Miss Jamaica Universe said her best moment of the pageant in Florida was visiting Food For The Poor's headquarters in Florida.
Click on this link to watch her interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTmLK-bCEkY
Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica is the largest charity organization in Jamaica that provides relief in the areas of housing, food, medical, water, sanitation, education, agriculture, outreach and micro-enterprise.
Thursday 29 January 2015
MISS JAMAICA UNIVERSE, "BEST MOMENT WAS VISITING FOOD FOR THE POOR ORGANISATION, THE HEADQUARTERS IN FLORIDA."
Miss Jamaica Universe said her best moment of the pageant in Florida was visiting Food For The Poor's headquarters in Florida.
Click on this link to watch her interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTmLK-bCEkY
Monday 26 January 2015
FFP RECEIVES $100,000 FROM NCB FOUNDATION - January 26, 2015
For more information, please contact:
Ainsworth Morris, PROComm, Tel: 926-6740 or 3756136
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=999972743363432
Wednesday 21 January 2015
KIND HEARTS MADE IT POSSIBLE - The Gleaner - January 21, 2015
Tamara Bailey, Gleaner Writer
MANDEVILLE, Manchester:
IT ALL started with one woman's dream to have children in her district get an education despite the odds.
With approximately 10 children, Gloria McKenzie turned the dream into reality in 2000 by setting up a school where she had lived, naming it the D Frank Early Childhood Institute after her grandfather, who had donated the land.
But as the population grew, the need for a new facility to accommodate the budding young minds increased.
"We moved from 10 to 20 students, and it was a struggle because we needed a bigger facility. We were happy when Food For The Poor (FFP) showed an interest in us, and we got this building," said McKenzie.
PARTNERSHIP
With the partnership of the Kind Hearts Foundation and FFP, the students of the basic school were moved into a new building in 2012. Boasting three classrooms, a fully furnished kitchen, a sick bay, a teacher's office, a teacher's bathroom and children's bathroom - the environment was now more conducive for learning.
"We have moved from 20 children to 50, and last year we had our first graduation, where 12 students graduated, and we still track the students' progress and they are doing very well .
"All this could not have been possible without the help of Kind Hearts and Food For The Poor. In addition, we must thank our member of parliament (Peter Bunting), who had the entire property fenced for the safety of the children and the parents and community members who continue to support the activities of the school," said McKenzie.
The school has evolved, receiving much commendation from stakeholders and a continued pledge to be supported.
"When you come, you can see the reaction on the children's faces. They are comfortable, they have a bathroom, they don't need to go to a pit toilet or go to borrow someone else's bathroom. They have a canteen where a cooked meal is provided every day and the environment enhances growth and it enhances learning ... and that is what we are all about, moulding and shaping the future of our nation," said social outreach manager at FFP, Marcia Hall Walker.
Kind Hearts Foundation is to build its fourth basic school with help from We Got The Runs Fitness Club.
The fitness club is to host its second staging of the Colour Me Happy Run on January 24. All proceeds will go to Kind Hearts Foundation.
The event labelled 'Jamaica's First Run in Colour', will see participants completing a 4.5-kilometre run through Hope Gardens in St Andrew, while being be showered with a variety of coloured powders along the route.
rural@gleanerjm.com
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20150121/news/news4.html
Monday 19 January 2015
GET READY FOR 5K - Flair Magazine - January 19, 2015
So you have made your resolution to exercise more this year. To follow through with that commitment you might have already signed up for your first road race event such as The Colour Me Happy Run on Saturday, January 24 to kick off your exploits. Not only is it the most 'colourful' race in Jamaica, the event benefits a very worthy cause - the construction of a basic school by Food For The Poor and Kind Hearts Foundation.
Certified personal trainer and sports nutritionist Kamila McDonald offers some great tips to prepare you for races like the Colour Me Happy 5K, which she will co-host. Follow these to ensure that you can have the most fun and enjoy the benefits of participating safely.
For people who are doing their first road race, what should they expect?
Colour Me Happy is a combination of some of the things I am most passionate about: fitness, fun and philanthropy. This 5K is not about the medals or how fast you finish. Instead, it's a celebration of health and happiness and is the perfect way to kick-start and ease into a regular schedule of 5Ks as part of your wellness regime.
How should you prepare the body in the period leading up to the race?
In the week leading up to the race, don't overdo the "preparation" where exercise is concerned. This is not the time to participate in any new and intense exercise. If the exercise is likely to leave your muscles sore for days because your body is not used to it, then it is best to wait until after the event to start that new regime.
