From Right: Charmaine Daniels, CEO of Digicel Foundation little girls- Salt Spring Primary students – Rickayla Warlock and Ty’aira Young; Boys in picture : Kaneil Whilby and Raveesh Brown, Students of Prickly Pole Primary & Infant School; Lady in Red – Judith Whyte Gayle, Principal, Prickly Pole Primary & Infant School; Lady in Black : Norma Brydson – Principal Salt Spring Primary & Infant School
Community groups across Jamaica are invited to apply for the Digicel Foundation’s 20 for 20 for 20 Grants.
The grants which are in celebration of the Foundation’s 20th anniversary, will run until August 30, 2024. Registered non-profit organisations, including community-based organisations, special needs organisations, social enterprises, and schools, can apply for grant funding of up to US$20,000 to implement community initiatives that focus on one of the following subject areas: youth development; ICT development; environmental sustainability; Special Needs support and education.
“We are happy to celebrate this milestone anniversary by giving back to the communities we serve,” said Miguel ‘Steppa’ Williams, Director of Strategy and Community Development at the Digicel Foundation. “Our 20 for 20 for 20 Grants will empower local organisations to drive meaningful change and create lasting impact.”
(From left) Student Morsell Weir; communications officer at Digicel Foundation, Kedisha Clarke; principal at the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf, Kingston Campus, Terri Ann Bernard and mathematics teacher, Leah Gregg engage with the smartboard in the smart lab at the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf on Monday. Photos: Karl Mclarty
CAROL Robertson, board chair at the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf, is optimistic that the school’s new smart lab, courtesy of the Digicel Foundation, will create “a more level playing field” for students now and in the future as they navigate and find new ways to bridge the gap for students living in Jamaica with disabilities.
“Technology and the way that it is being used now actually creates a more level playing field because you no longer have to be impatient with the communication barriers of the hearing world,” Robertson told the handing-over ceremony held at the school’s Kingston campus on Monday.
She told the students that they can now adequately represent themselves and participate in the world out there — the global economy — through digital tools, which she said is very important.
Robertson noted that this initiative is important for students as it provides them with a platform to grow and sharpen their skills, despite their challenges.
“There are many persons out there in the world who are performing very skilled professions behind a digital screen and they are having the same results simply because they are no longer viewed as somebody who needs extra assistance. I am a part of your community, and we feel that we don’t necessarily get all open doors because people assume that we can’t,” said Robertson.
She urged students to make use of the devices and capitalise on the opportunity gifted to them by the foundation to maximise their potential.
“Get involved [because] technology will always be scary for somebody. Don’t let it be scary for you. Embrace it, and as the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf and everything that we represent that is godly, it is your responsibility to use the technology in a positive way, honouring God as you go while you use it to serve yourselves,” Robertson said as she encouraged the students.
The Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf, Kingston campus, became the 13th school to receive a smart lab under the Digicel Foundation project to put 21 smart labs into schools.
However, this contribution stands out for more than just providing 12 laptops, 12 tablets, and an interactive smart board like other schools in the programme. According to Kedisha Clarke, communications officer at Digicel Foundation, the room also includes customised features tailored to the unique needs of the students.
“So the space was specially retrofitted to meet the unique needs of our deaf students, [and] the advancements include a visual alert doorbell providing a visual cue for students and staff, a network-attached storage system enabling the recording and storage of large video files, including sign language recordings [and] a high quality webcam facilitating clear and effective communication through video conferencing and online learning platforms,” she said. This smart lab is the second to be established in a special needs institution and the first ever by the foundation in a school for the deaf.
In the meantime, the school’s principal, Terri-Ann Bernard, reflected on the process of building the smart lab, noting that it offers teachers the opportunity to diversify their lessons by introducing students to more interactive learning methods.
“When I bring experiences to them it sticks more. So an interactive board like the one that we’re about to demonstrate definitely goes for that interactive doing, which makes learning happen to a different academia, different learning styles, and the interactive tactile and kinaesthetic where you’re doing things and taking on concepts and making them come to real life is one of the things that Ithink definitely resonates with our students,” said Bernard.
Acting executive director of the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf, John Meeks, also expressed his gratitude for the smart lab, emphasising how the partnership aligns with the school’s mission of “reaching, teaching, and nurturing” deaf students.
“When you bring two visions together — the Digicel Foundation’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and our mission to reach, teach, and nurture the deaf — the synergy created, the coming together of organisations, foundations with a vision of taking people to the next level only speaks well for the future,” Meeks said.
