perfected in Jamaica never left her.

Those treasured recipes, many handwritten decades ago and carefully preserved, have found a new audience thanks to her grandson, Lucas Wong. What started as a simple family project in 2023 has blossomed into a global phenomenon across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.

Their breakthrough came after Wong filmed his grandmother making authentic Jamaican beef patties using the same recipe she once sold at her bakery. The video quickly went viral, introducing millions to the flavours of Jamaica and the warmth of the woman behind them. Today, their videos feature everything from oxtail and jerk chicken to stew peas, goat soup and cocoa bread, preserving Jamaican culinary traditions for a new generation.

The family’s growth on social media has been extraordinary. In March, they celebrated setting an ambitious goal of reaching 100,000 TikTok followers. Just four months later, they have surpassed that milestone more than tenfold, with over 1.1 million followers on TikTok alone, while their audience continues to grow across YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

@zionhousetv Jamaican Jerk goat is a something special my grandma like to makes #jerk#goat#grandma#jamaicatiktok#jamaicantiktokviral@chinfamilyfromjamaica ♬ original sound – zion house

Guinness World Records verified Chin’s achievement on March 24, 2026, when she was 96 years and 89 days old, making her the oldest living woman in the world with a food and cooking YouTube channel.

Receiving the honour, Chin said she hopes her recipes continue to bring people together.

“It feels good for me to pass down my knowledge of cooking with the next generation. I love to see people enjoy my family recipes. It brings me such joy and happiness,” she told Guinness World Records.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lucas Wong (@zionhousetv)

Grandma Chin’s story is a reminder that social media isn’t just for the young. It also speaks to the enduring appeal of Brand Jamaica. What draws people in is not only her decades of culinary experience and treasured family recipes, but also her unmistakable Jamaican warmth, humour and personality.

Today, just a few years shy of becoming a centenarian, Chin has become one of Jamaica’s most unlikely digital ambassadors, amassing nearly 1.6 million followers across social media, earning a Guinness World Record and introducing millions around the world to Jamaica’s rich culinary heritage through recipes she has spent a lifetime perfecting.

When Anthony “Taoszen” Smith was invited to lead the design of a public mural in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, it marked another milestone for the Jamaican artist, whose growing portfolio of large-scale public artworks celebrates Caribbean culture and identity.

“I wanted to share my art with the entire Caribbean, making it my home,” Smith told Jamaicans.com.

Smith served as lead artist and designer for We Are Calliaqua, a public mural stretching nearly 400 feet along the wall of the Calliaqua Playing Field. Covering 1,915.8 square feet, the artwork was managed by Kingston Creative in partnership with Rainforest Caribbean and officially unveiled on May 25, 2026. It is now among the largest public murals in the Eastern Caribbean.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TAOSZEN – Muralist (@taoszen)

A Jamaican Artist with a Caribbean Vision

Originally from Manchester with roots in Devon and Mile Gully, Smith is now based in Mandeville. He attended Devon Primary School, Knox College and later earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication from the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. He also completed certification in Mural Conservation and Restoration at the Havana Workshop School in Cuba.

Now 29, Smith has spent the past five years working as a full-time muralist, building a reputation for transforming public spaces through artworks that celebrate Caribbean history, culture and identity.

His portfolio includes the Royal Promenade mural aboard Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, the Crafting Culture mural in Montego Bay, portraits for the Reggae and Dancehall Wall of Fame, murals at Catherine Hall for Reggae Sumfest, the Sabina Park Wall of Fame, Carib Cement’s Silo No. 10, and one of the largest murals in Curaçao.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TAOSZEN – Muralist (@taoszen)

Celebrating the Spirit of Calliaqua

Kingston Creative invited Smith to design and lead the painting of the mural, an opportunity that aligned closely with his artistic vision.

“What attracted me was that the project aligned with many of my career aspirations and intentions such as celebrating cultures and icons, and sharing my art with the entire Caribbean,” he said.

His goal was to create more than a visually striking mural.

“The vision was to capture the likeness of persons who were born and raised in Calliaqua and rose to the occasion of community development all the way to making international impact in their fields,” Smith explained. “I wanted to show and remind the youth of the area that they live within a community culture that produces greatness.”

