Category: Uncategorized

Joy As Tower Hill Primary Gets New Building For Infant Department

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FOOD For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica recently handed over a new building it constructed for the Infant Department of Tower Hill Primary School in St James.

School’s administrators said they have, for years, been trying to have the old infrastructure replaced and finally had their prayers answered when FFP and donor Harriet Chapman of Atlanta, United States intervened and decided to construct a new building.

Principal Venessa Popkin-Addison, surrounded by happy students, was overcome with joy when the building was finally handed over recently.

“The hard work has finally paid off and our students can finally be in a more comfortable environment. We are truly blessed by the kindness of Mrs Harriet Chapman and Food For The Poor for our brand new infant building,” said Popkin-Addison in an interview immediately after the hand-over.

She said that students of the Infant Department were formerly housed in a cramped classroom but are now in a spacious environment. Three new classrooms have been constructed and suitably furnished. In addition, there is now an office, a sick bay, a fully equipped kitchen and sanitation facilities. Playground equipment were also provided and security fencing installed.

David Mair, executive director of FFP-Jamaica, hailed the continued support of the agency’s work across Jamaica by Chapman, who also funded the construction of the Hanover Education Institute in memory of her husband in 2015.

“Your contribution symbolises a genuine love for and belief in Jamaica’s children and this will never be forgotten,” Mair said.

He added that FFP Jamaica takes pride in focusing on education.

“Education is the most important tool to lift a nation out of poverty and create socio-economic development,” Mair said.

“Recognising this to be true, since our inception in 1982, Food For The Poor has been injecting significant support in the Jamaican education system. We have constructed schools and replaced pit latrines with flush toilet systems in 53 schools islandwide in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Jamaica National Foundation. Just last week, approximately 374 students from basic to tertiary level benefitted from back-to-school grants for the 2016/2017 school term,” Mair added.

Chapman, meanwhile, said she was spurred into action when she viewed how uncomfortable the students were in their old classroom.

“I was here at Tower Hill a year ago and I saw the little ones packed in one room in the school, a room that had been the library and computer room. When I came here today I just had to cry because it is such a difference, everything looks so refreshed and so new and it is such a privilege to be able to be part of this,” Chapman said.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Joy-as-Tower-Hill-Primary-gets-new-building-for-infant-department_77734

Digicel Jamaica Foundation reaches 800,000

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2016 annual report shows strong growth in outreach, impact

Over 800,000 Jamaicans were positively touched by the work of the Digicel Jamaica Foundation during the organisation’s previous financial year, the Foundation said in a news release Friday.

This amounts to nearly one in every four Jamaicans directly or indirectly benefitting from the Foundation’s partnerships in education, special needs, entrepreneurship, and community development.

A local private philanthropic entity, the Digicel Foundation invested US$3.6 million ($460.8 million) over the past year in schools and communities islandwide. The figure was disclosed at the launch of the organisation’s annual report held at the Digicel Building in downtown Kingston on Thursday.

The report highlights that the foundation gave more than it had originally planned for the medium term 2013 to 2016; in some cases tripling initial targets. As examples, allocations for special needs teacher training and the number of social enterprises funded were increased.

An original idea to positively impact the lives of 75,000 Jamaicans under the foundation’s community development agenda, instead recorded a total reach of 214,164 persons.

“The dedicated Digicel Foundation team members were inspired by our partners, local and international, Government, and private sector,” noted Digicel Foundation Chairman Jean Lowrie-Chin. “We saw their resolve and dedication, resulting in higher educational achievements, greater awareness, and respect for our special needs community and extensive job creation.”

In explaining why more lives have been positively influenced by the expanded focus, Chief Executive Officer of the Digicel Foundation Samantha Chantrelle stated: “We received unwavering support from our project partners and beneficiaries which aided us in having a stronger impact on the lives of our fellow Jamaicans.”

The organisation’s commitment to supporting the special needs community continued this year as it funded 14 significant projects across the island in coordination with local and international partners.

