Food For The Poor & Red Stripe Bring Christmas Housing-Cheer to Victims of Hurricane Sandy in St. Mary

Ellerslie Pen, Spanish Town, St. Catherine | Tel.: (876) 984-5005 | www.foodforthepoorja.com




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FOOD FOR THE POOR & RED STRIPE BRING CHRISTMAS HOUSING-CHEER TO VICTIMS OF HURRICANE SANDY IN ST. MARY


Spanish Town, St. Catherine – December 20, 2012: The Portland / Eastern Parishes Hurricane Relief Fund, Red Stripe and Food For The Poor today brought Christmas cheer and welcome relief to families in Hamilton Mountain, St. Mary, who had been left homeless by the ravages of Hurricane Sandy. The keys to the new homes built by Food For The Poor and financed by Red Stripe were today handed over to six families in the community, during a special presentation exercise.

This event marks the first of a series of hand-overs of houses this Christmas season, which will benefit 30 families in the eastern parishes, who are victims of Hurricane Sandy. Addressing today’s presentation ceremony, Jacqueline Johnson, Executive Director, FFP, announced that the families will receive both houses and furniture, “Thirty families will be able to spend the holiday season in their sturdy new two-bedroom homes. Each home will also receive tables, chairs, stoves, beds, mattresses and solar lamps.”

The Portland/Eastern Parishes Hurricane Relief Fund, which was established on October 29, has oversight for the relief initiative. Red Stripe (through the Diageo Foundation) has been a vital partner in the rebuilding efforts, through its  $5.7 Million contribution to the construction of the houses.

Under the activities of this Fund, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica was given the mandate to coordinate the disbursement of supplies in St. Mary, Portland and St. Thomas. FFP has matched the private sector contributions of relief to the affected families.


Shortly after the hurricane, FFP identified Hamilton Mountain as one of the areas severely devastated by the hurricane and in urgent need of the replacement of its housing stock. Mrs. Johnson explained, “When Red Stripe donated $5.7M to the Portland/Eastern Parishes Hurricane Relief Fund to assist with the construction of homes, we knew this community had to be a priority.  Today, we are here to hand over the keys to the first six, out of 10 families in this area, who will benefit from that donation.“

Affected families in Portland will be next in line to benefit. Keys will be handed over to four of five recipient families in the parish tomorrow. “This brings us to a total of 15 homes that we have constructed through the support of Corporate Jamaica.  However, it does not end there.  FFP has also matched this amount by constructing an additional 15 houses in all three parishes,” Mrs. Johnson disclosed.

The communities in St. Thomas which will benefit include Johns Town, Pamphret and Dumphries.

FFP has also commended Red Stripe for its contribution and commitment to improving the welfare of the dispossessed and less fortunate. “Special thanks to Red Stripe and the other corporate sponsors who contributed in cash or kind.  As you can see, your generosity is making a huge difference and we anticipate your continued support in 2013 and beyond,” declared Mrs. Johnson. “Thanks also to the Portland / Eastern Parishes Hurricane Relief Fund for allowing FFP to continue to carry out its mandate of serving the poorest of the poor. ”

Red Stripe has expressed satisfaction with its partnership in the recovery efforts.    Ms. Marguerite Cremin, Head of Corporate Relations at Red Stripe stated: “We are delighted to have been able to donate the money to build these homes and give these families some peace of mind and comfort in time for Christmas through the generosity of the Diageo Foundation. They have been an invaluable support in this challenging time and once again have been a great support to Red Stripe and Jamaica.”

The recipient families are overjoyed at the gifts of shelter and furniture. With tears of joy streaming down her face, 50 year old Linda Cole declared her appreciation for her new house: “Words will never be enough to give thanks to Food For The Poor and Red Stripe for making my dream of having a new home a reality.” She related that her house and furniture had been destroyed in the Hurricane and since that time, she, her daughter and grand-daughter have been “kotching” with their Pastor and his family.  Ms. Cole said her Christmas will be brighter with the new gift and added, “We wish Food For The Poor would be here everyday for us to express our thanks to them.”

Contact:

Erica James-King, PROComm

Petri-Ann Henry, Food For The Poor

Food For The Poor Continues Christmas Tradition by Freeing 18 Nonviolent Inmates; New Ritual Includes the Washing of their Feet

Ellerslie Pen, Spanish Town, St. Catherine | Tel.: (876) 984-5005 | www.foodforthepoorja.com

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Food For The Poor Continues Christmas Tradition by Freeing 18 Nonviolent Inmates; New Ritual Includes the Washing of their Feet

SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine (Dec. 17, 2012) – Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, continuing its tradition of helping the less fortunate, recently brought great joy to a group of 18 inmates who had been incarcerated due to an inability to pay their fines for minor offences. As part of its annual Christmas prison release initiative, the charity paid the outstanding fines to secure the release of the men, giving them the opportunity to rejoin their families and start a new life.

Fifteen inmates were released from St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre and one from Tamarind Farm Adult Correctional Centre in Spanish Town on Dec. 5. The other two inmates were released from Central Police Station in Kingston on Dec. 11.

A major highlight of this year’s initiative was the washing of the nonviolent inmates’ feet at St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre before they were released. Four donors from the United States and two staff members from FFP joined the local team to participate in this humbling experience. Each released inmate not only had his feet washed but was also presented with a new pair of shoes. Some even walked out of the chapel leaving their tattered sandals behind.

