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.

Gov't, Food for the Poor in housing partnership

Thursday, August 23, 2012

THE Government is partnering with Food for the Poor to provide 9,000 houses over the next five years for low-income earners across the island. 

A contract for construction of the first 1,200 wooden houses and 600 concrete units was signed Tuesday at the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing's head offices in Kingston.

A file photo of a wooden house constructed by Food for the Poor.

Partners in the housing agreement between the Government of Jamaica and Food For The Poor (FFP) sign documents finalising the partnership on Tuesday at the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Maxfield Avenue in Kingston. The signatories are (from left) Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Peter Phillips; Minister of Transport, Works and Housing Dr Omar Davies; FFP Chairman Andrew Mahfood; and FFP Vice- Chairman Chris Bicknell. Witnessing the signing are (from left - standing) are Luther Buchanan, minister of state, Office of the Prime Minister; Candace Rochester of the Attorney General’s Chambers; Richard Azan, minister of state, Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing; Lucille Brodber, project director, Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme; Sharon Weber, managing director, Petro Caribe Development Fund; and Audrey Sewell, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing.

Portfolio Minister Dr Omar Davies said the houses will be built under the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP), with management from the Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ).

Work is expected to get underway in another two weeks and continue over a 12-month period.

Davies said that the Government's contribution to the project will be funded through a $500-million grant from the Petro Caribe Development Fund.

Construction of the wooden dwellings will cost approximately US$6,400 per unit, with the Government providing US$3,200 for each unit and Food for the Poor matching the amount. Erection of the concrete structures is projected to cost approximately US$9,500 each.

Under the agreement, Food for the Poor will work with the HAJ to construct the 600 concrete units, which will be sold on the open market by the National Housing Trust, using its priority index system for the selection of beneficiaries.

The 1,200 wooden houses will be built by Food for the Poor and will be distributed islandwide free of cost. Beneficiaries will be drawn from the organisation's existing list of applicants as well as from persons recommended by members of Parliament, councillors, churches, and community groups.

The houses will be built on lands provided by government or those owned or accessed by the beneficiaries.

Davies pointed out that under the agreement Food for the Poor will transfer the technology for constructing the special concrete units to government agencies so that "we should be able to significantly increase the number of such units".

Food for the Poor Chairman Andrew Mahfood said the charity organisation was delighted to partner with the Government to deliver "thousands of shelter needs to poor and low-income households, who are always at a financial disadvantage in acquiring their own home".

He noted that thousands of Jamaicans were not privileged to own a home and this hampers individual productivity and contributes to the dissolution of the family.

Mahfood said this latest partnership was, therefore, a step in the right direction in providing assistance to Jamaicans in need.

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Gov-t--Food-for-the-Poor-in-housing-partnership_12331356#ixzz24OHJGpx7

The Signing of the Housing Agreement with the Government

Andrew Mahfood (at microphone), Chairman, Food For The Poor (FFP), addresses participants in the Signing Ceremony for a Housing Agreement between FFP and the government, for the construction of two categories of affordable housing solutions for the poor and low income earners on Tuesday, August 21 at the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Maxfield Avenue, Kingston. Sharing in the occasion are (from left) Jacqueline Johnson, Senior Consultant, FFP; Chris Bicknell, Vice Chairman, FFP, and Cecile Watson, Managing Director, National Housing Trust. Under the Agreement, FFP will construct 1,200 wooden houses per annum. The houses will be distributed islandwide free of cost to citizens who are living below the poverty line. The beneficiaries will be drawn from FFP’s existing list of applicants, as well as from persons recommended by the churches, community groups and political representatives. Food For The Poor will also construct 600 concrete units, which will be sold by the National Housing Trust using its priority index system for the selection of beneficiaries. The primary target group for this category of housing is persons earning minimum wage.

