'CAVEMAN GETS DREAM HOME IN ST VINCENT DISTRICT, TRELAWNY' - The Gleaner's Western Focus - July 28, 2015

Vivian 'Caveman' Smalling of St Vincent district, southern Trelawny, relaxing on the verandah of the house he got courtesy of Food For The Poor Jamaica.

After years of living in squalor in a dilapidated cave, Vivian 'Caveman' Smalling of St. Vincent district, southern Trelawny, was overjoyed in 2013 when he got news that he was to be one of the recipients of one of 102 houses which Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFPJ) was about to distribute to indigent persons in that part of the parish.

However, to the chagrin of Smalling and others like Paul Patmore, the independent councillor for the Lorimers division in the Trelawny Parish Council, when the houses were distributed, Smalling was bypassed.

Following investigations by Western Focus, it was discovered that, contrary to the FFPJ mandate, some of the houses earmarked for indigents like Smalling, were given to political activists, some of whom were already homeowners.

Following the publication of The Gleaner's story outlining the scandalous distribution of the houses, businessman Andrew Mahfood, chairman of Food For The Poor Jamaica, vowed to investigate the claims, promising to make the distribution system free from corruption.

Mahfood also made a solemn promise that no effort would be spared in ensuring that Smalling got the house promised to him.

Proud Owner

Fast forward to 2015, Smalling is the proud owner of his own one-bedroom house, thanks to FFPJ delivering on its promise to him. His old life, living in squalor, is now behind him and, according to him, he is quite at home in his new surroundings.

"Mi happy! Mi still nuh believe say mi have mi own house," a smiling Smalling told Western Focus last week. "I have to say thanks to the Food For The Poor people."

A tour of Smalling's humble dwelling revealed he is fairly comfortable. His one-bedroom house features a bathroom, a living room and a verandah.

Whereas 65-year-old Smalling still has needs, especially in regards to food, his kind neighbours ensure he does not go

hungry.

"I get my meals from a few members of the community,' said a relaxed-looking Smalling. "I have my own house and I am in good health. That is all I need. I have life."

- Mark Titus

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/western-focus/20150728/caveman-ffpj-and-dream-home

JAMAICANS' TESTIMONY OF FOOD FOR THE POOR - The Gleaner's Western Focus - July 28, 2015

Vox Pop For Western Focus

Having benefited from assistance provided by the charitable organisation Food For The Poor Jamaica, what is your testimonial in regards to the organisation and its mandate to help the less fortunate?

I am grateful to Food For The Poor for their assistance in setting up my poultry business. It is now for me to make use of this opportunity and grow my business. I will be eternally grateful to this wonderful organisation.
- Alecia Lewis

There is absolutely no doubt that Food For The Poor Jamaica has made an impact on the lives of the less fortunate in Jamaica. The kind of start they provide the needy with can be life changing, if utilised effectively.
- Orlando Mitchell

I am really happy for the help I have received from Food For The Poor. It has changed my life significantly. I am now seeking to expand my business in order to capitalise on an increase in the orders I have been getting from customers.
- Michelle Johnson

The Food For The Poor representatives are down-to-earth and real. They don't behave as if the beneficiaries are strangers. They walk them through the process patiently to ensure they understand. It is a very good organisation.
- Cleve Bailey

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/western-focus/20150728/vox-pop-western-focus

FOOD FOR THE POOR JAMAICA MAKING A BIG IMPACT IN TRELAWNY - The Gleaner's Western Focus - July 28, 2015

Thirty-two-year-old Rebecca Edwards (second left), of Bounty Hall district, Trelawny, collecting the keys to her home from Carolyn Chuck (right) of Courts Jamaica, one of the entities which supported the effort of Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFPJ) to get her settled in a new home. Marsha Burrell (left), development/marketing manager, FFPJ, and Edwards' children look on.

When arsonists torched the Wakefield, Trelawny, home of Raphael Hibbert late last year, his family (seven adults and six children) was left in a state of despair. However, their gloom turned to joy within three weeks as Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFPJ) came to their assistance and built them a brand new home.

"I don't think I will ever have the words to say how grateful I am for what Food For The Poor did for me," Hibbert, a taxi operator, told Western Focus last week. "Without a roof over our heads, going into the Christmas season, I don't know how we would have managed."

Following the November 27, 2014 fire, which destroyed their home and belongings, the family was forced to stay in the homes of other residents, which was quite a challenge in terms of convenience. However, they had no choice but to endure the difficulties they sometimes encountered.

"We had to be sleeping in other residents' homes and we knew that, sooner than later, we would have to leave to give them back their privacy," said Hibbert. "We had no money to rebuild a house but, thank God, Food For The Poor came to our rescue."