The parish of Portland felt the greatest impact, with over 507,000 lives being touched by the work of the organisation. A Centre of Excellence which was constructed to support a range of physical, behavioural and intellectual special needs was the centrepiece of the various projects executed in the parish over the past year.

Other landmark ventures included: the Ramps in School Programme; the provision of 32 mobile science laboratories to as many high schools; the training of teachers of students with special needs; and partnerships with several community groups to expand entrepreneurial activities.

In its 12 years of existence, the Digicel Foundation has successfully implemented 737 projects at a cost of over $3 billion;as the organisation continues to work with dedicated partners in order to achieve Jamaica’s development goals.

The Digicel Foundation, a non-profit organisation, was established in September 2004 and is committed to supporting the development of Jamaica through a number of socially impactful projects.

The main objectives of the Digicel Foundation include driving efforts to achieve Jamaica’s Millennium Development Goal of increased literacy; the use of information and communication technology (ICT) tools and equipment in primary schools and increased training for teachers; enhancing the care of special needs children across the island in a variety of ways, including training for teachers; and the pursuit of sustainable projects and partnerships for community development.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Digicel-Jamaica-Foundation-reaches-800-000_77299

GraceKennedy Donates To Hurricane-Hit Haiti

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Hurricane-ravaged Haiti is to receive a donation valued at over J$2.5 million in non-perishable food items from GraceKennedy Ltd.

This donation is bound for Haiti through Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, which recently made a public appeal for donations following the direct hit from Hurricane Matthew earlier this week.

Don Wehby, group chief executive officer of Grace-Kennedy Ltd, said that the company responded immediately to appeals for help for Haiti after seeing the extent of the destruction that occurred.

“What I have seen online and heard from Food For The Poor about the situation really breaks my heart. Jamaica escaped this storm, but several countries have really been hit and we all just have to come together and do what we can to bring relief at this time,” Wehby said.

He added: “Hurricane Matthew has again reminded us of how vulnerable our region is to the risk of extreme weather events. A different level or normal will be required of us all as we work out how to plan for these natural disasters, some of which, like Matthew, won’t follow normal or expected patterns.”

Among the items being donated are crates of porridge mixes, corned beef, sausages, mackerel, cheese, beans, juices and water products.

GraceKennedy staff are also planning to collect items of clothing and other essentials to send to Haiti through FFP Jamaica.

 

‘Needs Very Vast’

 

David Mair, executive director for FFP Jamaica, said the needs are so vast that all contributions are welcomed.

“We are touched by GraceKennedy’s response and thank the staff and leadership for this donation. This will help meet the very vast needs that are coming to our attention. While we are aware of the number of lives lost and have seen images of the damage, a full assessment is yet to be made, and so the loss of lives and damage are likely to be so much greater. We continue to be grateful to all Jamaicans who are making every effort to lend a hand at this time,” said Mair.

Other forms of contribution from GraceKennedy’s subsidiaries and partners are also under way.

Hi-Lo Food Stores has set up collection points at its 13 locations and is supporting FFP’s appeal for non-perishable items. All donations will be collected by FFP, which is organising shipment of items to Haiti. FFP’s Haiti office will handle distribution there.

 

 

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20161008/gracekennedy-donates-hurricane-hit-haiti

Food For The Poor Appeals for Local Donations to Assist Haiti Following Hurricane Matthew

October 6, 2016, Spanish Town, St. Catherine: In an effort to help the thousands of Haitians who were left devastated by the fury of Hurricane Matthew on Tuesday, charity organization, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica is making a local appeal for Jamaicans to assist.  

According to a report from the United Nations, “the destruction wrought by Hurricane Matthew has affected 350,000 Haitians and left the country facing its ‘largest humanitarian event’ since the devastating earthquake six years ago.” 

 

The Charity has advised that cash donations are the best way to help, so persons can donate at:

· http://www.foodforthepoor.org/hurricane using PayPal or

· Directly to NCB St. Jago Branch Account # 471043885 or

· Make cheques payable to Food For The Poor and drop off at our Head Office in Ellersie Pen, Spanish Town. Indicate “Haiti Relief” on the cheques. 