“We are here today because of the love of Jesus, and it’s our duty to show love to our brothers and sisters in spite of their mistakes. That’s how God treats us,” explained Scott DeNoma, one of the donors.

The inmates were behind bars for petty offenses. Without the money to pay the fines associated with these charges, the men were forced to do the ‘time’ but with FFP’s intervention, this ‘time’ was significantly reduced for several of the inmates.

Addressing the inmates at the St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre, FFP Jamaica’s Executive Director, Jacqueline Johnson, said, “We all make mistakes and can testify that we have received many chances from persons who love and care for us. Today, FFP Jamaica is here to share the love, especially during this festive season, to show a group of inmates that they too deserve a second chance.”

She encouraged each beneficiary, “Return to society not being bitter men, but being grateful men. If ever you should return, come back not as an inmate, but rather as an inspiration and a beacon of light to the men you’ll be leaving here today.”

FFP’s prison release initiative is anticipated by all. During the ceremonies at St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre and Tamarind Farm, inmates quietly took their place in the chapel to bid the released inmates goodbye. For those released, it is always an emotional and heart-warming experience.

This was the case for the youngest inmate released at St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre, a 19-year-old from Montego Bay who was charged for wounding after trying to appease a confrontation between two persons. “When I came to prison, I thought my life was over and I tried to commit suicide, but a fellow inmate encouraged me not to. All along, I knew God had a purpose for my life but when I heard that FFP was going to pay my fine, I believed even more. I can never repay them for what they have done for me.”

The sole released inmate from Tamarind Farm, a 23-year-old, shared similar sentiments.  “When I heard my name, I thought there was another inmate with that name in the room. I couldn’t believe it but I thank FFP and the donors for a second chance.”

In addition to paying their fines, FFP also provided cash for transportation and lunch, as well as a gift package containing toiletries. They were also instructed to contact FFP by January, when a process will be initiated to help them start some entrepreneurial enterprise.

FFP’s prison releases are conducted at Easter and Christmas each year. In Easter of this year, 30 inmates were released, bringing the total number to 48 for the year.

Contact:

Petri-Ann Henry, Food For The Poor

Erica James-King, PROComm

Building Hope Gala Committee Members Journey to Jamaica

Building Hope Gala Committee Members Journey to Jamaica
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12/05/12               

Building Hope Gala Committee members toured the community of Canaan Heights, where they witnessed the plight of residents.                    

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Dec. 5, 2012) – Huddled inside a desperate family’s dark, dilapidated shack inJamaica, members of the Building Hope Gala committee offered the promise of new Food For The Poor homes. 

“We have poverty in our country, but the levels are just so different,” said Cathy Moabery, a gala committee chair. “I feel so much for the children. It’s not their fault. How can you not give them a bed to sleep on? How can you not give them a dry home?”

On Dec. 3, committee members from Delray Beach, Boca Raton and Lighthouse Point  and Parkland traveled to Canaan Heights in May Pen, Jamaica, with Food For The Poor to meet the residents and to see the community’s deplorable living conditions.

“Families with small children live crammed together in a space smaller than some people’s closets,” said Robin Knowles, a committee member. “They have no running water, no sanitation, no electricity, leaky roofs, holes in the walls, literally just pieces of tin patched together to make a home.”

One of the small dilapidated shacks they visited was home to a mother and her six children. She shared how rough and dangerous life is for her family. At times she has thought how much easier life would be if she was to run away and leave the children behind, but she cannot imagine leaving them. Instead, she prays and has kept a detailed diary documenting her tears, fears and frustrations.

“Overwhelmingly, the women want more for their lives but they are stuck,” said Laurie Braden, a committee member. “No help, no husbands, no income, and little to feed their children. I did see hope in all of them, but at the same time how stuck they are.”  Proceeds from the upcoming Building Hope Gala in Boca Raton will build safe and secure new homes with sanitation for 65 impoverished families in Canaan Heights.

“When you hear about the poverty in Jamaica, you can’t imagine the reality until you see it firsthand,” said Knowles. “The level of poverty is just shocking. Especially when we live in a place like Boca, and even though there are places in need locally, it just doesn’t compare.”The 2013 Building Hope Gala will be Saturday, Feb. 2, at The Polo Club of Boca Raton. Attendees will be invited to create a legacy by pledging to build critically needed houses in Jamaica during the charity’s live house rally.

“The Building Hope Gala is not just a saying – we are building hope and homes for families,” said Becky Carlsson, a gala committee chair. “I am amazed that it is 2012 and that people live in such extreme poverty.”

For additional information regarding the 2013 Building Hope Gala, sponsorship levels, and tickets, available at $250 per person, please call 1-888-404-4248 or visit www.FoodForThePoor.org/boca.

“If people can’t attend the Gala, I hope they will consider making a donation toward a house that will drastically change someone’s life. Every donation helps,” said Carlsson.The Building Hope Gala committee will host a pre-event on Dec. 6, in time for the holiday season. Join the committee for champagne and hors d’oeuvres at Gregory’s Fine Jewelry in Delray Beach’s The Addison Shops to purchase a dazzling piece of jewelry for your loved one. A portion of the proceeds from sales will be donated toward the gala’s homebuilding efforts in Jamaica.

