BY HORACE HINES Observer West reporter
BOUNTY HALL, Trelawny -- In recognition of their responsibility to assist in the alleviation of poverty in the society, Food for the Poor (FFP) and the Bounty Hall New Testament Church of God recently partnered to establish an animal husbandry project in Bounty Hall, Trelawny.
The initiative, the brainchild of Bounty Hall New Testament Church of God member Mark Titus, arose from the need to create employment for several residents in and around the area, due to the closure of the Hampden Sugar Factory several years ago.
"As one of the oldest church groups in this region, we were always aware of the negative impact the closure of Hampden Sugar factory which was the source of employment for many of the residents in the area, and with no one else to turn to, the demand on the church increased," Reverend Dr Sonia Seivwright said at the recent launch of the initiative in Bounty Hall.
"We had to find a way to fill the gap, but while we have affected lives with the programmes we have in place, we were not satisfied that we were penetrating the entire area because of our limited resources, so we approached Food For The Poor, Jamaica, and they willingly came on board," she added.
Meanwhile, Deacon Ronald Burgess of FFTP, who noted that the charity organisation does everything "in accordance with God", expressed that they generally join forces with organisations to uplift the lives of the poor.
He pointed to the recent partnership with the National Housing Trust to build 230 First Step Housing units in the parish.
"We partner with persons and bring economic well-being to the people who are neglected by most people and also that people will become very self-sufficient and to be proud of what they do. And this is why we choose churches and organisations that will accomplish these tasks," Rev Burgess explained.
He added: "I want you to work with this project because we don't implement projects that die. Because where God is, it can only be successful. We commit ourselves to be always available to ensure best practice".
After a meeting between the church and the charitable organisation in 2013, the first phase of the animal husbandry project- the development of a revolving pig-rearing business -- was set up at a cost of $2million, donated by the FFTP.
The funding was used to purchase 15 young sows, over 280 bags of feed and a supply of materials to effect repairs to an abandoned piggery on the project property.
Currently, the number of piglets has increased to nearly 80 piglets.
According to project coordinator, Mark Titus, the piglets will be distributed in phases to between 20 and 30 residents who indicate an interest in establishing a pig-rearing business.
The beneficiaries are required to give back a female piglet after the one they got reproduces.
Other aspects of the initiative include the cultivation of cash crops, as well as bee and poultry rearing.
Meanwhile, guest speaker at the recent launch of the initiative, Davon Crump, CEO of Global Outsourcing Solutions Ltd, lauded FFTP for their efforts to eliminate poverty.
"I must commend international charity orginisation, Food For the Poor, Jamaica, for leading the fight against the scourge of poverty affecting our nation," said Crump, who is the immediate past president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/regional/Bounty-Hall-starts-income-generating-project_18391408
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