FOOD FOR THE POOR JAMAICA: July 2013

Monday 29 July 2013

FOOD FOR THE POOR CELEBRATES THE HUMANITARIAN SERVICE OF MOST. HON. SIR HOWARD COOKE

Former Governor General The Most Hon. Sir Howard Cooke (centre) has the rapt attention of Andrew Mahfood (left), Chairman, Food For The Poor (FFP), and Jacqueline Johnson, Executive Director, FFP; as he engages them in animated discussions. They were at Sir Howard’s Kingston residence on Friday, July 26, during an event by Food For The Poor to honour the former Governor General for his outstanding humanitarian service to the charity and to Jamaica.

Former Governor General The Most Hon. Sir Howard Cooke (2^nd right) expresses appreciation to Food For The Poor (FFP) for honouring him with a Citation of appreciation. The event, which took place on Friday, July 26, celebrated Sir Howard for playing a leading role in many Food For The Poor programmes and other national initiatives to assist the less fortunate. Andrew Mahfood (3^rd right), Chairman, FFP, presented Sir Howard with the Citation. Sharing in the occasion at Sir Howard’s Kingston residence are (from left) Jacqueline Johnson, FFP Executive Director; Jean Lowrie-Chin, FFP Board Director; Baldwin Powell, Convenor, FFP Western Committee and Pokar Chandiram, FFP Board Director.

Food For The Poor Jamaica today honoured former Governor General The Most Hon. Sir Howard Cooke, with a Citation in recognition and celebration of the significant contribution he has made to the work of the charity, over the years. The presentation was made to Sir Howard at his Kingston residence.

Andrew Mahfood, Chairman, Food For The Poor (FFP), hailed the 97-year old Sir Howard for playing a leading role in many Food For The Poor programmes and other national initiatives, which contribute to community development and nation building.

“Sir Howard, we acknowledge and appreciate your support for our initiatives for the vulnerable, and persons who are facing serious socio-economic challenges,” declared Mr. Mahfood. “On behalf of FFP, I wish to commend you Sir for being a pacesetter in advocacy for the poor and downtrodden in the Jamaican Society, over many decades.”

Mr. Mahfood pointed out that by displaying humanitarian service and support to needy Jamaicans, and to the people of Jamaica, Sir Howard has certainly inspired the FFP team and complemented the work of the charity. The FFP Chairman expressed his appreciation to Sir Howard and Lady Cooke for all their efforts in improving the lives of the less fortunate in Jamaica and by extension, strengthening the outreach programmes of FFP.

“Continue being a source of great inspiration for all of us! My wish is that people both young and old will emulate you, so that Jamaica can become a much more caring place,” Mr. Mahfood asserted. “Sir Howard, you will always hold a very special place in the heart of the FFP Family and many of our beneficiaries.”

Mr. Mahfood also presented Sir Howard with the Citation of Appreciation, on behalf of FFP.

Jean Lowrie-Chin, FFP Board Director, read the Citation lauding the former Governor General for his dedication in assisting the poor and his articulate lobby efforts on their behalf: “He has an unprecedented devotion to sustained and selfless voluntary service to the most vulnerable in our society. His appointment as Governor General in 1991, a role which he carried out with dignity and fortitude, did not hinder his service to FFP Jamaica in a valuable and supportive way. This support continued even after he demitted office as Governor General in 2006.”

The Citation praised Sir Howard’s involvement in helping to enhance the public image and overall performance of FFP, as well as the group’s implementation of income generating projects for the less fortunate. “FFP Jamaica recognizes and salutes Sir Howard’s extraordinary contribution and commendable service to the organization over the years, as well as his commitment to assisting in the task of transforming the lives of the poor,” the Citation pointed out. “ We are indeed blessed to have had such a stalwart public servant as part of the FFP family, who made his mark on the political, social and religious landscape of Jamaica. His compassionate humanitarian spirit and dedication are worthy of emulation.”

Responding to the tributes by the FFP delegation, Sir Howard declared: “I am very, very grateful for the opportunity to serve FFP. I regard FFP as one of the greatest organizations in the world and you are world leaders.” He said it has been a delight to help to attend to the needs of the indigent through FFP.

Recounting some of his experiences and the many achievements of Jamaica, Sir Howard encouraged Jamaicans to spend more of their time and energies talking about the good things about this nation, rather than the negative things being done by few Jamaicans. “When I talk about our country and its achievement, it inspires me,” stated the former Governor General. “We must spend more time telling of the good things we are doing. Let people know that we are a great people and we are doing good.”

