FOOD FOR THE POOR BUILDS THREE CLASSROOMS FOR DAVIS PRIMARY SCHOOL - News Release - June 30, 2015

Davis Primary School, located in Old Harbour, St Catherine was in desperate need of an additional building to comfortably house its population of 720 students. The size and partitions of the existing classrooms were challenging to both students and teachers who had to compete with the voices of those in the adjoining classrooms during lessons. As a result, students would get frustrated and teachers had difficulty imparting the lessons. There was also limited space for children to move around freely as the classrooms were quite clustered.

Now, their challenges have been eased given that Eight 4 World Hope (a US based donor group) and Food For The Poor (FFP) intervened and constructed three new and spacious classrooms for the students and teachers. FFP also assisted with the donation of one container of school furniture to outfit the classrooms which were handed over on June 24.

Eight 4 World Hope has been a longstanding partner of FFP. Davis Primary is their fifth project with the charity organisation.

OPENING OF NEW CLASSROOMS: Donor, Kevin Carges (left) from Eight 4 World Hope, watches his daughter, Cathey Carges (right), cutting the ribbon which signalled the official handover of the new classrooms. Also present were students and teachers of Davis Primary School.

THANK YOU FOR THE NEW SCHOOL BUILDING: A student from Davis Primary School presenting a token of appreciation to Kevin Carges of donor group Eight 4 World Hope, during the opening ceremony for three new classrooms that were constructed by Food For The Poor. The event was held on June 24, 2015.

THANK YOU, FOOD FOR THE POOR: Vice Principal of Davis Primary School, Mrs. Lelieth Gilfillian-Weir, is all smiles as she presents a gift of gratitude to Deacon Ron Burgess, Senior Director of Recipient Services at Food For The Poor.

THANK YOU, EIGHT 4 WORLD HOPE: Kevin Carges from Eight 4 World Hope was happy to share in a group photo with students of Davis Primary School, while sitting inside one of the newly-constructed classrooms.

-end-

For more information, please contact:
Ainsworth Morris, PROComm. Tel: 926-6740 or 375-6136
Petri-Ann Henry, Public Relations Officer, Food For The Poor Jamaica. Cell: 564-2886

RESIDENTS OF BOND STREET IN DENHAM TOWN WORRY ABOUT MORE THAN CRIME - The Sunday Gleaner - June 28, 2015

FUEL FOR THE FIRE

Residents of Bond Street in Denham Town worry about more than crime

Ryon Jones
Staff Reporter

Housing woes in several inner-city communities have forced scores of persons to live in board houses on premises which could ignite in a minute. Today, the Sunday Gleaner continues in series looking at some of these communities.

THEY LIVE in a community where the threat of violence is ever near and children are taught from an early age how to take cover once the guns begin to 'bark'.

In this 'Valley of Death' called Bond Street in Denham Town, west Kingston - where several persons have been killed in the past 10 years - residents also live with a daily threat that the humble places which, they call home, could go up in flames at the drop of a match.

Many of the residents live in the typical board structures found in inner-city communities across the Corporate Area with each building in touching distance of each other. Most have illegal electricity connections and five years ago some residents came face-to-face with this threat when fire destroyed their houses.

"That fire was in 2010 and my house was one of the first to catch, but I wasn't here, I was in the country," said 32-year-old Shellica Foster, who now lives with her mother, brother and two children.

"They say is an insane person who started the fire. He lit his house and the fire spread to mine because of the closeness. I lost everything; priceless, precious things got lost in the fire," added Foster.

Bowed but not broken by the devastating fire, Foster and other residents of the tenement yard who lost their houses received replacement units from the charity organisation Food For The Poor, but, as is usually the case, these are also made of board and set up on a small parcel of land leaving them very close to each other.

"My house was burnt down and I received one, and I am very grateful. But, at the same time, I am fearful that I could experience the same thing again or worse," said Foster.

"The most you can do, is get your documents in one place, and, in case there is a fire, you can grab them if that is all you can grab and just go."

Camiel Wint, who hails from Trelawny, but moved to Kingston in search of a better life, says the prospect of fire destroying her dwelling constantly plagues her mind.

"Before I moved in here, this place burnt down twice," said Wint. "It is on my mind every day that it could happen again, because it is board and not concrete."

CONCRETE PREFERRED

An elderly woman, Amy Wilson, who lives in the yard, warned her neighbours to "be careful of the fire they use to cook". She also echoed the sentiments of many others that they would much have preferred concrete structures.