Committee members for the 2013 Building Hope Gala include Laurie Braden, Kelly Brauner, Becky Carlsson, Melissa Davimos, Ronda Ellis Ged, Ronda Gluck, Michele Greene, LaMae Klos, Robin Ranzal Knowles, Julie Mahfood, Rene Mahfood, Pamela Matsil, Cathy Moabery, Jill Perea, Tashia Rahl, Kara Seelye, Natasha Singh, Renee Stetler, Holly Strogoff, Allison Venditti, Patricia Wallace, and Traci Wilson.Master of ceremonies, Jason Martinez, co-anchor for WPLG-TV ABC Local 10 Morning News and Local 10 News at Noon, traveled to Jamaica in August to cover the island’s golden jubilee.

Gala sponsors include AKA Printing and Mailing, Aljoma Lumber, American Nicaraguan Foundation, Bank United, Bluegreen Corporation, The Boca Raton Observer, Dennis Charley & Associates, Inc., Dusco Doors, Ellis, Ged, & Bodden,  Franklin Dodd Communications, GA Telesis, Gregory’s Fine Jewelry, Quadriga Art, LLC, Seaboard Marine, TD Bank, and VITAS Innovative Hospice Care.

Food For The Poor, named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry 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 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. 

For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org. 

Food For The Poor undertakes another round of relief initiative in Portland

Food For The Poor Responds to Portland Residents the Second Time Around:

Food For The Poor staff member, Leroy Rhooms (left), warmly greets a resident as he delivers a care package on Friday, November 23. This senior citizen was among the 300 residents of Barracks, Waybridge, Sand Shore and Kensington who benefited from FFP’s distribution of food, clothing, blankets, mattresses, cleaning kits and nutritional items. This is the second time since the passage of Hurricane Sandy that the charity showed the residents of Portland that their recovery was of paramount importance.  In FFP’s first visit to the parish on Sunday, October 28, over 700 residents received help.

Portland Residents Express Thanks for Help from Food For The Poor:

Following the severe damage to his home from Hurricane Sandy, which also left portions of the roof without zinc, this resident from Sand Shore in Portland eagerly secures a mattress that was donated by Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica.  Staff member, Romain Allen, made the presentation.  On Friday, November 23, team members from FFP Jamaica were busy distributing hurricane relief supplies in Portland to families that were most affected by Hurricane Sandy.  The communities that benefited included Barracks, Waybridge, Sand Shore and Kensington. 

Hurricane Ravaged Portland Residents Receive Assistance from Food For The Poor:

Several residents from Barracks, Waybridge, Sand Shore and Kensington in Portland were left with homes looking like this following the passage of Hurricane Sandy. Food For the Poor (FFP) Jamaica recently assisted these residents with much need hurricane relief supplies during a one-day distribution mission in the parish last Friday, Nov. 23.   Staff members went door-to-door delivering various items such as food, clothing, blankets, mattresses, WATA, cleaning kits and nutritional items.  The Charity is currently assessing what long term assistance can be offered to residents who were badly affected.

Food For The Poor in Portland

Food For The Poor Delivers Relief Supplies to Portland Residents:

Romain Allen (right), staff member of Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, delivers words of encouragement and a care package to an elderly resident of Barracks in Portland.  On Friday, November 23, staff members from Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, along with a fully loaded container and truck, ventured into the parish to distribute much needed post-hurricane relief packages in the communities of Barracks, Waybridge, Sand Shore and Kensington.  These communities were badly affected following the passage of Hurricane Sandy in October.  Over 300 residents benefited from various items including food, clothing, blankets, mattresses, water, cleaning kits and nutritional items.  

Food For The Poor Brings Cheer To Children & Adults: 

Executive Director at Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, Jacqueline Johnson (left), is delighted to present hurricane relief supplies and toys to adults and children who have been living in a community shelter in Portland since the passage of Hurricane Sandy in October.  On Friday, November 23, a team of staff members from FFP distributed much needed hurricane relief packages in the communities of Barracks, Way bridge, Sand Shore and Kensington.  

Olympian Yohan Blake Leads Food For The Poor 5K Walk/Run to Feed Record Number

FOOD FOR THE POOR, INC._____________

6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073 · (954) 427-2222 · www.FoodForThePoor.org

CONTACT:           Jennifer Leigh Oates

                                                           Public Relations, FFP Inc.

W (954) 427-2222 x 6054
jennifero@foodforthepoor.com

Erica James-King

Communication, PROComm

W (876) 926-6740

Olympian Yohan Blake Leads Food For The Poor 5K Walk/Run to Feed Record Number 

COCONUT CREEK, Florida. (November 29, 2012) – Some 700 South Floridians gathered at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach alongside Olympic medallist Yohan Blake for the Food For The Poor 5K Walk/Run recently, in the drive to help stamp out hunger. The event raised enough money to feed 1,500 destitute children and their families in the Caribbean and Latin America for a year.

Yohan Blake greets fans Sheila LaFleur and her son Gavin.

Blake, a 2012 Olympic Gold and Silver medallist, and Jason Martinez, co-anchor for WPLG-TV - ABC Local 10 Morning News and Local 10 News at Noon, handed out bottles of water and motivated participants across the finish line. The participants ranged between 8 and 78 years old.
“I know what it is to be hungry and so I respect what Food For The Poor is doing,” said Blake, one of the world’s fastest sprinters.