He emphasised that the smart lab is not just a technological upgrade but a transformative tool that will help bridge communication gaps and empower students.
(From left) Principal at the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf, Kingston Campus, Terri Ann Bernard; student Mackalia Sturlin; Communications officer at Digicel Foundation, Kedisha Clarke; chair of the centre Carol Robertson; acting executive director John Meeks; and student Nathaniel Ross cut the ribbon to signal the opening of the school’s new smart lab.
Man poses with donations from food for the poor after Beryl
ST CATHERINE, Jamaica – More than 100 days after Hurricane Beryl’s passage a sense of normality is returning to affected communities, but the most pressing need remains housing repairs, particularly roof restorations, according to Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFTP).
With a specific focus on Clarendon, Manchester and St Elizabeth, FFTP says over the past four months, approximately 24,000 lives have been positively impacted from various recovery activities. Additionally, up to 5,000 care packages which include food and toiletries have been distributed; and the charity says it directly improved the living conditions of over 700 individuals through roof repair activities.
FFTP Executive Director Kivette Silvera-Stephens said, “We understand the importance of not just immediate relief, but building resilience for the future. Our focus is on ensuring that families, farmers and fisherfolk can rebuild sustainably, and thanks to our many partners, we are seeing resuscitation in the communities and sectors that were impacted.”
The agricultural sector was heavily impacted by the hurricane and is a key focus of FFTP’s recovery initiative. Farmers and fisherfolk experienced severe losses, affecting scores of families and food production island-wide. Agricultural projects are currently being implemented to further the redevelopment of farms, directly benefiting close to 100 individuals and impacting over 300 more. Additionally, over 600 farmers and fisherfolk benefitted from tools, relief packages and training, FFTP said.
Agatha McDonald, a centenarian residing in Portland Cottage, Clarendon benefited from FFTP’s housing repairs. Her family evacuated the premises before the hurricane hit, only to return to a roofless house. Following the renovation, McDonald’s daughter and caregiver shared her thoughts about the experience: “The house top gone, everything gone…we were left empty after the hurricane but thanks to all the donors and Food For The Poor for coming to our rescue and helping to fix our roof.”
Michelle Parchment is a farmer from St Elizabeth. Like other residents in the community, her livelihood was placed on pause following Hurricane Beryl.
“I was doing pretty well…then Hurricane Beryl came along. I had eighty chickens, 4-weeks-old…the hurricane took off the entire roof of the coop and all the chickens drowned…I lost everything,” Parchment said.
As part of the recovery efforts in the parish, FFTP assisted Parchment with a new chicken coop and baby chicks…and today her business is thriving.
“It is a nice and needed gesture and to get the chickens is a great and a big start for all of us who benefited. Whatever I earn from this, I plan to put it back into my business, maybe even expand the business in the future. My family and I are in a better place,” Parchment said.
The organisation’s work has garnered support from both local and international partners, enabling additional projects in greenhouse repairs, back-to-school grants, training for fisherfolk, installation of community water points, mental health sessions, and the restoration of a health centre in Rocky Point, Clarendon.
“We remain committed to supporting families and communities, focusing on long-term resilience and sustainable recovery. With the humanitarian spirit that we have experienced from our many partners, we are confident that better days are ahead, and we are grateful that after four months, a sense of normality is returning to the affected communities,” Silvera-Stephens stated.
Finance Minister Fayval Williams cuts the EPOC celebration cake with (from left) Donovan Wignal, MSME Alliance, Courtney Williams, Fiscal Commissioner, Terron Francis, Ministry of Finance and Keith Duncan, EPOC Chair.
Over its 11-year history there have been continuous laurels for the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), born out of the need for close monitoring of our economy while benefitting from an IMF loan. The PSOJ’s crime monitoring committee, CMOC, has been modelled on it, and there have been calls for the Education Transformation Programme to have a similar oversight Committee.
At last Friday’s final quarterly EPOC press briefing, Chair Keith Duncan noted that Dr. Peter Phillips serving as Minister of Finance in 2013, ‘heeded the call of civil society and actively guided and supported the establishment of EPOC’ under the joint chairmanship of Bank of Jamaica Governor (BOJ) Richard Byles and former BOJ Governor Brian Wynter.”
