St. Thomas, located in the southeastern corner of Jamaica, is often regarded as the poorest parish on the island, despite it being one of the country’s oldest and historically significant parishes. Known for its natural beauty, the parish offers picturesque views of the Blue and John Crow Mountains, which dominate its northern region. St. Thomas features notable geographical assets like the Plantain Garden River, which runs 22 miles from the mountains, and Bath, a district famous for its mineral springs and as the site where breadfruit, a Jamaican dietary staple, was first introduced by Captain William Bligh in the 18th century.
Despite its proximity to Kingston, St. Thomas is the poorest parish in Jamaica, with a population of approximately 95,000 people, half of whom are under the age of 29. Its unemployment rate hovers around 30%, and poverty has surged to 33%, with projections indicating it could reach over 60% by 2027. Decades of neglect, economic decline, and inadequate infrastru…