He recalled that this nation has been more advanced than most countries, in terms of its social development: “When there was the great social movement in the world, Jamaica led. In many social changes in the world, Jamaica has taken the lead.” Sir Howard emphasized that it is important that Jamaicans focus on the fact that they are high-achievers and world leaders, and let these accomplishments serve as a motivating factor for them.

Among the FFP activities in which Sir Howard was involved over two decades were:

· Serving as FFP Patron and attending countless events in that capacity, such as the organization’s Prison Releases, Western Committee Launch, Awards Ceremonies

· Providing written and verbal endorsements for FFP’s website, tag drives, mail appeal initiatives and other fundraising activities

· Addressing and encouraging the poor at various events such as FFP’s annual Christmas Treat

· Using every possible platform to encourage Jamaicans to support and give fulsome participation to the ministry of FFP, pointing out that the charity works in the most depressed areas and seeks to improve the socio-economic and spiritual lives of persons

Other participants in Friday’s event honouring Sir Howard were: Jacqueline Johnson, Executive Director, FFP; Pokar Chandiram, Board Director, FFP; Baldwin Powell, Convenor, FFP Western Committee and Erica James-King, Communication Manager, PROComm.

Food For The Poor (FFP)-Jamaica is the largest charity organization in the country. Food For The Poor Inc., located in Florida, USA, was named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development organization. FFP provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 95% of all donations going directly to programmes that help the poor. For more information visit our Web site at www.foodforthepoorja.com

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Contact:

Erica James-King, PROComm, T: 926-6740 or 564-5277

Petri-Ann Henry, Food For The Poor, T: 984-5005 or 564-2886

BARBARA GILBERT CONTINUES TRADITION OF PARTNERING WITH FOOD FOR THE POOR TO HELP THE LESS FORTUNATE

(From left) Philanthropist Barbara Gilbert and Wardah HoSang Millerdean, Principal, Celebration of Life Ar-Rahman Kindergarten School participate in the ribbon-cutting exercise at the school, under the watchful eyes of one of the students. They were participating in the official opening and dedication of the Celebration of Life Ar-Rahman Kindergarten School and Computer Laboratory on Thursday, July 25. Food For The Poor built the school and computer lab with donations from Barbara Gilbert, her family and friends.

American single-mother of four, Barbara Gilbert, has given Jamaica, a gift that keeps on giving – loving, caring voluntary service. This week she, her family and friends are in the island feeding the homeless, and have also helped to construct a Computer Laboratory and perimeter fence at The Celebration of Life Ar-Rahman Kindergarten School, Windsor Road, Spanish Town.

This is not the first time that this philanthropist is touching the lives of the students and teachers of that early childhood education institution. In July 2011, Food For The Poor built the new school through donations from Ms. Gilbert. She also participated in the construction of the school. Ms. Gilbert and her family have given ongoing support to the institution through the donation of educational supplies.

This week’s trip to the island by Ms. Gilbert is part of her annual ‘pilgrimage’ to Jamaica to assist the less fortunate and vulnerable. Jacqueline Johnson, Executive Director, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, has commended Ms. Gilbert for her “tradition of selfless voluntary service to the less fortunate,” and for her charitable efforts in building, expanding and improving the Ar-Rahman Kindergarten School.

“This year, her support of the school was intensified with the donation of playground equipment, as well as financing of the construction of a Computer Laboratory and perimeter fencing for the school,” said Ms. Johnson, while addressing today’s Dedication Ceremony for the school and Computer Laboratory.

The new Computer Lab built by FFP will benefit the 31 students, their teachers and members of the Windsor and Hill Run communities. Today, FFP also equipped the Lab with N-Computing Kits.

The FFP Jamaica Executive Director hailed Barbara’s labour of love as being “so contagious, that it has infected all her family members, including her son, Steven Walker, who has played a pivotal role in the construction of the Computer Lab.”

From the diligent fundraising efforts of Ms. Gilbert, since 2006, FFP has built over 85 houses for poor Jamaicans. In that year, the first set of houses constructed, were officially named “Barbara’s Village”, in her honour. Ms. Gilbert has also financed the development of a football field in the Ellerslie Pen area of Spanish Town.

Deeming Ms. Gilbert “an architect, not by profession, but by service”, Mrs. Johnson has commended Barbara and her family for extending kind hearts and hands to Jamaicans over the years. She opined that the following words of Cory Booker, Mayor, Newark, New Jersey, aptly describes the exemplary way in which Barbara Gilbert and family have shared and related to the people of Jamaica: “ ‘Before you speak to me about your religion, first show it to me in how you treat other people. Before you tell me how much you love your God, show me in how much you love all His children.’ ” Ms. Johnson appealed to citizens to emulate Ms. Gilbert and her family in their own communities across Jamaica.