Duncan succeeded Byles as co-chair with Wynter, and in 2019 continued as sole chair. Team members at our shop were inspired by Duncan’s passionate resolve that the people of Jamaica must understand our economic status. He kept reminding that EPOC was monitoring “not the IMF plan, but Jamaica’s plan.” He used every possible mode of communication: his team led by Althea Walters pulled on the skills of Adtelligent and PROComm and the media responded positively to his frank, down-to earth updates. Duncan embraced our suggestion to go ‘Pon di Corner’ to engage ordinary Jamaicans in the understanding of our economic progress. Sharing in refreshments, citizens of our inner-city communities listened and asked questions, taking with them simply worded flyers.
At the briefing Finance Minister Fayval Williams lauded the Committee: “The commitment to responsible fiscal policy and prudent fiscal management by successive administrations since 2013 has delivered a reduction in public debt to 68% of GDP – the lowest in almost 50 years and our debt trajectory is on track to meet the target of 60 per cent of GDP by Fiscal Year 2026/27. Macro-economic stability is now entrenched, and key economic indicators are aligned to create a positive outlook for growth and development.”
We owe a debt of gratitude to Duncan and members of EPOC: Richard Lumsden, David Noel, Septimus Blake, Donovan Wignal, Helene Davis-Whyte, Jason Morris, Lenworth Fulton, Ralston Hyman, members of the Finance Ministry team: Terron Francis and Trevor Anderson and members of the Bank of Jamaica team.
We need not be concerned at the closure of EPOC. Minister Willams announced that the Fiscal Commission as directed by the Independent Fiscal Commission Act passed in 2021, will come into effect on January 1, 2025, and will be led by Courtney Williams in his capacity as Fiscal Commissioner. Courtney Willams is a seasoned public servant who held a post at the IMF for three years. She noted: “The Independent Fiscal Commission is a permanent agency with a statutory mandate to assess publicly and independently from partisan influence, a government’s fiscal policies, plans, and performance against macroeconomic objectives related to the long-term sustainability of public finances and short to medium-term macroeconomic stability.”
As the saying goes, “the reward for good work is more work”, and so Minister Williams announced the Fiscal Advisory Committee (FAC), to be chaired by Keith Duncan. “As it was with EPOC,” she said, “the Fiscal Advisory Committee will have representation from a wide cross-section of society including the trade union movement, civil society, academia and the private sector. Along with Mr. Duncan, the Committee will be served by Helene Davis-Whyte, immediate past president of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions; Nancy Pinchas, Executive Director of the Council of Voluntary Social Services; Dr. Patrice Whitely, Head of the Department of Economics at the University of the West Indies, Mona and Kareem Tomlinson, Managing Director of GK Capital Management Limited.” Let us continue to follow the progress of the Commission; it should continue keeping stakeholders on their toes, as did EPOC.
ST JAMES, Jamaica — Beginning November 16, 2024, Avelo Airlines will operate its first scheduled international route between Jamaica’s Sangster International Airport (MBJ) and Hartford’s Bradley International Airport (BDL).
These non-stop flights will operate twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, providing an accessible and affordable travel option for passengers.
Introductory one-way fares between MBJ and BDL start at US$178.
The airline made the announcement on Wednesday.Avelo is the only airline offering nonstop service between Montego Bay, St James and the capital region of Connecticut.Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett has welcomed Avelo Airlines’ announcement.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome Avelo Airlines to Montego Bay with their new direct flights from Hartford, Connecticut. This route is of great significance as Connecticut and the surrounding areas represent a major market for visitors to Jamaica. Additionally, these regions have a high concentration of Jamaica’s Diaspora, making this new service a vital link for families and friends. We are confident that this new connection will not only enhance convenience for travellers but also boost tourism and strengthen the cultural ties between our nations,” Bartlett stated.
Avelo Airlines announced this expansion as part of the largest growth initiative in its history, introducing nonstop service from Bradley International Airport to seven new destinations, including its first-ever international flights. Alongside Montego Bay, Avelo will also launch flights to Cancun, Mexico, beginning November 20, 2024.
“The Ministry of Tourism commends Avelo Airlines for recognising the value of expanding their service to Jamaica and looks forward to a successful partnership that will benefit both destinations,” Minister Bartlett added.
Founded in 2021, Avelo Airlines has quickly established itself as a leading ultra-low-cost carrier in the United States. With a focus on providing affordable and convenient travel options, Avelo has rapidly expanded its network to include a variety of domestic and international destinations. The airline’s commitment to customer satisfaction and innovative service has made it a popular choice among travellers.
