Food For The Poor Increases Access To Pre-Primary Educational Facilities in Manchester

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

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Students (centre) of the D. Frank’s Early Childhood Institute in Greenvale Manchester observe the ribbon-cutting exercise at their new school. (From left) Clayton Hall, President, Jamaica Teachers Association; Jacqueline Johnson, Senior Consultant, Food For The Poor; Parish Councillor McArthur Collins; an Assistant Teacher and Mikael Phillips, Member of Parliament for North West Manchester carry out the ribbon cutting ceremony at the official opening of the D. Frank’s Early Childhood Institute.   The event took place on Thursday, September 27. The facility includes three classrooms, a sickbay, an office area, bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen. D. Frank’s Early Childhood Institute is the third school to be officially opened under the Food For The Poor Jamaica 50 Campaign, which seeks to construct 50 early childhood institutions in 50 months, in celebration of Jamaica’s 50th year of independence.

FOOD FOR THE POOR INCREASES ACCESS TO PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES IN MANCHESTER

Tripartite Partnership Leads To Establishment Of D. Frank’s Early Childhood Institute

Mandeville, Manchester – September 27, 2012: A labour of love by three Jamaican partner organizations gave birth today to a lasting ‘Jamaica 50 gift’ for the people of Greenvale, Manchester – the establishment of the D. Frank’s Early Childhood Institute. Food For The Poor (FFP), Kind Hearts Ltd. and the Manchester Chamber of Commerce formed a powerful philanthropic liaison in carrying out the construction of the school under the FFP Jamaica 50 Campaign. This seeks to construct 50 early childhood institutions in 50 months, in observance of Jamaica’s 50^th year of independence.

The Kind Hearts Foundation Ltd. financed the project, the Manchester Chamber of Commerce helped in acquiring the property, while Food For the Poor built the facility.

In her address at today’s official opening of the school, Susan James, Project Manager to Jamaica, FFP Inc., explained that the local non-profit organization, Kind Hearts Ltd., responded to a plea by Food For the Poor for donations in the construction of early childhood institutions under the FFP Jamaica 50 thrust. “The Campaign was launched in June at High House District in St. Catherine, where individuals, civic groups and charitable foundations were invited to partner with us to support this ambitious venture,” recounted Ms. James. “Today we are seeing the tangible response to that appeal through the construction and official opening of the D. Frank’s Early Childhood Institute“. 

Ms. James remarked, “I am absolutely delighted to extend heartfelt appreciation to Kind Hearts Limited for raising the funds to ensure that we give the students of Greenvale a bright start.  It is admirable that this group of young Jamaicans not only provided the funds for the project but also expended all their energies to assist with its construction earlier this year.” She encouraged the community to take care of the facility.

Students of D. Frank’s Early Childhood Institute in Greenvale Manchester, perform a dramatic poem entitled: “I am special”, during the official opening of the school on Thursday, September 27. Seated at the head table are: Deacon Ron Burgess, Senior Director- Recipient Services, Food For The Poor; Sally Porteous, Custos of Manchester; Nadine Leachman, Acting Regional Director, Ministry of Education; Mikael Phillips, Member of Parliament for North West Manchester; Jacqueline Stewart Lechler, Donor Representative, Kind Hearts Ltd.; Clayton Hall, President, Jamaica Teachers Association and Wendy Freckleton, President, Manchester Chamber of Commerce. D. Frank’s Early Childhood Institute is the third school to be officially opened under the Food For The Poor Jamaica 50 Campaign, which seeks to construct 50 early childhood institutions in 50 months, in observance of Jamaica’s Golden Jubilee.

The D. Frank’s Early Childhood Institute is the third school to be officially opened under the FFP Jamaica 50 Campaign. The facility includes three classrooms, a sickbay, an office area, bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen.  The classrooms have also been outfitted with comfortable furniture to help make the learning experience a more enjoyable one.

“The community of Greenvale and its environs can now boast of having its own gorgeous, new early childhood institution that will help to provide quality education for children in the three to six age group,” said the FFP Project Manager to Jamaica. She pointed out that “Today is a happy day because FFP’s commitment to creating a legacy of easier access to education is now being realized, thanks to the generosity of our donors.” Ms. James also expressed appreciation to former Member of Parliament (MP) Dean Peart, incumbent MP Mikael Phillips and Parish Councillor McArthur Collins for assisting the Manchester Chamber of Commerce in securing the land for the construction of the building. 