Nathalie Carlisle, Vice President, Major Giving, FFP Inc. also lauded Ms. Gilbert. She pointed out that most of the people who contribute to the Food For The Poor Projects are not rich, but are working class people like Barbara Gilbert, who are struggling to make a living. Ms. Carlisle urged the children to excel as their way of showing appreciation to the donors.

Ms. Gilbert who was the Keynote Speaker at Thursday’s Dedication Ceremony affirmed her commitment to continue to help the poorest of the poor in Jamaica. Pointing out that although she has no biological family in Jamaica, she gets fulfilment and great joy by helping to improve the lives of Jamaicans. “I love you and that’s why I continue to do the things I do – you are my family! I have a giant family in Jamaica,” declared Ms. Gilbert. She announced that one of the latest initiatives she is implementing in Jamaica is a music project, in which she and her friends donates musical instruments to FFP Jamaica, for the musical training of children from inner-city areas, including Barbara’s Village. Ms. Gilbert has named that initiative the “Jeff Band Project” in honour of visually challenged musician and cancer survivor, Jeff Meadowell, who is helping the less fortunate on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. He has also donated some of the instruments to the “Jeff Band Project” for Jamaica and Guyana.

Ms. Gilbert’s son, Steven Walker, who is a computer whiz and in whose honour the Computer Lab was named, implored the children to follow their dreams. Steven who is physically challenged, pointed out that he knew through experience that the possibilities are endless in what you can achieve: “There is no boundaries to what you can achieve in this world.”

Among the speakers at today’s event were: Father Paul Wilderotter and Wardah HoSang Millerdean, Principal, Celebration of Life Ar-Rahman Kindergarten School. She conveyed appreciation to the donors and disclosed that the community would be able to benefit from the Computer Centre for their homework and Internet needs. Entertainment was provided by the students of the Ar-Rahman Kindergarten School, and the youngsters from the Food For The Poor Summer Band Camp (which includes children from “Barbara’s Village”).

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Contact:

Erica James-King, PROComm, T: 926-6740 or 564-5277

Petri-Ann Henry, Food For The Poor, T: 984-5005 or 564-2886

Wednesday 17 July 2013

FOOD FOR THE POOR INJECTS NEW LIFE INTO TREATMENT OF KIDNEY PATIENTS AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL OF THE WEST INDIES

Susan Moore (centre-foreground) Director, Recipient Services, Food For the Poor (FFP) has the rapt attention of Claudette Jones, Senior Director, Nursing Services, University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) and Dr. Marsha Gooden, Paediatrician / Paediatric Nephrologist, UHWI. They were discussing the ways in which a donation of equipment and supplies by FFP would benefit children and adults who use the UHWI’s Haemodialysis Unit. The trio was at a presentation ceremony at UHWI on Friday, July 12. In the background are other participants in the presentation ceremony. Among the items provided to the Unit by FFP are resuscitators, laryngoscope blades, infant and adult digital scales, pulse oximeters, defibrillator, coagulation timers, patient chairs and computers. FFP came to the rescue of the UHWI Haemodialysis Unit, after a request from Jamaica Kidney Kids Foundation Ltd. – a support group for children with chronic kidney problems.

Kingston, Jamaica- July 16, 2013: Food For The Poor (FFP) has boosted the limited dialysis / kidney care treatment resources of the Haemodialysis Unit of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), through a donation of substantial equipment and medical supplies. The presentation ceremony took place on Friday afternoon, July 12, at the UHWI.

It is the only health facility in Jamaica, which provides dialysis for children younger than 12 years of age. The FFP donation will therefore help in significantly improving the availability of key equipment used in treating children suffering from chronic kidney disease.

Among the items provided by FFP were resuscitators, laryngoscope blades, infant and adult digital scales, pulse oximeters, defibrillator, coagulation timers, patient chairs and computers. The charity came to the aid of the UHWI Haemodialysis Unit, after a request from the Jamaica Kidney Kids Foundation (JKKFL) – a support group for children with chronic kidney problems. FFP Jamaica sourced the items through its umbrella organization, FFP Inc., which is headquartered in Florida, United States of America.

Pointing out that the charity was pleased to assist the Haemodialysis Unit and consequently persons suffering from kidney disease, Ms. Moore, articulated the commitment of FFP, to help in making a major positive difference in the health sector. “It’s all part of what we do in Jamaica, by empowering Jamaicans. Definitely, the poorest of the poor will benefit.”

Dr. Marsha Gooden, Paediatrician / Paediatric Nephrologist, UHWI, asserted that the donation will enable the hospital to better serve patients – both young and old, who are suffering from renal failure. “We want to thank Food for the Poor for this donation which will help us to better care for patients. All the items will be adequately utilised.”

