Food For The Poor & European Union Banana Support Programme Launch Small Farmers Project

MEDIA RELEASE

FOOD FOR THE POOR & EUROPEAN UNION BANANA SUPPORT PROGRAMME LAUNCH SMALL FARMERS PROJECT

Somerset, St. Thomas – (June 21, 2012): Food For The Poor (FFP) in collaboration with the European Union Banana Support Programme (EUBSP) today launched the Economic Diversification Programme For Banana Producing Parishes, which seeks to provide alternative income-generating opportunities for small farmers, who traditionally cultivated bananas.

The Launch took place at the Church of God of Prophesy, Somerset, St. Thomas. The Programme has a sixteen-month duration, and will provide forty 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, which are between 0.4 hectares to 2.4 hectares.

(From left) Jesus Orus Baguena, Head of Operations, European Union Delegation; Andrew Mahfood, Chairman, Food For The Poor, and Caswell Glover, RADA Parish Manager, St. Thomas examine and discuss fruits and vegetables grown by the farmers of Somerset, St. Thomas. The occasion was the Launch of the Economic Diversification Programme For Banana Producing Parishes, on Thursday, June 21 at the Church of God of Prophesy, Somerset. The Programmeseeks to provide alternative income-generating opportunities for small farmers, who traditionally cultivated bananas. It is being financed by the European Union through the EU Banana Support Programme, and implemented by Food For The Poor.

The Programme is being financed by the European Union through the EUBSP, and implemented by 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 the implementation.

Delivering Remarks at the Launch, Andrew Mahfood, Chairman, Food For The Poor, announced that his charity started the Project, with the aim of assisting small banana farmers who are suffering from “a dramatic downturn in the volume of production and exports of bananas, due mainly to falling prices on the world market, the non-competitiveness of Jamaica’s banana exports on the European market and the negative effects of natural disasters.”

Orville Wright (at the microphone) and other beneficiary farmers engaged in the Economic Diversification Programme For Banana Producing Parishes, stand to show their appreciation to Food For The Poor and the European Union, for their support in introducing them to alternative income-generating opportunities. The event was the Launch of the Programme on Thursday in Somerset, St. Thomas. These small farmers were traditional cultivators of banana in Somerset, St. Thomas and Esher, St. Mary. The Economic Diversification Programme For Banana Producing Parishes is being implemented by Food For The Poor and financed by the European Union through its Banana Support Programme (EUBSP).

Mr. Mahfood outlined some features of the Programme, “Through the imparting of knowledge and skills by our Agriculturalists and the RADA Extension officers, this Programme is creating a springboard for small farmers to benefit from new income-generating opportunities and increased profitability. This is consistent with FFP’s philosophy of encouraging sustainable development projects.”

He also disclosed that FFP is providing small farmers with guidelines on post-harvesting and marketing of farm produce as well as assisting them with the establishment of Farmers’ Associations.

The FFP Chairman encouraged the recipient farmers and farmers’ islandwide to be focused and persistent in identifying and successfully pursuing market opportunities on the local and international scenes.  “I challenge our farmers and all Jamaicans to get on and stay on the path of increasing productivity and remaining internationally competitive, by maximizing the opportunities, which are available to you,” stated Mr. Mahfood. “When you find a niche where your goods and services are needed, research, work and create ways in which you can be bold and different.”

Agriculture Minister Hon. Roger Clarke who was the Keynote Speaker,  commended the Economic Diversification Programme For Banana Producing Parishes, as a timely initiative. He said it comes at a time when the Ministry is engaging in renewed efforts to encourage farmers to return to increased agricultural production. The Agricultural Minister stated that the introduction of new agricultural opportunities through the EUBSP and FFP partnership will “create new life in these rural communities and encourage rural development.”

Minister Clarke mentioned that goat rearing was particularly welcomed at this time, as Jamaica “is only producing 14% of the needs of the island’s goat-meat consumer market.” He urged the beneficiary farmers to play an active part in helping to fill the needs of the goat-meat sector.

Mr. Clarke also announced that through a public-private partnership programme his Ministry will be re-engaging banana farmers to “return idle fields into production, while at the same time satisfying the demand of agro-processors and consumers.”