The hands of kindness FFPJ extended to Hibbert's family is just one of many noble acts of kindness the organisation, founded in 1982, has shown to the residents of Trelawny in recent times to help alleviate those trapped in poverty, through transparent distribution of aid to them.

With communities such as Dumfries, Deeside, Wakefield and Bunkers Hill, formerly strong traditional sugar cane producers, now reeling from the scaling down of operations at Hampden Sugar Estate, resulting in significant job

losses, the timely intervention of FFPJ has been a blessing.

Similar to what the charitable organisation did for Hibbert's family, FFPJ has been reaching out to residents who become unemployed and, through partnership arrangements with churches, non-governmental and private-sector organisations, children's homes and service organisations, has established self-help projects in communities.

"Many persons knew nothing more than cutting cane, so when the factory scaled down its operation, many

could not get work anywhere else,"

said Evelyn Hall, a beneficiary of FFPJ's broiler-project initiative in her community. "Food For The Poor did a great thing to give us a start with the chickens."

Expanding Projects
The broiler-project initiative, which operates through FFPJ's agriculture and fisheries division, initially saw 26 individuals receiving 100 chickens, 20 bags of feed, watering buckets, feeders and medicine. Twelve persons were provided with materials to build new coops and 17 given deep freezers.

Another notable project undertaken by the FFPH is the now-thriving J$2.5 million animal-husbandry project, which it established in partnership with the Bounty Hall New Testament Church. That project includes pig-rearing, beekeeping and cash-crop cultivation.

"We will be seeking to distribute piglets to interested individuals, in phases, with an understanding that, each beneficiary will return one of their produce to the project, creating a revolving system that can benefit generations to come," Dr Sonia Seivwright, former pastor of the Bounty Hall New Testament Church of God, told Western Focus at the time the project was launched.

While it has expanded into other areas of need, FFPJ remains committed to its primary mandate, to create housing solutions for the indigent and low-income families, through partnerships with agencies affiliated to the Ministry of Housing, Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ) and the National Housing Trust.

In 30 years since it has come to the fore, almost 30, 000 Jamaicans have benefited from numerous housing projects undertaken by FFPJ.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/western-focus/20150728/ffpj-making-big-impact-trelawny

UPLIFTMENT JAMAICA CARRIES OUT FARMING PROJECT IN ST THOMAS - The Star Newspaper - July 27, 2015

Dedicated to giving back to St Thomas, Upliftment Jamaica is making a move towards sustainable income generating endeavours through a multimillion-dollar farming project.

"This project is life-changing. More families will be able to send their children to school; the quality of life will be greatly enhanced as they will be more independent," explains Gary Foster, chairman of Upliftment Jamaica. Over 100 families based in White Horses, Botany Bay and Russell in St Thomas will be benefiting from animal husbandry and cash crops under the Upliftment Farm Project.

"The businesses in the area will also benefit from improved commerce, an increase in products and produce," Foster added.

JOBS

Currently employing 60 persons from St Thomas, the Upliftment Farm Project is moving towards full operation by the end of September. For Conroy Goldbourne, a 49-year-old mason from White Horses, the prospects are looking good. "Projects like this can take a lot of people off the street. This is a good thing for the community to enhance, mostly, the young people with jobs," he said.

Twenty-two-year-old Sashowna Allen will be furthering her education in food preparation so that she too can receive part of the benefits to come.

Located in Shady Springs, White Horses, the Upliftment Farm Project will soon be boasting a full complement of goats and pigs for rearing, beekeeping and cash crops, courtesy of Food for the Poor Jamaica. The project recently partnered with the Digicel Foundation to construct a chicken coop and slaughter house, as well as for the provision of chickens and feed.

http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/20150727/news/news9.html

TRIUMPH! FFP, PARTNERS BUILD BASIC SCHOOL IN MONTPELIER - Jamaica Observer - July 19, 2015

After officially opening the new school building for Triumphant Basic School, (from right) Ian Clarke, CFO for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment; Samantha Mahfood, Executive Director, Food For The Poor Canada; Derrick Kellier, Member of Parliament for South St James; David Mair, Executive Director of FFP Jamaica; and Karl Hale, Founder of Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation celebrate with some of the students on the corridor. (PHOTO: PETRI-ANN HENRY)

FRIDAY, July 3 was the dawn of a new era for the board members, administrators and students of Triumphant Basic School in Montpelier, St James.

The school, which previously had its population of 150 students crammed in a single building, now has spanking new building featuring eight classrooms, 10 bathroom stalls, a computer room, a kitchen, a dining room, an office, and a sick bay, courtesy of Food For The Poor Canada, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) and Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation (HHJF).