The JKKFL disclosed that the retail value of the FFP donated equipment exceeds

J$ 5 million. Dr. Maolynne Miller, Founder, JKKFL, expressed confidence that the FFP donation will help to advance the quality of patient care available to sufferers of kidney disease, especially treatment for children. “This will improve the quality of care for children affected by kidney problems; and give accurate measurements for various types of renal diagnoses,” said Dr. Miller. Describing the donation as “ideal and very useful ”, Dr. Miller declared: “Many thanks to Food For The Poor.”

The Founder of JKKFL remarked that both children and adults would benefit from the donation: “It’s fantastic to share with the adult Haemodialysis Unit, because this is where the children stay at this time. Everything that was donated will be shared with the hospital.”

Data from the JKKFL shows that each year, at least 40 children in Jamaica aged 16 years and younger are diagnosed with chronic kidney /renal disease. Of that number, three to six children will be diagnosed with chronic kidney failure. Between 1985 and 2006, 30 of the 48 children diagnosed with chronic kidney failure died. FFP is helping to ensure that the already over-burdened dialysis treatment facilities are increased, to the benefit of the children.

Since its inception, FFP has significantly enhanced public health and patient care in Jamaica through the continued distribution of medical equipment and supplies to health care facilities across the island. For 2012, FFP distributed health care supplies valued at J$3.1 billion to public health facilities, non-governmental organizations, infirmaries and schools in Jamaica. In February alone this year, the charity provided the Ministry of Health with 200 wheelchairs, 40 hospital beds, several operating theatre lights, stretchers and sofas; for use in its hospitals and health centres.

Representatives from FFP, the University Hospital, the Paediatric Dialysis team, MicroLabs Ltd and JKKFL participated in Friday’s presentation ceremony.

During Friday’s hand-over ceremony, there was also an official presentation of a cash donation to the Paediatric Nephrology service of the UHWI to assist with specific blood tests needed in children on dialysis. That donation was a partnership between JKKFL and MicroLabs Ltd. JKKFL donated J $50,000 to MicroLabs Ltd. towards blood tests for children on dialysis. In turn, MicroLabs Ltd committed to reducing the cost of the blood tests by more than 50 %.

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About Food For The Poor: Food For The Poor Jamaica is the largest charity organization in the country. Food For The Poor Inc., located in Florida, USA, was named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development organization in the United States. It is an interdenominational Christian agency that does much more than feed the millions of hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. FFP provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 95% of all donations going directly to programmes that help the poor. For more information visit our Web site at www.foodforthepoorja.com

About Jamaica Kidney Kids Foundation Limited: Jamaica Kidney Kids Foundation Ltd. is a registered non-profit organization which provides support for institutions islandwide caring for children with chronic kidney disease through donations of equipment, the provision of training programmes and financial contributions obtained from fundraising locally and internationally.

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Contact:

Erica James-King, PROComm, T: 926-6740 or 564-5277

Petri-Ann Henry, Food For The Poor, T: 984-5005 or 564-2886

Thursday 4 July 2013

FOOD FOR THE POOR & ITS CANADIAN PARTNERS IMPROVE PRIMARY & EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FACILITIES IN ST. ELIZABETH

Susan James Casserly, Projects Manager, Food For The Poor (FFP) Inc., addresses the official opening of the Arlington Basic School in St. Elizabeth on Tuesday, July 2. Seated at the head table are (from left):Samantha Mahfood, Executive Director, FFP Canada; Jason Henzell, Founder/ Chairman, Breds – Treasure Beach Foundation; Errol Hummingbird, Councillor, Ipswich Division of the St. Elizabeth Parish Council; Hugh Buchanan, Member of Parliament, South West St. Elizabeth; Ian Clarke, Founder, Executive Vice President, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment and Tanesha Wright, Principal, Arlington Basic School. The institution is the fifteenth basic school to be built since the FFP Jamaica 50 Programme was launched in June 2012. The FFP Jamaica 50 Programme aims to build and or upgrade 50 early childhood educational institutions in 50 months, in celebration of Jamaica’s Golden Jubilee. FFP partnered with two Canadian organizations – Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, to build the Arlington Basic School and upgrade the neighbouring Fullerswood Primary School.

(From left-standing) Winnifred Salmon, Principal, Fullerswood Primary School; Samantha Mahfood, Executive Director, Food For The Poor Canada and Tisha Patrick-Rowe, Teacher, provide guidance to Fullerswood Primary School students in the use of their new computers, which were donated by Food For The Poor. The charity also constructed a sanitation unit and basketball court, and installed dry-partition walls to divide classrooms. The computers, as well as the new and improved facilities were officially handed over to the school on Tuesday, July 2. The donors for this initiative were the Canadian organizations - Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

Arlington, St. Elizabeth – July 3, 2013: Food For The Poor has partnered with two Canadian organizations – Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation (HHJF) and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), to build and upgrade early childhood and primary school facilities in St. Elizabeth. The beneficiaries of the partnership are Arlington Basic and Fullerswood Primary Schools – both situated in Arlington District.