In addressing participants at the Launch, Jesus Orus Baguena, Head of Operations, European Union Delegation, expressed his organization’s commitment to the Economic Diversification Programme For Banana Producing Parishes. He urged farmers to see the Programme as an ideal way of “engaging in a paradigm shift”, while repositioning the small farming sector. He says the Programme is a great chance for learning opportunities and new access to markets for the farmers.

Another Speaker, Caswell Glover, RADA Parish Manager, St. Thomas, encouraged farmers to take the production process to another level, by “exploring value-added opportunities”.  He recommended that agro-processing, utilising the scotch bonnet peppers and honey for a variety of products including pepper sauces, jerk seasoning and honey cakes, could significantly increase the profitability of the beneficiaries.

Recipient farmers from both Esher and Somerset were in attendance at the Launch. Speaking on behalf of the recipient farmers, Orville Wright of Somerset, expressed appreciation to the EU, FFP and RADA. He pointed out that the Programme has not only generated income for them, but has greatly improved their knowledge and skills levels. “I want to let you know how much we all appreciate it,” declared an emotional Mr. Wright, as tears of joy streamed down his face. 

He said even the wider community is benefiting from the training sessions for the farmers: “The wider community turn up at the training sessions to learn something and to demonstrate their support for the Programme.”

Pierre Dawson, Rural Development Officer, EUBSP, also participated in Thursday’s Launch. Speaking in an interview, Mr. Dawson endorsed the Economic Diversification Programme For Banana Producing Parishes, describing it as a welcome project in generating alternative livelihood for farmers, especially those who were affected by the closure of the Eastern Banana Boxing Plant. He believes the Programme has “already started to do a good job in introducing new technologies, agronomic practices and skills-sets to the beneficiaries.”

Mr. Dawson indicated that the Programme has “attracted ‘buy-in’ from the farmers and targeted communities”, and this feedback is an important factor in ensuring the sustainability of the production of the new crops and livestock, even after the Project comes to an end.

Among other participants at today’s launch were representatives of the Social Development Commission who are stakeholders in the agricultural Programme, Charles Stewart, who brought greetings on behalf of Member of Parliament for Western St. Thomas James Robertson; and Mayor of Morant Bay Her Worship Councillor Marsha Francis. 

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:  (876) 564-2886 | petri-annh@foodforthepoorja.org

Public Relations Dept. (876) 907-3664

Launch of Food For The Poor Jamaica 50 Campaign

Food For The Poor in Jamaica Launches a campaign to build/upgrade 50 schools in 50 months in celebration of Jamaica's 50th anniversary of independence.

Basic Schools to Benefit from Jamaica 50 Launch by Food for the Poor

JIS, June 14, 2012, News Story , Basic Schools to Benefit from Jamaica 50 Launch by Food for the Poor :

Education Minister, Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites (2nd right), along with (from left), Chairman, Food for the Poor (FFP), Andrew Mahfood; Chairperson, Early Childhood Commission (ECC), Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughn; and Principal, High House Basic School in St. Catherine, Rosalyn Gayle, perform the symbolic ground breaking exercise for construction of a new school building for the early childhood institution, during a ceremony on Wednesday (June 13).

Early childhood education is set to receive a significant boost with the implementation of the Jamaica 50 Campaign by the philanthropic organisation, Food for the Poor (FFP).

The initiative will entail the construction and refurbishing of some 50 of the island’s basic schools, over a 50-month period, at a cost of approximately $150 million. It is being undertaken as the organisation’s contribution and gift to commemorate Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of independence.

The Jamaica 50 Campaign was officially launched on June 13, during a ground-breaking ceremony for construction of the new High House Basic School in St. Catherine, one of the early childhood institutions targeted to benefit from the undertaking.

High House Basic School, which currently has 27 registered pupils and is staffed by three teachers, including Principal, Rosalyn Gayle, has been selected as the first institution on which work will start, as the existing building has fallen into a state of disrepair.

Education Minister, Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites (right), interacts with pupils of the High House Basic School in St. Catherine, prior to the start of Wednesday’s (June 13) ground breaking ceremony, for the construction of a new school building to house the early childhood institution. Beside the Minister is Chairperson, Early Childhood Commission (ECC), Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughn.