(L to R) Olympic medalist Yohan Blake, Food For The Poor's President/CEO Robin Mahfood, and ABC Channel 10 anchor Jason Martinez

Thanks to the charity’s low administrative ratio and purchasing power, Food For The Poor can feed a family of four for US $14.60 a month. Donations to this effort are accepted at www.FoodForThePoor.org/walk.

The fastest male at the 5K was Kevin Channer with a time of 17:45.2. The fastest female was Ann Rodriguez with a time of 24:12.2.

Additional race results are available online at http://tinyurl.com/cx9ctuy.

Yohan Blake (right) congratulates Kevin Channer, winner of the 5K run.

Cans of food donated by 5K Walk/Run participants and a check to purchase turkeys were presented to “Big Mama” Essie Reed, founder of Team of Life nonprofit, to benefit needy families in South Florida in time for Thanksgiving.

Approximately 700 South Floridians gathered at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach on Saturday, Nov. 17, to stomp out hunger alongside Olympic medalist Yohan Blake. Food For The Poor’s 5K Walk/Run For Hunger raised enough money to feed 1,500 destitute children and their families in the Caribbean and Latin America for a year.

The 5K Walk/Run was presented by Winn-Dixie.  Event sponsors included Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Bru’s Room, The Consul General of Jamaica, Corner Bakery Cafe, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Humana, Kona Ice, KPA Promotion, Muffuletta, PNC, Polyglass, Runners Edge, Sun-Sentinel, TeamReliv, The WOW Factory, Tijuana Flats, WATA, Wells Fargo and World of Beer.

Approximately 700 South Floridians gathered at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach on Saturday, Nov. 17, to stomp out hunger alongside Olympic medalist Yohan Blake. Food For The Poor’s 5K Walk/Run For Hunger raised enough money to feed 1,500 destitute children and their families in the Caribbean and Latin America for a year.

Food For The Poor, named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry 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 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor.

Food For The Poor Featured Three Times Within a Month on TVJ

Below are the links for the Food For The Poor's television coverage on TVJ's Ray of Hope

Monday, OCTOBER 8, 2012 - Food For The Poor / Social Development Commission House Building Project in Padmore:
http://www.televisionjamaica.com/Programmes/PrimeTimeNews.aspx/Videos/21361

Monday, October 15, 2012 - Santa Cruz Care Committee
http://www.televisionjamaica.com/Programmes/PrimeTimeNews.aspx/Videos/21517


Monday, October 29, 2012 - Official Opening of D. Frank’s Early Childhood Institute in Manchester built by Food For The Poor :
http://www.televisionjamaica.com/Programmes/PrimeTimeNews.aspx/Videos/21856

Portland Residents get Help Following Hurricane Sandy

An elderly Portland resident received post hurricane supplies from the YB Afraid Foundation and Food For The Poor. On Sunday, October 28, 2012 both organization partnered to distribute much needed relief supplies in the communities of Norwich and Fruitful Vale in Portland.  Over 700 residents benefited from relief supplies. YB Afraid, Olympic medal winner Yohan Blake's foundation, made a monetary donation that was matched by Food For The Poor to assist families that were affected by Hurricane Sandy. 

FFP, YB Afraid Foundation Respond to Residents in Portland Affected Hurricane Sandy

Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica team members prepare hurricane relief packages for distribution to the communities of Norwich and Fruitful Vale in Portland on Sunday, October 28, 2012.  Following the passage of Hurricane Sandy, several residents in these communities were left homeless, while the property of others was severely damaged.  FFP responded by distributing several hurricane relief supplies including food, clothing, blankets, mattresses, shoes, nutritional items and WATA.  A total of 28 FFP staff members and volunteers participated in the distribution.

YB Afraid Foundation and Food For The Poor Assist Hurricane Sandy Victims in Jamaica

FOOD FOR THE POOR, INC.

                                      6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073 · (954) 427-2222 · www.FoodForThePoor.org

CONTACT:               Jennifer Leigh Oates

                     Public Relations, FFP Inc.

                     (954) 427-2222 x 6054

                            jennifero@foodforthepoor.com                                                             

Erica James-King
Communication Mgr., PROComm

(876) 564-5277

Erica.James-King@procomm.com.jm

YB Afraid Foundation and Food For The Poor Assist Hurricane Sandy Victims in Jamaica

COCONUT CREEK, Florida. (Oct. 30, 2012) – Hurricane Sandy victims in Fruitful Vale and Norwich in Portland, Jamaica, were relieved when a caravan of containers and trucks manoeuvred past downed power lines and debris to bring them emergency relief assistance on Sunday, October 28. YB Afraid Foundation and Food For The Poor partnered to bring the critically needed supplies to approximately 700 people in urgent need of assistance.

YB Afraid, Yohan Blake’s Foundation, made a monetary donation that was matched by Food For The Poor, and assisted in the delivery of food, WATA brand water bottles, mattresses, blankets, and shoes to soaked Hurricane Sandy victims.

The presence of the 28 Food For The Poor staff members and volunteers wearing the charity’s and YB Afraid Foundation shirts offered residents comfort and hope.

