Senior Men's Health Fair

Scenes from opening of Men's Health Fair organised by National Council for Senior Citizens. They were addressed by the inspiring NCSC Chair Mrs Syringa Marshall-Burnett, past Exec Director the dynamic Mrs Beverley Hall-Taylor and yours truly - founder of the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons. Prizes were donated by Digicel and National Baking Company. Sponsors were the National Health Fund and The Coconut Industry Board. The event was held at the St Andrew Parish Church Hall in Half-Way-Tree.

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Agape Basic School up and running!

Scenes from the official opening of new buildings for the Agape Basic School courtesy of Food for the Poor with the support of 'Friends of Agape' in Pennsylvania. The Friends were led by Mike & Tracey Moyer and Jeff & Eileen Christian. The Christians and their two beautiful daughters Chrissie and Kelly were on hand for the Opening this morning in Seaforth St. Thomas.
This is the 12th School being built in the FFP Jamaica 50 Programme to build 50 basic schools in Jamaica in 50 months.
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One powerful Mom!

Althea Beverley (R) with one of her 8 children - daughter Brittney Miller who is a 6th Former at a Kingston high school.

Single mother Althea Beverley stepped up to the microphone at the launch of the GraceKennedy Education Run last Wednesday, to thank the company's two foundations for their assistance in helping her educate her eight children.  She said they were able to use the homework centre at Tower Street and that she ensured they worked hard at their respective schools: Westwood High, Holy Childhood High, Dunoon Technical, St. Andrew Technical and Convent of Mercy 'Alpha'.
"One is now at Miami Dade," said Althea, "and the other has just finished her BSc degree in tourism.  I told all of them that they should push to college.  I stay behind them, get their breakfast, put them on the bus and sometimes I follow them to prayers so I can hear what is going on at the school." 
Althea, who lives on Gold Street with her family, says that she ensures her children go to school "six days per week – yes, they go to Saturday class" and says she wants to see "more parents standing up for their children." She said that when her first child got eight CXC/CSEC subjects, she used her performance to motivate her siblings. 
"Grace & Staff were like my family throughout – Miss Frances Madden and Mr Sweeney were like my second mother and father," she said of their support.  The fundraising formula for Grace & Staff is that the company gives double of whatever is contributed by staff members.  Chairman Jimmy Moss-Solomon said the funds have been able to give thousands of children an education over the past 34 years. Well done!
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Food for the Poor – love that lifts

Saleem & Evelyn Mahfood celebrate their 25th Wedding Anniversary with sons and their wives

by Jean Lowrie-Chin | Observer column | Monday 17 June 2013
She was heading out to open a home for young mothers, when 80-year-old Evelyn Mahfood was crippled by a gunman’s attack in 1992.   This did not deter the matriarch of the Mahfood family from continuing her service to the poor, a way of life that she and her late husband, Saleem Sr had instilled in their four sons, Ferdie, Sam (Saleem Jr), Robin and Joe.  With her blessing, Ferdie had started Food for the Poor in 1983 as a feeding programme for the indigent in Kingston.  As she encouraged the organisation’s growth, it blossomed into an international entity by the time of her passing in 2004.

Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month, as the largest charity organization in Jamaica, while Food For The Poor Inc., located in Florida is the largest international relief and development organization in the US, serving the poor in 17 countries in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Evelyn and Saleem Sr would be proud to know that on Ferdie’s retirement, their third son Robin, is now at the helm of the international organisation, while their grandson Andrew, son of former PSOJ President the late Sam Mahfood, is now Chairman of Food for the Poor Jamaica.

A grateful Jamaican family with their new home built by Food for the Poor

The achievements of Food for the Poor Jamaica is a litany of hope for our indigent:

-       33,862 housing units

-       16 fishing villages with gifts of boats, fishing and safety equipment and furnished bases

-       Some 60,000 farmers have received farming implements, seedlings and training and more recently with EU assistance, former banana farmers have been able to initiate other agricultural projects.

