Salada Foods brews new hope for paraplegic student Tiffany Thomas

The tumultuous journey for Tiffany Thomas to secure a starter home came to a joyous end courtesy of Salada Foods Jamaica in partnership with Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFTP) recently.

The 21-year-old paraplegic student has a resilient spirit that came to the fore at the 2019 launch of the FFTP 5K. The details of her living conditions shocked many in attendance.

“So my living conditions before today, I was always homeless. Since I was 14 until when I was 17 that I actually got my first house to live. It wasn’t a lot at the time but in the past few years it has been deteriorating,” the new homeowner, Tiffany Thomas said at the handover. “The situation got continually worse. Each time it rains it floods; the whole place would get wet, my books, my school bag and my bed. I didn’t have a bathroom, the same place I eat that’s where I use my bathroom.”

“I had to just try my best to not think about it too much and just live life until one of my classmates offered to come to my house. I was too ashamed to let them come, but they insisted. They came and they did not like it at all. They went to my principal at Trench Town Polytechnic College — Dr. Dosseth Edwards-Watson — and they spoke to her.  That’s how Food for the Poor came on board,” Thomas detailed.

Over a year later, her dream of a safe place to lay her head was achieved through Salada Foods.

Tamii Brown, Commercial and Corporate Affairs Manager at Salada Foods recalled the day she heard about Thomas’ plight.

“We were at the Food for the Poor 5K launch in 2019 and as a partner with FFP Jamaica we were immediately moved when Tiffany spoke of her circumstances. Her sunny personality did not fit her circumstances; it was just a beautiful sight to behold. Salada went to the launch with one intention, but we were immediately moved to activate our Salada mantra: ‘Rise Up and Support Jamaica’.”

The call to her general manager, Dianna Blake Bennett, was met with swift support.

“I was told about Tiffany and that she really needed some help and we have done it for this young lady who needs to be lifted up,” Blake Bennett said.

She shared that the opportunity to hand over the company’s gift gave her goose pimples. “It is important, and more so especially now, that as corporate citizens we look out for those of us that are vulnerable that really and truly need help.”

Tiffany Thomas’ new home courtesy of Salada Foods Jamaica in partnership with Food For The Poor Jamaica completed on Tuesday August 4, 2020 on Raphael Ave. Salada Foods contributed USD $3,800 to build the house.

Salada Foods contributed US$3,800 for the home. The corporate entity also gifted Tiffany with kitchen appliances and products as well as a sustainable vegetable garden in partnership with Hardware and Lumber to improve her food security.

Land Matters

It took over a year to find approved land and it took less than 24 hours to build and semi-outfit her new home. Her house by great fortune is located in the same community, which has supported her for years and at the end of the same road where she resides.

Kivette Silvera, executive director of Food for the Poor said Tiffany’s situation showcases the need for land.

“Food For The Poor has always said there is a land issue when we have so many individuals who are in need, but then there is no land. When you think about it, somebody who is poor does not necessarily have the access to property. In Tiffany’s situation, we were able to work with the councillors and the Ministry to ensure that they provided us with the necessary land documents so we were able to build this house.

Silvera continued: “This is very significant for us because many people would say I have applied to Food for the Poor for a house, but if they do not have the land, unfortunately we can’t help them. So, this is very significant that we were able to get the house built for Tiffany through the sponsorship of Salada.”   

The ecstatic, overwhelmed and happy young woman could hardly hold back tears as the keys to her dwelling were handed over.

“I finally have the opportunity to just not get wet and have a bathroom and have a shower. I’m happy for the people here that come to show that Jamaica is really a positive, fun-loving place. People out there are caring,” she said. “I want people to know that life goes on no matter how bad your living or family condition is, anything at all — life goes on. You just have to do what you have to do until better days come along.”

The Importance of a To-Do List

It’s not infrequent for a Public Relations Practitioner to have a million things to do on any given day, or week, all of which may be equally pressing. Consequently, it is also not surprising when in moments like those, things fall through the cracks. The question is, how should you handle these days? With a to-do list.