“No other organization has come in to help since the passage of the hurricane,” said Kedine White, a Fruitful Vale resident. “This is the first form of help we are getting, I am truly appreciative and I know the other residents are too.”

In Portland, many residents reported having the roofs of their homes ripped off, and creeping ocean floodwaters seeping in around windows and doors, filling homes with mud. The hurricane strength wind gusts and merciless rain bands have magnified the need for safe, permanent housing in Jamaica.

"My daughter and I were badly affected by the Hurricane,” said White. “I am so thankful to Food For The Poor for the help, especially the mattress, because we have been sleeping on a damp bed since the hurricane and my daughter's asthma has been acting up ever since. Now we have somewhere dry to sleep at night."

The storm's aftermath will be difficult for the island's farmers who report that ripe fruits were stripped from trees, banana plants were flattened, and pepper plants submerged in mud. 

                                                       

FFP & YB Afraid Foundation Distribute Hurricane Relief Packages in Portland

25-year-old resident from Fruitful Vale in Portland, Kedine White, firmly grips a mattress that was donated to her by Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica and the YB Afraid Foundation during the distribution of relief items in the community on Sunday. YB Afraid, Olympic medal winner Yohan Blake's foundation, made a monetary donation that was matched by Food For The Poor to assist families affected by Hurricane Sandy in Fruitful Vale and Norwich, in Portland.

“The storm did a lot of damage in Portland,” said Blake. “A lot of people are suffering without shelter or even food to eat. I am glad to be in a position to help. Through my foundation's partnership with Food For The Poor and WATA on this project we are able to make a positive difference in the lives of those suffering."

Storm relief items from Food For The Poor-Jamaica’s warehouse in Kingston are being distributed and additional containers are expected to arrive soon. The most urgent need now is for cash donations so that food supplies can be replenished, and new homes can be built to prevent any more deaths from landslides.

In November, Blake will lead Food For The Poor’s 5K Walk/Run For Hunger in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Proceeds from the 5K Walk/Run will raise money to purchase food to feed destitute families in the Caribbean and Latin America. You can also help by signing up online to fight hunger alongside Jamaican Olympic medal winner Blake on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 7 a.m. at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Register to participate in the charity’s 5K Walk/Run online at www.FoodForThePoor.org/walk. While on the website, take advantage of free fundraising tips designed to help you reach your fundraising goal by sharing your ideas with family, friends, co-workers and contacts.

Cost of registration is $20 for adults and $15 for children ages 6-10. There’s no fee for children 5 and under. The registration cost includes a T-shirt for the first 1,500 who sign up. There will be refreshments, live music, balloon artists, face painters and more at this family event. Registration starts at 6:30 a.m., the walk/run begins at 7 a.m. and the awards ceremony is at 8 a.m.

Food For The Poor, named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development organization in the nation, does much more than feed millions of the hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. This interdenominational Christian ministry 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 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor.

END

Food For The Poor to Assist Post-Hurricane Recovery of Small Farmers in Economic Diversification Programme

Ellerslie Pen, Spanish Town, St. Catherine | Tel.: (876) 984-5005 | www.foodforthepoorja.com

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FOOD FOR THE POOR TO ASSIST POST- HURRICANE RECOVERY OF SMALL FARMERS IN ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION PROGRAMME

Spanish Town, St. Catherine – October 27, 2012: Food For The Poor is conducting a preliminary assessment of the impact of Hurricane Sandy on small farmers in St. Mary and St. Thomas, who are participants in the Economic Diversification Programme For Banana Producing Parishes. Once the audit is complete, the charity will be assisting farmers who have sufferrred losses, to resuscitate their production.

The Economic Diversification Programme For Banana Producing Parishes seeks to provide alternative income-generating opportunities for small farmers, who traditionally cultivated bananas. It is financed by the European Union through the European Union Banana Support Programme (EUBSP), and implemented by Food For The Poor (FFP).

Norvel  Bedward  (right), Agriculturalist, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, listened attentively to  Daley Dawson (left), as he explained how he maintains healthy plants for the production of quality scotch bonnet peppers. Mr. Bedward was on a visit to the farm in early October. Mr. Dawson is one of the 20 recipient farmers under the Economic Diversification Programme for Banana Producing Parishes in Esher,  St. Mary. On Wednesday, October 24, the farms of several of the recipient farmers in St. Mary and St. Thomas were damaged, as a result of Hurricane Sandy. 

The charity is reporting that its investigations have so far revealed that 70% of the pepper plants established throughout the participating farms in Somerset, St. Thomas were damaged. Selena Ledgister-Kellier, FFP Agriculture and Fishing Manager discloses that pepper plants and peppers were destroyed as a result of the heavy winds and flooding of the Morant River caused by the hurricane. “Many farmers have lost their ready to harvest peppers,” Ms. Ledgister-Kellier pointed out. “The Morant River has cut off some of our farmers in Somerset and the situation makes it impossible for us to do a proper assessment at this time.”

The FFP Agriculture Manager is assuring that FFP will be assisting the farmers to recover from the losses incurred as a result of Hurricane Sandy. “We hope that by Monday or as soon as the river recedes, we will be able to distribute seedlings, fertilizer and welfare, to expedite the recovery effort,” she says.