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), operators of the Norman Manley and Sangster international airports and the PAC Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL), has effected significant leadership changes.
These appointments, actualised as of April 1, aim at delivering the best possible customer service and excellence in airport management and operations.
Chiefly, seasoned Mexican aviation professional, Fernando Vistrain, will assume the role of GAP country manager for Jamaica.
According to the Guadalajara-based airport operators, Vistrain brings a wealth of experience to the position. He joined GAP in 2003 and has held various key positions within the organisation, demonstrating exemplary leadership and dedication throughout his career.
Mr. Fernando Vistrain, Country Manager for Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP) for Jamaica
Vistrain’s extensive experience in aviation security, operations management, and strategic leadership makes him the ideal candidate to lead our operations in Jamaica. His track record of success, coupled with his deep understanding of the industry, will be invaluable as we continue to enhance the services and facilities at Norman Manley International Airport.
Fernando holds a diploma in Industrial Processes and a BSC in Aeronautical Engineering from Instituto Politécnico Nacional in Mexico City. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from the Universidad Anáhuac, Mexico City. Currently, he is pursuing a master’s degree in Human Resources Management, Vistrain is committed to furthering his expertise and contributing to the continued success of Kingston Airport Limited.
Additionally, Sitara English-Bayfield will take over as CEO at Kingston Airport Limited.
Mrs. Sitara English-Bayfieldwill take over as the Chief Executive Officer of Kingston Airport Limited.
English-Bayfield is an accomplished professional with a strong finance and administration background. She has been serving KAL since October 2019, functioning as its director of finance and administration, where she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic vision.
With over a decade of experience in financial management and project planning within the aviation industry, English-Bayfield brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new role. Her proven track record of success and dedication to excellence make her the perfect candidate to lead Kingston Airport Limited into its next phase of growth and development.
Additionally, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Economics and a master’s degree in Economics from the University of the West Indies, Mona. She also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Finance and Financial Law. English-Bayfield is a certified International Airport Professional (IAP), having completed the requirements of the Airport Management Professional Accreditation Program (AMPAP) offered jointly by the Airports Council International and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Photo by Janet Silvera From left: Audley Deidrick, president and CEO of the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ); Mark Hart, AAJ chairman; Transport Minister Daryl Vaz; Senator Janice Allen, opposition spokesperson on tourism; National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang; Richard Vernon, deputy mayor of Montego Bay; David Pratt, principal, PRT Group Inc; Shane Munroe, CEO – MBJ Airports Limited; and Odette Dyer, Jamaica Tourist Board regional director, break ground for the new immigration and security halls at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.
WESTERN BUREAU:
Ground has officially been broken for the expansion of a new immigration hall at Sangster International Airport (SIA) in Montego Bay, St James, valued at US$18 million (J$2.88 billion).
The project is part of the final phase of the overall US$300 million expansion efforts undertaken this year. The previous stages involved lengthening the runway, realigning the entrance and exit for departing and arriving passengers, and the creation of a new shopping concourse.
National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang underscored the urgency of this expansion during the 20th anniversary celebration of MBJ in Montego Bay.
The existing facilities face challenges coping with the influx of visitors and workers, particularly during peak periods. With some 30 flights arriving daily between noon and 3 p.m., the immigration hall’s capacity is stretched, processing 5,000 to 6,000 people within a limited space.
Chang emphasised the imperative of ensuring a seamless experience for visitors to Jamaica, urging contractors to prioritise efficiency.
Acknowledging travellers’ frustrations during peak hours, he explained the cyclic nature of tourism, where numerous flights converge during specific time frames.
The expansion aims not only to alleviate congestion, but also to enhance processing speed with the installation of six-seater gates and electronic gates.
Chang stressed that creating a more spacious arrival area is crucial for efficient crowd management.
Since MBJ assumed management of Sangster, the Government has invested $500 million to bring the airport up to international standards. The immigration and outgoing security expansion represent the concluding phase, with Chang expressing gratitude to immigration and customs officers and the MBJ team. He affirmed the commitment to creating a better working environment for them.
New master plan
Looking ahead, plans include increasing the number of desks, seater gates, and eGates for Jamaican nationals returning home. Anticipating the growth in tourism and airport traffic, a new master plan is in development, extending Sangster’s capabilities beyond 2033, as shared by Audley Deidrick, CEO and president of the Airports Authority of Jamaica.