Jacqueline Stewart Lechler of Kind Hearts Ltd, expressed her organization’s satisfaction with their involvement in the project. She pledged support for other such initiatives,

Wendy Freckleton, President, Manchester Chamber of Commerce, who played a leading role in the project partnership, encouraged Greenvale residents to make the institution “a model school” which other educational institutions would strive to emulate.  Mrs. Freckleton commended the Greenvale residents for “their sweat equity” in several aspects of the school’s establishment, including painting of the building and the erection of a perimeter fence. She revealed that the residents have given their commitment to undertake a beautification programme at the school. “I urge you to continue to give your support, as we try to make a difference in our community,” Mrs. Freckleton advised.

Also participating in today’s event, Member of Parliament Mikael Phillips announced that he contributed $ 800,000 from his Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for the fencing of the school compound. Lauding the relentless efforts by the Greenvale residents in making the school a reality, Mr. Philips promised to collaborate with the community to ensure the longevity of the institution.

Commendation and endorsement for the project came from Custos of Manchester Sally Porteous, and Clayton Hall, President, Jamaica Teachers Association. Nadine Leachman, Acting Regional Director, Ministry of Education, who was the Keynote Speaker, cited the school as a prime example/symbol of the essential element in a progressive education system – “partnerships”.  She assured that the education sector has increased its training and deployment of early childhood education teachers, in a bid to give priority attention to the pre-primary youngsters and in keeping with the mantra of the Education Ministry – ‘Get it right the first time’.

An elated Gloria McKenzie, Principal, voiced her appreciation to Food For The Poor and all the other stakeholders, for the new facility. She said she felt that the new school would make a marked difference in enhancing the learning environment for children in the three to six age group in Manchester.

Shantell Wheatley-McFarlane, a Beneficiary of the FFP Educational Programme, shared with the audience, her experience in succeeding against financial and social challenges. She has attained her career goal of being a registered nurse. Entertainment was provided by the children of D Frank’s Early Childhood Institute.

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.

FOOD FOR THE POOR OPENS FIRST EARLY CHILDHOOD INSTITUTION IN WESTERN JAMAICA UNDER ITS JAMAICA 50 CAMPAIGN

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

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Long Hill, Westmoreland – September 25, 2012: Food For The Poor (FFP) today officially opened the Kings Infant School, formerly known as the Long Hill Basic School, in Long Hill, Westmoreland. It is the first early childhood institution to be built for the parish of Westmoreland and the county of Cornwall under the FFP Jamaica 50 Campaign, which seeks to build and or upgrade 50 early childhood institutions within 50 months.

This Food For The Poor Programme is celebrating Jamaica’s 50^th year of independence, by expanding access to high quality pre-primary facilities for the nation’s youth. The Kings Infant School will serve the communities of Long Hill, Whitehouse, Red Gate and Petersville. It boasts three classrooms, a sickbay, an office for the teachers, a kitchen, and bathrooms.

Over the years, the Long Hill Basic School was housed in several temporary facilities in the community. For the past 4 years, it was housed in cramped conditions in a section of the Grade 1 classroom at Kings Primary School. Subsequently, the St. Thomas King’s Anglican Church Diocese of Jamaica donated the land for the construction of the school by FFP. This latest development has also led to the renaming of the school, and FFP will also be making advanced training available to the teachers at that institution, in keeping with standards set by the Early Childhood Commission (ECC).

Delivering remarks at the Opening Ceremony, Samantha Mahfood, Executive Director, Food For The Poor Canada expressed appreciation to the Anglican Church and the ‘Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation’ for their donations, which made the school a reality. “Helping Hands

Jamaica Foundation, the Canadian-Jamaican donors, financed the construction and furnishing of the school. We commend our local and international donors of the FFP Jamaica 50 Campaign. Without our donor’s financial support we cannot change a child’s future,” explained the FFP Canada Executive Director, adding, “Today I ask each of you to get involved by donating to the construction of a school.”

She urged citizens to create a solid foundation of love, care and discipline in the lives of Jamaica’s children. “Be committed to opening the ‘doors’ and ‘windows’ of learning with academic studies, and vocational training,” advised Ms. Mahfood. “Let us give them a sound ‘infrastructure’ of skills and the encouragement they need to be successful.”

Ms. Mahfood announced that next month her charity would be opening a new Basic School in Esher, Hanover. She disclosed that FFP is also partnering with several communities in the county of Cornwall, to assist with the construction of early childhood institutions.

Dita Scott Myers, Principal, Kings Infant School, expressed appreciation to FFP for the construction of the new facility. “We are all overjoyed for this new school. This institution will go a long way in helping the community’s children to learn in comfort, and with the spacious classrooms we can now accommodate more children.” The school has a population of 31 students but it has the capacity to accommodate 60.