Remember, runners prepare for months before a big race. Just like Rome which wasn't built in a day, your fitness won't be. Do light resistance training and go on walks and/or short runs that your body may already be accustomed to.
What should you eat during the week leading up to the race?
Keep hydrated drinking at least 2-3 litres of water every day. Coconut water is also a great way to keep hydrated and, more important, refresh and restore lost electrolytes during training and race day. Bananas are a great way to keep your potassium levels up to avoid leg cramping during training and the race. Remember to stay away from fried, fatty foods.
I'm a strong advocate for eating foods high in fibre. However, stay away from fibre-heavy foods for the days right before the event because they may cause you to feel bloated and gassy, especially if your overall fibre intake is usually low.
What is the most effective strategy for completing the race?
If this is your first 5K, don't overthink it and instead use this experience to gauge your fitness level and how well you manage the distance. We all have to start somewhere and everyone comes to the event at different fitness levels. The most important thing is to listen to your body. Walk when you need to walk. Stop, breathe and, of course, hydrate. Observe yourself and your body so you can use this as the starting point of your programme to get fitter, faster and stronger. The bottom line is to stay hydrated and listen to your body.
After completing the Colour Me Happy 5K route, don't forget to stretch!
For your ongoing exercise routine, take an inventory of how you feel after the walk or run, and adjust your follow-up exercise routine accordingly, varying the intensity based on how good or bad you feel, how much effort you exerted to reach the finish line and how challenging the event was overall.
Participating in Colour Me Happy, which is sponsored by WATA and CRANWata, helps to make fitness superfun, which is how it always should be! We'll be bursting with colour and burning calories! Can't wait!
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20150119/flair/flair85.html
Kamila McDonald, Certified Personal Trainer and Sports Nutritionist.
Certified personal trainer and sports nutritionist Kamila McDonald offers some great tips to prepare you for races like the Colour Me Happy 5K, which she will co-host. Follow these to ensure that you can have the most fun and enjoy the benefits of participating safely.
For people who are doing their first road race, what should they expect?
Colour Me Happy is a combination of some of the things I am most passionate about: fitness, fun and philanthropy. This 5K is not about the medals or how fast you finish. Instead, it's a celebration of health and happiness and is the perfect way to kick-start and ease into a regular schedule of 5Ks as part of your wellness regime.
How should you prepare the body in the period leading up to the race?
In the week leading up to the race, don't overdo the "preparation" where exercise is concerned. This is not the time to participate in any new and intense exercise. If the exercise is likely to leave your muscles sore for days because your body is not used to it, then it is best to wait until after the event to start that new regime.
Remember, runners prepare for months before a big race. Just like Rome which wasn't built in a day, your fitness won't be. Do light resistance training and go on walks and/or short runs that your body may already be accustomed to.
What should you eat during the week leading up to the race?
Keep hydrated drinking at least 2-3 litres of water every day. Coconut water is also a great way to keep hydrated and, more important, refresh and restore lost electrolytes during training and race day. Bananas are a great way to keep your potassium levels up to avoid leg cramping during training and the race. Remember to stay away from fried, fatty foods.
I'm a strong advocate for eating foods high in fibre. However, stay away from fibre-heavy foods for the days right before the event because they may cause you to feel bloated and gassy, especially if your overall fibre intake is usually low.
What is the most effective strategy for completing the race?
If this is your first 5K, don't overthink it and instead use this experience to gauge your fitness level and how well you manage the distance. We all have to start somewhere and everyone comes to the event at different fitness levels. The most important thing is to listen to your body. Walk when you need to walk. Stop, breathe and, of course, hydrate. Observe yourself and your body so you can use this as the starting point of your programme to get fitter, faster and stronger. The bottom line is to stay hydrated and listen to your body.
After completing the Colour Me Happy 5K route, don't forget to stretch!
For your ongoing exercise routine, take an inventory of how you feel after the walk or run, and adjust your follow-up exercise routine accordingly, varying the intensity based on how good or bad you feel, how much effort you exerted to reach the finish line and how challenging the event was overall.
Participating in Colour Me Happy, which is sponsored by WATA and CRANWata, helps to make fitness superfun, which is how it always should be! We'll be bursting with colour and burning calories! Can't wait!
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20150119/flair/flair85.html
Friday 16 January 2015
FOOD FOR THE POOR LAUNCHES 5K - The Weekend Star - January 16, 2015
SHAYNE FAIRMAN, STAR Writer
Charity agent, Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFPJ), will be looking to continue impacting change through its benevolence and uplifting the lives of needy Jamaicans who are set to benefit from its inaugural 5K Run/Walk, scheduled for May 9.