-       Hundreds of non-violent prisoners have been released and reunited with their families under the FFP Prison Release Project headed by Sandra Ramsay.

-       Thousands of tons of food have been delivered to distributions centres all over Jamaica on a monthly basis to prevent malnutrition

-       The FFP Education Programme has helped hundreds of students to study up to tertiary level

For 2012, FFPJ distributed health care supplies valued at J$3.1 billion to public health facilities, non-governmental organizations, infirmaries and schools. In February alone this year, the charity provided the Ministry of Health with 200 wheelchairs, 40 hospital beds, several operating theatre lights, stretchers and sofas; for its hospitals and health centres.

 Last year, Food for the Poor launched the Jamaica 50 - 50 Basic School campaign, a commitment to build 50 basic schools in 50 months.  The promised is being kept as the organisation’s high energy team, led by Susan James Casserly have already provided new buildings with modern sanitary facilities for: St. Margaret’s Real Success Basic School – Kingston; George’s Valley Basic School – Manchester; Esher Full Gospel Basic School – Hanover; Kings Infant School (formerly known as Long Hill Basic School) – Westmoreland;  Greenvale Basic School – Manchester; High House Early Childhood Institution – St. Catherine; Fern, United, and Accompong Basic Schools  –  St.  Elizabeth; Steerfield Basic School – St. Ann.

Sharon Thomas (3^rd left), Principal, Garden Wood Basic School and Pastor Victor Peña (4^th right), Donor Representative, Destiny City Fellowship Church of United States of America cut the ribbon, signalling the official opening of the Garden Wood Basic School on Wednesday, June 12. Cheering on the ribbon cutters are:  students of the basic school (centre) Jacqueline Johnson (3^rd right), Executive Director, Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFPJ); (from left)  Marcia Walker, Social Outreach Manager, FFPJ, Pastors Dexter Dennis and Lansley Blake, school board representatives; and Claudette Grant, Secretary to the President of the Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh Day Adventists.

Wednesday the Garden Wood Basic School was opened in Clarendon, and tomorrow FFPJ will journey to Seaforth, St. Thomas for the opening of Agape Basic. Then they will be in St. Ann on Thursday for the opening of Grants Mountain Basic and in St. Elizabeth on June 26, to open new buildings for the Christian Methodist Basic School.

The dynamic local Food for the Poor team has a strong Board chaired by Andrew Mahfood, supported by Vice-Chair Chris Bicknell, former Chairman Sister Benedict Chung, legendary philanthropist Pokar Chandiram, William Mahfood, Jerry Mahfood, Professor Michael Lee, Monsignor Michael Lewis, Attorney-at-Law Debbie-Ann Gordon and yours truly.   The executive includes Jacqueline Johnson, Deacon Ron Burgess, Jennifer Tomlinson and Susan Moore.  We are fired with the words of Matthew 25:40: “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do it unto me”.

My friend Jane Buchanan of Reuters in New York is now a monthly donor to Food for the Poor after I introduced her to their website.  “I was so impressed with what I saw there,” said Jane. “I know that my money is going directly to the poor.”  She said she appreciates the fact that only 5% of donations goes to administration.  Food for the Poor runs a tight, no-frills ship. Please visit their website at www.foodforthepoorja.com to see the islandwide locations where you can donate.

Half-Way-Tree

Saturday afternoon scenes in Half-Way-Tree
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Please support Stella Maris Ministries in Grants Pen, Federal, Downtown!

Gate Prize: Weekend for 2 at Sandals!

GRACEKENNEDY SIGNS HANSLE PARCHMENT AS BRAND AMBASSADOR

HANSLE JOINS THE GK FAMILY:   Hansle Parchment (right), Olympic Bronze Medalist, chats with Dahlia Klein, Senior Advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister and Nicholas Bramwell, Senior Brand Manager at GraceKennedy Foods.  They are seen at the company's signing of Hansle as GraceKennedy's second Brand Ambassador and the face of the company's aloe vera beverage.  The function took place at Grace's downtown, Kingston headquarters yesterday.