"If we could get concrete structures it would be much better, because if there was a fire we know we wouldn't be affected like that," said Tamara Gordon.

"The reasons why we couldn't get concrete houses, I don't know, but Food For The Poor has been generous enough to give us back a house and as they say begars have no choice."

According to member of parliament for the area, Desmond McKenzie, fires have been plaguing the constituency for years.

"We record on average 10 to 15 fires a year. In some months, we have it (fire) back-to-back," said the opposition member of parliament.

"As a matter of fact, within the last two and a half weeks, we have had four fires in the constituency. There are more than 1,000 persons that have been affected by fires in west Kingston that we are still not able to find anywhere to put them. We can't provide houses for them."

But despite the regularity of fires in the area, McKenzie said based on the cost that would be involved, it is just not possible to provide any better housing solutions for fire victims at this time.

"We get these houses when we appeal to Food For The Poor. We get some of these houses through the JEEP programme and all of these houses are made out of board," said McKenzie.

"The fact is that when we have to respond to a fire, we are dependent on agencies to assist us and we don't have the capacity in terms of funding to build concrete structures."

McKenzie acknowledged that the close proximity of the houses allows fires to spread quickly and affect several persons.

He contends that what is needed to remedy the situation is a complete overhaul of the housing stock in west Kingston, as on a daily basis the houses just fall apart and the area is prone to fire.

"A lot of these boards are pitch pine boards, and a lot of these houses were built back in the days when pitch pine was the thing, so the slightest spark it catches. So, in order to mitigate against that, somebody has to make a decision as to how you are going to deal with the housing stock and if that is not done you are going to continue to have this problem."

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20150628/residents-bond-street-denham-town-worry-about-more-crime

A HOUSE FOR HOMELESS MOTHER OF THREE - The Sunday Observer - June 28, 2015

CRYSTAL Allen, a 22-year-old unemployed single mother living with three children in Old Harbour, St Catherine, is one of the three persons who have received houses from Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica as part of their objective of building at least three houses ahead of their 5K race held on May 9.

The funds used to build two of the three houses were donated by the National Commercial Bank (NCB) Foundation and the construction of Allen's house took place recently.

Allen, who is mother of children aged five, three and two months, said she was extremely grateful that FFP chose her as one of the three individuals to receive a house.

Allen said she was feeling great and very appreciative of what Food For The Poor and NCB Foundation have done for her. Allen was very glad, because she was in need of somewhere to live, now has a house for herself.

"Mi did really, really in need. Mi drop out of high school, and mi mek mistakes and get three children with three different fathers, but Food For The Poor and NCB Foundation have given me a second chance," Allen said in an interview during the construction of her house

Prior to the intervention of FFP and the NCB Foundation, Allen said she faced many challenges in life, which forced her to move into houses with men, who took advantage of her and impregnated her.

"My mada mentally ill. My first child's father died, so I had to live with people all over and dem used to put me out. Mi never live no weh and as soon as mi go live with one man and mi get pregnant, him gone lef me, so I had it very hard," she said.

Within the last year, while pregnant with her now two-month-old child, her neighbour Barbara Nicholas, who received a house from FFP in 2010, took her to the charity organisation's head office in St Catherine and initiated the process for her to receive a house.

"I saw her situation and I thought it was really, really bad, so I brought her to Food For The Poor," Nicholas, a vendor, said in an interview recently.

"I help her when I can. After I sell food at the market, anything that is left over, and I can give it to her, I give it to her. My dream is to see her now making life better for herself and her children. I want her to get a start, where she could start buying and selling goods as she used to when she had her first child. I also want to see her going back to school, and I have been encouraging her to do this," Nicholas said.

According to Jacinth Morgan-Collie, programmes administrator, NCB Foundation, her organisation is pleased to know that they could have made a difference in Allen's life.

"This is our way of leading the charge in corporate social responsibility and demonstrating to other organisations that we can do so much more to develop Jamaica one family and one community at a time. The Foundation is proud to have partnered with Food For The Poor in 'Changing Lives and Restoring Families'," Morgan-Collie said.

David Mair, executive director, FFP Jamaica, said more Jamaicans such as Allen, who are in need of second chances and homes, will benefit from the $46.5 million raised from FFP's recent 5K Run/Walk.

