“
Linking for Growth and Prosperity
“
2015
Day of Service Projects
Jamaica Diaspora C onference
Montego Bay, St. James
June 18, 2015
Prepared by Jeanette A Calder
DOS Coordinator
Day of Service Report - 2015 Diaspora Conference
Introduction
T
he 6th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference
incorporated formally for the first time, a “day
of service” for the execution of humanitarian and
community projects that diaspora members and
organisations have in the past undertaken in the days
following the staging of previous conferences.
Diaspora members attending the Conference were
encouraged to give additional support by volunteering
their skills, time and resources to a project of their own
choosing which were geared primarily towards the
benefit of:-
Education Health
Youth
Community Development
DOS Sub-Committee
A
team of strategic stakeholders was
appointed to a special sub-committee,
drawn from key agencies, to support the
different logistics for the delivery of added
value and the smooth execution of the
projects.
2
The
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
primary assistance rendered was:Faciitation with customs clearance of imports
Certification of medical practioners
Addressing security and safety concerns
Identification & registration of additional volunteers
Public relations support - Media coverage (print and radio)
Day of Service Report - 2015 Diaspora Conference
DOS Projects
There were ten (10) organisations implementing seventeen
(17) projects that impacted seven (7) parishes as follows:St James - 6 projects, St. Catherine - 4 projects, Hanover
- 2 projects, St Ann - 2 projects, St Thomas St. Mary and
Westmoreland - 1 project each.
The ten (10) organisations had a total of 109 diaspora project
members, 11 conference delegates and 106 local volunteers
contributing to the day’s success.
PROJECT DISPERSION MAP
Day of Service Report - 2015 Diaspora Conference
3
Catherine Hall Type 3 Health Clinic
A
team of 25 from the Jamaica
Diaspora
Canada
Foundation
spent the day giving the Catherine Hall
Type 3 Health Clinic a face-lift, general
repairs to cupboards, painting and
4
general landscaping. Support came
from 22 retired and active public health
inspectors, 10 community members
and 2 conference delegates. JDCF
also donated two desk top computers,
Day of Service Report - 2015 Diaspora Conference
St James
reading glasses, a laptop, a printer,
10 wall-mounted hand sanitizers
with refills and one refrigerator to
the facility. Paint and T-shirts were
donated by VMBS.
Spot Valley High School - Mentorship Session
T
he Jamaica Education Taskforce
UK, [JET UK] team of 6 invested
three (3) hours with 30 teachers
and 30 students in separate “speed
mentoring” sessions. The partners
for this projects were the National
Education Trust, Institute of Caribbean
Studies - UWI MONA and the Jamaican
High Commission, UK. These sessions
focused on teaching the power of
St James
communication,
networking
and
improved self-confidence for the
teachers and students alike. A cultural
item was presented to the guests
before the sessions began.
Day of Service Report - 2015 Diaspora Conference
5
St James
Flankers Medical Centre
T
he Jamaica Diaspora Health Sector
[USA & Canada) divided their
efforts into three medical clinics with
the community of Flankers being one
beneficiary. According to the Centre,
6
they had an above average number
of visitors, as the infirm and sick were
able to consult with a team of 2 medical
doctors at no cost, rather than having
a long wait at the hospital. A team of
Day of Service Report - 2015 Diaspora Conference
4 nurses provided health screening
for heart, eyes, hearing, diabetes,
pressure etc under the watchful eyes
of the security forces (the JDF included,
as Flankers was deemed a hot spot).
St James
Immigration Consultation - Hilton Rosehall
T
wo members of the Jamaica
American Bar Association, Joan
Pinnock and Wayne Golding provided
a free of cost 6.5 hour consultation
session
for
Jamaicans
needing
advice on USA immigration matters.
The session drew some 55 interested
parties where questions focused
primarily on helping them determine
what constitutes lawful re-entry to the
US after deportation. After a general
presentation, private sessions were
granted for those who requested it and
the team is hoping to return in July to
follow up.