The improvement to both educational institutions were carried out under the Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica 50 Programme. It aims to build and or upgrade 50 early childhood educational institutions in 50 months, in celebration of Jamaica’s Golden Jubilee.

The Arlington Basic School was suffering from inadequate classroom space, lack of a kitchen, and a derelict infrastructure, which was deteriorating at a rapid rate. FFP Jamaica, FFP Canada, HHJF and MLSE came to the rescue of the school population, by constructing a new school. The new Arlington Basic School comprises three wonderful classrooms, a kitchen, sickbay, office, sanitation area and playground. It has a population of 40 students, but can comfortably accommodate just over 60 students. The new Arlington Basic School was officially opened and dedicated on Tuesday, July 2.

It is the fifteenth basic school to be built since the FFP Jamaica 50 Programme was launched in June 2012. Susan James Casserly, Projects Manager, FFP Inc., who addressed participants at the opening ceremony shared, “I know that the parents and teachers were concerned that the old school was not able to provide hot, nutritious meals for the children because of the absence of a canteen / kitchen. Now, brighter days have arrived with regard to the provision of meals and other necessities for the young ones!”

Ms. Tanesha Wright, Principal, Arlington Basic School, expressed appreciation: “The donation of a new school building will make a positive impact on teachers, students, parents and the community in general. We thank FFP and the donors.” She added, “Our old school was not in a good condition and was definitely not appropriate for the children. It was unsafe, had cracks in the wall and was very uncomfortable for both students and teachers. Having a new school that is the complete opposite of what we had before is a great blessing and will be an upliftment to the community.”

The Fullerswood Primary School has benefited from the construction of a sanitation unit, which has flush toilets, recreational facilities – including a basketball court, as well as the installation of dry-partition walls for classrooms. FFP also donated computers to the Fullerswood Primary School. The presentation was held on Tuesday.

Susan James Casserly, Projects Manager, FFP Inc., outlined features of the upgrading exercise: “Currently the Fullerswood Primary School uses chalkboard to separate classrooms. We view our intervention of creating dry-partition walls where chalkboard dividers were used, and replacing pit latrines with flush toilets, as a matter of urgency and pivotal importance, in enhancing the learning environment for the primary school students.” The institution was built in 1968 and the upgraded facilities will make life much easier for the six teachers and 146 students.

Mrs. James Casserly commended HHJF and MLSE for their assistance and commitment in helping FFP to create a safer and more nurturing environment for the pre-primary and primary school children of Arlington District and its environs. “We are delighted to liaise with your groups in replacing or upgrading institutions, which have been deemed as unfit spaces for our children to learn in,” said Mrs. James Casserly.

She expressed confidence that the construction and upgrading initiatives at both schools are “a potent demonstration that great things can be achieved for our children, with teamwork, philanthropy and dedication.”

Meanwhile, Samantha Mahfood, Executive Director, FFP Canada, said the involvement of Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is an amazing gift for the school and its children. “It is inspirational that the staff of MLSE should be moved to support a cause thousands of miles from their community.” She explained that everyday FFP Canada is building new partnerships with Canadians. “Canada and the Caribbean have a long and important history and we are proud to be part of this continuum.”

Winnifred Salmon, Principal, Fullerswood Primary School is overjoyed at the improved school facilities: “Good things come to those who wait. The timing for this well needed facelift right and we finally feel as though we are a recognized institution.” She reflected on the feelings and views of the school community, “Both parents and teachers felt as though the bigger schools always received the attention and the help they needed and the smaller schools, such as Fullerswood Primary, were often overlooked even though we are performing under discouraging circumstances. The donation of modern toilet facilities, partitions and a basketball court will give staff the drive to do more and it gives us a great sense of recognition. We appreciate this gift so much.”

The donors expressed satisfaction that their generous donations would help to make a big difference in the lives of the Jamaican children. Karle Hale, Founder, Helping Hands Foundation who is a Jamaican-Canadian stated, “People talk about our beaches, our music and our food but our number one resource is people and these people that we are serving today, have been great and we are happy to be able to partner with FFP and assist the community.”

Similar sentiments were expressed by Ian Clarke, Founder, Executive Vice President, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment: “Best wishes to the principals of both schools, we are passing the torch to you to educate these children. We hope to return to be part of the graduation ceremonies. We also hope to see athletes and leaders coming from these schools.” Mr. Clarke also commended FFP for its ongoing work with socio-economically challenged persons. “Food For the Poor is a structured organization that is doing a fantastic job, “ Mr. Clarke commented.