Keynote speaker Shannon Hendricks, Legal/Policy Officer, Office of the Children’s Advocate, encouraged communities to “guarantee our children child-friendly, child-centred institutions which encourage them to learn in a creative environment”. She implored teachers to be faithful and diligent in their duties, despite the socio-economic difficulties facing them.

Describing the establishment of Kings Infant School as a “life-altering initiative, which creates the perfect preparatory environment”, she stressed that the teachers should aspire to be great, as great teachers inspire students to achieve their best. Children need good parenting as well as excellent teaching to attain their best potential, she added.

Dr. Mark Nicely, President Elect, Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA), shared similar sentiments, while addressing today’s event. He cautioned that the problems being experienced at the secondary and tertiary levels started at the early childhood stage of the children’s lives.  Pointing out that it is “easier to build a strong child, than to repair a broken man,” Mr. Nicely stressed the importance of significant investments in education, if Jamaica is to realize its 2030 vision. He commended the educational initiatives of Food For The Poor which saw them partnering with communities, and appealed for other civic groups to forge similar partnerships in education.

Other speakers at today’s event were: Paulette Patterson, Principal, Kings Primary School and Megan McHugh, Beneficiary, FFP Educational Programme. The children of Kings Infant School and Kings Primary School provided entertainment.

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 30 years ago, FFP has made a significant contribution to Jamaica’s education through the payment of school fees to needy students, distribution of school furniture and supplies, and the construction of basic schools. Earlier this year, FFP outfitted 18 educational institutions with well-needed school furniture.  These schools were recommended by the Ministry of Education and included: Mico University College, York Castle High, Green Park Primary, Manchester High and Kingston College.

FFP OFFICIALLY OPENS KINGS INFANT SCHOOL       

Samantha Mahfood, Executive Director, Food For The Poor Canada delivers remarks during the Official Opening of Kings Infant School on Tuesday September 25. (From right) Seated at the head table are: Shannon Hendricks, Legal/Policy Officer, Office of the Children’s Advocate, Paulette Patterson, Principal, Kings Primary School, Dr. Mark Nicely, President Elect, Jamaica Teachers Association and Dita Scott Myers, Principal, Kings Infant School.

WESTMORELAND YOUTH CELEBRATE FOLK CULTURE

Students of the Kings Primary School perform a medley of folk songs during the official opening of the Kings Infant School, in Long Hill, Westmoreland on Tuesday September 25. Both schools are located in close proximity to each other. Kings Infant School (formerly known as Long Hill Basic School) is the first early childhood institution to be built for the parish of Westmoreland and the county of Cornwall under the FFP Jamaica 50 Campaign, which seeks to build and or upgrade 50 early childhood institutions within 50 months. This Food For The Poor Programme marks the celebration of Jamaica’s 50^th year of independence.

RIBBON CUTTING FOR KINGS INFANT SCHOOL

(From left) Dita Scott Myers (left), Principal, Kings Infant School in Long Hill Westmoreland cuts the ribbon at the official opening ceremony for the school on Tuesday, September 25. Also participating in the opening ceremony are students of Kings Infant School, Samantha Mahfood, Executive Director, Food For The Poor (FFP) Canada, and Sheldon Howell, Project Officer, FFP Jamaica.

NEW SCHOOL IN LONG HIL FOR JAMAICA 50

Dita Scott Myers (left), Principal, Kings Infant School in Long Hill Westmoreland beams with joy as she cuts the ribbon to the classrooms, during the official opening ceremony for the school on Tuesday, September 25. Sharing in the moment are: students of the school,  (from left) Paulette Patterson, Principal, Kings Primary School; Susan James, Project Manager, Food For The Poor Inc.; Dr. Mark Nicely, President Elect, Jamaica Teachers Association and Shannon Hendricks, Legal/Policy Officer, Office of the Children’s Advocate – who was keynote speaker at the event.

Food For The Poor (FFP)-Jamaica is the largest charity organization in the country.  Food For The Poor Inc., located in Florida, USA, was named by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as the largest international relief and development organization in the United States. It is an interdenominational Christian agency that does much more than feed the millions of hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. FFP 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% of all donations going directly to programmes that help the poor. For more information visit our Web site at www.foodforthepoorja.com 

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Contact:

Petri-Ann Henry, Food For The Poor, T:  984-5005 or 564-2886

Erica James-King, PROComm, T: 926-6740 or 564-5277

Food For The Poor Opens First Basic School Under Its Jamaica 50 Campaign

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

 

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FOOD FOR THE POOR OPENS FIRST BASIC SCHOOL UNDER ITS JAMAICA 50 CAMPAIGN

Education Sector Leaders Emphasize The Need For Greater Partnerships In Education

Kingston, Jamaica – September 21, 2012: Food For The Poor (FFP) yesterday officially opened the St. Margarets Real Success Basic School on Wildman Street, Kingston – the first Basic School to be built under its Jamaica 50 Campaign, in commemoration of the island’s Golden Jubilee. The event marked a major milestone for the Campaign which was launched in June this year at High House District in St. Catherine, aimed at building and or upgrading 50 early childhood institutions within 50 months.

