MEDIA RELEASE - FOOD FOR THE POOR PROVIDES WESTERN JAMAICA WITH TWO NEW BASIC SCHOOLS

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FOOD FOR THE POOR PROVIDES WESTERN JAMAICA WITH TWO NEW BASIC SCHOOLS UNDER ITS JAMAICA 50 PROJECT

Kingston, Jamaica- December 9, 2013: Food For The Poor has boosted the early childhood educational resources in western Jamaica by constructing and opening two schools in that region. The communities which have benefitted are Sunderland in St. James and Elgin Town in Hanover.


FFP BUILDS & OPENS 20 SCHOOLS IN 15 MONTHS
The construction of the Sunderland and Elgin Town Basic Schools brings to 20; the number of educational institutions built and officially opened under the Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica 50 Programme, during the past 15 months. The Programme aims to build and or upgrade 50 early childhood educational institutions in 50 months, in celebration of Jamaica’s Golden Jubilee. The Sunderland Basic School is the first to be constructed in St. James under the FFP Jamaica 50 Programme.


The old Sunderland Basic School which dates back to 1901 had been refurbished numerous times over the years, but was still suffering from a derelict infrastructure, which was deteriorating at a rapid rate. FFP Jamaica partnered with FFP Inc. and donors, Mike and Mary Yaggie from the United States of America, to change the fortunes of the school.


WHEELCHAIR ACCESS RAMP INSTALLED AT SUNDERLAND BASIC SCHOOL
The new facility includes two classrooms, a sickbay, an office area for the teaching staff, and a fully equipped kitchen. The classrooms have also been outfitted with attractive and comfortable furniture to help make the learning experience a more enjoyable one.


Addressing the recent official opening of the institution, Sandra Caskey, Senior Field Representative – Major Giving Department, FFP Inc., said her charity is delighted to assist in providing Sunderland with a new early childhood facility and other supporting infrastructure, which will aid the future success of the children and the community. She explained that the new school is equipped to cater to the needs of all pre-schoolers, including disabled children from Sunderland, Johns Hall and the surrounding areas. “We have also made provisions for students who might be physically challenged, by putting in place a wheelchair access ramp. One of the major improvements is that the school community no longer has to contend with pit latrines –fully functional flush toilets and other new bathroom facilities are now in place,” said Ms. Caskey.

FFP has also installed outside play area and play equipment for the children. A perimeter fence has also been erected to enhance the safety and security of the children. Ms. Caskey expressed gratitude to the donors for their partnership on the project: “The Yaggie family - your generosity is making a big difference in Sunderland and we commend you wholeheartedly! Without your significant support we would not be able to make a positive change in the lives of the pre-scholars of Sunderland, John’s Hall and the surrounding communities who depend on this school.”

YAGGIE FAMILY PLEASED TO HELP JAMAICAN CHILDREN
Indicating that his family was delighted for the opportunity to assist Jamaica, Mike Yaggie thanked FFP for the opportunity to improve life for the children of Sunderland. “This is the formative years in the lives of our children and so a school like this will pay dividends in this community for years to come. We know that this structure is far better for the children. We see a lot of potential in these children. They will be the future leaders of this community and this gives us great joy,” Mr. Yaggie gushed with enthusiasm. “Our family has been immensely blessed but our true blessing is seeing you and seeing the difference that has been made.”

Zelma Pessoa, Principal and Lincoln James, School Board Chairman told participants in the opening ceremony that they were elated to receive the modern facilities that are more learner friendly.

FFP & RBC COLLABORATE ON ELGIN TOWN PROJECT
In Elgin Town, RBC Royal Bank Jamaica Ltd., RBC Canada Foundation, FFP Canada and FFP Jamaica collaborated in the construction of the new basic school. Staff of RBC Royal Bank Jamaica Ltd. also gave freely of their time and effort in beautifying the new school. It has four classrooms, a computer room, office, sickbay, bathrooms and kitchen.FFP has also equipped the school with new furniture.

During the official opening of the school on December 4, Garnet Dias, Principal reflected on the challenging conditions posed by the old school plant, “In the old building, we were faced with severe overcrowding...the room was divided into three classrooms for 75 students. This made movement and the setting up of a learning centre very difficult. We also had insufficient furniture, an old stove and a refrigerator that had its challenges. But thank God for inspiring Food For The Poor and RBC Royal Bank to donate this lovely building to the Elgin Town community.” She expressed confidence that the new school was a significant improvement for the community.

FFP CANADA PLEASED WITH PARTNERSHIP
Samantha Mahfood, Executive Director, FFP Canada lauded the partners for the project.“I want to thank the many people and organisations who were involved in building this new structure: the Royal Bank of Canada Foundation for funding the school as well as the RBC Jamaica staff who volunteered their time to paint the school last month. Without the support of strong individuals and organisations, the work of Food For The Poor does not happen,” said Ms. Mahfood. “I also commend the community of Elgin Town and Principal Dias, for advocating for a better facility for your students.”

She pointed out that the children have now moved from an overcrowded space without adequate sanitation and kitchen facilities to a building that will foster the desire to learn math, reading and culture. The Executive Director of FFP Canada emphasized that Food For The Poor is committed to “empowering Jamaicans through the 50 schools project – building 50 schools, training 500 teachers and educating thousands of children, as well as by providing food, medicines, housing, skills training and income generating activities across the island.”

Roger Cogle, Managing Director, RBC expressed delight that his organization had an opportunity to assist the residents of Elgin Town: “Ensuring our children and youth receive support throughout critical stages in their development is a priority for society and an important area of focus for us at RBC Royal Bank and we are proud to be able to support Food For The Poor in their ‘Jamaica 50 Campaign.” Mr. Cogle stated that his financial institution would continue to support the development of early childhood institutions and after-school programmes that help children grow, learn and explore their full potential.

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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 95% 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:
Erica James-King, PROComm, T: 926-6740 or 564-5277

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