Kingston, Jamaica, June 14, 2013 – Subsequent to signing track and field athlete Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce at its Ambassador in 2008, GraceKennedy has now signed a second - hurdler Hansle Parchment.  The signing took place yesterday at GraceKennedy's Headquarters on Harbour Street. In addition to his role as GraceKennedy Ambassador, Hansle will also be the face of the company's Aloe Vera beverage.

 "We saw Hansle's potential even before his amazing performance in last year's Olympics. So we started discussions with him at that time. We are really pleased to see how tremendously he has grown in the last couple of years as an athlete and as a person," said GraceKennedy Group CEO, Don Wehby. "When we signed Shelly-Ann as our first Ambassador, it was because we felt that she embodied all the values of the GraceKennedy brand – honesty, integrity, commitment, to name a few. We had that feeling early on about Hansle too," he continued. 

"I want to thank GraceKennedy for allowing me to be their brand ambassador," declared Hansle Parchment. "I am blessed and honoured to be associated with a brand that has become a household name and I assure you I will live up to the highest expectations."

Regarding Hansle representing Grace Foods' Aloe Vera beverage, GK Foods CEO, Michael Ranglin noted that the drink is steadily on the rise as far as popularity goes. "When Jamaicans taste this drink, they are always surprised at how delicious and refreshing it is. Add to that the fact that it is good for you, and we have a winning product. A winning athlete and a winning product add up to a winning combination, and we look forward to the gains to be made with Hansle as the face for that beverage," he said.

In her address, Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister—for Sport, The Hon. Natalie Neita-Headley observed, "What I admire the most about GraceKenendy is that your company remains committed to giving back and to Corporate Social Responsibility. Grace epitomizes what real partnership and real commitment is all about. Yes we have great athletes and great coaches but without corporate sponsorship many of our bright stars would not shine."

Hansle, a Psychology student at the University of the West Indies, won the bronze medal in the final of the 110m hurdles at the London Olympics in 2012, achieving a new Jamaican record in the process. 

"We know his future is bright. His dedication and drive tell us all we need to know," said Don Wehby. "He could very well be our first hurdles Olympic champion.  We are proud to have him as our Ambassador, and excited about the results of this collaboration."

100 teachers enriched by Digicel Foundation

Kerry-Jo Lyn (standing, left) and Dr Michele Meredith (standing, right) interact with some of the teachers undergoing training in the use of technology to enhance literacy during a training session at Shaw Park Beach Hotel in St Ann recently. -PHOTO BY CARL GILCHRIST

by Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer
OCHO RIOS, St Ann:DIGICEL FOUNDATION and the Ministry of Education chose Ocho Rios, St Ann, as the location to continue its enrichment initiative for primary-school teachers with a two-day seminar recently.
One hundred teachers, representing 50 schools from across the island, spent the time upgrading their skills using the technology provided by the telecoms giant. The technology is expected to aid in curriculum delivery as teachers continue the work to improve literacy among primary-school students.
"What we have here today are teachers who are mobile-enrichment cart users," explained Dr Michele Meredith, special education project coordinator in the ministry's Education System Transformation Programme.
"The idea is that at the end of the day, we should see greater gains in literacy because the teachers themselves will be exposed to additional competencies."
The initiative was started in 2009 when Digicel Foundation partnered with the Ministry of Education to use technology to increase literacy at the primary-school level.
HELPING 50 SCHOOLS
Last year, the foundation pledged to assist 50 schools in observance of Jamaica's 50th year of Independence and invited the public to submit schools which they believed needed help in dealing with illiteracy. The 50 were chosen from a list of more than 200 schools.
The initiative sees Digicel Foundation providing computers, software, literacy tools, and material, and the ministry being responsible for training teachers in how best to use the technology to deliver the curriculum.
The training also enables teachers to identify, at an early stage, students who are having difficulty learning. These students are then exposed to additional learning plans using the technology.
Over the four years since the initiative started, 31 enrichment centres have been established in primary schools, in addition to 74 enrichment-cart schools, which are scaled-down versions of enrichment centres.
Programme manager at Digicel Foundation, Kerry-Jo Lyn, said the programme has seen tremendous results so far.
"What we have seen, when we do an evaluation, is an average improvement (in literacy) of two grade levels for students participating in the programme. We have some students improve by five grade levels within a year," Lyn said.
"A student at the beginning will be at primary and pre-primary and by the end of even the first term, he would be able to recognise his name, and it's a remarkable thing to see," she added.
Lyn said the partnership with the ministry had been "really good" over the years and has been expanded to include the Camara Jamaica Foundation, which is providing laptops with literacy software.
"We are looking to expand the enrichment programme significantly over the next three years," Lyn said.
rural@gleanerjm.com