Deidrick emphasised the successful partnership between MBJ and the Government, noting improvements in service levels and operational efficiencies recognised by the Airports Council International. Sangster International Airport currently serves more than 45 direct destinations globally, playing a pivotal role as a tourism hub.
Shane Munroe, CEO of MBJ Airports Limited, reflected on the airport’s history, citing milestones such as the installation of boarding bridges, expansion of the terminal, and ongoing construction of retail areas. The retail programme, comprising food and beverage locations and duty-free shops, continues to evolve, enhancing the overall passenger experience at SIA.
With a grand vision of creating a society where no one is left behind, Digicel has made substantial commitments to fostering inclusivity through its unwavering support of the Special Olympics national organisations across the region.
For years, Digicel has stood as a dedicated sponsor of the Special Olympics, recognising the transformative power of sports in transcending barriers and empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities. Their ongoing sponsorship has paved the way for countless special needs athletes to showcase their talents and dreams on the international stage.
This year, Digicel’s philanthropic arm, the Digicel Foundation, reaffirmed its unwavering commitment by donating a generous sum of US$40,000 (J$6.2 million) to support the Special Olympics Jamaica team at the prestigious Special Olympics World Games, now underway in Berlin, Germany. As the international spotlight shines on these exceptional athletes, the digital operator stands as a pillar of support, enabling them to realise their dreams and aspirations.
Digicel’s transformative impact is not confined to the realm of sports alone. Since its establishment in 2004, the Digicel Foundation has sponsored an array of projects dedicated to youth development, skills training, agriculture, and social enterprise.
They have been a driving force behind empowering people with intellectual disabilities, investing a staggering $US10.9 million in special needs initiatives in Jamaica.
The company championed a range of projects since the inception of the Foundation, including the distribution of 1413 tablets to individuals with special needs and the construction or renovation of 20 special needs schools.
To gain further insight into Digicel’s expansive activities and initiatives supporting the Special Olympics and beyond, we encourage you to watch the video featuring Charmaine Daniels, CEO of Digicel Foundation Jamaica. In this captivating interview, she sheds light on the myriad endeavors undertaken by Digicel, truly exemplifying their commitment to fostering inclusivity and empowerment.
Mrs Jean Lowrie-Chin, who Jamaicans will call blessed for her work with the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP), hit the nail squarely on the head in her very helpful column in this newspaper.
“As hard as it is on Jamaicans to hear news of crime and violence, it is even worse for our elderly, especially those in violence-prone communities.
“Many suffer from underlying medical issues and disabilities and so the saying, ‘You can’t run, you can’t hide’ applies to them, literally. Besides that, abuse of the elderly is not only one of the most cruel and silent crimes in Jamaica, but also worldwide,” she wrote.
It is hard not feel a sense of remorse when one sees how senior citizens exist in Jamaica, generally speaking. The squalor bred by poverty that is the lot of too many in the rural parts is ugly and stomach-turning.
Add to that food security, inadequate access to specialised geriatric care, the high levels of violence and elder abuse pointed out by Mrs Lowrie Chin, and low levels of social security that expose them to sexual assaults and robbery.
There was once a popular view that one could judge the civilisation of a society by the way it treats its senior citizens, respecting them for their presumed experience, wisdom, and maturity. That appears to be a view of the past.
But Jamaica had better wake up to the reality that the country’s population is rapidly ageing. Our own Planning Institute of Jamaica insists that the population is becoming top heavy, with the elderly population — that is people aged 65 and over — expected to double by 2050, when they will constitute almost 20 per cent of the total population.
So, like the rest of the world, Jamaica will face the fact that an ageing population holds significant implications, such as will be immediately felt in labour market shortages and in the inadequacy of pension plans. That is in the short term and not somewhere off into the distant future.
In the latest revision of the National Policy for Senior Citizens, the state of the country’s aged is fairly accurately assessed and solutions to the challenges proposed through a multi-stakeholder approach designed to address social, economic and health barriers. We, of course, were dismayed to learn that only 23 per cent of the elderly have health insurance.
The stark reality is that the Government is doing almost as much as it can, given the limited resources, through programmes like the Jamaica Drugs for the Elderly, the National Health Fund, the National Insurance Scheme, the National Committee for Senior Citizens, and several others.