Addressing participants at yesterday’s official opening ceremony, Andrew Mahfood, Chairman, Food For The Poor Jamaica assured that the charity is committed to helping to provide each pre-primary child with an opportunity to gain education of the very highest quality. Pointing out that the FFP Jamaica 50 Campaign was born out of a desire by his organization to improve the life of the nation’s children in the three to six age group, Mr. Mahfood said, “There is indeed no better way to celebrate the first 50 years of our island’s independence and to assist in advancing development for the next fifty years, than by creating a legacy of easier access to education.”

Deacon Ron Burgess, Senior Director - Recipient Services, Food For The Poor, extends welcome during the official opening of the St. Margarets Real Success Basic School at Wildman Street, on Thursday, September 20, 2012. Seated at the head table (from right) are: Andrew Mahfood, Chairman, Food For The Poor Jamaica; Rev. Hon. Ronald Thwaites, Education Minister; Hon. Steadman Fuller, Custos of Kingston; Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert, Opposition Spokesperson on Education; Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughan, Chairman, Early Childhood Commission; Charmaine Gooden Monteith, Secretary – Professional Services, Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA) and Merna Jackson, Principal, St. Margarets Real Success Basic School

The FFP Jamaica Chairman also expressed the wish that the over 40 children who attend St. Margarets Real Success Basic School would enjoy the best possible learning experience, and “that this will be the springboard for their future success.”

He also announced that within a week, FFP would be opening two other schools under the Food For The Poor Jamaica 50 Campaign – Long Hill Basic School in Westmoreland and Greenvale Basic School in Manchester.  Thereafter, at least one school will be opened each month, for the remainder of the 50 months.  “We will be replacing schools which have been deemed as unfit spaces for children to learn, and we will also construct new schools,” stated Mr. Mahfood. “The Basic Schools are being built in communities where the Early Childhood Commission, in consultation with Food For The Poor, has identified the most urgent need for pre-primary facilities.”

Each school will be able to accommodate between 40 and 100 children. The new St. Margarets Real Success Basic School features two large classrooms (which can be subdivided into additional learning spaces), a sickbay, office for the teachers, kitchen, and sanitation area.

Mr. Mahfood called on citizens to be active partners in the education process: “Let us do more to encourage discipline among our children. Let us do more to cultivate and encourage a more engaging learning environment for our youth.”

In delivering the Keynote Address, Rev. Hon. Ronald Thwaites, Education Minister, said the institution would be upgraded to an Infant School to enable it to benefit from public sector funding, and advanced training for teachers. Mr. Thwaites also promised that a ‘green area’ would be created adjacent to the school, to serve as a recreational area for adults and children.

Education Minister Rev. Hon. Ronald Thwaites (right) declares the St. Margarets Real Success Basic School open, during a ribbon cutting exercise at the official opening ceremony for the school on Thursday, September 20, 2012. Participating in the ribbon cutting exercise are Andrew Mahfood, Chairman, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica and Merna Jackson, Principal

Minister Thwaites said the government will be pushing ahead to upgrade the quality of teachers in Basic Schools islandwide: “Do you know that of the nearly 2,000 basic schools in Jamaica, less than 20 percent have a trained teacher? We have to change that. The best teachers must be teaching in the Basic Schools.” He promised that during October, the Ministry would be placing additional teachers in early childhood institutions. The Education Minister also disclosed that by December, his Ministry would be putting two hundred new special education teachers into early childhood and primary schools.

Also addressing yesterday’s event, Opposition Spokesperson on Education, Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert, commended FFP, while issuing an appeal for more civic organizations to be involved in supporting the education sector. “I invite other members of civil society to join in this partnership to invest in our children,” appealed Mrs. Dalrymple-Philibert. She also recommended the introduction of a “parents-place” at St. Margarets Real Success Basic School and other educational institutions. This would be an area at the school designated for parents to access counselling, have meetings, benefit from parenting programmes, give support to school projects and interact with children and teachers.