Day of Service Report - 2015 Diaspora Conference
7
Sam Sharpe Teachers College - Career Day
J
amaica Diaspora Education Task
Force with the driving force of
Mr. Leo Gilling organized a Career
Day, DOS programme with 3 local
and 2 other diaspora organizations
8
- for approximately 115 beneficiaries
(teachers and students). Morning
workshops were conducted with a
focus on Skills for Effective Parent
Engagement, Trauma and Young
Day of Service Report - 2015 Diaspora Conference
St James
Children and Early Childhood Education
Career Choices. The afternoon session
focused on an open forum on an
‘Assessment for Future Collaboration’.
St James
Medical Donation & Training - Hilton Rosehall
A
fter the death of a 17 yr old St. Jago
High Sch student at a sporting
event last year, Mr. Irwin Clare from
Team Jamaica Bickle based in New
York, was inspired to participate in the
DOS with the donation of 5 Automatic
External Defibrillators. Coaches and
school nurses (14 persons in total) were
trained in the use of the device, as well
as how to administer cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR). The benefiting
schools were Cornwall College, Green
Island High, Vere Technical, Petersfield
High and GC Foster College.
Day of Service Report - 2015 Diaspora Conference
9
Organic Ackee Farming - Haddo
F
arm Up Jamaica Ltd is a non-profit
organization that founder Neil
Curtis said began as a promise made
at a previous Diaspora Conference.
This year 3 team members, 4 local
10
farmers, a peace corps volunteer and
7 conference attendees participated
in the preparation of an ackee
orchard for the mixing and spraying
of organic pesticides and fungicides.
Day of Service Report - 2015 Diaspora Conference
Westmoreland
The day closed with typical Jamaican
“nyamings” and an all round good &
productive time had by all. Transport
was sponsored by Hanover Charities
with JNBS providing snacks.
Mt Hanna Medical Clinic - Donalva
T
he Jamaica Diaspora Health
Sector team
made Mt. Hanna,
the second of three medical missions
and saw record numbers turning out
for consultations with the 2 medical
doctors, 2 nurse practitioners, 2 nurses
and 1 dentist that volunteered. Primary
cases treated were for HIV testing,
blood pressure checks, diabetes
screening and dental attention. Most
Hanover
were cases that had not seen a doctor
for an extended period and expressed
gratitude at the convenience of
being able to access care within the
community.
Day of Service Report - 2015 Diaspora Conference
11
Bull Bay Health Fair - Ten Miles
J
amaica
Diaspora
Canada
Foundation (JDCF) executed a
Health Fair with the support of 3
nurses, 4 Public Health Inspectors/
Communicable Disease Investigators,
1 local doctor and dentist as well as
12
6 non-health professionals from the
Diaspora. A mobile Dental Unit was
contracted to provide care for both
children and adults, while free HIV
testing were done.
Other services
included diabetes and pressure checks,
Day of Service Report - 2015 Diaspora Conference
St. Thomas
diabetic foot care, and the provision
of
reading
glasses.
Partnering
organizations included among others,
the KSA Public Health Dept, Caribbean
Poison Information Network and the
National Training Institute.
Moneague Primary & Junior High - ICT Intervention & Workshops
Youth
Organisation
Undertaking
National Growth (Y.O.U.N.G.) with
volunteers from Jamaicans Inspired –
United Kingdom (Jamin-UK) donated
and installed 3 computers with
software. Various workshops were
executed in self-defence techniques,
literacy, mentoring/coaching with 30
students, as well as a needs assessment
workshop for follow up projects. The
St Ann
Alumni UK Chapter was launched
with the High Commissioner, UK
Ambassador Aloun Ndombet-Assamba
providing a financial donation to seed
the fundraising for future projects.
Day of Service Report - 2015 Diaspora Conference
13
St Catherine
Kitson Town Medical Clinic
K
iwanis Club of Kendall, South Dade
Florida brought a team of doctors,
nurses and pharmacists in partnership
with the Jamaica Nurses Association of
Florida, to minister to both the physical
14
and spiritual needs of Jamaicans
in 6 parishes over 6 days, including
the DOS. The team treated over 200
patients and one shut-in. A team from
the UTech Dental group and 2 staff
Day of Service Report - 2015 Diaspora Conference
members brought the total volunteers
to 42. Registration began at 5am for
precise start up at 9am non-stop until
5pm. Referrals were made for those
needing additional treatment.