"Food For The Poor wants to assist as many needy Jamaicans as we possibly can such as Ms Allen. In upcoming months, more desperate Jamaicans in need of houses will receive houses from the funds we have raised. We are also grateful to NCB Foundation for providing funds to construct Ms Allen's house, and other donors who contributed to the funds now available that was raised from our 5K Run/Walk," Mair said.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/A-house-for-homeless-mother-of-three_19153284

CHRYSTAL ALLEN & FAMILY BEFORE: Chrystal Allen and her family members during Food For The Poor’s visit before their new house was constructed.

OUR OLD SHACK: Chrystal Allen’s two older children standing outside the house they previously lived in.

FOOD FOR THE POOR & NCB FOUNDATION PARTNERS TO BUILD HOMES FOR FREE: Shelly Gallimore, member of the NCB Volunteer Corp sawing a ply board for the house that was being built by NCB Foundation and Food For The Poor.

FOOD FOR THE POOR CANADA PREPARES FOR SECOND VOLUNTEER BUILD - News Release - June 17, 2015

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd and Helping Hands Jamaica are Changing Lives

Toronto, ON (June 17, 2015) – Staff of Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment Ltd and the friends and family of Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation have teamed up again to build their second basic school in Jamaica.

The partnership of MLSE (led by MLSE CFO Ian Clarke) and the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation (led by Karl Hale) completed their first volunteer build with Food For The Poor Canada in 2013. They raised funds to build Arlington Basic School for 60 children in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, with 41 volunteers. This year, the team has raised funds to build a school for 150 children and will travel with 70 volunteers on June 29 to build Triumphant Basic School in Montego Bay.

“It is such a joy to share in the rewarding work of building a school with two great partner organizations and their volunteers,” said Samantha Mahfood, Executive Director of Food For The Poor Canada. “Children of Triumphant Basic School will be thrilled with their new school and the Canadian volunteers that helped make this a reality.”

Over the last three years, Food For The Poor has built 50 schools in Jamaica, 10 of which were built by the organization’s Canadian partners. The schools have provided more than 5,000 children across the country with access to a safe and happy learning environment.
You can follow Food For The Poor Canada on Twitter @FoodForThePoorC. If you are interested in learning more about volunteer builds with Food For The Poor Canada for your group or organization or would like to support the program, please call 647-350-7269 or visit www.foodforthepoorcanada.org.

Lieran Docherty, Food For The Poor Canada
Director of Development
647-350-7269
lierand@foodforthepoor.com

NEW SCHOOL BUILDING FOR JEW PEN BASIC SCHOOL - Jamaica Observer - June 21, 2015

NEW BUILDING FOR JEW PEN BASIC SCHOOL
Kingston, Jamaica – June 18, 2015: On Wednesday, June 17, 2015, a new school building was officially handed over to administrators of Jew Pen Basic School in St. Catherine by The Honourable Ronald Thwaites, Minister of Education; Hon. Natalie Neita-Headley, Member of Parliament for North Central St. Catherine and David Mair, Executive Director of Food For The Poor Jamaica whose organisation constructed the school’s new building. Prior to the day of the handing over, happy students of the school stand outside their new classroom structure.

FOOD FOR THE POOR SUPPORTS SCHOOL, INFIRMARY - Corporate Hands - June 11, 2015

A new sanitation block was recently opened at the Paisley All-Age School. After 69 years of operating with pit latrines, the school which is located in Luna district, St Mary, has been upgraded with a modern bathroom facility from the $100 million sanitation block project launched by the Ministry of Education in partnership with the Jamaica National (JN) Foundation and Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica.

On May 3 the new facility was officially handed over to the school.

Manchester Infirmary also revived a new SUV from FFP, in its continued effort to enhance public health and improve patient care in Jamaica. The 2007 Mitsubishi Grandis was handed over to the facility on April 17 at the charity's office in St Catherine. Funds used to purchase this new vehicle came from donors across the world and members of corporate Jamaica. The vehicle will be used for the sole purpose of transporting residents of the infirmary to their clinic appointments, church services and in cases of emergency.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20150611/corporate-hands-food-poor-supports-school-infirmary

Collin Brown (second right), owner of ProChoice Home & Hardware Centre in Linstead, St Catherine, donated 1,200 six-inch concrete blocks and 30 ply doors valued at $150,000 to Food For The Poor Jamaica to assist with the charity organisation's efforts across the island in building homes for needy individuals. Accepting the donation on May 20 is Executive Director of Food For The Poor David Mair (right), while (from left) Sheldon Raymond, operations manager, ProChoice, and John Dahl, construction services director of Food For The Poor, look on.