With regard to the Esher community in St. Mary, FFP has outlined that the bee colonies and pepper plants have been “severely damaged.”  The charity reports that ready to harvest peppers got blown off the plants. “Some bee boxes were damaged by fallen trees and debris. The bees are contained and repairs are being carried out on the boxes,” explains Ms. Selena Ledgister-Kellier. FFP has committed to providing assistance to the affected farmers by early next week.

Relating his experience with the hurricane, one of the affected farmers in Esher, Delroy Robinson, says he has lost thousands of dollars in earnings due to Hurricane Sandy: “I had a lot of peppers ready to reap, and was planning to reap on Wednesday, but the hurricane change those plans. My fields got flooded out and a lot of trees also fall down and mash up the peppers.” Mr. Robinson laments that he has lost an estimated 300 pounds of peppers.

“My beehives don’t suffer any damage, because I use some building blocks to help hold the box dem in place, so the winds from Sandy don’t trouble them,” reports Mr. Robinson. Today, Mr. Robinson and several of his colleagues in St. Mary started to clean up debris from their hurricane-ravaged fields.

The Economic Diversification Programme For Banana Producing Parishes was launched in June and will run for 16 months. So far, some 14,101 pounds of peppers have been reaped by farmers in St. Mary and 13,508 pounds reaped by farmers in St. Thomas. The Programme is providing a total of 40 small farmers in the traditional banana producing areas of Somerset, St. Thomas and Esher, St. Mary, with the materials, training and technical support necessary to engage in sustainable production of scotch bonnet peppers, goats and bees/honey.  Most of the farmers participating in the project occupy holdings between 0.4 hectares and 2.4 hectares.

The primary partners/implementers of the project are the European Union through the EUBSP, and Food For The Poor. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has the oversight for the Programme, while the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) assists with its implementation.

Contacts:

Erica James-King|Communication Manager | PROComm l (876) 564-5277 or (876) 926-6740

Erica.James-King@procomm.com.jm

Petri-Ann Henry | Public Relations Officer l Food For The Poorl (876) 564-2886 | petri-annh@foodforthepoorja.org  l Public Relations Dept. :(876) 907-3664

Food For The Poor Jamaica 50 Campaign Delivers Gift of New Early Childhood Facilities to Esher in Hanover

Ellerslie Pen, Spanish Town, St. Catherine | Tel.: (876) 984-5005 | www.foodforthepoorja.com

 

 

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FOOD FOR THE POOR JAMAICA 50 CAMPAIGN DELIVERS GIFT OF NEW EARLY CHILDHOOD FACILITIES TO ESHER IN HANOVER

Esher, Hanover – October 12, 2012: A major dream of the school population at Esher Full Gospel Basic School in Hanover was realized this afternoon with the official opening of a new school building, which was constructed by Food For The Poor Jamaica. This is the fourth school to be constructed under the Food For The Poor Jamaica 50 Campaign, which is building and or upgrading 50 early childhood educational institutions in 50 months, in celebration of Jamaica’s 50^th year of Independence.  The new structure at Esher Full Gospel Basic School brings to two, the number of school buildings now available to that early childhood institution.

Students of the Esher Full Gospel Basic School in Hanover perform a cultural item at the official opening of the school on Friday, October 12, 2012. 

The expanded education facilities have solved the overcrowding problem and other challenges facing the school. Addressing the Official Opening Ceremony, Jacqueline Johnson, Executive Director, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica disclosed that following a request from the Principal Ivalyn McInnis, the charity intervened in the life of the Esher Full Gospel Basic School at a time when the institution was “experiencing serious overcrowding problems, limited classrooms, a need for administrative facilities, and challenges with a deteriorating school infrastructure.”

She announced that the new school building constructed by FFP comprises three large classrooms (which can be subdivided into additional learning spaces), a sickbay, an office, kitchen and bathrooms. Mrs. Johnson expressed satisfaction that with the new structure, Esher Full Gospel Basic School now has the capacity and equipment to better serve the community, and the neighbouring areas of Bulls Bay, Orange Bay, Elgin Town, Haughton Court, First Hill, Dry Hill, Lucea, Lances Bay and Cove.

The FFP Executive Director congratulated the school for its track record of quality service to a generation of Jamaicans. “Our wish is that this school will be a hub of success not just for the school population, but for all the communities, it serves,” remarked Mrs. Johnson.

She issued a special challenge to parents and guardians, urging them to be more proactive in being change agents and role models for the youth. “Let me caution you that the school cannot be the only agent of moulding positive lives!” stated Mrs. Johnson. “Parents and guardians, I implore you to exemplify the positive values, behaviour and discipline, which our country needs to prosper. I encourage you to lead service-oriented lives for the benefit of your community, parish and country.”

Jacqueline Johnson (left), Executive Director of Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, addresses the audience during the official opening of the Esher Full Gospel Basic School in Hanover last Friday, October 12, 2012.   Listening attentively at the head table (from left) are Martin Babinec, representing the Babinec family whose donation supported the project; Dr. Mark Nicely, President Elect, Jamaica Teachers Association and Keynote Speaker; Neville Clare, Councillor, Lucea Division and Ivalyn McInnis, Principal, Esher Full Gospel Basic School. 

