Category: Press Release

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