 

For those who would rather donate goods, the Charity is also facilitating and accepting the drop off of ONLY canned/non-perishable food items such as canned meats, canned fish, and canned milk.   

 

The locations for drop offs are as follows:

 

· FFP’s office/warehouse at Ellerslie Pen, Spanish Town, St. Catherine

· RJR Communications Group

· Stella Maris Catholic Church (8:30 – 4:30 Mondays to Fridays)

· Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church (8:30 – 4:30 Mondays to Fridays)

· The Roman Catholic Diocese of Montego Bay, 1 Fort Street, Montego Bay

· Bishop Boyle’s Outreach & Resource Centre, 66 Caledonia Road, Mandeville

· The Gleaner Company (Media) Limited

 

Persons interested in donating may also make donations through the following with canned food purchased in these supermarkets:

 

· All Shoppers Fair Supermarkets

· All Super Shoppers Fair Supermarkets

· All Hi-Lo Food Stores

· D & Y Supermarket (Savanna-la-Mar)

· All Progressive Foods Stores

· SuperValu Supermarket

· All Brooklyn Supermarkets

· John R. Wong Supermarket

· JR’s Bargain World (Linstead & May Pen)

· Loshusan Supermarket

 

“We invite everyone to rally around Haiti at this time as they go through yet another crisis. We can all remember how devastating the 2010 earthquake was…Hurricane Matthew, with its winds and rains, caused similar problems. At Food For The Poor, we want to play our part in providing some amount of relief for our less fortunate brothers and sisters in Haiti,” stated Executive Director of FFP, David Mair.  

 

He further added that, “unfortunately, we are not able to accept clothing and other kinds of donations…only canned foods. This will go a far way in the relief efforts so I encourage everyone to come on board.”

 

Already, the Charity has received a number of calls from persons interested in assisting and several companies have pledged their support.  

 

“We really want to say thanks to all the persons/companies who have already reached out to us as well as our partners who have agreed to become drop off points. This is what loving our neighbour is all about and it is greatly appreciated,” Mair said.

 

For further information, please contact 876-564-2444 (DIGICEL) OR 876-486-3002 (FLOW)

Carreras, Food for the Poor Rescue Farmer from Eviction

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Kethron Myers, a farmer from Linstead, St Catherine, has a new lease on life after Carreras Limited and Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica intervened to build him a new two-bedroom house.

Myers, 30, recently received an eviction notice to leave the dilapidated place he called home for the last five years. Although the house leaked profusely and was in poor condition, Myers was devastated when he was asked to leave because it was his only shelter.

After hearing his story and seeing his living conditions, FFP Jamaica and Carreras Limited built a new house for Myers and his two daughters on his family’s land in St Catherine.

“Boy, I never knew what I was going to do because I was going to be homeless and someone suggested I try Food For The Poor, and so I applied,” Myers said in an interview.

Myers’ leap of faith was rewarded with a call of good news he would get a new house in September.

“I was so happy when they called and told me I would be getting a home because the way things looked, I’d lose my home and wouldn’t have anywhere to go,” Myers said.

Carreras Limited believes strongly in giving back to the communities in which it operates.

“After learning about Mr Myers’ dire need for a home, Carreras quickly mobilised both the resources as well as the efforts of our staff volunteers in constructing a new home,” said Ashleigh Arnold, Carreras Limited’s Legal and External Affairs Manager.

FFP Jamaica Executive Director David Mair said partnerships with organisations like Carreras Limited are extremely valuable.

“Without our donors, we cannot accomplish our mission of uplifting the poorest of the poor throughout Jamaica. This is why we are truly grateful for the partnership with Carreras Limited. They not only provided the funds for this need but their staff and volunteers also assisted with the actual construction of this house for Mr Myers and his children,” Mair said. “This is a very good example of good corporate social responsibility.”

Now settled into his new home, Myers said he feels like he has a new lease on life.

“Everything looks and feels new, life and its prospects feel brighter because I live in a comfortable place that is mine,” Myers said.

