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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 (2nd 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 (3rd 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
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