July 2008 Newsletter
School is out and summer is in full swing, but I
hope you’ll take a few moments to read the
newsletter.
FOJ supporters David and Michelle Barnes recently
responded to a request on the
Negril.com message
board for someone to carry a package to Mr. Garfield
James of Little London High School. Bracelets were
needed for admission to a school fundraiser. Not
only did David and Michelle carry the package, they
donated the bracelets, as well as equipment for the
Cosmetology Classroom at Little London High. In
David’s own words:
Michelle (my spouse) and I were fortunate
to have the opportunity to visit the Little
London School and experience first hand the
positive impact that Friends of Jamaica has had.
Upon entering the school grounds, the care,
dedication, enthusiasm and respect are apparent
at this amazingly clean and neat high school.
Mr. Garfield James facilitated a tour of the
school. Mr. James is a very pleasant and
professional representative of the school.
Numerous times on our tour we experienced the
respect students have for Mr. James. We were
able to meet many staff members of the school.
It was great to feel the passion and pride that
the administration had for the youth and their
mission of quality education.
The effect that FOJ has had on the school was
evident numerous times during the visit. The
support that Friends of Jamaica provides was
recognized numerous times by the administration.
They are very grateful for the monetary,
physical, and emotional support. We started with
a tour of Mr. Love’s Industrial Arts /
Woodworking department. We were able to witness
first hand how Glenn and Teresa McBride have
made a difference to students in the Woodworking
and Industrial Arts classrooms. Mr. Love's
department was very impressive and you could
feel how proud they were to have the resources
they have. During our visit they were making
shelves for another Jamaican school.
Our next stop was the Food & Nutrition / Home
Economics Department. The classroom was
extremely clean. It was impressive to see all of
the subjects covered and the importance this
course has in Jamaican culture. The Department
consistently scores high in testing compared to
other Jamaican schools.
The Cosmetology department was our last visit.
We had a great deal of interest in this
department due to us owning hair care
franchises. It was interesting to compare the
differences in products used, systems,
curriculum, testing, and licensing. Again – it
was an extremely clean classroom. This
department is one that is very well furnished
with few needs. It is probably the only
department with minimal needs.
The wall that Friends of Jamaica provided
resources for was extremely impressive. It is a
functional, well built structure. The School is
extremely grateful to have this wall. A special
thanks goes to those who provided funding for
this. Thank you to Friends of Jamaica for
facilitating the visit. It was very
inspirational and we are grateful to see
"inside" a Jamaican High School. Friends of
Jamaica and their supporters have made a big
difference in many youths in the Little London
area.
Thank you, David and Michelle for your generous
donation and your support.
The Young Men’s Ministry in Central Village near
Spanish Town continues to make positive changes
in the lives of the young men benefiting from
the project.
You might remember that this project gives these
boys and young men an important alternative to a
life of crime and drugs as well as tutoring and
life skills training. Their summer camp starts
soon. Part of the plan for the camp included
raising chickens to help feed the campers. FOJ
recently made an emergency grant for chicken
feed, as the cost of it is skyrocketing. They
are desperately in need of more funding. Please
take a moment to read the
Camp Schedule for an
idea of how important this camp is to these
boys. When you are done, please consider making
a donation for this project and be a part of
helping make a difference in their lives. We
plan to wire the donations to them by July 12th.
To help encourage you to donate, during the
month of July, when you buy 2 sets of Kids
Cards, you will get a third set free. FOJ will
even pay the postage and handling on the 3rd
set. The third set will not appear in your
order, but will be included in the shipment.
These blank greeting cards are great to have on
hand for all your handwritten notes to friends
and family. Show your support for FOJ and
remember you can make an additional donation at
the same time you order the cards.
Mr. Dennis feeding the chickens for Summer Camp
FOJ Board Member Newton Dixon (right) at a
recent site visit at the Homework Center; Chris
Pierre,(center) project director; Mr. Dixon’s
father (left)
The Neonatal Resuscitation Project is also in
need of donations. We are excited about
participating in a $10,000 matching grant
through the Loves Park Rotary Club by donating
$1,000 to the project. (I am a member of the
Loves Park club.) Our donation will be matched
by District and Rotary International funds. The
grant will help the Jamaica Ministry of Health
assume responsibility for continuing the project
that FOJ helped develop and carry out since
2005.
The grant will equip all four regions of Jamaica
with baby mannequins and learner manuals. It
will also certify Jamaican instructors in each
region to teach the classes. Although we have
certified over 200 Doctors, Nurses and Midwives
since 2005, the progress is slow. Classes should
be offered in each region 3-4 times per year,
instead of once per year, as they are now. This
can be accomplished once each region has the
training and equipment to offer their own
classes. FOJ will continue to assist with
classes in each region until they are
comfortable in their new roles. Please make a
donation now to help advance the Neonatal
Resuscitation Program to help save baby’s lives
in Jamaica.
Reggae on the Rock III, our annual fundraiser,
is coming October 11, 2008. A special newsletter
with details is coming soon. Watch your inbox
and join in the fun!
Until then, remember to make your donation to
help FOJ continue to make a difference in the
lives of Jamaican children.
Marcia Burke, Director
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