Because of the generosity of Carreras Limited and FFP Jamaica, Myers said he will be able to spend quality time with his two daughters. His old home restricted the time he could spend with them.

“One of my daughters is asthmatic since the roof leaked badly. I had to make her stay with her mom when it rained because of how much water would come inside the house,” Myers said. “I have to thank these organisations because they have taken me out of a bad situation that was unstable and made me feel settled and comfortable. Their work for the poor is tremendous.”

Myers’ house was constructed from funds donated by Carreras Limited to FFP Jamaica during the charity organisation’s recent 5K Run/Walk in May.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Carreras–Food-for-the-Poor-rescue-farmer-from-eviction_75667

GRACEKENNEDY SUPPORTS INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP DAY 2016

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GraceKennedy Supports Clean Up of Kingston Harbour – Volunteers who turned out in support of International Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 17, 2016 are jubilant after spending their morning removing garbage from a section of Kingston Harbour coastline.  The exercise, coordinated by GraceKennedy Foundation, included GraceKennedy employees, their family members and students attached to the Tourism Enhancement and Green Generation Clubs of Campion College.

 

Two hours and 130 pairs of hands led to the removal of over 2,000 lbs of waste from a small section of Kingston Harbour last Saturday.

A large group of GraceKennedy staff, their children, resident of Parade Gardens community and members of the Tourism Enhancement and Green Generation Clubs of Campion College went out in support of International Coastal Cleanup Day observed on Saturday, September 17, 2016.

They cleaned up the section of the Kingston Harbour between Hanover Street and the location of what used to be the prestigious Myrtle Bank Hotel between 7:30 and 9:30am. The yield was 521.2 lbs of plastics and 1,632.4 lbs of garbage.  Prominent among the pile were plastic bottles and bags, foam boxes and corks. There were also shoes, clothes, animal remains, discarded pieces of washtubs and even an old fridge and a toilet seat.

“We do this every year as part of our overall environmental programme – which includes public education and routine collection and recycling of plastics.  I’m glad that our contribution was effective as the area is in a better condition to what we found this morning. I estimate that we removed approximately 90% of the garbage and debris that was in that area. ” said Caroline Mahfood, Executive Director of the GraceKennedy Foundation, which led the initiative on behalf of the Group.  “I was particularly impressed with the Campion students and children who came out to help today.  This will no doubt increase their awareness of the impact that poor disposal of garbage can have on the environment,” she added.

“After today, I will be taking a totally new approach to how I can reduce my personal impact on the environment,” said one of the volunteers.  “I will buy in bulk as much as possible to minimise the amount of plastic bottles I use.  I will also be carrying my own bags whenever I go to the supermarket.”

Most of the plastic collected will be further sorted and exported to be recycled, a huge area of focus of the GraceKennedy Foundation which has as part of its mandate, to preserve and protect the environment.

Contact:           Dionne Rhoden

Corporate Communication Officer

Tel: 932-3178/809-0464

Kingston Harbour Cleanup –  These volunteers are hard at work at a section of Kingston Harbour on International Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 17, 2016. Coordinated by GraceKennedy Foundation, the volunteers were successful in removing over 2000 lbs of plastic bottles and other waste.  The plastic bottles will be sorted, exported and recycled.  This is in keeping with the Foundation’s mandate to actively promote well-being, primarily by supporting educational and environmental programmes and processes.img_7556-coastal-cleanup-2016

 

 

 

USE ROADS WITH CARE

THE National Road Safety Council (NRSC) is appealing to motorists, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and pillion riders to be extremely careful, responsible and courteous on our roads for the last quarter of 2016 and even beyond.

According to Paula Fletcher, NRSC executive director, as at Wednesday, September 14, there were 273 people who died as a result of 225 fatal road crashes since the start of 2016.

