Month: August 2016

NEW BASIC SCHOOL FOR TRANQUILITY

Tranquility 1

CHILDREN of Tranquility in western Portland and their teachers are now benefiting from a new basic school which was constructed by Food for the Poor (FFP) recently in the parish. The school was handed over earlier this month.

Volunteers from Kind Hearts and FFP took three days to construct the school on the grounds of the Tranquility Primary School.

Christina Hudson, director at Kind Hearts, is hoping that the facility will be beneficial.

“I’m a mother and the importance of children getting a good start in life has never been more thrilling. To the tutors, parents and teachers of this beautifully built basic school, I hope this school will bring you closer to achieving your dreams.

“Education can never be taken away from you and with your education, dedication and hard work, you can do anything that you set your mind to,” Hudson said.

Tranquility 2

The school will serve 23 students aged three to six years old.

“For the fifth-consecutive year Food For the Poor has partnered with Kind Hearts — a non-profit organisation operated by young adults who are dedicated to giving back to communities within Jamaica — to build their fifth school in the island,” said FFP Executive Director David Mair.

“Our wish from Food for the Poor is that this community will provide ongoing support for its children to help them succeed against all odds,” he added.

Patricia Cary, development officer at the Ministry of Education, praised FFP and Kind Hearts for the school and noted that “this is a step in meeting the ministry’s criteria for early childhood education”.

BY EVERARD OWEN Observer Portland correspondent

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/New-basic-school-for-Tranquility_72250

FFP DONATES OVER $400,000 WORTH OF BLOOD PRESSURE KITS & STETHOSCOPES TO THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH

On August 24, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica handed over medical instruments valued at over $400,000 to the Ministry of Health as part of the charity’s ongoing support for the health sector in Jamaica.

The donation of 400 single stethoscopes and 400 blood pressure kits with stethoscopes was accepted by the Minister of Health, Dr The Honourable Christopher Tufton, in a ceremony held at FFP’s office in Ellersie Pen, St Catherine.

TUFTON’S BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKED
Following the handover of new blood pressure kits and stethoscopes for free distribution in health care facilities in Jamaica, Susan Moore (left), Director of Recipient Services at Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, uses one of the instruments to check the blood pressure of Minister of Health Dr The Honourable Christopher Tufton at the charity’s Ellerslie Pen, St Catherine offices on Wednesday, August 24. Witnessing the moment are (from left) FFP Jamaica’s Executive Director, David Mair and Director of Distribution Services, Nakhle Hado.

David Mair, Executive Director of FFP, said this donation signals a continued commitment of the non-profit organization to play their part in improving Jamaica’s health system.

 

“Food For The Poor is pleased to provide this kind of support to the Ministry of Health as part of our continued efforts to improve patient care. We recognize the importance of good health and so we want to maintain the partnership with this donation of blood pressure machines and stethoscopes,” said Mair.

 

Minister of Health, Dr Tufton expressed gratitude to FFP Jamaica for their commitment to the ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Health and said the support would be beneficial to patients islandwide.

 

“The Ministry of Health appreciates this kind of partnership with Food For The Poor that will significantly benefit the Jamaican people. A number of patients are examined on a daily and yearly basis hence this type of top class equipment will be a useful addition,” Minister Tufton said.

 

He added, “We have over 320 clinics and over 23 hospitals plus hundreds of medical practitioners who utilize blood pressure machines and stethoscopes on a daily basis so the items will definitely be needed.”

 

This donation closely follows a contribution earlier this month by FFP Jamaica of  105 electric hospital beds and 250 wheelchairs to the Ministry of Health for distribution among hospitals across the island.

FFP TRAINS 50 STUDENTS AT SUMMER BAND CAMP

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Executive Director of Food for the Poor (FFP) Jamaica David Mair (right) engages in conversation with a student and parent who participated in the annual summer band programme. Band Director Jeffrey Brown and Sandra Ramsey (2nd left) FFP prison ministry administrator, look on .

THREE weeks and 16 lessons, that’s what it took for Food For The Poor(FFP) Jamaica’s Annual Summer Band Camp programme to transform 50 students from musical novices to trained musicians, after playing instruments of their choice.

The participants were trained to use drums, saxophones, flutes, trumpets, clarinets and trombones between July 18 and August 11 at the summer band camp, which was held at FFP’s headquarters in Ellerslie Pen, St Catherine.

David Mair, executive director at FFP, said the band camp, which is in its eighth year, was an important initiative for the charity organisation.

“The annual band camp is a very special aspect of our ministry here at Food For The Poor and one that is anticipated by both the participants and FFP staff. Music unifies us so every year we look forward to hosting the children and celebrating with them during their graduation,” said Mair.

He added: “Another amazing aspect of this programme, which we fully endorse, is the fact that past students actually return to assist and they also serve as an inspiration to the new crop of students.”

Attendees at the awards ceremony, which included several proud parents, were treated to multiple music pieces which the participants learnt over the three weeks. One proud parent, Sharonette Walker, whose son Nathan has been participating in the camp for two consecutive years, sang nothing but praises for the musical programme.

