A HOME AND TWO TREES - Jamaica Observer - December 3, 2014

Young Trevoghne Grossett was more than happy to be included in the process of planting trees. (PHOTO: PETRI-ANN HENRY)

BY AINSWORTH MORRIS
Observer writer

Food For The Poor (FFP) has been building houses and schools for needy families and organisations for much of the last decade. As of next year, it will be adding a layer of sustainability to that effort by including two fruit trees with each building it hands over.

In a recent interview with the Jamaica Observer, Selena Ledgister-Kellier, Agriculture and Fishing Manager at FFP Jamaica, explained that the new direction is an extension of a fruit tree distribution project the charity organisation launched in 2013.

"Although it is widely known that tree planting is good for the environment and will help with soil conservation, we at Food For The Poor believe planting trees when we donate houses or schools will provide nourishing fruits for families and students who will either live in the houses or attend the schools," Ledgister-Kellier said.

She added: "The fruit trees will help to feed people whether it is from breadfruit trees, mango trees, etc. It is also a form of income generation for the recipients, as they can reap economic benefits once the trees start bearing."

According to David Mair, Executive Director of FFP Jamaica, the fruit tree distribution drive started at Richmond Farm Adult Correctional Centre in St Mary, and is the place where the trees to be donated in 2015 were planted.

"A 20 by 40 shade house was constructed at the Richmond Farm Adult Correctional Centre to serve as a nursery for planting and growing fruit trees at an appropriate height for free distribution, which includes apples, june plums, cherries, ackees, breadfruits, avocado pears, soursops and citrus," Mair told the Observer.

"All housing recipients, schools and children's homes that currently receive support from the organisation are expected to benefit from this project. The project will also provide seedlings for an all-island gardening distribution," he continued.

Mair went on to add that the project will also benefit the inmates housed at the Richmond Farm correctional facility.

"I believe this initiative will aid in the rehabilitation of the inmates, as they are responsible for the pruning, weeding and general care of the plants. From nurturing the plants, they will learn skills in the area of agriculture," he said.

Some trees grown under the project have already been distributed: as a test under the charity's Peacemaker Community Redevelopment Project in Spring Pass, St Thomas, in October.

David Smith, a recipient of a house and trees, remarked: "This is actually very timely because we have been trying to get some mango trees to plant up the area, so I am really thankful. Plus, we don't have soursop and apples in this area, so this will be good for the community."

Another recipient, Doreen Constable, said, "We are thankful for the fruit trees. I burn coal for a living. That nuh really good for the surrounding, so having these fruit trees will help us to do something else. We can sell from it when it bear and help take care of our families."

Sceidella Clearly, a 19-year-old beneficiary, also had words of gratitude.

"We hardly get fruits in this area, so most times we have to buy it, but this is not often because the money is not there to do so. Having our own fruit trees will help us a lot. If we are able to sell from it, someday the money earned will help to send our younger siblings to school. We may even be able to be in a better position to help other poor persons in the community in the way Food For The Poor helped us," she said.

FOOD FOR THE POOR FRUIT TREE INITIATIVE: Myco Lee (left) is all smiles as he joins a donor from the United States and Mrs. Marcia Hall-Walker (right), Social Outreach Manager at FFP Jamaica in the tree planting exercise meters away from his home in the background after his house was officially handed over to him. (PHOTO: PETRI-ANN HENRY)

PLANTING A TREE: Denville Clarke of Spring Pass in St. Thomas, a recent recipient of a house from Food For The Poor planting one of two fruit trees that he received from the charity organization as part of its island-wide fruit tree distribution initiative.

NEW PLANTS FROM FFP: Denville Clarke (right), a Food For The Poor (FFP) housing recipient from Spring Pass in St. Thomas, proudly accepts two fruit trees from Junior Reid (left), Housing Coordinator from FFP, during the fruit tree distribution in the community recently.

LAURNCIA PLANTING HER TREE: Laurncia Irvin, recipient of a house from Food For The Poor smiles while she plants one of the fruit trees she received.