US Ambassador Bridgewater on Jamaica and Women's Leadership

United States Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater (left) and Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna at IWF Cornerstone Conference held recently in Montego Bay, Jamaica. (Janet Silvera photo)

With all our issues, we still have a valued country and valuable citizens. Even as we are smarting from Friday's loss to their team, we are fortunate that the US continues to be supportive of our development and that we have such a faithful friend in that global trailblazer US Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater.

At the International Women's Forum (IWF) Conference held in Montego Bay recently, Ambassador Bridgewater spoke on 'Jamaica & the Geo-Politics of the Caribbean'. "It is fitting that we are gathered here today in beautiful Montego Bay to discuss the geo-politics of the Caribbean as Jamaica has long played a prominent political, economic, and cultural role in the region," she said. "Situated at the crossroads of the Caribbean, Jamaica has diplomatic relations with most nations and is a member of the United Nations and the Organisation of American States."

Do we Jamaicans understand the respect we have gained from the international community for them to establish such strong diplomatic relations with us? Shouldn't we try to comport ourselves in such a manner that we can reinforce their warm relations with us? Thankfully, there are stalwarts of our nation who have helped to strengthen our democracy and security, and these have not gone unnoticed.

"Jamaica is a long-standing, stable parliamentary democracy with a proud history of free, fair and transparent elections, and respect for freedom of the press and a well-established electoral commission as a watchdog over the conduct of elections," said the insightful US Ambassador.

Of course, Ambassador Bridgewater had to acknowledge that "a small but vigorous minority of criminals has perpetrated advanced-fee fraud and lotto scams". She noted however: "The Jamaican Government has responded quickly to combat advanced-fee frauds and lottery scams."

She also noted our "leadership role in Caribbean and Central American security by establishing Centres of Excellence", and also our humanitarian efforts in Haiti after their tragic earthquake. Well, do I remember how Dr Shane Alexis and his brave band of fellow Jamaican doctors, pleaded their way to Haiti in order to assist with the thousands of medical emergencies. Our JDF soldiers were also credited with helping to bring order to urgent food distribution.

Lifelong friends - Nelson Mandela with Ambassador Bridgewater

Last Thursday, Ambassador Bridgewater was at the UWI, delivering a treasure trove of findings and guidance in her lecture on Women's Leadership. This celebrated public servant was the first African-American woman to serve as Consul General in Durban, South Africa, and enjoys a lifelong friendship with Nelson Mandela, after establishing, in the words of a senior colleague, "a degree of trust and confidence with Mr Mandela and the ANC leadership that the US had not previously enjoyed".

Her brilliant presentation should have been a "TED Talk" — it was a life-changing offering that convinced every woman in that packed room that indeed, with application, confidence and generosity of spirit, we too could succeed. She shared findings from a New York Times study: "a recent review of the S&P 1500 index found that corporations led by women performed better, that is to say, they yielded higher profits. In academia, universities led by women had higher rates of matriculation than universities led by men."

She made it clear that she was not calling for a "battle of the sexes": "I have never subscribed to that notion or to the theory that there are necessarily male or female solutions to problems, but there are effective and ineffective solutions to problems that both men and women must utilise."

