Rainforest Seafoods, the Caribbean’s largest seafood supplier, handed over $2 million to Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica towards the charity’s fundraising efforts aimed at constructing houses for destitute Jamaicans.

Rainforest had given its support to FFP’s 5K Run/Walk, held on May 13, 2017 to raise funds for the housing project. The company launched a campaign in April by contributing $50 from select Rainforest products sold, all of which were donated to the 5K’s worthy cause.

Brian Jardim, Rainforest Seafoods’ chief executive officer, said his organisation was pleased with the efforts of FFP Jamaica, as the charity organisation has been one of Jamaica’s premier change agents for more than 30 years.

“Food For The Poor has made a difference in the lives of thousands of Jamaicans since its inception in 1983. The charity has constructed more than 42,000 houses for destitute families. They have developed a wonderful model, and it is one we fully support and are pleased to commit another $2 million,” Jardim said.

“Rainforest Seafoods first partnered with Food For The Poor Jamaica in 2015 for the inaugural 5K Run/Walk and, having seen the joy of recipients and the efficiency of FFP in delivering the houses, Rainforest Seafoods has been inspired to donate more and share in the mission,” he added.

A winning partnership

Rainforest Seafoods and FFP Jamaica have jointly constructed more than 20 houses.

Andrew Mahfood, chairman, FFP Jamaica who accepted the donation from Rainforest Seafoods, stated that the charity was extremely grateful for the support.

“We at Food For The Poor Jamaica are pleased with the continuous support in cash and kind received from Rainforest over the years. We are extremely grateful for their support, and we are looking forward to constructing houses for persons in need through the funds received,” Mahfood said.

FAMILIES BENEFITING

He noted that 40 families across the island already stand to benefit with two-bedroom houses from funds raised through the event.

In addition to Rainforest Seafoods’ donation, other houses were donated by National Bakery, Jamaica Public Service Company Limited, National Commercial Bank, ReMax, Black Ink Marketing Event Solutions Limited, CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank, Red Stripe, Running Events, Yohan Blake, Rotary Club, Rotetch, Supreme Ventures, Zoukie, Hi-Pro, and others.

Winners of FFP Jamaica’s 5K social media promotion were also presented with awards at the event. Lisa Osbourne won the first-place prize of a weekend at Jewels Paradise Cove; Alexia Williams won the second-place prize of a $30,000 shopping spree at General Foods; and Jasian Douglas won the third prize of a Rainforest cooler filled with seafood products.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170714/rainforest-seafoods-gives-big-boost-food-poor

Darcia Palache and her five boys now have a permanent roof over their heads, thanks to the assistance from Food For the Poor Jamaica (FFP) and the NCB Foundation (NCBF). The dwelling is one of 100 that FFP aims to construct from proceeds of its 2017 5K event, and the first of four donated by NCBF.

Located in Denbigh, Clarendon, the family of six recently received a brand new, fully furnished two-bedroom house outfitted with a solar system, water tank, indoor kitchen and a bathroom with proper sewer system. Prior to this, she was allowed to sleep at a neighbour’s house at nights, but had no access to the premises when the owner is not home.

Palache, along with her children, moved into their home in June 29.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170713/corporate-hands-food-poor-and-ncb-foundation-donate-house-family-six

Jamaica’s Richard ‘Frog’ Holmes, 29, with a 15-6 record, and 35-year-old Phil Rose from Canada, who has a 8-4-1 record, will enter the ring at The Mico University College complex at approximately 9.30 tonight, to decide whether the Wray & Nephew Contender junior middleweight 2017 final on July 26 will be an all-Jamaica or a Canada versus Jamaica affair.

In what is expected to be an action-packed affair, they will clash over seven rounds in the second semi-final of the competition. In last week’s semi-final, Sakima Mullings booked his spot in the final with a hard-fought split decision victory over Tsetsi Davis.

Before the main bout, there will be an entertaining fight over eight rounds between crowd favourite, American Demarcus ‘Chop Chop’ Corley and Jamaica’s hard-hitting Ramel Lewis, in a junior welterweight contest.

Holmes reached the semis with victories over Canadians Mike Breton and Francesco Cotroni, while Rose had to get past Jamaican Ricardo Planter and fellow Canadian David Leblond. They were impressive in their victories and were both oozing confidence yesterday. Holmes told The Gleaner that he is in much better condition than when he fought Cotroni.

BETTER PREPARED

“My training has gone well, physically I am better prepared and even if the fight goes to seven rounds, I will not have a problem.”

Asked if he had a specific plan for Rose, he said: “We have looked at tapes of his fights and we have a good idea of what he will do. We do not have one plan. We are expecting a good, hard fight and will decide what to do from round to round. We are ready.”

Rose was also supremely confident. He has had over a month to prepare for this fight, and said yesterday that he had used his time wisely.