Custos of Kingston Hon. Steadman Fuller welcomed the efforts of FFP in providing a new education facility on Wildman Street, and commended the charity for its plans to upgrade the training of scores of basic schoolteachers.  He appealed to parents and guardians to play a greater role in the education of their children and to be “good stewards” of the schools. 

Representatives from Food For The Poor and St. Margarets Real Success Basic School beam with satisfaction after unveiling the school-sign during the official opening of that Wildman Street educational institution on Thursday, September 20, 2012.

His comments had resonance with Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughan, Chairman, Early Childhood Commission. While stressing the importance of partnerships in education, she explained that the partnership required that the stakeholders take their responsibility seriously. “Parents, part of your responsibility as partners require that you attend PTA and contribute to the work of the school…communities also need to support the school and help with the upkeep of the facility. “

The Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA), which represents over 23,000 teachers islandwide, has endorsed and complimented the FFP Jamaica 50 Campaign.

Charmaine Gooden Monteith, Secretary – Professional Services, JTA, who brought greetings on behalf of the JTA President Clayton Hall, said her organization “applauds Food For The Poor for always supporting education.”

She reiterated that investments made in children, beginning at birth, are direct investments in our island’s sustainable development. “In order for us to be true global citizens, we have to improve our literacy and numeracy rate and our education system in general – What better way to do it than to strengthen the early childhood system so that there will be very little need for remediation at the other levels of the system as a solid foundation would be laid,” remarked Mrs. Gooden Monteith.

(From left) Charmaine Gooden Monteith, Secretary – Professional Services, Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA), Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughan, Chairman, Early Childhood Commission and Merna Jackson, Principal conduct the ribbon cutting ceremony for the classrooms, during the official opening of St. Margarets Real Success Basic School

Merna Jackson, Principal, St. Margarets Real Success Basic School expressed appreciation, on behalf of the school community for the new facilities, which have been provided by FFP. The students of the institution also entertained the audience. Tracy-Ann Grant, a trainee Pharmacist at the tertiary level, who is a Beneficiary of FFP Educational Programmes, shared her success story with the audience at yesterday’s opening ceremony.

Minister Thwaites greet students of the St. Margarets Real Success Basic School on Thursday, September 20, during the official opening of the school. Looking on are: Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert, Opposition Spokesperson on Education (right-seated), and a member of 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 to needy students, distribution of school furniture and supplies, the construction of 51 basic schools since 2006, and the upgrading of sanitation facilities at schools.

____________________________________________________________

Contact:

Erica James-King, PROComm, T: 926-6740 or 564-5277

Petri-Ann Henry, Food For The Poor, T:  984-5005 or 564-2886

St. Margarets Real Success Basic School Reopens

Friday, September 21, 2012, Daily Observer, News-related interviews, St. Margarets Real Success Basic School Reopens (Online Video )

Elderly double amputee happy for newly built house

BY TANESHA MUNDLE Observer staff reporter mundlet@jamaicaobserver.com

Monday, September 17, 2012

THE burdens of double amputee Carlton Nelson became much lighter on Friday when he wheeled himself into a brand new home in the quiet, rural district of Padmore in St Andrew.

Females volunteers from Food For the Poor and the Social Development Commission hard at work painting Carlton Nelson’s new home in Padmore district, St Andrew.

The 69-year-old man welcomed a furnished one-bedroom unit, equipped with a kitchen and bathroom, courtesy of Food For the Poor (FFP) in partnership with the Social Development Commission (SDC).

Nelson lost his first leg to infestation seven years ago after an object pierced his sole. The second leg followed three years later on account of an injury caused by his crutch, which would not heal as a result of diabetes and poor circulation.

At the time of the injury, the disabled man went to live with his niece Sonia Stewart in Red Hills, but later returned to his district where he had been living in a leaky, cramped, ramshackle, wooden house which he shared with his nephew.

Carlton Nelson and his neice, Sonia Stewart, inside Nelson’s room in his old house. (Photos: Naphtali Junior)

On Friday, Nelson, who still manages to cook for himself and bathes on his own, watched eagerly, the unmistakable look of joy on his face, as workers from the two organisations constructed his new house.

"It really mek I feel good right now that I am going into something more comfortable," he said with broad smiles.

When asked how he copes, Nelson replied "it is really a rough challenge", and that he was being kept by the "grace of God".

The elderly man told the Jamaica Observer that although his family and friends in the community assist him at times, it was still difficult as he is unable to work to finance himself.