Food for the Poor said its the biggest schools to have been built under its basic school programme since it began in 2012.

The school's capacity has increased to 200.

"We had to turn away children because of the lack of space. We had one classroom and partitioning was done using chalkboards. This was a challenge because the space was limited and the children would not be focused as they should have been. Sometimes they would be paying attention to the other activities being done by other teachers instead of listening to their own teacher," principal of the school, Nathalie Samuels told the Jamaica Observer in an interview following the handover.

Triumphant Basic School was founded in 1989

"I joined the staff in September 1999. Over the years, the school's population grew and we sought help in constructing classrooms to better accommodate our 150 students," Samuels said.

Speaking on behalf of the donors, Samantha Mahfood, Executive Director, FFP Canada said she hoped other organisations would use the example of the donation as a model.

"This initiative is a potent demonstration that great things can be achieved for our children with teamwork, philanthropy and dedication. Teachers and students can take comfort in the fact that inadequate classroom space and a deteriorating school structure are things of the past. Administrators will no longer have to worry about teaching aids being destroyed after community meetings or following prolonged rainy weather. Inadequate kitchen facilities, improper furniture, no play area and the lack of a sick bay will all become a distant memory," she said.

One of the donors, Ian Clarke, CFO for MLSE, said the need of the children was the primary factor behind the donation.

"To the kids, we all hope that this school provides you with the ability to dream big and then most importantly, to realise your dreams. Many thanks Food For The Poor for this opportunity. Great organisation, great work. This will be our legacy when we leave here today," he said.

Triumphant Basic's new facility's is the second in a partnership spearheaded by Karl Hale, the founder of HHJF. The groups came together in 2013 and constructed a new facility for Arlington Basic School in St Elizabeth. This year, the partners gathered volunteers who travelled to Jamaica to construct the new school facility between June 30 and July 3.

-- Ainsworth Morris

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/career/Triumph-_19219340

Samantha Mahfood, Executive Director of Food For The Poor Canada, is surrounded by students of Triumphant Basic School in their new building.

Volunteers from Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment share in a group photo after the handing over ceremony for the school they built. (PHOTOS: PETRI-ANN HENRY)

ORANE FAMILY, FOOD FOR THE POOR BUILD HOUSE FOR NEEDY FATHER - Jamaica Observer - July 19, 2015

A NEW HOUSE: Randy Ebanks (second right, front) shakes the hand of Douglas Orane, retired business executive, who, along with Food For The Poor, funded the construction of a new house for Ebanks recently. Other persons who helped to build the house are also captured in the photo.

By AINSWORTH MORRIS
Observer writer

When the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) scores were released some weeks ago, unlike many Jamaican parents, Randy Ebanks, a 36-year-old farmer from Pedro Plains in St Elizabeth, could not celebrate.

That was so because his son, Kemar Ebanks, a grade six student of Pedro Plains Primary School in the parish never got to sit his GSAT examinations earlier this year. Not only could the father not afford to fully prepare his son for the examinations, but they were also still grieving over the loss of another son, Kevone, whom they buried four months before the exam.

Kevone died on November 1, 2014 at age 13 from acute renal failure, which started with his kidney being injured at school five years ago.

"My son had to sit out GSAT because of the death of his other brother who died from kidney failure, which all started at the school he was attending," Ebanks, a single parent at the time of his son's illness, said in an interview last week.

"Kevone said that he was at school playing with some other boys one day. After the game they were playing finished, he was walking away and four of the boys started to kick him. He was knocked out and then brought to the hospital. Then he started to swell and they (doctors) did a surgery on him. They operated on his kidney, put a tube in it, but he died four years after," Ebanks lamented.

Ebanks said that between 2011 and 2014, his life was like a nightmare that would not end. Not only was his son weeping constantly, but they had to travel to the Kingston Public Hospital regularly for treatment, the boys' mother was not present in their lives and the physical structure of his house was falling apart.

"My house was in a very bad state, and when the rain used to fall, and lightning flashed, I used to have to go under the bed," he said.

After hearing his story, a team from Food For The Poor (FFP) decided to intervene, along with the Orane family, led by retired business executive Douglas Orane.

Although they were not able to give Ebanks the gift of having Kevone back in his life, they built a new house for him, Kemar and his common-law wife, Russel Blygen, recently.

The Orane family, donated US$3,200 which was equally matched by FFP to construct the house with funds raised through their recent 5K Run/Walk.