“I worked hard, did a lot of ring work with good sparring partners and I am ready.” From the start of the competition he stated that he was confident that he would go all the way, and still feels the same way.

“We are going home with the title,” is the word from his camp, and they see tonight’s fight as just one more step in that direction. Both sides have predicted a hard fight, but are confident of victory.

The bout between Corley and Lewis is full of possibilities. The American is a master strategist and is very clever inside the ring. He is very experienced, and at age 43 has a record of 49 wins, 28 losses and one draw. Lewis, who is 29, has a 7-6 record. This will be a fight in which experience and ring guile will go up against raw power. If Lewis can catch Corley he will take him out, but Corley is as smart as they come, and will be very elusive. This will be an intriguing encounter.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20170712/jamaica-canada-clash-second-contender-semi-final

Phil Rose

Richard Holmes

Last year’s beaten finalist Richard “Frog” Holmes and Canadian boxer Phil Rose are set to trade punches in the semi-final of the Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum Contender Series at the Mico University grounds today, starting at 8:30 pm.

Holmes, Team Jamaica’s number two seed, and Team Canada’s number one seed Rose will vie for the final spot in this year’s Contender Series for the title of Jamaica’s Ultimate Junior Middleweight Contender.

And from all indications, they look in fine trim for a blockbuster semi-final clash at the weigh-in with Holmes touching the scales at 153lbs and Rose at 152lbs.

Both men promised fireworks as they seek to move into the championship match.

“My intention is to go into the ring to get the job of winning done. I have been training hard for this fight. I am not one to underestimate my opponents, but I am in very good shape to fight,” Holmes said.

Rose has nothing but victory on his mind.

“I am in good shape for this fight and my intention going there is to come away a winner,” said the Canadian.

In the profesional under card, defending Contender champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley will take on Ramel “Sub Zero” over five rounds. An amateur fight completes the three-fight card.

— Hurbun Williams

SISTER Mary Prema, superior general of Saint Mother Teresa’s Sisters of Charity in India, and Sister Ronald Mc, regional superior of the charity, say they are happy with the work being done at their mission here in Jamaica.

Sister Prema, who was yesterday on her first trip to Jamaica, visited the mission located at 73 – 75 Tower Street in Kingston.

“I am very happy to see how well kept the home is and I’m very happy to see that the residents are all smiling and they are very happy. The sisters (assigned to mission) are also very happy to be here serving,” Sister Prema told the Jamaica Observer. The service, she said, is for the poorest of the poor regardless of colour or class.

“We serve the elderly and on Saturdays we have a meal service where we serve about 300 people. We also have the sitting family (residents at the home) and during the week we distribute bread and pastry to the people. We also do meal studies with the people,” explained Sister Ronald Mc.

And despite its location and the recent spate of violence rocking sections of Kingston, the sisters said the mission remains undisturbed by the violence, for the most part. Sister Ronald said the home is not directly affected by violence; however, from time to time gunshots from surrounding communities create quite a scare.

“We hear the gunshots. I always have the courage. We pray for those in the situations and we pray for the people. The community has never been subjected to violence. The people come to us when they are in need so they are very protective, and the gunmen don’t give us any trouble.”

Sister Prema said she has no fears while performing acts of charity, as her love for the poor helps to conquer all.

“My desire is much greater than fear to serve those who don’t have anybody else to serve them. I have a desire and love for the poor,” she said. “You must face them (your fears) one at a time, when you take them all on, that’s when it becomes overwhelming. When you take them one at a time, the grace and the help is there.”

A German by birth, Sister Prema said she joined the India-based Sisters of Charity in 1980, after she read a book, Something Beautiful for God by Malcolm Muggeridge. Muggeridge wrote the book after he conducted an interview with Mother Teresa.

“As a young woman I had a great desire to be a missionary. I wanted to serve not too close to my own home, but far away. One day, I came across the book and it served as a pre-invitation to my soul that I wanted to serve,” she said.

Yesterday, Sister Prema bemoaned what she said was a decline in the number of young people who are committed to serving as missionaries.

“We still have young women who are joining and we still have young people who are very much interested in helping and volunteering. The numbers of young sisters have diminished over the years, but still we are grateful that we are able to continue the work.”

She added: “Young people find it very difficult to commit to a life of radical living. Most are still coming from India. Mother Teresa didn’t call young people to live this life. It is Jesus. Mother was definitely guiding them, but it’s Jesus that calls and he never stops calling.”

The low-profile Sister Prema is one of the most senior nuns in the order, serving as third superior general. Sister Prema, who is known for her work among the poor, was first elected in 2009 and was re-elected in March 2015.

The Sisters of Charity operates in some 760 communities in approximately 139 countries, with missions also in Haiti, Trinidad and Cuba.

The Sisters of Charity is the religious congregation founded by Mother Teresa — now Saint Teresa — of Calcutta, India.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/saint-teresa-8217-s-mission-happy-with-work-in-jamaica_104622?profile=1373