Audrey Sewell (at microphone), Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing welcome participants to the Signing Ceremony on Tuesday, August 21, between Food For The Poor and the government, for the construction of two categories of affordable housing solutions islandwide for the poor and low income earners. Among those sharing in the occasion are: Richard Azan (partially hidden- sitting next to Audrey Sewell) State Minister in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing; (from left-at adjoining table) Ron Burgess, Senior Director – Recipient Services, FFP; Jacqueline Johnson, Senior Consultant, FFP; Andrew Mahfood, Chairman, FFP, Chris Bicknell, Vice Chairman, FFP and Cecile Watson, Managing Director, National Housing Trust. The partnership will see FFP constructing 1,200 wooden houses per year. The houses will be distributed islandwide free of cost to citizens who are living below the poverty line. The beneficiaries will be drawn from FFP’s existing list of applicants, as well as from persons recommended by the churches, community groups and political representatives. Food For The Poor will also be constructing 600 concrete units, which will be sold  by the National Housing Trust to persons earning minimum wage.

The Food For the Poor (FFP) team listens attentively to Minister of Transport, Works and Housing Dr. Omar Davies during the Signing Ceremony on Tuesday, August 21, between the charity and the government, for the construction of two categories of affordable housing solutions islandwide for the poor and low-income earners. (From left) Ron Burgess, Senior Director – Recipient Services; Jacqueline Johnson, Senior Consultant; Andrew Mahfood, Chairman, and Chris Bicknell, Vice Chairman. Also sharing in the occasion is Cecile Watson, Managing Director, National Housing Trust.

Partners in the Housing Agreement between the government of Jamaica and Food For The Poor (FFP) sign documents finalizing the partnership on Tuesday, August 21 at the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Maxfield Avenue, Kingston. The signatories are (from left): Dr. Peter Phillips, Minister of Finance and Planning; Dr. Omar Davies, Minister of Transport, Works and Housing; Andrew Mahfood, Chairman, FFP and Chris Bicknell, Vice Chairman, FFP.  Witnessing the signing are(from left-standing): Luther Buchanan, Minister of State, Office of the Prime Minister; Candace Rochester of the Attorney General’s Chambers; Richard Azan, Minister of State, Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing; Lucille Brodber, Project Director, Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme ; Sharon Weber, Managing Director, Petro Caribe Development Fund and Audrey Sewell, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing. Under the Agreement, FFP will construct 1,200 wooden houses per year. The houses will be distributed islandwide free of cost to citizens who are living below the poverty line. The beneficiaries will be drawn from FFP’s existing list of applicants, as well as from persons recommended by the churches, community groups and political representatives. Food For The Poor will also construct 600 concrete units, which will be sold by the National Housing Trust to persons earning minimum wage.

(From right) Andrew Mahfood, Chairman, Food For The Poor (FFP), Dr. Omar Davies, Minister of Transport, Works and Housing; and Dr. Peter Phillips, Minister of Finance and Planning; participate in the Signing Ceremony between FFP and the government on Tuesday, August 21, for the construction of two categories of affordable housing solutions islandwide for the poor and low income earners. Witnessing the signing of the agreement contracts are (from right): Lucille Brodber, Project Director, Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme; Richard Azan, Minister of State, Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing; Candace Rochester and Catherine Williams both of the Attorney General’s Chambers. The partnership will see FFP constructing 1,200 wooden houses per year. The houses will be distributed islandwide free of cost to citizens who are living below the poverty line. The beneficiaries will be drawn from FFP’s existing list of applicants, as well as from persons recommended by the churches, community groups and political representatives. Food For The Poor will also be constructing 600 concrete units, which will be sold by the National Housing Trust to persons earning minimum wage.

Low Income Houses Coming (collaboration between government & Food For The Poor):

TVJ, Prime Time News, Newstory, Tuesday, August 21, 2012, 7pm: Low Income Houses Coming (collaboration between government & Food For The Poor):

http://www.televisionjamaica.com/Programmes/PrimeTimeNews.aspx/Videos/20285

Food For The Poor Constructs New Home For Care Centre in St. Elizabeth

OFFICIAL OPENING OF SANTA CRUZ CARE CENTRE

The Hon. Noel Arscot (centre), Minister of Local Government and Community Development; Sheldon Howell, Project Officer at Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica and Marcia Mullings-Barrett, Regional Mental Health Officer for the Southern Region prepare to cut the ribbon to signal the official opening of the Santa Cruz Care Centre in St. Elizabeth.

CARE CENTRE RECEIVES LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTRY SUPPORT

The Hon. Noel Arscot, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, addresses the official opening ceremony of the Santa Cruz Care Centre in St. Elizabeth, recently. During the opening ceremony, Minister Arscot pledged J$100,000.00 to assist with the immediate needs of the Centre.