Representatives of the Manchester Infirmary and Food For The Poor Jamaica pose with the 2007 Mitsubishi Grandis that was donated to the infirmary.

Cutting the ribbon to open the new sanitation facility at Paisley All-Age School are (from left): John Dahl, director of construction services (concrete), Food For The Poor; Winston Green, member of parliament for South East St Mary; Carmen Williams, senior teacher; Dionne Clarke-Williams, principal of the school, and two students.

MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF JAMAICA CHARITY BANQUET TO SUPPORT SICKLE CELL UNIT, FOOD FOR THE POOR - Jamaica Observer - June 7, 2015

The Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ), which is this year celebrating its 50th anniversary, will host 'The Golden Jubilee Charity Banquet' tomorrow at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. The Sickle Cell Unit (SCU) that forms part of the Tropical Medicine Research Institute (TMRI), UWI, and Food For the Poor (FFP) Jamaica will be the beneficiaries of all proceeds from the charity event.

Speaking on the selection of the beneficiaries, MAJ president, Dr Shane Alexis, noted: "Both FFP and the SCU have positively impacted on the quality of life of hundreds of Jamaicans over many years. FFP has contributed much-needed material and medication to the health sector during some of the most challenging periods in the public sector. SCU conducts research that will improve our understanding and treatment of patients with sickle cell Anaemia as well as provide much-needed support for patients and their families through their clinic."

He continued: "The membership of the MAJ is pleased to host the Golden Jubilee Charity Banquet to help raise funds for both organisations to continue their life-saving work. Moreover, we also hope to help increase public awareness about FFP and the SCU so that more Jamaicans (locally and in the diaspora) will increase their level of support for them both. It is our hope that our efforts tomorrow will be supported by individuals, families and patients who have benefited directly and indirectly from FFP and the SCU. Every ticket sold for the banquet will contribute to improving and even saving the life of a fellow Jamaican."

The banquet will feature an address from renowned Jamaican-born internist, Professor Herbert Ho Ping Kong, affectionately known as HPK. HPK, who resides in Canada, is a senior consulting physician with the University Health Network; Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and author of The Art of Medicine.

HPK has also been the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious 3M Award for brilliance in teaching. The Dr Herbert Ho Ping Kong Centre for Excellence in Education, established by Toronto General and Toronto Western Hospitals, was named in his honour.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/health/Medical-Association-of-Jamaica-charity-banquet-to-support-Sickle-Cell-Unit--Food-For-the-Poor-_19085651

RESIDENTS OF BRACO, TRELAWNY GET NEW HOUSES - Jamaica Information Service - June 8,2015

(Photo by: Sharon Earle)

Minister without Portfolio (Housing), Ministry of Transport, Works, and Housing, Hon. Dr Morais Guy (right), was among the many persons sharing the joy of proud new homeowner, Christine Jenkins (left), of Braco, North Trelawny, after presenting her with the keys to her house during the handing over ceremony in the community, on June 4. Ms. Jenkins was one of five beneficiaries of homes in the community, under the Ministry Transport, Works, and Housing/Food for the Poor Collaborative Housing Project. Also sharing the moment are: Executive Director, Food for the Poor, David Mair (2nd left); Project Director, Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP), Carolyn Gardner (centre); and Attorney General and North Trelawny Member of Parliament, Hon. Patrick Atkinson.

Up to one month ago, Christine Jenkins, of Braco in North Trelawny, and her five children lived outdoors – on sidewalks, under trees, in old derelict motor vehicles and buildings, just about anywhere they got the chance to lay their heads at nights.

But, the prolonged feeling of desperation and despair consequently besetting the family, has dissipated into hope and optimism.

This, as Ms. Jenkins is among the recipients of the initial 2,125 wooden houses built under the Ministry of Transport, Works, and Housing /Food for the Poor (FFP) Collaborative Housing Project, between October 2012 and May 2015, at a cost of approximately $798.8 million.

The units are among 9,000 wooden and concrete housing solutions earmarked for development for low-income earners islandwide, over a five-year period.

Construction is being carried out under the Government’s Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP), with management from the Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ).

Also included are some 500 houses earmarked for residents of St. Mary, Portland, and St. Thomas, who lost their homes during the passage of hurricane Sandy in October 2012.

The overall undertaking is being facilitated under an agreement, signed in 2012, by the Government of Jamaica, Food for the Poor, and the PetroCaribe Development Fund, which is financing the development.