“For the past two years, I have been assisting with the programme in terms of monitoring the students. It has been an inspiring journey because you see the growth these students experience and how much they love what they do,” she stated.

During the graduation ceremony held on August 11, the participants were filled with much excitement upon receiving the news that they would be awarded with the instruments they used during the camp.

Band campers Christeena Henry and Daniel Myers expressed gratitude to band camp organiser and administrator for the prison ministry department, Sandra Ramsay, as well as music instructor Jeffrey Brown.

“We couldn’t have done this in three weeks without the dedication of Mrs Ramsey and Mr Brown. They constantly pushed us to be better even when we didn’t see it for ourselves,” they said.

Ramsey announced that on the last Saturday of each month, the 50 youngsters can return to the grounds of Food For The Poor to practice and better develop their musical talents and skills. They will also be given the opportunity to learn other musical instruments.

This year, Food For The Poor’s Summer Band Camp hosted students between six and 16 years of age. Since the programme started eight years ago, more than 200 participants have been trained.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/FFP-trains-50-students-at-summer-band-camp_71463

I-Octane brings beat to Rio

Published in the Jamaica Observer, August 18, 2016

JAMAICA House in Rio de Janeiro was the most sought after place in Brazil on Tuesday night. Fresh from cheering on Team Jamaica at the Olympic stadium, Digicel ambassador I-Octane took the celebration to the venue where he kept the crowd in high spirits.

Performing hits including Dem Nuh Bad, We Love Di Vibes, Happy Time, and Wine and Jiggle, I-Octane had the crowd entertained throughout his performance. No I-Octane set would be complete without a demonstration of Jamaican dance moves.

 

I Octane
I Octane performs at Jamaica House in Rio de Janeiro  Source: Jamaica Observer

 

 

“To perform for a crowd where more than 85 per cent of the people don’t speak English and you see them singing along and dancing and just keeping the vibes is just amazing. It made me realise just how much the world is watching Jamaica,” he said.

“This is just after seeing Bolt run live for the first time in my life, and I’m still amazed by the power of our brand—which is Jamaica. Usain Bolt came inside a noisy stadium where people were cheering and making a ‘bag a noise’ and all he did was put his finger to his lips asking for quiet and the whole place go ‘sshhh’. That just made me feel proud, and I’m still amazed that a Jamaican can come on the world’s stage and do that,” he continued.

Jamaica House has quickly become a favourite entertainment spot. Reggae singers Luciano and Ky-Mani Marley will be making appearances at Jamaica House in the coming days.

GRACE FOODS RECALLS SPECIFIC BATCHES OF CURRY PRODUCTS

GraceKennedy Limited has announced the recall of the following batches of its curry products in keeping with a recall by a former supplier, Miami-based Oriental Packing Company, Inc.:

Product Net Weight Best Before Date & Batch Number
Grace Mild Jamaican Style Curry Powder – in glass container 2 oz BB 03/11/19   OPCLOT # 030716

BB 03/28/19   OPCLOT # 032516
Grace Mild Jamaican Style Curry Powder –

in glass container

 6 oz BB 03/11/19  OPCLOT # 030716
Grace Hot Jamaican Style Curry Powder – in glass container

 

 2 oz BB 03/11/19  OPCLOT # 030716

 

BB 03/28/19  OPCLOT # 032516
Grace Hot Jamaican Style Curry Powder – in glass container 6 oz BB 03/11/19  OPCLOT # 030716

 

BB 04/11/19  OPCLOT # 040816
Grace Caribbean Tradition Hot Curry Powder – in plastic container 4 oz BB 12/14/19  OPCLOT # 121115

 

BB 12/14/19  OPCLOT # 120115

 

BB 03/11/19  OPCLOT # 030716

 

BB 03/28/19  OPCLOT # 032516

 

BB 04/11/19  OPCLOT # 040816

 

The products being recalled are packaged in the USA and distributed within the USA, Bermuda and the Bahamas.

 

The recall has been initiated due to the presence of lead in some variants of curry products which Oriental Packing Company, Inc. produced for GraceKennedy Foods (USA) and other companies.

 

Lead can accumulate in the body over time, and may cause serious and sometimes permanent adverse health consequences.    To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the products being recalled.

 

Consumers who may have purchased the Grace Curry products bearing the above best before dates and corresponding batch numbers, should not consume them.  Instead they should return same to point of purchase, where the full cost will be refunded. The best before dates and batch numbers can be found on the top of the product caps.

 

Mr Ryan Mack, President and CEO of GraceKennedy Foods (USA), stated that “GraceKennedy wishes to assure consumers that their safety is paramount and that providing safe, high quality products to our consumers remains our number one priority.”  He added that the recall did not include any other batches of Grace Curry products.

 

Consumers in the USA with questions pertaining to the recall may contact Linda Colon at GraceKennedy Foods (USA) at (201) 329-6260 Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. Consumers in the Bahamas and Bermuda may contact Steve Boucher at (954)774-2687. Questions may also be sent via email to  gracekennedy@gkco.com.