Donations
for
Three Early Childhood Centres
Members of the Kiwanis Club of Kendall,
South Dade (13 in total) collected and
donated reading books for almost
empty libraries (see last pic below).
General school supplies including art
and craft material were also provided.
The team spent time reading with the
children while others took on a labour
of love to paint the play area for the
students who would benefit from a
St Catherine
cheery bright playing space. These
activities took place at the Morgan’s
Early Childhood Centre, ABC Learning
Centre & Ackles Hill Basic School.
Day of Service Report - 2015 Diaspora Conference
15
Projects Not Visited
by the
DOS Team
Hanover ~ Workshop
Community Development
This represented the 4th project organized by the
Jamaica Diaspora Health Sector (the Canada Branch).
It was undertaken by Drs. Kingsley Gilliam and Dudley
Morgan with the assistance of Dr K’Adamawe K’nife in
the capacity of moderator. The workshop focused on
targeting community leaders who were identified with the
assistance of the Social Development Commission, whose
offices accommodated the event. The primary content
of the workshop involved discussions about spurring
economic growth in Hanover, through the development of
local community enterprises there.
St. Mary ~ Highgate Primary
and Junior High School
St Ann ~ Health Clinic
This project did not take place. The medical practitioners
assigned to the project were not able to find the medical
centre. The contact numbers for the DOS Chair and
Coordinator that was provided to all project leaders was
not passed on to the volunteers. They were also not able to
contact their project leader who was conducting a clinic in
rural Hanover where the cell signal was spotty.
16
SDC
This project was being executed by the organization
United Districts of Islington, Inc in the person of Mr. Lastan
Forbes. The project was dubbed “Tormorrow’s Leaders
Preparing Today” with a focus on leadership & community
development. Mr. Forbes made contact on arrival in
Jamaica but we have not been able to make contact since
and up to the writing of this report.
Day of Service Report - 2015 Diaspora Conference
Testimonials From Project Leaders & Volunteers
Going back [Moneague Primary] to do
this was like an out of body experience.
I was in their position once and needed
this, so to be able to do this for them
made me feel like I belonged, it was
humbling...deeply spiritual.
I left as a child in 1979 so it was very
gratifying to do this...very hard work
- DOS was 10 hours straight. It was
good to spend the money to give back
but spending my time was even more
important as the need was much, much
greater than I expected.
”
I was impressed to learn at the conference
that there were all of 17 projects, so I
cancelled a few appointments to be here
today - you can’t put off serving. Its been
serious hard work, and not easy in this
sun but this spirit of togetherness I’ve felt
here is what community is all about.
Khori Hyde
Nadeen Harding
Sharlene Lorde
Founder, Y.O.U.N.G.
Nurse, Jamaica Nurses Association. FL.
Conference Delegate & Volunteer
Testimonials From Project Beneficiaries
When asked by Dr. Cork [team leader]
about my expectations for the day I said
improved capacity for my teachers and
building self-confidence for my students.
Mission accomplished. Sessions on
networking and communication were
excellent...it has ignited something in us
all.
”
The centre usually close today so its good
that we can get some help right here, as
normally no doctor work here. Is a good
thing this and so mi mek sure come early.
The workshops brought a diversity of
perspective on educational best practices.
Administrators and lecturers created
new network opportunities and students
and inservice teachers interacted with
professionals from 5 different countries.
Mrs. Angella Williams
Alford Walker
Dr. Ashburn Pinnock
Principal, Spot Valley High School
Patient, Flankers Health Centre
Principal, Sam Sharpe Teachers College
Day of Service Report - 2015 Diaspora Conference
17
6th Biennial
Jamaica Diaspora Conference
Main Office Address:
Minsitry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade
21 Dominica Drive
Kingston 5
Phone: +1 (876) 926-4221-8,
Fax: +1 (876) 929-6733
June 13 - 18, 2015
www.mfaft.gov.jm