The FFP Executive Director appealed to citizens to refuse to settle for bad habits or mediocre achievements. “Instead, only be satisfied with excellence,” she encouraged. Mrs. Johnson expressed appreciation to the Martin Babinec family, as well as other donors and partners who have been contributing to the Jamaica 50 Campaign.

An elated Ivalyn McInnis, Principal, said the new school is a well-needed facility and would make for a more conducive learning environment for the 117 students and 6 teachers. “The new building has lifted our spirits and also made the learning environment more comfortable.  It’s really a great help to us,” the Principal declared, while pointing out that the school is now in a position to accommodate more students from the surrounding communities.

“We feel very comfortable and we will make the best use of the facilities,” Mrs. McInnnis promised.

Dr. Mark Nicely President Elect of the Jamaica Teachers Association, who was the Keynote Speaker, pointed out that the greatest return that any country will receive is what it spends on education. To this end, he has commended FFP for its extensive input in assisting with the development of the infrastructure of the island’s education sector, as well as its provision of assistance to students. Commenting on the FFP Jamaica 50 Campaign and its gift of a new school to Esher, Dr. Nicely added: “It is refreshing that we can stand here to participate in an initiative that seeks to get it right at the start. We are thankful to Food For The Poor and the donors for this initiative that will seek to transform our country.”

The JTA President Elect reminded the country that every child who will pass through the new school will one day replace the adult members of our society, so we must ensure that “ they become positive role models in our society.”

Jacqueline Johnson (left, at the door), Executive Director of Food For The Poor Jamaica, cuts the ribbon to signal the official opening of the Esher Full Gospel Basic School in Hanover on Friday, October 12, 2012.  Also participating in the ceremony, with Esher students are (from left): Neville Clare, Councillor, Lucea Division; Ivalyn McInnis, Principal, Esher Full Gospel Basic School; Martin Babinec and Mrs. Babinec, representing the Babinec family whose donation supported the project and Dr. Mark Nicely, President Elect, Jamaica Teachers Association who was the keynote speaker at the event.  

He cautioned that the country needs to be proactively nurturing persons who will become future leaders of high moral standing, and not those who are bent on criminality: “The fact is that we have no more room or we need no more of the current gun men in our country. We need no replacements for the current rapists in our country. We need no replacement for school robbers and we need no replacement of the current scammers.” Dr. Nicely reiterated the need for adults to instil positive principles in their children.

Donor Representative, Martin Babinec told the audience that his family’s partnership with FFP was done in honour of his late father William Martin Babinec of Blue Falls, New York, US, who was a devout Christian. He recalled that his father “walked the talk” on exemplary living by being dedicated to his faith, loving life and exhibiting compassion to his fellowmen.

Other speakers at today’s event included: Viola Frazer, Early Childhood Development Officer, Region 4; Neville Clare, Councillor, Lucea Division; and Lydia Redding, Beneficiary, FFP Educational Programme.

The Jamaica 50 Campaign is part of FFP’s ongoing support to the socio-economic challenges in Jamaica and the 16 other countries where the charity operates. Since its inception 30 years ago, the charity has made significant contributions to the education system through financial grants to needy students, distribution of school furniture and general school supplies, construction of basic schools and replacement of pit latrines with flush toilets. To date, FFP has upgraded the sanitation facilities in 50 educational institutions. Outside of the Jamaica 50 Campaign, since 2006, FFP has constructed 51 basic schools across the island.

Contact:

Erica James-King, PROComm, T: 926-6740 

Petri-Ann Henry, Food For The Poor, T:  984-5005

FOOD FOR THE POOR JAMAICA, EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMISSION & HEART TRUST/NTA TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 500 TEACHERS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD INSTITUTIONS

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Oxford Road, St. Andrew – October 5, 2012: Food For The Poor Jamaica, Early Childhood Commission and HEART Trust / NTA today celebrated World Teachers’ Day with the signing of a partnership agreement at the Oxford Road Office of HEART Trust / NTA, for the training of 500 early childhood education teachers, over five years. The Memorandum of Understanding which becomes effective this academic year will ensure that scholarships are provided to practitioners in the early childhood sector, who lack the required qualifications, owing to financial constraints in accessing and or completing the required Certification Programmes.

Signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding were: Rev. Hon. Ronald Thwaites, Education Minister; Andrew Mahfood, Chairman, FFP Jamaica; Michelle Campbell, Acting Executive Director, Early Childhood Commission and Dr. Carolyn Hayle, Executive Director, HEART Trust/ NTA.

FFP which is financing the project will disburse 50 scholarships every September and January for the next five years. Each scholarship will have a value of J$65,000 and will give scholarship recipients the opportunity to pursue National Vocational Qualification of Jamaica (NVQJ) Certification for Early Childhood Development Level 2. The scholarship will cover the cost of tuition, travelling and meal allowances for each recipient.

All the partner organizations are responsible for screening the applicants. HEART Trust / NTA will administer the programme and train the scholarship recipients. The awardees are to be placed in identified HEART Trust/NTA approved Centres and benefit from 48 weeks (or 12 months) of training. The Early Childhood Commission which is the regulating and coordinating agency for the early childhood development sector will be the advisory and monitoring body for the initiative. The partner organizations will engage in the monitoring of the programme and will have monthly consultations, as part of the monitoring mechanism.