Those of us who support the 51 per cent Coalition welcomed the information that the hiring practices for the US Foreign Service were revised on a directive from the Office of Equal Opportunity. "In 1982, only seven of the 134 United States ambassadors were women, compared to 43 today," she said.

USAID Mission Director Denise Herbol

Ambassador Bridgewater's lecture was preceded by remarks from two of her colleagues, mother of three Denise Herbol, mission director for USAID in Jamaica, and Yolonda Kerney, public affairs officer who is rearing an infant son, while her husband works across the Atlantic in Ghana. 

Yolonda Kerney with Jamaica-America Friends President Morin Seymour

Their stories of cultural challenges, parent-teachers' meetings and father-son bonding via Skype reassured their Jamaican counterparts that we were not alone in our never-ending balancing act.

"Gone are the days when we tried to pretend that small children do not need their mothers, even when their mothers have returned to work after birth," said the ambassador. "It's for this reason I am so proud to say that every US embassy and consulate have clean, clearly identifiable lactation stations where our employees who are nursing mothers may express breast milk." In view of the concerns raised by the business community, this would be a good compromise for those companies which could not afford to set up nurseries, as breast milk could be conserved for later feedings.

Ambassador Bridgewater reflected on the fear of both male and female bosses that working mothers "are less committed to their careers". She opined that this is far from being so as there were "many women who juggle the competing demands of motherhood and career, and thrive with both".

As my husband and I discussed this topic, we reflected that it was my "Mommy track" that encouraged him to join the small business I had started and to take it to a level I could never have on my own. We were able to share child-rearing and business duties, growing all to such a level that the children have now finished college and are making their own contribution to the business.

It is wonderful to know that we are so much closer to a gender-balanced world, thanks to the courageous women like Ambassador Bridgewater who did not allow themselves to be intimidated by prejudice or patronage. See the full presentation at: http://kingston.usembassy.gov/sp_06062013.html.

FOOD FOR THE POOR CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF SERVICE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Andrew Mahfood (left), Chairman, Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFPJ), cuts the Food For The Poor 30th Anniversary Cake with the two longest serving members of the charity.  Audrey Stanton  (centre) and Burchell Hutchinson have been with FFPJ for 25 years. The Anniversary cake cutting exercise took place at FFPJ's  Spanish Town Office  on Thursday afternoon, June 6, 2013.

Spanish Town, Jamaica - June 7, 2013: As it celebrates its 30th Anniversary today, Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFPJ) is renewing its commitment to continue to serve the economically and socially challenged in Jamaica. Andrew Mahfood, Chairman, FFPJ, says that by providing citizens with basic necessities, skills training and assisting with the development of income-generating activities, FFPJ has been realizing its mandate of encouraging sustainable development among Jamaicans.

"We have been delighted to serve the poorest of the poor in Jamaica. Lending a helping hand to empower others is our main inspiration at Food For The Poor," Mr. Mahfood asserts. "We will continue to do so through the provision of shelter, clothing, food, skills training, agricultural and emergency relief programmes, as well as micro-enterprise development."

During the past three decades, FFPJ has grown phenomenally from a small feeding programme in Kingston, to the largest international relief organization in Jamaica.

The FFPJ Chairman is commending the donors for fuelling this growth, "We are very appreciative to our donors, as without their help, we would not be able to implement our programmes. More than 95 percent of all donations go directly to programmes that help the poor."

Robin Mahfood, President / CEO of Food For The Poor Inc. shares similar sentiments. He expresses confidence that Food For The Poor continues to serve as a ray of hope to the island's destitute, through the assistance of donors and the charity's dedicated team of workers and volunteers. "Food For The Poor's donors continue to achieve amazing transformation for the poor, but the needs are immense," says Mr. Robin Mahfood. "We are asking for everyone's help to continue giving what they can to prevent more suffering and improve our charity's ability to get food and other critical supplies to those who need them the most."

Meanwhile, Mr. Andrew Mahfood today announced that the FFPJ Jamaica 50 Campaign, which was launched in June last year, in celebration of Jamaica's 50th year of Independence, is on track to complete 15 schools in 12 months.  "During this month, we will be officially opening four early childhood institutions constructed under the FFPJ Jamaica 50 Campaign." The FFPJ Campaign aims to build and or upgrade 50 basic schools islandwide in 50 months.

