“A wonderful collection that captures the wisdom, irreverence and humanity that we have come to know and appreciate from Rosemary. Her work and witness have served understanding and justice globally.” Alex Neve, Executive Director, Amnesty International Canada “Rosemary Ganley has captured the beauty and power of her life in Jamaica, with all its challenges and its blessings. She and her husband John worked with us for 35 years, fostering human and community development and changing lives. They also brought Canadians to a deep, new relationship, south-north. Jamaica Journal is a joy to read.” Anna Perkins, Professor of Social Ethics, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica “It is a great pleasure to read this engaging account of the Ganleys’ dedicated development work here over many years. It is important for Canadians, and even more so for us in Jamaica. John and Rosemary and their co-workers were well-informed, humble and culturally sensitive, real partners with us. So much good was done, and I was privileged to bear witness to much of it.” Fabian G Brown, Director of Development, National Transformation Project, Jamaica “Rosemary Ganley is a journalist of great skill and insight. She is also a human being of great compassion and courage. All of these qualities she brought together to help the poor and dispossessed of Jamaica through Jamaican Self-Help, a truly remarkable organization she and her late husband John founded and endlessly supported.” Sylvia Sutherland, Mayor of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada (1986-1991 & 1998-2006) “Rosemary Ganley’s insightful and warmly personal essays introduce us to the joys and tribulations of a Jamaica hidden from most casual tourists.” Gillian Sandeman, MPP for Peterborough (1975-1977) and member of the “Grandmothers Advocacy Network” (2010-2016) "I have just finished reading Jamaica Journal and it is wonderful! I am lost in memories such as flashbacks to awareness trips; conversations with you, John and Marisa; and thoughts of Jamaica ~ the people, the projects, and the Kingston vibe. Many passages bring tears, such as the story of the National Women’s Volleyball and the hope that it offered. I admire your courage in parenting in another country, and you also inspired me to register for a literature course while overseas. I've also used a wonderful quote from Jamaica Journal, “never let the perfect be the enemy of the good" recently with a student. And I too feel the pain of funding cuts to JSH. We lost so much during the Harper years, and have yet to gain it back. Rosemary, thank you for writing this book! Working in the trenches of non-profits, I realize why telling our stories is so valuable, with all of our triumphs, challenges and changes. It is important to tell our stories, and you have told them so well." Evelyn Jones-Law, Co-ordinator of Refugee Resettlement Services, Nova Scotia, Canada "Rosemary Ganley is a gifted journalist, social justice worker extraordinaire, and treasured WATER colleague. The story of the NGO Jamaican Self-Help, its inspiration, productive work, and demise because of Canadian government funding cuts is also the story of Rosemary and her husband John Ganley (who passed away in 2013). They breathed life into JSH. With their family and friends they model solidarity work as a form of enjoyable, productive, and generous living. An inspiring and inspiriting read." Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual (WATER), recommended book, November 2016 "Rosemary Ganley has written an extraordinary book, one that should be required reading for anyone seriously interested in the challenges of 'lesser developed' countries and, more particularly, for those who believe they are already knowledgeable enough. She lays out the discouraging realities, the all-too-familiar contributing factors - external and within the country - and yet places her most direct, compassionate focus on the oft-forgotten 'underclass.' Through the amazing vehicle called Jamaican Self-Help, John and Rosemary Ganley provided much assistance and comfort to people unhelped by their own government. They brought their stories back home to Canada, and forwarded an invitation to come to Jamaica to assist them in their efforts. Clearly all those who took up the challenge had their lives changed forever, and became advocates of the cause. Although Jamaican Self-Help is no more, it has left an indelible legacy in Peterborough as well as Jamaica. Thank you so much Rosemary Ganley for chronicling the life of this wonderful initiative!" George Tough, former Deputy Minister for Canada "Jamaica Journal is a wonderful book, full of courage, compassion, insight, intelligence and beauty. When you refer to certain people in the book as heroes, I am convinced that description applies to you and John as well. Thank you so much for this book, and for the life you have lived!" Terry Collins, Teacher and Poet, Peterborough "What values can endure in a changing and often unjust world order and how can they be expressed in meaningful concrete ways to make a difference? In Jamaica Journal, Rosemary Ganley attests to the intentional modelling of solidarity and mutuality through specific on-the-ground projects to build relationships of peace, true friendship and love among Canadians and Jamaicans. Facing the challenges of a globalized world that creates winners and losers and that perpetuates poverty and violence in both countries, courageous grassroots activism through JSH and its Partners sought for decades to overcome injustice and build relationships of empowerment and hope. They have, as Henry Nouwen said, been about 'inviting people to enter a vision, a vision of a better world.' Their attention to detail is delightfully evident in this meticulous collection of articles, columns, and testimonials that give an intriguing picture of a remarkable journey. A glimpse of Earth as it is in Heaven, operationalized though dedication, trust-building and caring. Its impact and inspiration will live on in the lives who participated, and in the annals of justice and peace. Thank you for sharing it with us all, Rosemary." Joy Kennedy, World Council of Churches, Toronto Review of Jamaica Journal by Joyce MacKenzie in the Retired Teachers of Ontario magazine Renaissance Summer 2018 issue ~   Article in the Peterborough Examiner October 10, 2016 "Writer shares story of Jamaican Self-Help" Read the full article >here<  Article in Peterborough This Week September 29, 2016 "Peterborough's Rosemary Ganley's new book recalls the history of Jamaican Self-Help" by Lance Anderson Read the full article >here<
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