AMERICAN FRIENDS of Jamaica Inc. (AFJ) has presented financial grants totalling more than US$485,000 (J$21.3 million) to 11 local educational, charitable and community organisations.
The presentations, which have been held annually for the last 19 years, took place
at the Kingston residence of U.S. Charge d'affaires, Richard Smyth last week. Mr. Smith told the gathering, which included Ambassador Glen Holden and his wife Gloria, that he was delighted to host such a group of dedicated and caring individuals.
"The AFJ's efforts continue to be appreciated by those non-profit organisations that are tirelessly working to build stronger communities in Jamaica," Mr. Smyth said. "I hope that this partnership will remain strong for many years to come."
Secretary and Treasurer of AFJ, Anne F. Sabo, noted that over the past 19 years, AFJ grants to Jamaican organisations have totalled more than $108 million. This, she said, was a remarkable achievement for a volunteer body.
The Montego Bay Hope Medical Diagnostic Centre received financial support toward the purchase of medical equipment, while the Foundation for International Self-Help (FISH) was given assistance for patients who cannot afford doctors' fees.
The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus received US$8,750 for 12 assistance scholarship grants and the maintenance of scholarships in honour of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Belafonte, former Jamaican Consul General in New York, Kay Baxter, and former US envoy to Jamaica Ambassador J. Gary Cooper.
Also receiving grants were the Mustard Seed Communities, Jamaica Society for the Blind, the Denham Town Community Centre and the St. Patrick's Foundation which supports St. Monica's Home for the Elderly and Hanson's Patients. Project Help Jamaica has been appointed by AFJ to distribute some 37,620 items of clothing to the needy under Jockey International's "gift-in-kind" assistance programme to Jamaica.
Representatives of the organisations expressed their personal thanks to AFJ, and pledged to make best use of the grants for the upliftment of the less fortunate.