Fifty-three of the houses, which comprise comfortable living space, a bathroom outfitted with a flush toilet and shower, kitchenette, and solar power panel installations, have been constructed in Trelawny.

The keys to five of the units, located in Braco, were formally presented to the new homeowners, including Ms. Jenkins, by Minister without Portfolio (Housing) in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Dr. Morais Guy, during a ceremony in the community, on June 4.

In delivering the keynote address, Dr. Morais Guy lauded the collaboration facilitating the project’s implementation.

“This type of (private/public sector) partnership that we have had with Food for the Poor is something that the Government of Jamaica is very mindful (of, as it is yielding significant) benefits,” Minister Guy stated.

An elated Ms. Jenkins indicated that “I don’t feel so bad anymore, because I have somewhere (for me and my children) to sleep at nights.”

“I thank Food for the Poor for (providing) this house (for) me and my family. I thank you so much because most of the times we (were) out on the streets, so I thank you for it. Thank you. Thank God,” she said.

For his part, Food for the Poor’s Executive Director, David Mair, said his organization “is extremely proud of the collaboration with the Government in this life-changing housing development programme.”

“This could not have been possible without the help of key partners and stakeholders who have invested their time and their resources into the lives of the less fortunate. We are optimistic that that this housing initiative will help break the cycle of poverty, and restore hope to our beneficiaries,” Mr. Mair stated.

Attorney General and North Trelawny Member of Parliament, Hon. Patrick Atkinson, who also attended the ceremony, said “one of the fundamental commitments of the Government is to continue to empower its people by giving them a piece of the ‘rock’ and housing.”

He indicated that holistic plan, targeting the developmental priorities of communities in North Trelawny, is being undertaken.

These priorities, Mr. Atkinson pointed out, are being addressed, primarily, through the strengthening of agriculture and tourism infrastructures.

He said targeted engagements to this end include: relocation of the Falmouth Market; renovation of Braco Resort; and earmarked implementation of a major greenhouse farming programme.

“We recognize that to fully empower the people, we have to develop the (community) in such a way that persons can find employment and can make their own way,” Mr. Atkinson contended.

A total of 1,800 wooden and concrete structures are being targeted for construction and delivery annually, under the five-year Housing Collaborative Project.

Wooden dwellings will cost approximately $743,360 (US$6,400) per unit, and concrete houses, $1,103, 435 (US$9,500) each.

The cost to build the wooden homes is being met through the Government’s provision of approximately $371,680 (US$3,200) for each unit, being facilitated through PetroCaribe Development Fund financing, and Food for the Poor matching this amount.

The houses are being built on lands either provided by the Government, or owned or accessed by the beneficiaries.

They will be selected from Food for the Poor’s list of existing applicants as well as from persons recommended by Members of Parliament, Councillors, Churches, and community groups.

Erection of the concrete units will each cost approximately$1,203,425 (US$9,500), and will be sold on the open market by the National Housing Trust (NHT), using its priority index system to select the beneficiaries.

By Sharon Earle June 8, 2015

http://jis.gov.jm/residents-braco-trelawny-get-new-houses/

'FOOD FOR THE POOR TO THE RESCUE' - The Sunday Gleaner - June 8, 2015

Residents of some inner city communities, who have been beneficiaries of Food For The Poor houses, after their initial houses were destroyed by fire, are fearful that any spark from a neighbouring property could result in them being left yet again without a roof over their heads.

The residents' fear is based on the fact that the non-governmental organisation often times replaces their burnt down houses with units made of board and zinc and usually in clusters.

But senior director of construction services at Food For The Poor, Ron Burgess, says the organisation usually builds houses in a crisis situation and employs the quickest method of construction.

"When we build and we replace homes for fire victims, we look at the immediate need. What we do is we build with the understanding that people will be far more careful than before," said Burgress.

"Many of them are left with no dwelling at all and the intention is to give them something habitable and to protect the children. Also to allow them to pick up their lives, to expedite it we do the wooden house construction."

Burgress noted that the Food For The Poor houses can stand up to the test of hurricanes, but where fires are concerned it is up to the residents to exercise caution.

"We contend that the structures that we put up, if persons are careful and conscious of their environment, they will have a decent place to live and it is in that spirit that we replace these houses," said Burgress. "And to be honest we have never replaced a concrete house with a wooden house, what we would do is when we come across concrete houses that are destroyed we contribute to replacing it."

ryon.jones@gleanerjm.com

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20150607/food-poor-rescue