Double amputee Carlton Nelson expresses gratitude to (from left) Nikole Kellyman and Dorasan Williams, acting parish manager and community development officer at Social Development Commission, respectively; and Loranzo Stanton, housing coordinator at Food For the Poor, at his old home in Padmore District, St Andrew.

"It's really rough. If anybody bring anything come give me to eat, I take it and when none no deh, I do without," he said.

"But I give God thanks because my biggest problem was to get somewhere comfortable to live," he added.

Further to that, Nelson, who was once a very active labourer, said he was eternally grateful to FFP for providing the house and the volunteers from both companies who spent the entire day working to complete the structure.

Stewart, Nelson's niece, who along with her son and his friends started work on the foundation, said she and the family were also very grateful for the charity group's intervention.

Stewart told the Observer that it was Nelson's sister — her aunt — who had asked her church to request the home for her uncle. The protracted wait that ensued, however, had her doubting whether the house would ever become a reality.

All doubts ended when they got a call confirming its approval.

"We're very grateful for him," she said. "It is better to accommodate him and when him go in there he will have more space to turn around in the bathroom and kitchen and even the bedroom."

"Right now I don't have words to talk about how thankful I am 'cause even when we apply for it and we never did a hear anything I was saying 'Lord, look like we nah bada get it', but I was at work cleaning some crystals on top of a cupboard when I got the call... I cannot even explain how I felt," she said.

Meanwhile, FFP Housing Co-ordinator Loranzo Stanton said that when the request was brought to his attention he visited Nelson to confirm that the need existed and was moved to assist.

"Today we are delivering a standard single unit along with bathroom and kitchen. We try to separate them as he was doing everything in the same place where he was living," he said.

In addition, Stanton said Nelson will receive a bed, a night table, a chest-of- drawers, a sofa, a television set, and a new wheelchair.

"For this year we assisted 50 persons on average with homes islandwide, and so we have already built about 500 hundred homes; and the numbers will increase because of the memorandum of understanding that we have signed with the Government to build low-income houses," Stanton said.

For her part, Dorasan Williams, SDC community development officer for the area, said she became aware of Nelson's situation after the agency was approached by a community stakeholder, Padmore Church of God. Subsequent to doing her investigations, she got in touch with FFP and the rest, as they say, is history.

Williams noted that although SDC did not have a financial input in the project, the agency brought the different resources together such as light and water which have not yet been finalised.

"For now, we too are glad for the house that FFP decided to give as well as the small bathroom and kitchen because it's something that they don't normally do apart from putting in the house, so we really appreciate it as he really needed the help and we will be working with other stakeholders to assist him," Williams said.

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Elderly-double-amputee-happy-for-newly-built-house_12534246#ixzz26lUbu0TJ

Bringing Cheer to Seniors

(From left):  Marjorie James, Past President and Director of the Lions Club of New Kingston; Bev McCook, Member of the Jamaica Red Cross and Susan Moore, Director of Recipient Services at Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica were all smiles as they presented a gift package to 80-year-old Ethel Brown during a treat at the Rockfort Mineral Bath recently.  The annual senior citizens treat was organized by of Lions Club of New Kingston, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica and the Jamaica Red Cross in recognition of Senior Citizens month.    The event, which was held on Saturday, September 8, gave seniors the opportunity to socialize and experience the curative powers of Rockfort Mineral Bath. Additionally, the seniors were provided with a delicious Jamaican breakfast and gift packages containing toiletries. 

Cynthia Cupidore (centre), member of the Lions Club of New Kingston, was fully in charge as she conducted a water aerobics exercise session for a group of senior citizens during a treat at the Rockfort Mineral Bath in Kingston recently.  More than seventy (70) senior citizens benefitted from the annual event which was organized by the Lions Club of New Kingston, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica and the Jamaica Red Cross.  In addition to experiencing the curative powers of the mineral water, the senior citizens were also provided with a delicious Jamaican breakfast and gift packages containing toiletries.  The event was held on Saturday, September 8 in recognition of Senior Citizens month. 

Food For The Poor 'Angels' Help The Aged

Food For The Poor (FFP) Nurses, Carmen Berry (left) and Norma Reid (right) offer much needed assistance to some seventy (70) senior citizens, including 85-year-old Leonard Davis, during a treat at the Rockfort Mineral Bath in Kingston on Saturday, September 8.  The annual event was organized by the Lions Club of New Kingston, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica and the Jamaica Red Cross, in recognition of Senior Citizens month.  The beneficiaries are attached to various institutions in Kingston including St. Pius X Catholic Church (off Olympic Way), Moreton Park Home for the Aged, Jamaica Red Cross and Christian Care Nursing Home, which is also operated by FFP.  The event, which was in celebration of Senior Citizens Month, gave seniors the opportunity to experience the curative powers of the mineral water while socializing with their peers.