The new school is being built on lands donated by the Agro Industry Corporation (AIC), and will include classrooms,  a staff room, kitchen, bathroom facilities, and a recreational area.

Outlining project details, Food for the Poor’s Chairman, Andrew Mahfood, said work on the first three institutions, inclusive of High House Basic School, is slated to be completed in time for them to be opened when the 2012/13 academic year commences in September. He informed that, thereafter, one school will be opened each month for the ensuing 50 months.

Some 29 schools have been identified for assistance under the project, and are situated in Kingston, St. Catherine, St. Thomas, Manchester, Portland, St. Ann, St. James and Westmoreland.

“The basic schools will be built in communities where the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), in consultation with Food for the Poor, has identified the most dire needs for pre-primary facilities,” he said.

Mr. Mahfood advised that the Jamaica 50 Campaign will also entail the training of some 500 basic school teachers over a five-year period, beginning September.

Education Minister, Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites (right), emphasises a point in discussion with, Chairperson, Early Childhood Commission (ECC), Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughn, during Wednesday’s (June 13) ground breaking ceremony for construction of a new building for the High House Basic School in St. Catherine, by Food for the Poor.

“Food for the Poor will be providing scholarships to teachers who need to upgrade their qualifications, but lack the financial resources to do so. We will disburse 50 teacher’s scholarships every September and January for the next five years,” he noted.

Welcoming the gesture by Food for the Poor, Education Minister, Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites, described the initiative as an “extraordinary gift to Jamaica,” adding that the 50 institutions will get “the full support of the Government of Jamaica."

He also welcomed FFP’s focus on teacher training, pointing out that this is important in ensuring the total educational development of their pupils, and encouraged more investments by other stakeholders in early childhood education.

For her part, ECC Chairman, Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughn, described the project as the “consolidation of a partnership between Food for the Poor, Early Childhood Commission and the Ministry of Education”.

This collaboration, she contended, would ensure that the children are provided with a high quality environment and safe and secure buildings in which to learn, and highly trained teachers who are knowledgeable about the developmental needs of young children.

Professor Samms-Vaughn said the ECC has had a longstanding relationship with FFP, pointing out that during the course of this association, the organisation has been exemplary.

“Food for the Poor has chosen to support early childhood development as a priority. I am sure the choice was a carefully made one, based on the knowledge that early childhood development is the pillar on which our social development, our health, and our educational infrastructure is built,” she argued

Against this background, Professor Samms-Vaughn said in order for the inputs of FFP and other stakeholders to yield rich dividends for the children, it is important for their parents, and the communities, to play their part in providing the best environments in which they can learn.

“If we work together at this, then all the children in this (High House) community and others will have a very bright future,” she said.




By Douglas McIntosh, JIS Reporter




Original Source: http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/100-education/30927-basic-schools-to-benefit-from-jamaica-50-launch-by-food-for-the-poor

Food For The Poor Launches Jamaica 50 Campaign

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






MEDIA RELEASE

FOOD FOR THE POOR LAUNCHES JAMAICA 50 CAMPAIGN

Campaign Receives Resounding Endorsement From Education Minister and ECC Chairman

Spanish Town, St. Catherine- (June 14, 2012): Food For The Poor created history yesterday
by initiating the most far-reaching infant school building programme in the island, by launching
its Jamaica 50 Campaign, which will build and or upgrade 50 early childhood institutions within
50 months, in commemoration of Jamaica’s Golden Jubilee. The launch and groundbreaking
ceremony took place at High House District in St. Catherine, which will be the site of one of the
new infant schools.

(From left) Andrew Mahfood, Chairman, Food For The Poor(FFP); Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughan, Chairman, Early Childhood Commission; Rev. the Hon. Ronnie Thwaites, Minister of Education; and Rosalyn Gayle, Principal, High House Basic  break ground for the construction of the new High House Basic School in St. Catherine. Looking on is FFP’s Clive Spencer(2nd right- background), Senior Field Officer in the Construction Services Department.  They were participating in the launch of  the FFP  Jamaica 50 Campaign on Wednesday, June 13.