Recipient school communities have been elated at the intervention of FFPJ. The views of Rosalyn Gayle, Principal, High House Basic School, is reflective of the views of those school communities, which have benefited from the FFP Jamaica 50 Campaign. Mrs. Gayle is expressing appreciation to Food For The Poor on behalf of the school community for the new school, provided under the Jamaica 50 Programme. She says since the new school was opened in February this year, "it is a special treasure in the community and many parents who did not want to send their children to the old, dilapidated school are now sending their young ones to the new school."The new High House Basic School comprises three classrooms, a sickbay, an office for the teachers, kitchen and bathrooms, and has the capacity to accommodate 100 children. 

The FFPJ Chairman discloses that since the inception of the charity, it has built 33,862 housing units in Jamaica for needy persons, with 1,172 of that number being built last year.   In the area of agriculture, FFPJ has been assisting small farmers and institutions to become more self-reliant.  The organization has provided planting material, technical expertise and assisted with the development of marketing programmes for hundreds of farmers. This approach in empowering farmers has been done through FFP's Rural Economic Agricultural Programme (REAP) and the EU-funded Economic Diversification Programme for Banana Producing Parishes. 

On the matter of health care, FFPJ provides health care items to hospitals, health centres, infirmaries and nursing homes. The donations are comprised of beds, wheelchairs, surgical equipment, ambulances, and pharmaceuticals. For 2012, FFPJ distributed health care supplies valued at J$3.1 billion to public health facilities, non-governmental organizations, infirmaries and schools. In February alone this year, the charity provided the Ministry of Health with 200 wheelchairs, 40 hospital beds, several operating theatre lights, stretchers and sofas; for use in its hospitals and health centres. "In our thrust to assist in enhancing public health and improving patient care in Jamaica, FFPJ also runs several annual health fairs which provide free medical and dental services," Mr. Mahfood points out.

He provides an update on some of the other sustainable activities, which FFPJ is fostering among communities: "We continue to assist fishermen in 16 Food For The Poor Fishing Village Projects throughout the island. We have trained them in environmentally sound fishing techniques, so that they will become more productive." The charity has also provided fishermen with boats, equipment, gear sheds, cold storage facilities, housing, food, and furniture.

As part of its 30th Anniversary celebrations, FFPJ will today (Friday, June 7) celebrate with the fishermen at the Manchioneal Fishing Village in Portland. This Fishing Village has been a beneficiary over the years, of the FFPJ Fishing Village Project.

Other highlights of FFPJ's programmes to assist the less fortunate include:

- Providing life-saving emergency aid to survivors of natural disasters. By having an established network of resources throughout the island, FFPJ can offer emergency aid quickly and effectively.
- Assisting with fruit tree planting projects, and animal husbandry, which provide food and income, thereby helping to create self-sustaining communities.
- Constructing training centres and clinics.
- Providing economic and social support to children's homes and homes for the elderly
- Offering educational grants and school supplies to needy students
- Providing schools with furniture
- Providing clean water to residents
 
-End-

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
___________

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

Petri-Ann Henry | Food For The Poor Jamaica I (876) 564-2886 or (876) 907-3664 |

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Be Good To You

 

A poem shared by US Ambassador Hon Pamela Bridgewater at Lecture on Women in Leadership earlier today at UWI, Mona.  The wonderful thing is - she lives these words.  She is a global trailblazer of strong faith and fine intellect - we are blessed to have her support.

Be yourself – Truthfully
Accept yourself – Gratefully
Value yourself – Joyfully
Forgive yourself – Completely
Treat yourself – Generously
Balance Yourself – Harmoniously
Bless yourself – Abundantly
Treat yourself – Confidently
Love yourself – Wholeheartedly
Empower yourself – Prayerfully
Give of yourself – Enthusiastically
Express yourself – Radiantly