Among persons delivering remarks at the event were Hugh Buchanan, Member of Parliament, South West St. Elizabeth; Jacob Powell, Chairman, Arlington Basic School; and Jason Henzell, Founder/ Chairman, Breds – Treasure Beach Foundation. Mr. Henzell was responsible for collaborating with FFP, in identifying the needs, which existed at Arlington Basic School and Fullerswood Primary School.

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Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) is one of the world’s premier sports and entertainment companies that owns the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), the Toronto Raptors (NBA), the Toronto Marlies (AHL), Toronto FC (MLS), Air Canada Centre, Maple Leaf Square and three digital channels — Leafs TV, NBA TV Canada and GOLTV Canada. MLSE has also invested in four of Toronto’s sports facilities — Ricoh Coliseum, home of the Marlies, BMO Field, home of Toronto FC, Lamport Stadium, and the MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence, the practice facility for the Maple Leafs and Marlies. MLSE operates and manages events at Ricoh Coliseum and BMO Field.

Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation is a Canadian organization whose mission is to improve the lives of the next generation of Jamaicans by creating a world-class education system through investment in infrastructure, resource materials and expertise. Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation is driven by a group of successful Jamaican/Canadians who are determined to give back and help support Jamaica. Arlington Basic School is the fifth early childhood school that Helping Hands has collaborated with Food For The Poor, in constructing.

Food For The Poor (FFP)-Jamaica is the largest charity organization in the country. Food For The Poor Inc., located in Florida, USA, was named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development organization in the United States. It is an interdenominational Christian agency that does much more than feed the millions of hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. FFP provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 95% of all donations going directly to programmes that help the poor. For more information visit our Web site at www.foodforthepoorja.com

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Contact:

Erica James-King, PROComm, T: 926-6740 or 564-5277

Petri-Ann Henry, Food For The Poor, T: 984-5005 or 564-2886

Monday 1 July 2013

FOOD FOR THE POOR BOOSTS RESOURCES OF JAMAICA ENVIRONMENT TRUST

FOOD FOR THE POOR ASSISTS JAMAICA ENVIRONMENT TRUST: Nakhle Hado (right), Technical Fishing Manager, Food For The Poor (FFP) hands-over a Yamaha 40 HP outboard engine and gas tank toLlewelyn Meggs, Conservation Director, Pedro Banks Management Programme, Jamaica Environment Trust (JET). The FFP donation is intended to enhance JET’s environment protection programme of Jamaica’s fisheries on the Pedro Cays and Banks. The hand-over took place on Friday, June 28 at a Presentation Ceremony at the Lyssons Fishing Village in St. Thomas. At the event, FFP also rewarded fisherfolk who have demonstrated excellence during 2012-2013 in deep-sea fishing and business practices that are ecologically and economically sound. Out of the 200 fishers who are attached to Food For The Poor’s 16 Fishing Villages islandwide, five attained top awards. Vanburn “Vannie” Levy of Manchioneal Fishing Village, Portland achieved the Awards of Excellence for the ‘Best Fisherman’ and the ‘Best Catch’. Friday’s Awards Ceremony was held in observance of Fishermen / Seafarers Awareness Week.

Lyssons, St. Thomas- June 30, 2013: Food For The Poor (FFP) has improved the monitoring and enforcement capabilities of the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET), with the donation of a Yamaha 40 HP outboard engine and gas tank. FFP has announced that the engine is for JET’s environment protection programme on the Pedro Cays and Banks.

The FFP donation to JET was handed over on Friday afternoon (June 28), at a Presentation Ceremony at the Lyssons Fishing Village in St. Thomas. Nakhle Hado, Technical Fishing Manager, FFP made the presentation to Llewelyn Meggs, JET Conservation Director, Pedro Banks Management Programme. In making the presentation, Mr. Hado said the gift was intended to help in enhancing the protection of Jamaica’s fisheries, by helping JET to improve its mobility at sea.

The FFP Technical Fishing Manager asserted that the donation to JET will “facilitate its enforcement and management of the fisheries in the Pedro Banks Sanctuary.”

JET has responsibility for spearheading the environmental protection of the Pedro Cays and the Pedro Banks. The Pedro Cays are located approximately 80 kilometres south of Jamaica’s mainland. They are famous as a seabird nesting and roosting area, as well as a nesting area for many endangered turtles. Dozens of fisher folk who engage in deep sea fishing are domicile on the Cays. The Pedro Banks which are used by several fishermen are among Jamaica’s largest fishing areas and contain very fragile coral and sea grass beds. They are also a primary harvesting area for conch.