Andrew Mahfood, Chairman, Food For The Poor (FFP) explained that the FFPJamaica 50
Campaign will upgrade schools that have been deemed unfit spaces for children to learn, and
will also construct new schools. “The first three schools in the project will be officially opened
in September this year. After this, at least one school will be opened each month, for the
remainder of the 50 months,” the FFP Chairman said. Mr. Mahfood disclosed that so far, 29
schools, which need to be constructed and or upgraded, have been identified in the parishes of
Clarendon, Portland, St. Ann, Kingston, St. Catherine, St. Thomas, Manchester, St. Elizabeth,
Westmoreland and St. James.

Each institution will accommodate between 40 and 100 children. The infrastructural features
of each school are as follows: an office, sick bay, kitchen, sanitation area, and one large
classroom that can be subdivided into three learning spaces. “The Basic Schools will be built in
communities where the Early Childhood Commission, in consultation with Food For The Poor,
has identified the most dire needs for pre-primary facilities.”

The FFP Chairman also announced that a component of the Jamaica 50 Campaign is the
training of 500 teachers over a period of 5 years. “Starting this September, FFP will be providing
scholarships to Basic School teachers who need to upgrade their qualifications, but lack the
financial resources to do so,” explained Mr.Mahfood.

Mr. Andrew Mahfood, Chairman of Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica greets Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites, Minister of Education, during the Launch and groundbreaking ceremony of Food For The Poor’s Jamaica 50 Campaign which will build/upgrade 50 basic schools within 50 months. Also sharing in the occasion were (from right) President Terry Leslie, Spanish Town Rotary Club; Assistant Governor Shirley Gayle, Rotary Clubs in Jamaica and President Pearl Smith, Portmore Rotary Club.  Standing in the background is Deacon Ron Burgess, Senior Director of Recipient Services at FFP.

Rev. the Hon. Ronnie Thwaites, Minister of Education, and Keynote Speaker welcomed and
endorsed the Jamaica 50 Campaign as a tremendous effort and “extraordinary gift to Jamaica”
in helping to advance early childhood education. He said the schools would provide the
children with the right preparatory learning for achievement at higher levels of the academic
system. “And so the Food For The Poor dedication to early childhood education during this
50th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence is a big thing and we are lured into this important
consciousness of future behaviour by our friends at Food for the Poor,” declared the Education
Minister.

He said the 50 schools being built by FFP will receive future government assistance in
the training of its staff and educational support to the students: “These 50 schools will be

characterized as Infant Schools and therefore will receive the full support of the government of
Jamaica.”

The Education Minister has urged Jamaican communities to treat the education of children
with priority attention. Pointing out that tending to the children of the nation is the biggest

responsibility, which Jamaica has, the Minister appealed to Jamaicans to view the
sector as “an investment industry”. He pledged that the government will be encouraging
significant investment in early childhood education by the private sector.“ No longer will

early childhood be the ‘Cinderella’ of the education system. It must take pride of place. It must
come first, not last,” emphasized Minister Thwaites. He also implored churches to start and or
expand early childhood institutions.

The Education Minister encouraged the parents and communities, which will benefit from
the new/upgraded FFP schools to treasure and care for the facilities and provide a nurturing
environment for the children.

Students of High House Basic School entertain the audience at the Food For The Poor Launch of the Jamaica 50 Campaign, by singing Whitney Houston’s “Greatest Love of All”.  Enjoying the performance are (from right): Andrew Mahfood, Chairman of Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica; Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites, Minister of Education; Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughan, Chairman of the Early Childhood Commission; Jean Lowrie-Chin, Board Member of FFP Jamaica and Rosalyn Gayle, Principal of High House Basic School

His comments had resonance with Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughan, Chairman, Early
Childhood Commission (ECC), who also addressed the launch event. Professor Samms-
Vaughan reminded the parents and community that they would have to play their part
in ensuring a quality-learning environment. “If we place them (the children) in a violent
environment they will become violent. If we place them in a loving environment, they will
become loving…if we provide them with high quality learning environment, they will reach their
highest potential,” the ECC Chairman outlined.