“Two hundred and seventy-three deaths due to road crashes in Jamaica is unacceptable. We need to be more responsible on our roads for the last quarter of 2016 and onwards. Together, as a nation, we have the power to play our part to record less than 300 road fatalities for 2016. Taking personal responsibility for our safety is the first step in this direction. We can do this by obeying all rules of the road, including: driving within the speed limit, not overtaking recklessly, using pedestrian crossings, or if there is none, cross only when and where it is safe to do so. We should also desist from using cell phones while walking or driving. Using safety devices is critical to safe travel. Too many persons are being flung from vehicles and suffer severe injury as they hit the pavement and/or are run over in a secondary crash. In addition, motorcyclists and their pillion must wear their helmet,” said Fletcher.

As we open the new school year, NRSC is urging road users to observe all the rules of the road and to look out for our children.

“The council believes parents and guardians should teach their children a safe route to and from school, schools should have talks on this subject as part of their orientation exercise and road safety should be a key item on the agenda at PTA meetings. Additionally, the council is imploring of schools to make arrangements with the Police Traffic Headquarters to schedule a date for road safety presentations at their schools,” said Fletcher.

NRSC is also appealing to parents and guardians to not send young children unaccompanied on the road, as children do not always have the ability to safely navigate the complex and ever- changing traffic environment.

“It costs Jamaica approximately $2 billion in hospital expenses per annum for road crashes. This is not the full cost of crashes, as it doesn’t include costs such as funeral and rehabilitation expenses, insurance and funds to replace damaged road furniture. Most of all pain, grief and suffering also has its associated costs,” she said.

NRSC wants us do all we can to reduce the bloodletting on our roads as we cannot continue to lose our loved ones, friends, neighbours, community members and co-workers. We are losing our potential leaders, workers, and importantly contributors to the development of safe and secure families.

Let us all do our part to make road safety a way of life.

Source: Jamaica Observer | ‘Use roads with care’

ASPIRING DOCTOR CELEBRATES AWARD OF CARLTON ALEXANDER BURSARY

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Catherine Kennedy (right), Director of the GraceKennedy foundation, presents a Carlton Alexander Memorial Bursary to Peta-Jhay Shelly, student of Immaculate Conception High School. Sharing in the moment is Peta-Jhay’s mom Dionne Henry (left), employee of Dairy Industries Jamaica Limited.

 

 

Describing herself as a hard worker who has lofty ambitions of changing the world through medicine, Peta-Jhay Shelly has continued to make her mother, Dionne Henry, proud. Henry watched happily as her daughter accepted her Carlton Alexander Bursary Award earlier this month from the GraceKennedy Foundation.

Shelly’s consistent excellent academic performance since she was first granted the award in 2010 has merited her continued inclusion as a bursary recipient for six consecutive years.

The Immaculate Conception High School student, who started sixth-form at the prestigious school this month, has many reasons to celebrate.

The aspiring medical doctor recently received excellent results in the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) examinations, attaining nine ones in the nine subjects she sat.

“I was excited when I got my results because I continue to outdo my own expectations and I was also very happy to make my mother proud,” the student stated.

Shelly, who is focused on the sciences, was rewarded with a $60,000 bursary for her first year of sixth-form. If she continues to perform at a high standard, she could receive a similar amount in upper six. The Carlton Alexander Bursary Award offers a bursary of $40,000 to students in grades 7 to 11 while there is an increase to $60,000 per year for awardees who are in sixth-form. Students attending tertiary level educational institutions receive an award of $100,000 per annum.

The increase in the bursary has been welcomed with relief by Shelly, given the mounting expenses that come with matriculating into sixth-form at her institution. She sang praises of the Award which is in its 26th year.

“It is a great initiative and has helped my mother a lot over the years especially this year because the books are very expensive and now that I am in sixth form, my school fees have gone up,” explained Shelly who will be pursuing Biology, Chemistry and Spanish in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

The 17-year-old, who says she is not daunted by the expected challenge that sixth-form will present, is optimistic about matching her performance at the CSEC level in CAPE.

“I just want to stay focused and hope that I can come out of lower sixth with straight ones,” said Shelly.

SISTERS OF MERCY LAUNCH WEEK OF MERCY

As the Roman Catholic Church worldwide celebrates the Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Sisters of Mercy in Jamaica will be hosting a Week of Mercy from September 16-23.