Food For The Poor Constructs New Home For Care Centre

in St. Elizabeth

Spanish Town, St. Catherine (August 9, 2012) – Food For The Poor-Jamaica (FFP-Jamaica) has enhanced services provided for the mentally ill and homeless residents of St. Elizabeth by constructing a new facility for the Santa Cruz Care Centre. This health-care initiative is a collaborative effort with the St. Elizabeth Care Committee, a charity that caters to the needs of street people. The Centre was previously located in a cramped area of the Santa Cruz Health Centre. Thanks to FFP-Jamaica the homeless now have access to a new, spacious and well-equipped facility.

The Santa Cruz Care Centre includes a spacious dining area, an office, a fully equipped kitchen and modern bathroom facilities with shower enclosures for both males and females. The Centre offers hot meals, change of clothing, sanitation facilities, necessary medications and general health care to the homeless and mentally ill.

At the recent official opening ceremony, the Hon. Noel Arscot, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, commended FFP-Jamaica for this timely and necessary initiative. “We have to work together to adequately care for those who find themselves in unfortunate circumstances.  Through this project, Food For The Poor and the St. Elizabeth Care Committee have demonstrated their willingness to serve others and this is quite commendable.  I am sure that the mandate of this Centre, which is to care for the needs of our less fortunate brothers and sisters, will be enhanced as a result of this initiative.”

During his presentation, Minister Arscot also pledged monetary support to assist with the immediate needs of the Centre and stated “the Care Centre will stand as a beacon of hope and rescue for street people in St. Elizabeth.”

The Santa Cruz Care Centre will be managed by the St. Elizabeth Care Committee, who have served the homeless for the past six years. Their mission is to provide a better quality of life for street people. According to Beryl Rochester, Chairman of the Committee, prior to FFP-Jamaica’s donation, their mission was being hampered due to limited space, lack of proper sanitary conveniences and inadequate kitchen facilities.

“We used to operate from a small area that the Health Centre permitted us to use. However, this was posing a serious challenge especially as it related to space. We realized that we had to do something about the situation so we adopted a collaborative approach,” Mrs. Rochester said.  “Today, that approach is paying off. This new structure will aid in the restoration of conversational skills, self-respect, dignity and self-support for the recipients. That’s the impact and that’s our reward.”

(More)

Approximately 65 mentally ill and homeless persons will benefit from the project.  Previously, healthcare service was offered to the beneficiaries once a week; but this is expected to increase with the operation of the new Centre.

Sheldon Howell, Project Officer at FFP-Jamaica, said that FFP remains committed to the overall development of our less fortunate brothers and sisters across the island.  Therefore, “we are proud to have partnered with the St. Elizabeth Care Committee to provide a better quality of life for the recipients. We built a four-unit structure to eliminate the space issue.  In addition to the upgraded bathroom facilities, we ensured that the kitchen area had proper storage cupboards, a stove and a refrigerator as this was not previously in place. This facility will surely make life much easier for the Committee.”

Mr. Howell explained that Food For The Poor is concerned with the holistic development of people. “In this regard, our goal is to improve the health, economic, social and spiritual conditions of the persons we serve through emergency relief aid and programmes in the areas of housing, food, health care, water, sanitation, education, agriculture, outreach and micro-enterprise.”

The Ministry of Health also supported the initiative, as pointed out by Dr. M Irons-Morgan, Director of Mental Health.  She said “When interventions are done early, they cost less.  This intervention will aid in the assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and re-integration of the beneficiaries.  Lives will be rescued and persons will be empowered to live productive lives.”

Among the other invitees at the opening ceremony were: Mr. Raymond Pryce, Member of Parliament for Eastern St. Elizabeth; His Worship the Mayor Councillor Everton Fisher, Mayor of Black River; and Mr. Stallin Brown, Councillor for the Santa Cruz Division.

Contacts:

Petri-Ann Henry | Public Relations Officer:  (876) 564-2886 | petri-annh@foodforthepoorja.org

Public Relations Dept. (876) 907-3664

Erica James-King|Communication Manager | PROComm l  (876) 564-5277 or (876) 926-6740 |Erica.James-King@procomm.com.jm