Expressing elation at the donation, Mr. Meggs explained that it will be useful in assisting JET with having a designated boat for monitoring the waters off the Pedro Cays, especially in regard to the work it has been doing in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy (TNC). “We had leased a fisherman’s boat in helping us to monitor the waters off the Pedro Banks, but now this donation from Food For The Poor will assist us in acquiring our own boat and thereby making us better able to patrol the fish sanctuary,” the JET Conservation Director pointed out.

He said JET has trained six fishermen from the Pedro Cays in environmental awareness and protection/enforcement. Mr. Meggs advised that JET will be expanding that programme shortly.

At Friday’s presentation exercise, FFP also rewarded fisherfolk who have demonstrated excellence in deep-sea fishing and business practices that are ecologically and economically sound. Out of the 200 fishers who are attached to Food For The Poor’s 16 Fishing Villages islandwide, five attained top awards. Vanburn “Vannie” Levy of Manchioneal Fishing Village, Portland achieved first prize, while his colleague attached to the same Fishing Village, Clive “Hutchy” Johnson walked away with second prize. Mr. Levy also copped the Awards of Excellence for the ‘Best Fisherman’ and the ‘Best Catch’ for the period 2012-2013.

Third to fifth prizes went to the following fisherfolk respectively: Brad “Puddy” Blair, Seven Miles Fishing Village, St. Andrew; Marva Espuet, Lyssons Fishing Village, St. Thomas; and Trevor Bagnold, Annotto Bay Fishing Village, St. Mary.

For their prizes, Food For The Poor presented each of the five awardees with a Certificate of Excellence, a new Yamaha 40 HP outboard engine, a cooler for storing fish and a gas tank. They received additional prizes of life jacket vests and spark plugs from Yamaha Jamaica Ltd.

Mr. Hado outlined the aims of the presentation awards programme, “Many of these fishers risk their lives in going far out of sea regularly to earn a living. The best way we can reward them at this time is to boost their safety by ensuring that they have new outboard engines.”

Trevor Bagnold was one of two fishers who responded on behalf of the awardees. Sharing that it was as a result of the FFP Fishing Village Programme that he learnt to fish in 2004, Mr. Bagnold beamed with pride, that “through FFP I can own a home.” He expressed appreciation to the charity for providing he and his colleagues islandwide with access to fishing and environment-related training programmes at the Jamaica Maritime Institute. Mr. Bagnold added, “Food For The Poor has changed a lot of poor people lives, and turned their lives around, so that they can help their families.”

Speaking at Friday’s Presentation Exercise, Gary Isaacs, Chief Fisheries Instructor, Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries praised the fishermen for the important role they are playing in helping to feed Jamaicans. He urged them to use the prizes in advancing their productivity and welfare: “We expect you to use what you are given in a responsible manner. Food For The poor has invested so much in you, so you need to be responsible in carrying out your acts.” Among those participating in Friday’s event were Jacqueline Johnson, Executive Director, FFP; Ron Burgess, Senior Director, Recipient Services, FFP; Selena Ledgister-Kellier, Agriculture and Fishing Manager, FFP; Assistant Superintendent Oral Foster, Marine Police Division and Lieutenant Leonard Wynter, Assistant Operations Officer, JDF Coast Guard.

Since 2000, FFP has established fishing villages across the island where fisherfolk are able to access proper fishing equipment, and are provided with gear sheds, coolers and freezers. FFP also trains fishermen in the several skills including: safety at sea, navigation, deep-water fishing, technical fishing, business management and environment protection. Those who benefit from the training are expected to transfer their skills and knowledge to the younger members of the community and are expected to look after the needs of the elderly.

FFP also assists in boosting the fleet of the Marine Police, so that they will be better able to play a critical role in the search and rescue of fishermen, and crime fighting efforts in Jamaica’s coastal waters.

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Contact:

Erica James-King, PROComm, T: 926-6740 or 564-5277

Petri-Ann Henry, Food For The Poor, T: 984-5005 or 564-2886

FOOD FOR THE POOR REWARDS OUTSTANDING FISHERS

FOOD FOR THE POOR HONOURS OUTSTANDING FISHERFOLK :The five outstanding fishers in the Food For The Poor Fishing Village Projects, who won awards share a camera moment with some Food For The Poor (FFP) executives during a Presentation Exercise at Lyssons Beach in St. Thomas on Friday, June 28. (From right) Vanbury “Vannie” Levy of Manchioneal Fishing Village, Portland who achieved first prize;Trevor Bagnold, Annotto Bay Fishing Village, St. Mary; Marva Espuet, Lyssons Fishing Village, St. Thomas;Clive “Hutchy” Johnson of Manchioneal Fishing Village; and Brad “Puddy” Blair, Seven Miles Fishing Village, St. Andrew; Jacqueline Johnson, Executive Director, FFP; Nakhle Hado (partially hidden), Technical Fishing Manager, FFP; and Selena Ledgister-Kellier, Agriculture and Fishing Manager, FFP. Food For The Poor presented each of the five awardees with a Certificate of Excellence, a new Yamaha 40 HP outboard engine, cooler for storing fish and gas tank. They received additional prizes of life jacket vests and spark plugs from Yamaha Jamaica Ltd. Friday’s Awards Ceremony was held at a time when the world is observing Fishermen / Seafarers Awareness Week.