The mural features musicians, athletes, community leaders and national icons whose contributions have shaped both Calliaqua and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The individuals featured were selected by Member of Parliament Laverne Gibson-Velox, supported by research from Vincentian artists. Smith then incorporated the subjects’ achievements alongside local landmarks, flora and fauna, using colours inspired by the national flag to create a mural that reflects the identity of the community.

Collaboration Beyond the Mural

Although Smith led the design and execution, the project was a collaborative effort involving Vincentian artists Julaé Delves Ross, Carlique Craigg, Christine Browne and Kristopher Simmons.

“It was a great experience working with fellow artists who are both similar and different culturally,” Smith said.

That spirit of collaboration extended beyond painting the mural itself. Rainforest Caribbean donated art supplies to the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College and funded a workshop for emerging artists, where Smith shared techniques in mural design, wall preparation, paint application, layering and transferring digital designs onto large public walls. The training was delivered alongside Shanique Stewart, Visual Arts Development Officer at the Ministry of Culture.

For Smith, mentoring the next generation was just as important as completing the artwork.

“The artists reminded me of myself when I just started out and didn’t know a lot about mural production,” he said. “I apprenticed a lot and took workshops. That helped me greatly, so I was happy to share in that capacity as well.”

Painting Against the Odds

Completing one of the region’s largest murals presented a number of challenges.

A trench running alongside part of the wall, filled with water and chemical waste and inhabited by crabs and hunting cranes, made sections of the mural difficult to reach. Smith eventually devised a makeshift solution with the help of his team that allowed them to complete the project on schedule.

The pace of the work was equally demanding.

“The artistic challenge was painting two portraits per day,” he said. “The daytime heat was quite high and the nights were not as lit as we’d like.”

Despite those obstacles, the mural was completed in just two weeks.

A Lasting Legacy

Smith ranks We Are Calliaqua among the top five mural projects of his career because of both its scale and its significance to the community.

“I know the narrative is important to the community, but the visual impact and scale alone help place it in my top five,” he said.

Looking ahead, he hopes the mural continues to inspire artists and residents alike.

“I hope artists take inspiration from its scale and the nature of collaboration that made it possible,” he said. “I hope community members can use it, even if just as a landmark in wayfinding. It’s now part of the landscape, and I hope it continues to add value.”

Managed by Kingston Creative as a joint initiative between Member of Parliament Laverne Gibson-Velox and Rainforest Caribbean, with support from Sherwin Williams SVG and Pros Paints, We Are Calliaqua stands as a lasting symbol of Caribbean creativity and demonstrates how Jamaican artists continue to shape public spaces and strengthen cultural connections across the region.

Reggae fans gathered in Fort de France, Martinique, on July 11 and 12 for the fourth staging of the Reggae Therapy Music Festival. The two day event brought together international reggae artists, local performers and thousands of fans for a weekend centered on music and Caribbean culture. More than 20,000 people attended the festival, which featured performances by Tarrus Riley, Alborosie, Julian Marley, Barrington Levy, Reemah, Skanky, Papa Tank, Loy Sonjah and other artists. These photos capture some of the moments from the festival and give a look at the atmosphere inside Louis Achille Stadium.

Crowds fill Louis Achille Stadium

Thousands of reggae fans packed the stadium across both days of the festival. The audience included visitors from Martinique, other Caribbean islands, Europe and North America. The crowd created a lively setting as artists performed throughout the event.

Julian Marley performs in Martinique

One of the featured moments of the festival was Julian Marley’s performance. It marked his first appearance in Martinique, giving local fans the chance to see him perform on the island. His set was one of several performances that drew strong support from the audience.

Reggae legends share the stage

The lineup included established reggae names such as Barrington Levy, Tarrus Riley and Alborosie. Their performances were joined by artists including Reemah, creating a program that mixed different generations of reggae music over the two days.

Martinique artists take the spotlight

The festival also highlighted local reggae talent. Performers including Skanky, Papa Tank and Loy Sonjah shared the stage with international artists, giving festival goers a chance to experience music from Martinique alongside well known reggae acts.

Fans enjoy two days of reggae music

Many of the photos show fans singing, dancing and enjoying the performances throughout the festival. The event brought together people from different countries who shared an interest in reggae music and Caribbean culture.