The Week of Mercy, which will be held for the first time, will feature several events geared towards celebrating and imparting values of Mercy and Justice across Jamaica,

The Sisters of Mercy, who originally came to Jamaica from Bermondsey, England, have been on the island since 1890.

They joined with Jamaican Jessie Ripoll who, with her friends had bought the property at South Camp Road in 1880, and later became a Sister of Mercy, Superior Mother Claver.  The Sisters of Mercy and Alpha have been nation-builders, advancing education, medical care and music, islandwide.  Indeed, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Most Hon. Andrew Holness and The Roman Cathoic Archbishop, Most Rev. Kenneth Richards are both graduates of St. Catherine High School, founded by the Sisters of Mercy.

Mercy Week begins on Friday, September 16 at McAuley Hall, Alpha, 26 South Camp Road, Kingston, with the  launch of a Mercy Historical Centre to depict the history of the Sisters of Mercy in Jamaica and illustrating their significant and continuing impact on the cultural, social and educational development of the country.

Guest speaker will be the Deputy High Commissioner of Britain, Mr. Graham Glover.

The Centre, which will be at South Camp Road in downtown Kingston, is a part of the Sisters of Mercy’s efforts to make a significant contribution to the revitalization of the entire area, which is now being undertaken by the Government of Jamaica and the private sector.  A Mercy Award is also being established as an annual activity to laud students and Jamaican citizens who demonstrate Mercy values and who perform acts of mercy.

Today, Alpha and other Mercy-led institutions stand as seats of learning for thousands of students in Kingston, Mandeville and Hatfield where the John Bosco Home for Boys is located. These Mercy-led institutions will be host to a Combined Mercy School concert as a part of the week-long celebration.

Another special feature will be presentations in Kingston, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay.  This includes a public discussion, “The Force that Reawakens to New Life,” on Tuesday, 20th September chaired by Dr. Leith Dunn, Dean, Gender & Development Studies at 5:00pm at UWI.

PETERSFIELD PRIMARY AWARDS 62-YEAR-OLD GUARDIAN

Principal emphasizes need for parent involvement in student life

62-year-old Vioris Griffiths, grandmother of Omar Hill, a student at Petersfield Primary School, Westmoreland has received the ‘Most Involved Parent Award’ in the recently concluded literacy training initiative at the institution.

The initiative was held with the aim of increasing parental involvement in their child(ren)’s academic life, especially in the area of literacy and numeracy.  In the four-day workshop parents and guardians of the school were exposed to the curriculum their children will be taught this academic year, along with guidance on how to prepare healthy meals and make useful items children need for their day-to-day activities.

“Vioris Griffiths attended every session. She showed the greatest interest of all the parents and assisted us when we had summer school. Because of this our team decided to award her the ‘Most Involved Parent’ for our programme,” said Susan Rattray Hammond, principal of Petersfield Primary School.

“I really enjoyed the programme. I can’t read and write good but I did drawing and took part in the programmes in the kitchen such as learning to prepare meals, affordable ‘one-pot meals’ and sandwiches. Now I can at least help him [Omar] with his homework. Plus I can learn a thing or two as well in my old age so it really will make both of us better,” shared an enthused Griffiths who is a retired household.

Rattray Hammond emphasized the need for parental involvement much like Griffiths’, “It has been proven multiple times that students show improved performance when parents are more involved in their school life. It can be a simple act as reviewing their assignments or even practicing their time-table with them. I encourage parents to get involved this school year.”

The training initiative is a part of the Enrichment Programme which a partnership between the Digicel Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The programme promotes literacy and numeracy, it also undertakes the building of the Enrichment Centres in schools that are then equipped with Digicel 4G Broadband, desktop and laptop computers, literacy and numeracy software such as Hooked on Phonics, Phonics Pad and Early Success and Math Manipulative Audio Visual headsets.

To date, there is a total of 231 primary schools across Jamaica benefitting through the Enrichment Programme. The Enrichment Programme is an island-wide information and communication technology partnership with the Ministry of Education.