The ECC Chairman commended Food For The Poor for the Jamaica 50 Campaign, which she
believes will have a positive ripple effect on the nation’s children and teachers. She expressed
confidence that the programme will ensure that scores of Jamaican children, have a quality start
in life. “We want to commend Food For the Poor for the scholarships being given to teachers.
The training of teachers is the single most important factor impacting the development of
children, ” commented Professor Samms- Vaughan.

She also recognized FFP for the ongoing role it has played in partnerships with the ECC over
the years, in repairing and replacing several early childhood institutions damaged by hurricanes.
Professor Samms-Vaughan pledged the continued collaboration between the ECC and FFP.

Rosalyn Gayle, Principal, High House Basic School expressed appreciation on behalf of
the school community for the new facilities, which will be provided by FFP. Among the other
speakers at the launch were: Deacon Ron Burgess, Senior Director, Recipient Services, FFP;
Jean Lowrie-Chin, Board Member, FFP; and Gifton Wright, Gleaner Children’s Own Spelling
Bee Champion 2012 and 4th place finalist in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in the US, who
is a beneficiary of FFP’s educational programmes. The students of High House Basic School
entertained the audience.

The FFP Jamaica 50 Campaign is a part of the ongoing support by the charity to address the
socio-economic challenges in Jamaica. Since its inception thirty years ago, FFP has made a
significant contribution to Jamaica’s education through the payment of school fees of needy
students, distribution of school furniture and supplies, the construction of 41 basic schools since
2004, and the upgrading of sanitation facilities at schools.

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:  (876) 564-2886 | petri-annh@foodforthepoorja.org

Public Relations Dept. (876) 907-3664

'It's been so long' - But now Josephine Heron has her own home

BY KIMONE THOMPSON Features Editor thompsonk@jamaicaobserver.com

Friday, June 08, 2012

IF you check her mood meter the reading might just be off the charts.

That's because Josephine Heron's joy is too much to measure. "I am the happiest woman in the world," she says with a broad smile.

Volunteers from St James Catholic Cathedral in Florida and
Food for the Poor headquarters are busy building and
painting the two-bedroom house.

The 61-year-old has never had a home of her own and has spent much of the last four years in a tiny storeroom at the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation's Poor Relief Department where she works weekends in the night shelter.

Last week, however, charity group Food for the Poor (FFP) handed her the keys to a brand new two-bedroom house in eastern Kingston.

"I feel so good, because I never [had the] experience to go into a house [of my own]," she told the Jamaica Observer.

"I can go and buy something and take it home to cook now, and I don't have to sit on the floor or at anybody's doorway again to eat," she said, describing what the house means to her.

Her face is well known in downtown Kingston. As a member of the Salvation Army, she has, for close to 30 years, fed the city's homeless in the vicinity of the St William Grant Park.

"I help the homeless people on the road, cook for them, bathe them, play games, have devotions, and that simple fact help me to become a lady," she said.

All the while though, she herself has been homeless.

Her story is one of a string of trials that began when her parents passed away.

"When my mother and my father died there was no more hopes for me. I stopped with my friends, went to live with aunties, niece.. .Cotch yah so, cotch deh so," she said.

Eventually, Heron had to move out of the house she occupied with friends on Orange Street. The building, she said, was demolished.

Food for the Poor beneficiary Josephine Heron (left), who has
spent her life caring for the homeless on the streets of Kingston,
chats up Food for the Poor board member and her old pal
Dr Lynne Nasrallah as she paints. (Photos: Karl McLarty)

"It was good, but then it was bad because they had to move out and I had to move out and onto another life," the senior citizen said.

Her days of moving around are now over though, and Heron, who says she plans to move in this week, says it's all because of Jesus.

"I've been through some rough times, [but] this is the best of my life now. Thank you Jesus!"

When the Observer team arrived on the site, a group of 10 volunteers representing FFP's Florida headquarters and St James Catholic Cathedral, also in Florida, as well as a few local tradesmen were busy painting the exterior of the building, and nailing together the frame for the verandah's roof.

We greeted Heron, who ignored the offer for a cursory handshake and instead leaned in for a hug.