The event was recently launched at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston. The FFPJ is an influential and life-saving charity organisation which began in 1982.
It has not only built houses, but has touched lives, given hope and 32 years of stellar humanitarian service in: education, health, fisheries, food distribution, agriculture, income-generating projects, prison ministry, and social outreach.
With more than 38,000 homes built across the island, the entity is going all out to assist the ever-increasing number of needy Jamaicans living near or below the poverty line, by adding another 1,300 houses this year.
Last year, FFPJ built 1,061 houses for Jamaicans. Chairman Andrew Mahfood said his organisation is hoping the 5K Run/Walk can expand its target of building more houses in 2015.
"Food For The Poor is about 'Changing Lives' and 'Restoring Families', as our 5K slogan states. By hosting a 5K, we will be changing lives and restoring families when houses are built from the funds raised," he added.
Mahfood added that the race provides an avenue for corporate Jamaica to unite and help generate much-needed funding for needy Jamaicans.
He also noted that May 9 was chosen, as it is the eve of Mother's Day, and his organisation wants to celebrate with mothers in need of proper housing facilities.
Their 5K ambassadors include track stars Yohan Blake, Warren Weir, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, while international recording artistes Shaggy, is also on board. Race organiser is Alfred 'Frano' Francis.
http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/20150116/sports/sports10.html
SOMETHING EXTRA - The Gleaner - January 16, 2014
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20150116/social/social1.html
Wednesday 14 January 2015
CELEBRITIES ENDORSE FOOD FOR THE POOR - The Gleaner - January 14, 2015
Richard Mitchell, Staff Reporter
Shaggy, Yohan Blake, Warren Weir, Etana, and Agent Sasco were just a few of the popular figures who turned out to show support for Food For the Poor's 5K Run.
Shaggy, no stranger to philanthropy, praised Food For the Poor for its work over the years and admitted that his own foundation, Shaggy and Friends, has benefited greatly from their partnership.
"We (at Shaggy & Friends) have partnered with Food For the Poor on many occasions. They have helped us over the years, and I endorse 100 per cent the work that they are doing," Shaggy said.
Olympic sprinters Yohan Blake and Warren Weir also took the time to hail the charity's work.
"It really makes me upbeat to see what's going on. I support their initiatives 110 per cent. When it comes on to the less fortunate, this is very special to me," the 25-year-old Blake said.
Also endorsing the charity, Warren Weir admitted that it was his first time working with the Food For the Poor:
"I think they are doing an amazing job!" he said. "It's always good to give back, and this will not be the last time I'm working with them."
Speaking with The Gleaner, singer Etana extended her commendation to all charity organisations.
"Anything that aids anyone in any situation is a wonderful thing," Etana said. "I love being part of any organisation that works towards helping make Jamaica better."
Agent Sasco, whose real name is Jeffrey Campbell, revealed that he may have benefited from Food For the Poor's work. He disclosed that his childhood home was destroyed but was rebuilt shortly after, and he now believes it was rebuilt by Food For the Poor.
Other celebrities who showed Food For the Poor support included music group Nomadz, artist Ding Dong, and sprinter, Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce.
Food For the Poor announced its inaugural 5K run/walk on Tuesday at The Jamaica Pegasus in Kingston. The run is scheduled to take place on May 9 under the banner, 'Changing Lives - Restoring Families'. Proceeds received will be used to provide homes for Jamaicans who live below the poverty line.
Speaking at the launch, Andrew Mahfood, chairman of FFP Jamaica, also urged the public to show support to another 5K run, Colour Me Happy.
Planned for January 24, Colour Me Happy 5K run/walk will also donate proceeds received to the Kind Hearts Foundation. The foundation will, in turn, utilise the services of Food For the Poor to build a basic school at a soon-to-be-determined location.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20150114/news/news5.html
Tuesday 13 January 2015
FFP LAUNCHES INAUGURAL 5K RUN/WALK - News Release - January 13, 2015
Kingston, Jamaica - January 13, 2015: Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica will host its inaugural 5K Run/Walk on May 9, of which proceeds will be used to build houses for needy Jamaicans living below the poverty line.
The charity organisation, which started 32 years ago in Jamaica, made the announcement today during a media launch held at Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.