Food For The Poor Jamaica: Observance of Senior Citizens' Month

Members of the Lions Club of New Kingston, Suzie Dear (left) and Cynthia Cupidore (right) carefully assist two senior citizens into the pool during a treat at the Rockfort Mineral Bath in Kingston.  Over seventy (70) senior citizens benefited from the annual event, which was organized by Lions Club of New Kingston, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica and the Jamaica Red Cross.  In addition to experiencing the curative powers of the mineral water, the senior citizens were also provided with a delicious Jamaican breakfast and gift packages containing toiletries.  The event was held on Saturday, September 8 in recognition of Senior Citizens Month. 

Susan Moore, Director - Recipient Services, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica cheers seniors with her smile and words of encouragement as she serves breakfast to about seventy (70) senior citizens who participated in a treat last Saturday, September 8.  This annual event was held at the Rockfort Mineral Bath in Kingston and was organized by the Lions Club of New Kingston, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica and the Jamaica Red Cross, in recognition of Senior Citizens month.  In addition to experiencing the curative powers of the mineral water, the senior citizens were also provided with a delicious Jamaican breakfast and gift packages containing toiletries. 

Food For The Poor, PetroCaribe, JSIF Visit Projects in Rose Town, Jones Town

JONES TOWN SITE VISIT: (From right) Ron Burgess, Senior Director of Recipient Services at Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica; Milfre Moreno and Amylin Riveros, Venezuelan representatives of PetroCaribe’s Social Department; Marjory Robothom, Interpreter and Nakia McMorris, Project Manager at Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) seen during a site visit in Jones town on September 4.  The group viewed  housing and sanitation projects which had been sponsored by PetroCaribe and constructed by FFP Jamaica in Jones Town and Rose Town. JSIF had facilitated the process.    A total of 52 sanitation units and 6 two-bedroom houses were built under the project.  Last month, FFP signed an agreement with the Jamaican Government which will see the construction of 1,200 wooden houses per year. Food For The Poor will also construct 600 concrete units, which will be sold by the National Housing Trust to persons earning minimum wage.  Funds for this project will also be provided by the  PetroCaribe Development Fund.

TALKING HOUSING: Milfre Moreno (left), Venezuelan representative from PetroCaribe’s Social Department makes a point to Nicholas Ziadie, Director of Construction Services at Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, during a visit to Jones Town and Rose Town. A delegation from FFP Jamaica, PetroCaribe Development Fund and Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) took part in the September 4 site visit, to see housing and sanitation projects that had been sponsored by PetroCaribe and constructed by FFP Jamaica. JSIF had facilitated the process. A total of 52 sanitation units and 6 two-bedroom houses were built under the project.  Last month FFP signed an agreement with the Jamaican Government which will see the construction of 1,200 wooden houses per year. Food For The Poor will also construct 600 concrete units, which will be sold by the National Housing Trust to persons earning the minimum wage.  Funds for this project will also be provided by PetroCaribe Development Fund.

MISS ANNIE THANKS FOOD FOR THE POOR, PETROCARIBE:  Milfre Moreno (left), Venezuelan representative from PetroCaribe’s Social Department, talks with 71-year-old Annie Henderson during a walk-through in Rose Town on Tuesday afternoon September 4.  A delegation from Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, PetroCaribe Development Fund and Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) visited the inner-city community to view housing and sanitation projects which had been sponsored by PetroCaribe and constructed by FFP Jamaica. JSIF had facilitated the process.  Ms. Henderson was one of the many residents in the Rose Town and Jones Town communities who benefitted from the construction of sanitation units (right,  background).  A total of 52 sanitation units and 6 two-bedroom houses were built under the project.  Last month, FFP signed an agreement with the Jamaican Government which will see the construction of 1,200 wooden houses per year. Food For The Poor will also build 600 concrete units, which will be sold by the National Housing Trust to persons earning the minimum wage.  Funds for this project will also be provided by the PetroCaribe Development Fund.

HAPPY TO SEE YOU: Ron Burgess (right), Senior Director of Recipient Services, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, greets Enid Falconer during a visit to her Myers Street, Jones Town home on Tuesday afternoon September 4.  He was among representatives from FFP Jamaica, PetroCaribe Development Fund and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).  They visited sanitation and housing projects in Rose Town and Jones Town. These had been sponsored by PetroCaribe Development Fund and constructed by FFP Jamaica. JSIF had facilitated the process.  The project involved the construction of 52 sanitation facilities and 6 housing units. Seen sharing the moment are community members Pastor Wayne Henry and Maxine Spence. Last month, FFP signed an agreement with the Jamaican Government which will see the construction of 1,200 wooden houses per year. Food For The Poor will also construct 600 concrete units, which will be sold by the National Housing Trust to persons earning minimum wage.  Funds for this project will also be provided by the  PetroCaribe Development Fund.