"It's been so long," she said, sobbing softly on the shoulder of this reporter.

"I feel nervous because is a long time, so I didn't know that I would really get the house..." she went on, her tone barely audible.

The house, a 'two-unit' wooden structure with a loft, a kitchenette, bathroom, living area and a verandah, is valued at US$6,400 including labour, and was donated by FFP, which builds an average of 105 units in Jamaica per year. One unit is one bedroom.

It sits on a large plot of land on Camperdown Road, leased to her at a "reasonable rate" by a Mr Sutherland and his son Nigel.

"We know this lady long time so we just give her a chance," the younger Sutherland explained. "Yuh have fi help people. She could be my mother, she could be my aunty, she could be mi grandmother too, so it nice when you can gi somebody a chance inna life," he added.

FFP senior field officer Spencer Reynolds told the Observer his organisation was moved to assist Heron, especially because of her own work with the poor.

For team leader of the volunteer group, Dr Lynne Nasrallah, the entire experience was serendipitous. She didn't know who she and her team was coming to assist until the bus pulled up on Camperdown Road last Wednesday and she alighted. She had first met Heron in 2000, on her first pilgrimage to Jamaica, but had no idea her circumstances were so dire.

"I met her at the Salvation Army feeding 12 years ago and she was teaching me how to cook and how to put the rice and the meat in the styrofoam and how to pass that out on the street near the park," said Nasrallah, a professor at Webster University in Orlando.

"I've given homes to strangers and that gives me a great satisfaction, but can you imagine to give a home to a person that you've known and to someone who has really worked her whole heart and soul for poor and the homeless?

"And so it was just her turn and to be part of her turn I give great glory to God to find us and put us together again," she said.

Nasrallah, a board member of FFP and a member of St James Catholic Cathedral in Orlando, has raised money to build 800 houses in Jamaica and Haiti since 2004.

And Heron couldn't be more grateful.

Josephine Heron stands in front of her finished house on
Camperdown Road in Kingston. (Photo: Cemon Spence)

"Now I can stay home during the days and work on Saturday (and) Sunday. When I finish work Sunday and come off Monday morning I can home in my bed Monday night," she told the Observer.

Not only was staying at the State facility inconvenient as the 10:00 pm curfew curtailed her church activities, but Heron said it was also embarrassing.

"Most of the time I have to be down there and you know, most of the workers gone home so it's kind of a little embarrassment for me so I feel good now," she gushed.

For Heron, the house is the icing on the cake of a life that started to improve when she joined the Salvation Army some 30 years ago. It was the church, she says, that gave her lessons in social graces, etiquette, discipline.

The past student of Holy Trinity High, makes much of the fact that she now knows how to dress modestly and have conversations with people from all walks of life.

"My life has been changed even before I got the house. Being in the church, it makes me be a lady.

"I didn't know what it was to put on a stocking or to walk with a handbag. I used to just put on some slippers and take up a plastic bag. Now I can put myself together. I can put on my stockings, my hat, my handbag.

I can even talk to people. If someone tells me something I don't like I can ignore it and just walk away. First time it wasn't like that... and now getting the house will make me draw even closer to God to see what Him do for me," she told the Observer.

Stories like Heron's are the kind that inspires donors and encourages them to keep giving, says missions and travel director at FFP headquarters Leann Chong.

"Jamaica is a very hard sell, when it compares to somewhere like Haiti or Guatemala, because people think of Jamaica as 'white sandy beaches', 'no problem', 'irie man'; they think there is no poverty in Jamaica. We try to tell them there is the other side of paradise and housing is a big issue in Jamaica, she said.

"What sells our trips is to see a house in the construction. People can't believe we can build a house in a day and hand over the keys.

The department does an average of 40 trips a year, said Chong, 12 of which are to Jamaica.

And it's always a life-changing experience for volunteers, she said, noting that the groups are often amazed at how happy Jamaicans are, even in poverty, especially when compared to Americans who they say have a lot but are often unhappy.

Original Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/-It-s-been-so-long----But-now-Josephine-Heron-has-her-own-home_11613146

Robin Mahfood on Smile Jamaica