A festival that continues to grow

Reggae Therapy has become a regular event on Martinique’s cultural calendar. Supported by the Martinique Tourism Authority, the festival continues to attract visitors while providing a platform for local and international reggae artists.

Music and culture come together

Beyond the performances, the event celebrated Martinique’s culture and its place within the Caribbean. Visitors had the chance to experience the island through music while local performers shared the stage with artists who have built international reggae careers.

Photos capture the festival experience

The images from Reggae Therapy show the performers, the audience and the atmosphere across the two day event. From the stage lighting to the sea of fans inside the stadium, the photos provide a closer look at one of Martinique’s reggae festivals.

Whether you attended the event or missed it, these photos offer a look back at Reggae Therapy 2026. They highlight the artists, the fans and the moments that made up two days of reggae music in Martinique.

La situation des personnes déplacées internes diffère d’une région à l’autre. Si dans la région métropolitaine de Port-au-Prince la tendance est au retour dans les quartiers, dans d’autres communes de L’Ouest tel Kenscoff et dans d’autres villes de province, les gangs poursuivent leurs offensives forçant le départ de plusieurs centaines de personnes.

La ministre des affaires étrangères, lors d’une intervention à l’ONU, en début de semaine a fait état de la fermeture de trois sites d’hébergement dans la capitale. Le site de l’OPC, où étaient logés des déplacés du quartier de Solino, fait partie des sites libérés. Les occupants avaient bénéficié d’une subvention de 100 000 gourdes afin de louer une nouvelle maison.

Depuis le début de la semaine des efforts sont déployés en vue de la mise en œuvre du plan de reconstruction de Solino. Le projet prend en compte les garanties sécuritaires et l’accès aux services sociaux de base. Au sud de la capitale, à Gressier les autorités locales remuent ciel et terre en vue de favoriser le retour des déplacés.

 La démolition des murs, érigés sur la route nationale numéro 2, a permis des avancées mais les forces de l’ordre ne contrôlent pas l’entrée nord de la ville. L’administration communale s’est engagée à concrétiser le retour des habitants au centre ville de Gressier.

Recrudescence de la violence à Kenscoff 

La situation est totalement différente à Kenscoff. Le centre ville reste sous la menace des gangs qui contrôlent la quasi-totalité des sections communales. Des rumeurs sur un assaut des bandits contre le centre ville avaient circulé en début de semaine. La dernière offensive des bandits a fait trois blessés et un disparu parmi les brigadiers.

Toutefois les forces de l’ordre ont pu repousser les assauts des malfrats qui ne cachent pas leur velléité de poursuivre leurs offensives vers Pétion ville. Dans le Plateau Central les autorités locales de Mirebalais ont approuvé un plan visant le retour des déplacés.

Le plan prévoit le retrait du gang de Canaan moyennant la dissolution du groupe d’autodéfense Back up Ferrailles. Le processus de démantèlement du groupe a été lancé le dimanche 26 juillet 2026 par un décret municipal. Plusieurs déplacés ont déjà exprimé leur souhait de revenir dans leur quartier après 17 mois de fuite. Le Maire a assuré qu’il n’y aura aucune cohabitation avec les gangs mais une reprise du contrôle par les forces de l’ordre.

Hausse du nombre des déplacés 

Entre Mars et Juin 2026 le Bureau des Affaires Humanitaires de l’ONU, (Ocha) et les partenaires humanitaires avaient recensé 20 000 nouveaux déplacés internes. Selon l’Organisation Internationale pour la Migration (OIM), le nombre de personnes déplacées internes (PDI) a légèrement augmenté, passant de 1,45 million fin 2025 à 1,47 million en mai 2026. Cette hausse, bien que modérée, reflète la persistance des facteurs d’insécurité et de vulnérabilité qui contraignent les populations à quitter leurs lieux de résidence.

Dans sa dernière publication en Juillet 2026 le haut commissariat des nations unies aux réfugiés (UNHCR) fait état de 1.5 million de personnes déplacées internes et depuis juin, de plus de 140 000 rapatriés. L’augmentation du nombre des déplacés est liée à la hausse des incidents sécuritaires et humanitaires au cours du dernier trimestre. Entre Mars et Juin 2026 le nombre d’incidents a doublé par rapport au trimestre précédent.  185 incidents sécuritaires et humanitaires ont été signalés notamment dans les départements de l’Ouest et de l’Artibonite.