But a lot more will be necessary before we can hold our heads high about our treatment of the elderly.
The talk about forcing children to be responsible for their elderly parents is too thorny an issue to be relied on as a workable solution.
We might need to consider a two per cent tax on salaries above $10 million a year to build more infirmaries and assisted living facilities, increase social pension benefits, expand feeding programmes, subsidise transportation, and monitor private nursing homes, many of which are a putrid excuse for such.
This kind of tax will recognise the importance of tackling the problem as a national one and should be considered, even if it means putting it to a referendum.
Since 1982, Food For The Poor donors have provided life-transforming work throughout the Caribbean and Latin American. Hundreds of thousands of the forgotten, the hungry and the poor have been blessed with a new opportunity in life, renewing that spark of hope for them and future generations.
Since inception, Food For The Poor donors have built more than 124,800 housing units, installed a total of 2,064 water wells, and sent more than 82,450 containers of essential goods to help people in the 17 countries where the charity serves.
A fisherman in Honduras proudly holds up one of many fish he caught in the Caribbean Sea. Food For The Poor’s Fishing Village program supplies destitute coastal villages with fiberglass boats with outboard engines, global positioning systems, fishing tackle, 100-quart coolers, safety equipment, a gear shed with a freezer, a generator and a powerful solar-powered street light for the village common area, as well as training in deep-sea fishing. There are 15 fishing villages in Jamaica, 39 in Haiti, 15 in Honduras and one in Dominica. (Photo by Food For The Poor)
One of the largest international relief and development organizations in the United States, Food For The Poor always has been about empowering families to become self-sustaining. The charity believes an education is an important key to breaking the cycle of poverty and is committed to providing children with an education. Over last three decades, more than 450 schools have been built, repaired or expanded.
“The mission of Food For The Poor is to link the church of the First World with the church of the Third World in a manner that helps both the materially poor and the poor in spirit,” said President/CEO of Food For The Poor Robin Mahfood. “Everything that this organization has done in these 36 years has been to transform and equip people to help themselves and their families. All of this is made possible with God’s blessing. Our donors and our staff are an extension of our Lord’s mercy, and they are the ones who make helping the poor possible.”
Volunteers for the Episcopal Church in Puerto Rico assemble relief items sent by Food For The Poor donors to help families recovering from Hurricane Maria. (Photo/Food For The Poor)
When it comes to natural disasters, Food For The Poor is eager to offer assistance. The charity has provided aid at the onset of the destruction caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, and remains involved in the ongoing recovery work. Thanks to its generous donors and partners, thousands of families in Puerto Rico are getting much needed aid, four months after Hurricane Maria destroyed much of the island. So far, Food For The Poor has shipped 69 tractor-trailer loads of aid to Puerto Rico.
Food For The Poor is working with the Catholic charity Caritas to distribute relief. Caritas Puerto Rico started in 1969 and has 200 parishes in 60 municipalities on the island. Food For The Poor also is working with the Episcopal Church to assure the distribution of the relief items. The church has 52 parishes throughout the island, warehouses and transportation, which are vital for reaching the rural communities.
Previously, Food For The Poor provided aid following Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
The charity also is keeping its promise to the people of Haiti to be there for the long haul following the 2010 earthquake. Since the Jan. 12, 2010, disaster, Food For The Poor has built 8,717 permanent two-room concrete block homes with water and sanitation, built or restored 44 schools in the Port-au-Prince area, and has installed 151 water filtration units. Each water filtration unit purifies and chlorinates up to 10,000 gallons of water a day for a total of 1,510,000 gallons of clean water daily.
“Food For The Poor is honored to be able to help as many people as possible to rebuild their lives following tragedies caused by natural disasters, we understand that a natural disaster can take aim at any of us at any given time, but the road to recovery is nearly impossible for poor families in rural communities,” said Mahfood. “This is why we always will do what we can for as long as we can to provide assistance for families recovering from the catastrophic disasters in the Caribbean, the United States and in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. We will continue to do this as we celebrate 36 years of service.”
Food For The Poor donors also build hospitals and community centers that provide technical training. The charity has implemented animal husbandry, agricultural and aquaculture projects. These projects, such as beekeeping and fishing villages, are not only a food source but they are helping the poor to generate income.
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor primarily in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance. Over the last 10 years, fundraising and other administrative costs averaged less than 5% of our expenses; more than 95% of all donations, including donated goods, went directly to programs that help the poor. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.