According to Mr. Andrew Mahfood, Chairman of FFP Jamaica, in an effort to have the charity organisation expand its target of houses to build for less fortunate Jamaicans in 2015, a decision was made to host a 5K Run/Walk.
Mr. Mahfood further stated that, "Food For The Poor is about 'Changing Lives' and 'Restoring Families' as our 5K slogan states. By hosting a 5K, not only will we be changing lives and restoring families when houses are built from the funds raised, but we will provide an avenue for corporate Jamaica and all Jamaicans to unite behind us with this run to generate funding that will improve lives of some very needy Jamaicans."
Mr. Mahfood said the date of May 9 was deliberately chosen, as it is the Eve of Mother's Day, and the charity organisation wants to celebrate with mothers living below the poverty line and are in need of proper housing facilities in Jamaica.
"There are many families which poverty has broken apart. If we can get funding to build houses and create sustainable lifestyles for mothers of these families, we would have gotten closer to fulfilling the mission here in Jamaica," Mr. Mahfood said.
FFP Jamaica’s 5K will be held concurrently with another Food For The Poor 5K Walk/Run which will be held in Geneva, Illinois that is aimed at raising funds to build houses for Haitians.
Jamaicans who want to register for FFP’s 5K Run/Walk can do so through the charity organisation’s website www.foodforthepoorja.org. Early bird registration costs $900, while late registration costs $1,000. Early bird registration ends on March 20, 2015, while late registration ends on April 27.
FFP is a local non-profit charity organisation which started 32 years ago in Jamaica which offers Jamaicans assistance in the areas of: housing, education, health, fisheries, food distribution, agriculture, income generating projects, prison ministry and social outreach.
Since its inception in 1984, Food for the Poor has built some 33,000 houses for needy Jamaicans. In 2014, FFP built 1,061 houses. For 2015, the organisation hopes to build 1,300 houses.
-end-
For more information, please contact:
Ainsworth Morris, PROComm, Tel: 926-6740 or 3756136
WE GOT THE RUNS FOR CHARITY - Jamaica Gleaner - January 12, 2015
Richard Mitchell, Staff Reporter
Four years ago, they began running purely for fun. Today, the founders of We Got The Runs (WGTR) fitness club are still running for fun, but later this month, they will be doing so with a greater purpose.
On January 24, the Kingston-based fitness club will be hosting the second staging of the Colour Me Happy Run, through which it will donate all proceeds to the Kind Hearts Foundation.
The Kind Hearts Foundation will use the proceeds to build a basic school.
Andrew Walcott, president of WGTR, said the fitness club selected Kind Hearts Foundation to partner with because of the charity's significant ongoing initiative.
"This year, we went with Kind Hearts, not only because we are close to them, but because what they are doing is sustainable and really important," Walcott said.
"Kind Hearts' mandate is to build five schools in five years," explained Kind Hearts Director Christina Lechler.
"The schools are built in partnership with Food For The Poor. To date, three schools have been completed."
The charity plans to build the fourth school with proceeds from the run. The location of the school is to be determined later this year.
Tagged as 'Jamaica's first run in colour', participants will not only complete a 4.5-kilometre run through Hope Gardens in St Andrew, but they will also be showered with powder of various colours along the route.
Popular local figures Kamila McDonald and Michael Cuffe will co-host the event.
When asked about the unusual distance, Walcott responded: "The distance isn't important; this isn't a competitive event where you're trying to beat your last time. Colour Me Happy is mostly about having a good time."
Just days before registration deadline, Walcott said the public's response to this year's event has been exciting so far.
"Jamaicans are very last-minute, but so far, the response is looking better than last year. We are very excited," Walcott said. At the same time, he urged interested persons to visit the website, www.wgtrja.com, to register before January 16.
Included in the $4,000 admission, runners will be invited to join the after-party, where more coloured powder and popular disc jockey DJ Cruise will be the main draw.
Last year's Colour Me Happy Run concluded with WGTR donating $800,000 to the BrushUp Jamaica charity.
richard.mitchell@gleanerjm.com
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20150112/lead/lead3.html
Monday 5 January 2015
SNOW HILL RESIDENTS THRILLED ABOUT NEW BASIC SCHOOL - Jamaica Gleaner - January 3, 2015
Gareth Davis Sr, Gleaner Writer
SNOW HILL, Portland:
Bothered by a leaking roof during rainfall, compounded by rotted furniture and a broken down structure, community residents of Snow Hill in Portland are elated as they will be getting a brand new basic school, which is now under construction.