When Douglas Orane was asked how he felt to have helped to provide shelter for Ebanks and his family, he said: "I feel really good to see the Ebanks's being able to start over afresh, and it makes me want to cry with the emotion of the moment."

"The first thing I thought of when I drove up (to view the house after it was fully constructed), was that it was really a roomy house, great value considering the cost. Ebanks is so grateful," Orane added.

He further stated that Ebanks was most deserving of the house.

"What I realise is that he was a very productive person, but he had to give up his regular vocation in order to look after his son, who was actually injured in a fight and died from urinal failure. What a sacrifice to make. Fortunately, he has one other son, and both of them will be living here.

"The thing I like about his approach to life is that he says 'I'm getting back on my feet again. I'm going to restart doing my work which is spraying crops for other farmers in the district, and growing my own crops'," Orane said.

Orane and his young cousin from the United States of America, Kahlil Sanchez, a West Point graduate and Iraq War veteran, helped the FFP and the Ebanks family to complete painting the house prior to the handing over.

"This has been such a moving experience for our family members. For those of us who have the means, let's each help a family that's been visited by calamity to get back on their feet. Food for the Poor is an excellent vehicle through which to do so, because they are so well organised, and every dollar of donation goes one hundred per cent to the needy," Orane said.

THANK YOU: Randy Ebanks (second left) and his son Kemar (centre) were overjoyed after members of Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica and the Orane family, represented by Douglas Orane (right) and cousin Kahlil Sanchez (left), constructed a new home for them and gave them much-needed relief supplies. Also sharing in the moment is David Mair, executive director, FFP.

KEVONE’S GRAVESIDE: Randy Ebanks (second right) and his son Kemar (centre) stand beside the grave of Randy’s deceased son, Kevone, prior to the completion of their new home. Sharing in the moment are (from left): David Mair, executive director, Food For The Poor; Kahlil Sanchez and Douglas Orane, representing the Orane family.

ORANE AT WORK: Retired business executive Douglas Orane gets down to the task of painting the house.

FOOD FOR THE POOR REACHES OUT TO HAITI - Highlights of FFP in Haiti - July 8, 2015

Kingston, Jamaica – July 6, 2015: Food For The Poor (FFP), the international charity organisation which started in Jamaica, is currently offering aid to needy persons in Haiti who have recently crossed over from the Dominican Republic where they had been living.

These persons, expelled from the Dominican Republic on the basis that they are not legal residents or citizens, though some were born there, have been streaming into Haiti, most of them in desperate need. FFP has responded to the urgent request for help for these individuals and families.

Aid is now being distributed through FFP Haiti warehouses in Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien.

Below are photographs with highlights of FFP's contribution so far.

FOOD FOR THE POOR TO THE RESCUE: Hundreds of Haitians in need queue to receive much-needed relief items, such as, rice, shoes, kerosene stoves, blankets and baby supplies from Food For The Poor Haiti staff members in Téte-á-l’eau in the Southeast Department of Haiti.

TRUCKING WITH FOOD FOR THE POOR: Food For The Poor trucks parked with relief items before distribution, recently, in Haiti.

OFFERING HOPE TO THOSE IN NEED: Food For The Poor Haiti staff members unloading relief items outside Ecole Nationale de Bony school in Pascado in the Southeast Department of Haiti for needy individuals who gathered at the school.

THANK YOU, FOOD FOR THE POOR: Food For The Poor Haiti staff members distributing aid to the poor who have gathered in Téte-á-l’eau in the Southeast Department of Haiti.

PROVIDING AID FOR HAITIANS DESPERATELY IN NEED: Here, Food For The Poor Haiti staff members are seen packing relief items brought to Ecole Nationale de Bony school in Pascado in the Southeast Department of Haiti for needy individuals who were sent back to Haiti from the Dominican Republic.

HUSH, LITTLE ONE: A hungry child crying while holding on to her mother in Téte-á-l’eau, Haiti, as they wait on relief items from charity organisation Food For The Poor, recently.

HOLDING ON FOR SURVIVAL: This girl in Téte-á-l’eau, Haiti, holds on to barbed wires which surround a makeshift camp as she and her family wait to receive much-needed aid, such as, rice, shoes, kerosene stoves, blankets and baby supplies.

EXPECTING RELIEF: An expectant mother and her young child look on as dozens of families in Téte-á-l’eau, Haiti wait to receive much needed aid from Food For The Poor Haiti, recently.

PLEASE HELP US! These children patiently wait on relief items to be distributed by Food For The Poor to needy families in Téte-á-l’eau, Haiti, recently.

Published in Jamaica Observer. Click on: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Food-For-The-Poor-rescues-Haitians-expelled-from-Dom-Rep_19188907