NOVEMBER 2006 NEWSLETTER

I hope you enjoy reading about current projects of Friends of Jamaica USA (FOJ). The first is our Biomed Project. Abi, a very talented Biomedical Technician will be going to Negril next week. She will be repairing medical equipment at Savanna la Mar (Sav) Hospital. I would like to thank Karin, Anita and John from the Negril.com message board for assisting with this project. Abi will be staying at Freedom Villa as a guest of Anita and John, and Karin will be driving her to Sav hospital each day. Sav hospital will be assisting by providing Abi with meals and return transportation to Negril each evening. The collaborative effort will benefit all Jamaicans in need of the services of the hospital. I look forward to hearing Abi’s story when she returns. Look for the story in the next newsletter.

A few weeks ago, Misha Earle from Negril.com posted pictures and a story at their website about a donation of medical equipment to Sav Hospital. It was truly a collaborative effort. The story and pictures are available FOJ At Work under EKG.

The Negril.com message board has been a major source of support for FOJ since the charity began. Like other “boardies,” (when you read or post messages on the message board, you become a “boardie.”) I stumbled upon Negril.com while searching for information about Negril. I first learned about FOJ by reading messages posted on the message board by FOJ’s founder, Wayne Pearce. Wayne and I met about 6 months later, and about a year after that, I became the new director of FOJ.

FOJ gets support from members of other message boards and other groups as well. Check out our Links section.

The last story is an update on a past project from a real “Friend of Jamaica.” Sara Reinke tells the story of the Orange Bay project with a letter and pictures FOJ At Work under Orange Bay Basic School.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas getting closer, remember to buy several packs of blank note cards to give as hostess gifts, gifts for teachers or the boss, or to write thank you notes. You can buy them or just make a donation at KidsCards.

Marcia Burke, Director