WELCOME VISIT FROM FFP, PETROCARIBE: Enid Falconer (right) was all smiles when a team from Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, PetroCaribe Development Fund and Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) visited her home at Myers Street in Jones Town.   The team’s visit on Tuesday afternoon September 4 was to view housing and sanitation projects which had been sponsored by PetroCaribe and constructed by FFP Jamaica. JSIF had facilitated the process.  Under this initiative, 52 sanitation units and 6 two-bedroom houses were constructed in the communities of Jones Town and Rose Town.  Ms. Falconer was one of the beneficiaries of the two-bedroom wooden structures.  Talking with her were (from right) Glen Jackman, Interpreter; Lorenzo Stanton, Housing Coordinator at FFP; Milfre Moreno, Venezuelan representative from PetroCaribe’s Social Department; Nicholas Ziadie, Director of Construction Services at FFP; Marcus Irons, Project Coordinator at FFP; Everton Spencer, Client Relations Officer at PetroCaribe; Amylin Riveros, Venezuelan representative from PetroCaribe’s Social Department and Marjory Robothom, Interpreter. 

THANKS FOR THE HOME! Food For The Poor’s Director of Construction Services, Nicholas Ziadie (left) and Housing Coordinator, Lorenzo Stanton, listen as Enid Falconer expresses her gratitude for being selected to receive one of the two-bedroom wooden houses recently built in Jones Town.  She explained that her house had been completely destroyed by fire last year, so the gift had been was both timely and helpful. Representatives from Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, PetroCaribe Development Fund and Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) visited several families in Rose Town and Jones Town on Tuesday September 4. The families had benefitted from the construction of sanitation and housing units late last year. The project was sponsored by PetroCaribe, carried out by FFP and facilitated by JSIF. It included the construction of 52 sanitation facilities and 6 housing units. Last month, FFP signed an agreement with the Jamaican Government which will see the construction of 1,200 wooden houses per year. Food For The Poor will also construct 600 concrete units, which will be sold by the National Housing Trust to persons earning minimum wage.  Funds for this project will also be provided by the  PetroCaribe Development Fund.

Food For The Poor at the 60th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural Show

Here are some pictures taken at the 60th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural Show in Clarendon recently.

AGRICULTURAL INITIATIVES: Angella Cooper (right),  Administrative Assistant, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, discusses the charity’s agricultural programmes with two visitors to the FFP booth during the 60^th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural Show which was held on August 4-6, 2012 at the Denbigh show grounds in Clarendon.   Over 300 children and adults were informed about the services of the organization over the three day period.  This year, emphasis was placed on the charity’s most recent agricultural initiative, the Economic Diversification Programme for Banana Producing Parishes (banner in the background).  This programme is financed by the European Union (EU) through the EU Banana Support Programme (EUBSP) and implemented by FFP for the communities of Esher, St. Mary and Somerset, St. Thomas.  Under this programme, 40 farmers in the parishes mentioned are being empowered with the materials, training and support necessary to engage in sustainable scotch bonnet pepper production, goat rearing and bee keeping.  Hon. Roger Clake, Minister of Agriculture, offcially launched the sixteen month programme on June 21, 2012 in Somerset. 

FFP AGRICULTURE PROGRAMME TAKES CENTRE STAGE: Dwayne Bent (right), Agriculturist, Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica, is all smiles as he makes a point to Novelette Hart (left), while showcasing some scotch bonnet pepper trees that were on display in the FFP green house during the 60^th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural Show in Clarendon recently.  Over the three-day period, August 4 – 6, visitors to the FFP booth were informed about the services of the organization including its most recent agricultural initiative, the Economic Diversification Programme for Banana Producing Parishes.  Under this initiative, 20 farmers from Esher in St. Mary and another 20 farmers form Somerset in St. Thomas are benefiting from the materials, training and support necessary to engage in sustainable scotch bonnet pepper production, goat rearing and bee keeping.   The programme was offcially launched on July 21, 2012 by the Hon. Roger Clarke, Minister of Agriculture.  Mr. Bent explained that one objective of the programme is to create income generating oppurtunities thorugh the production of new crops such as scotch bonnet pepper.