LLM / radio Métropole Haïti 

The post Le gouvernement est préoccupé par les 1.5 millions de déplacés  appeared first on METROPOLE.

Les autorités locales de Mirebalais ont donné hier Dimanche 26 juillet 2026, leur accord en vue de l’implémentation d’une entente devant conduire au retrait des bandits armés. Le Maire M. Lochard Laguerre, a décrété la dissolution du groupe d’autodéfense Back up Ferrailles, se conformant ainsi aux revendications du chef de gang de Canaan. 

Ce sont les leaders de la société civile, initiateurs du mouvement visant le retour de la paix, qui avaient transmis la semaine écoulée les exigences du chef de gang. M. Laguerre a eu deux séances de travail avec les membres de la commission pour la Paix ce qui lui a permis de s’enquérir des grandes lignes de l’accord. Le Maire n’avait à aucun moment été impliqué dans des négociations avec ce chef de gang. Toutefois il soutient qu’il n’avait d’autres choix que de satisfaire aux revendications de la majorité de la population.

Il fait état de menaces proférées à son encontre par des Mirebalaisiens désireux de revenir dans leurs quartiers et considérant cette négociation comme une grande opportunité. Le Maire a fait valoir qu’il ne pouvait se mettre au travers de la volonté de l’écrasante majorité de ses mandants d’autant que le gouvernement n’est pas parvenu à repousser le gang afin de favoriser le retour des déplacés. Le laxisme des autorités centrales est interprété comme un abandon par les habitants exaspérés par des conditions de vie précaire depuis 17 mois.

Un processus de paix en branle

 Le Maire se montre confiant que le chef de gang de Canaan respectera ses engagements et entamera le retrait de ses hommes.  Il dit avoir des signaux positifs en ce sens. Dans le même temps les autorités locales et policières ont lancé le processus de démantèlement du groupe d’autodéfense. Au cours de la première journée après le décret municipal trois armes à feu ont été récupérées et remises aux forces de l’ordre. D’autres armes, utilisées par des brigadiers se trouvant sur les fronts, devront être remises au cours de cette semaine.

Le Maire refuse de considérer ce processus comme une capitulation. À son avis il s’agit de prendre en compte une opportunité de paix qui ne conduira pas à une cohabitation avec les gangs. Les habitants de Mirebalais avaient en maintes occasions exprimé leur refus catégorique de cohabiter et collaborer avec les gangs. 80% de la population avait fui Mirebalais lors de la chute de la ville.  Des dégâts considérables, notamment des incendies de nombreuses maisons, ont été enregistrés en près d’un an et demie. Toutefois le Maire confie que la situation pourrait être pire si la ville avait été sous le contrôle du regroupement de gang dénommé Viv Ansanm.

Démantèlement du groupe d’autodéfense 

Le groupe Backup Ferrailles était devenu au cours des derniers mois encombrant pour la société civile et les autorités locales. Des révélations sur une certaine complicité antérieure de certains leaders avec le chef du gang de Canaan ont provoqué des ressentiments au sein de la population. Le Maire évoque ces rumeurs qui en quelque sorte justifieraient le démantèlement du gang. Le chef de gang de Canaan redoute ce groupe d’autodéfense qui non seulement avait pu endiguer son offensive mais également récupérer des territoires.

 Les victoires de Back up Ferrailles avaient provoqué des réjouissances et suscité l’espoir au sein de la population. Cependant plusieurs citoyens faisaient part de leur crainte en ce qui a trait à la poursuite des activités du groupe après le départ des bandits. Ils redoutaient que le groupe se transforme en force oppressive. Le Maire assure avoir apprécié à sa juste valeur le sacrifice des membres du groupe qui a contribué grandement à la résistance de Mirabalais.

Cependant il explique que la décision de supporter l’initiative de paix de la société civile vise à favoriser le retour des déplacés et la reprise du contrôle par la forces de l’ordre. Il donne la garantie que les forces de Police pourront mettre en place un dispositif pour protéger la population.

LLM / radio Métropole Haïti 

The post Une entente avec les gangs pour rétablir la paix à Mirebalais  appeared first on METROPOLE.