To do lists are a little dated but they’re perfect for guiding you through your day. Here’s why:

1.    It creates order. A to-do list is an orderly way to organise how to do the things you need to do. Projects and plans get broken down into bit size chunks, making them more achievable.

2.    A to-do list gives you a strategy for getting things done. How to do a thing is just as important as what to do.

3.    To-do lists help you set priorities, they help you focus on your most important task and avoid the temptation of focusing on a less important task because they are easier to complete.

4.    A to-do list builds accountability. The act of writing down tasks holds you accountable to complete them. Once they are written down the next step is to create a plan to accomplish those goals. You are now accountable to you.

5.    To-do lists are great project trackers. There is nothing quiet satisfying as checking an item off your to-do list. To-do lists are great for tracking your progress and boosting your confidence in your ability to complete important tasks day after day.

6.    To do-lists help you to delegate. If you see the list is too long you can find others to help you get things done. Whether it is asking a team member for a hand or hiring a job out.

7.    The to-do list won’t let you forget. Humans are flawed; we forget things every once in a while. One of the biggest benefits of creating a to-do list is that even if you forget about an important meeting or project deadline, your to-do list wont it’s always going to have your back and ensure you at least are aware of everything up coming on your schedule.

8.   And last but not least to-do lists relief stress as you see work getting done and that you are moving forward efficiently it allows you to relax more, work is getting done so you can take a well deserve break.

Don’t waste time being overwhelmed and frantic. Get organised. Write it all down on a list, pace yourself, and smash your goals.

Salada Foods rises up and supports college student Tiffany Thomas

On Tuesday August 4, 2020, the tumultuous journey to secure a home for Tiffany Thomas came to a joyous end courtesy of Salada Foods Jamaica in partnership with Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFTP).

The 21 year old Trench Town Polytechnic College student, with a disability yet a resilient spirit, took the stage at the FFTP 5K launch on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 detailing her tragic living circumstances which left many in shock and horror. Salada Foods then made an immediate commitment that as soon as FFTP found the land they would cover the cost of the home.

It took one year and some months to find approved land and it took less than 24 hours to build and semi-outfit her new home. Her house by great fortune is located in the same community, which has supported her for years and at the end of the same road where she resides.

Salada Foods contributed USD $3,800 for the home. The corporate entity also bestowed a sustainable vegetable garden upon Tiffany in partnership with Hardware and Lumber to improve her food security.

Furthermore, Salada Foods ensured she had a great start in her new home with a kitchen starter kit consisting of: Roberts Baked beans, Roberts Broad beans, Jam, Jamaica Mountain Peak (JMP) instant ginger tea and coffee, JMP electric kettle, classic JMP yellow mug, and JMP Apron.

Reading is key

One of the first things we learned as children was how to read. Before we even began to think of what we liked, it was being stressed how much reading is important - and it is. Knowledge plays a big role in life’s overall success. The University of the West Indies tells it's students to read for their degree, even the Bible tells us that without knowledge, people perish.

Still, after all that indoctrination there are still entrepreneurs, CEOs, business professionals, and yes, Public Relations Specialists who will tell you they don’t like to read and they rarely do. Although it may not be something you enjoy, for the sake of your mind and career it is an act that must be frequently carried out.

Account executives need not only to read, but to read widely. This allows you become well-rounded and aware of many things of focus. Whether it is in lifestyle, business, technology, or even marine reports, it's always good to read. Reading widely also permits great conversations in event atmospheres.

Being an avid reader also betters your vocabulary and adds to your diction. Consequently, press releases, talking points, speeches, and other written pieces will be enhanced.

In a fast-paced field like Public Relations focus and concentration are staples. Reading (books especially) helps the mind by improving these areas.

One of the main tasks of an Account Executive is to plan and execute robust public relations campaigns, an assignment that requires uncommon ideas and effective strategies. Making reading a part of your daily practices can enhance your critical thinking skills and help you carry out effective campaigns.

Lastly, reading presents new ideas, thoughts and strategies, and therefore expands ones creativity, another key factor in public relations.

Don’t forget, even if you really don’t enjoy it, make it a habit. Your reading may be what sets you apart from other public relations professionals.