The new school, which is being constructed as part of a joint initiative between Food For The Poor and Kind Hearts Foundation, is to accommodate approximately 50 students in Snow Hill and other adjoining communities.
"Kind Hearts is operated by Richard and Ann Stewart Foundation," commented Christina Lechler, a grandchild.
She added, "Six grandchildren form a part of this foundation, which is geared at raising funds to construct basic schools islandwide. This is the third basic school that will be built by us, following on the heels of those already done in Mandeville and Saint Catherine. Portland is close to our hearts, and this is an amazing feeling, as we are not just helping only one family, but an entire community will benefit."
The old school, New Wine Basic, is in a deplorable state. So much so that when it rains the children are unable to go to school as the building is flooded.
But while the hope of many was fading in the Snow Hill community, Jackie Stewart Lechler of Stewarts Automotive Group explained that upon hearing about the plights of the children, Kind Hearts took the decision to assist, with immediate effect.
"We made a commitment," said Stewart Lechler.
She continued, "And that was to build five basic schools in five years in honour of Jamaicas 50th independence celebration. Thanks to Food For The Poor, we are here building this new structure for the children and the community. Our youth builders are active in this process and we are spending US$60,000 to do the construction."
POPULATION TO DOUBLE
Upon completion, the schools population will double from 22, as the construction will comprise three classrooms, a principals office, a sick bay, a kitchen, and bathrooms.
And, social outreach manager at Food For The Poor, Marcia Hall Walker, said they are proud to be involved in another aspect of nation building, which will impact the lives of dozens of children and an entire community.
"It's a warm gesture by Kind Hearts and Food For The Poor," she commented.
She added. "It's all about changing the lives of children, and in doing so changing the lives of a community. The community involvement is great as young men from the community have volunteered their services in assisting the work crew."
rural@gleanerjm.com
Friday 2 January 2015
FOOD FOR THE POOR AND KIND HEARTS PARTNER A THIRD TIME - Jamaica Observer - December 28, 2014
AINSWORTH MORRIS
Career & Education writer
Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFP) and Kind Hearts have partnered to construct a third school in Jamaica. The 22 students and the teachers at New Wine Basic School in Snow Hill, Portland, will start their studies in the new building in the new year.
“Growing up in Jamaica, my family has always done a lot of charity work,” said Christina Lechler, director of Kind Hearts. “Giving back to others feels good.”
Kind Hearts is a Jamaican non-profit organisation consisting of the grandchildren of Richard and Diana Stewart, operators of Stewart's Automotive Group.
“Many of us take our education for granted,” said Lechler.
"It is hard to see someone struggling to read when it comes so easily to us. Basic school training is important because that is where the learning process begins."
Wearing a bright yellow construction hat, Lechler helped to hammer the school’s wood frame together. She was pleased to know that the school was under construction as planned before Christmas. She was joined by other volunteers from FFP and Kind Hearts.
“We are happy to have assisted with the construction of this school,” said Lechler during the school’s dedication on December 20. “This is our third school and we are happy to be doing our part in improving the conditions under which our children learn. We anticipated rain, but the rain held up. I am convinced the rain held up because we are doing a good thing for this community. Education is the most important thing.”
The organizations also partnered to construct D. Franks Infant School in Greenwich, Manchester, in 2012, and Top Hill Basic School in St. Catherine in 2013.
David Mair, executive director, FFP Jamaica, said he was pleased with the partnership between his charity organization and Kind Hearts.
“Today’s dedication is another wonderful reminder of how we all can positively change lives and improve community through volunteerism and partnerships. Let’s continue to work together to save Jamaica, whether one school, one family or one person at a time,” said Mair.
According to principal Lindsay-Lowe, receiving a newly constructed building for the 45-year-old school is the best gift they could have ever received for Christmas.
“It feels awesome. I can only use all the good adjectives to describe how I feel. Every time I talk about it, it is like I’m stumbling for words because in the past, getting an entirely new building seemed impossible to achieve,” said Lindsay-Lowe, who has been with the institution for the last 15 years.
She said the school was in poor condition prior to an application being submitted to FFP for a new school building.
“We had a major challenge with space,” said Lindsay-Lowe. “It was one large room and the children were easily distracted, especially when teachers from other classes were teaching their pupils songs and rhymes. The other pupils would want to join in and not do their individual work. Now, we have three separate rooms, thanks to our donors.”
The new school now boasts three classrooms, a sickbay, an office for teachers, a kitchen, and bathrooms. FFP will furnish the school with furniture, and kitchen appliances.
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