A key requirement for involvement in the scholarship programme is that each applicant must submit a character reference from either a Pastor or Justice Of The Peace recommending him / her for the scholarship award.

In delivering Remarks at today’s event, the FFP Jamaica Chairman, announced that his charity will be supporting the scholarship programme to the tune of J$32.5 million.  Mr. Mahfood said the training of the 500 teachers is part of the charity’s celebration of Jamaica’s 50^th Anniversary, through the ‘FFP Jamaica 50 Campaign’. “In demonstrating our commitment to assisting with the development of the island’s early childhood sector, we are building and or upgrading 50 basic schools in 50 months in commemoration of Jamaica’s Golden Jubilee,” explained Mr. Mahfood. “The Campaign is also enhancing the quality of knowledge, qualification and expertise of teachers in early childhood institutions.”

He expressed FFP’s commitment to improving the infrastructure and human resources in early childhood institutions. “We want our nation to have the best quality of teachers so we will be supporting those teachers who do not have the means to access advanced training. We will also be assisting those teachers who had been pursuing early childhood education programmes, but have had to discontinue their studies due to financial constraints,” the FFP Jamaica Chairman stated.

The ECC and HEART Trust / NTA have also pledged their commitment to the scholarship programme. Dr. Carolyn Hayle told participants in today’s Signing Ceremony that her organization “is very pleased to be partnering with the Food For The Poor and the Early Childhood Commission to support the training and certification of Early Childhood Practitioners at the Level 2 National Vocational Qualification standard.”

Pointing out that a good early childhood education is essential for the nation’s development, Dr. Hayle noted that the advanced training of early childhood practitioners “will ensure that going forward, we will have a sustainable workforce to drive the economy.”

The HEART Trust / NTA Executive Director indicated that the partnership is a historic initiative for the early childhood sector.  “Through the partnership with the Food For The Poor, for the first time we will be able to provide financial assistance directly to the Early Childhood Practitioners who need help in off-setting transportation and related costs,” Dr. Hayle pointed out. “This collaboration will therefore support those who are most in need and ensure that they are able to successfully complete their studies.”

Commending the joint agreement, Mrs. Michelle Campbell reiterated that the training programme will prepare practitioners with the skills sets that support parents, contribute to the functioning of an efficient work environment and offer stellar customer service to children and adults alike.  Expressing concern that currently, there is a training deficit in the early childhood sector, Mrs. Campbell outlined that the majority of practitioners in the sector have low levels of qualification.

The Acting Executive Director of the ECC believes the scholarship programme is of great importance in enhancing the development of the practitioners and the nation’s children: “This partnership with FFP, HEART Trust/NTA and the ECC to support the training of 500 practitioners at Level 2 will enhance the manpower of the sector and produce professionals that are equipped to demonstrate the developmentally appropriate practices that foster the physical, emotional, social, cognitive and spiritual development of children typical and atypical from birth to age six.”

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 500 EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHERS

Rev. Hon. Ronald Thwaites, Education Minister (centre); Andrew Mahfood (2^nd right), Chairman, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica; Michelle Campbell (right), Acting Executive Director, Early Childhood Commission (ECC); and Dr. Carolyn Hayle, Executive Director, HEART Trust/ NTA sign the Memorandum of Understanding to provide scholarships to 500 early childhood education teachers, over five years. Representatives from the three partner agencies observe the signatories: (from left) Elizabeth Terry, Director, Special Projects, HEART Trust / NTA; Dr. Wayne Wesley, Chief Technical Director, HEART Trust / NTA; and Richard Williams, Manager, Early Childhood Development Services, ECC and Jacqueline Johnson, Executive Director, FFP.

Keynote Speaker, Rev. the Hon. Ronnie Thwaites, welcomed the scholarship programme, deeming it “the largest possibility of introducing training into the early childhood sector,” and predicted that it will yield big dividends for the recipients, their young charges and the education sector. Indicating that more than a quarter of Jamaica’s children are experiencing some learning/ educational deficiencies, Minister Thwaites explained that the best place to recognise and start to address these deficiencies is at the early childhood level.  He said the scholarship programme would put the teachers in a better position to address educational deficiencies in pre-primary children.

Noting that the early childhood sector receives only 4% of the education budget on an annual basis, Minister Thwaites cautioned that the nation needs to stop marginalizing the practitioners in that sector.

Commending Food For The Poor for the donation of “gift and grace and hope to our Jamaican children”, the Education Minister said the initiative would sensitise more early childhood education practitioners to the needs of their communities and inspire them to participate in outreach activities to residents.

Among the attendees at today’s Signing Ceremony were: Dr. Wayne Wesley, Chief Technical Director, HEART Trust / NTA; Elizabeth Terry, Director, Special Projects, HEART Trust / NTA; Jacqueline Johnson, Executive Director, FFP; Ron Burgess, Senior Director, Recipient Services, FFP; Susan Moore, Director, Recipient Services, FFP; Jean Lowrie-Chin, Board Member, FFP; Richard Williams, Manager, Early Childhood Development Services, ECC and La Donna Manning, Communications Manager, ECC.

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Contact:

Erica James-King| PROComm l 926-6740 I Erica.James-King@procomm.com.jm

Petri-Ann Henry | Food For The Poor I   984-5005 | petri-annh@foodforthepoorja.org