Five Fisherfolk Achieve Food For The Poor Top Awards

Lyssons, St. Thomas- June 28, 2013: Food For The Poor this afternoon acknowledged and rewarded fisherfolk who have demonstrated excellence in deep-sea fishing and business practices that are ecologically and economically sound, during 2012 - 2013. To this end, the charity hosted a presentation ceremony at the Lyssons Fishing Village in St. Thomas.

The event comes a time when Jamaica and the rest of the world is observing Fishermen/ Seafarers Awareness Week from June 24 - 30, which highlights the pivotal role fishers play in the economy and the lives of citizens.

Out of the 200 fishers who are attached to Food For The Poor’s 16 Fishing Villages islandwide, five outshone their colleagues to walk away with the top awards. Vanbury “Vannie” Levy of Manchioneal Fishing Village, Portland achieved first prize, while his colleague attached to the same Fishing Village, Clive “Hutchy” Johnson walked away with second prize. Mr. Levy also copped the Awards of Excellence for the ‘Best Fisherman’ and the ‘Best Catch’ for the period 2012-2013.

Nakhle Hado, Technical Fishing Manager, Food For The Poor (FFP), described the champion fisherman, Vanbury Levy, as a “versatile fisherman” who catches an average of 835 pounds of fish per month. In commending Mr. Levy, the FFP Technical Fishing Manager declared, “Congratulations for the hardwork and seriousness you have brought to fishing.”

The only female fisher among the awardees, Marva Espeut, also came in for special commendation at the presentation exercise. She catches an average of 570 pounds of fish per month, and remains unfazed by challenges including a near death experience when her boat overturned off the Morant Cays. Ms. Espeut who is a mother of three, cried for joy as she collected her Certificate of Excellence. In her response on behalf of the awardees, she thanked Food For The Poor for introducing her to deep-sea fishing techniques, and gushed, “It has improved my life.” She also praised the tithing system which FFP has established in all its Fishing Villages, whereby each fisher contributes a monthly tithe to a community development fund which is used to assist the less fortunate members of the community and undertake development projects. Ms. Espeut recounted that there are many children in her Fishing Village of Lyssons who would not have been able to attend school without assistance from the tithing system of the fishers. The fisherwoman reported that many houses have been roofed as a result of the system.

Mr. Nakhle Hado explained the selection process for the awardees: “We have been training and assessing the fishermen in all our fishing villages, so we are in a position to know those who have shown improvement in their knowledge, skills and practices. We are rewarding those who have been consistent in their productivity and environmentally-friendly fishing techniques.”

Not only does FFP provide fishers with equipment and infrastructure at the Fishing Beaches, but monitor their record keeping activities, to evaluate whether they are putting into practice the lessons taught to them on how to manage their earnings and maintain profits, while attending to their living expenses.

The FFP Technical Fishing Director expressed the hope that the FFP Presentation Exercise would serve as an incentive for the fishermen, as well as members of their communities. “We want to demonstrate that fishermen can achieve an improvement in their livelihood, through sustainable fishing practices,” said Mr. Hado.

Among those participating in today’s event were Jacqueline Johnson, Executive Director, FFP; Ron Burgess, Senior Director, Recipient Services, FFP; Selena Ledgister-Kellier, Agriculture and Fishing Manager, FFP; Assistant Superintendent Oral Foster, Marine Police Division; Lieutenant Leonard Wynter, Assistant Operations Officer, JDF Coast Guard; Gary Isaacs, Chief Fisheries Instructor, Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and Llewelyn Meggs, Conservation Director, Jamaica Environment Trust (JET).

Since 2000, FFP has established fishing villages across the island where fisherfolk are able to access proper fishing equipment such as boats, engines and gears necessary for deep-sea fishing. Gear sheds have also been established for storage of equipment, and coolers and freezers provided to help fishers better store and preserve their catch. FFP also trains fishermen in the several skills including: safety at sea, navigation, deep-water fishing, technical fishing, business management and environment protection. As a result, fishermen are able to improve their productivity and better market their catch.

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