- Ian AllenJaean Garrick gives it all to charity.
YOUNG JAEAN Garrick is setting an example for all to follow.
The 11-year-old student of Campion College this month handed over to VOUCH, the Voluntary Organisation for the Upliftment of Children, her entire savings to assist in the work of that organisation.
The gift was intended to help the children of Fletcher's Land and nearby communities who are served by the organisation from its facilities located on Heroes Circle in Kingston.
Jaean told Outlook, "I have seen what is happening in Jamaica and I just want to do my part to make it better. I want to show others that they can do this too, and do other things to stop all the crime. I want to make it (the donation) an annual thing and get my friends to help out."
According to her mother, a teacher at Excelsior Community College, Jaean has always been kind. Even in kindergarten, she was the one who could be found wiping the tears and cuts of her classmates who fell down during play.
The young woman also wants to follow her mother, who has been involved in several charities, the latest of which is the New Kingston Civic Association.
George Sterling, executive director of the organisation, said they were grateful and touched by the gift. The amount in the Piggy around $600 is nowhere near what the institution needs, but will make a difference to coffers which are almost empty. Jaean received an additional $2000 from her parents which she also handed over.
Her mother told Outlook that this sum represents one month's worth of her pocket money, which she requested for VOUCH.
VOUCH, established in 1979 to help parents and children in inner-city communities, is now totally reliant on charitable donations to survive.
Though the government had committed itself to subsidising the operations of VOUCH, Mr. Sterling says that the last government subvention received by the organisation was the sum of $60,000 transferred in August of 1999.
Other gifts received include a recent donation of computers from the Jamaica Money Market Limited. The Bernard Van Leer Foundation is also underwriting a training programme for basic school principals and teachers at VOUCH.
The aim is to enable children of parents in inner-city areas to seek gainful employment while having their children in a protected, safe, environment for both social and academic environment. This would provide and opportunity for enhanced earning power at home and better relations inside the family.
VOUCH today provides day care services for a maximum of 60 children. The Sylvia Foote basic school has a capacity for 120 children. It's health clinic offers medical dental and immunisation services to children and adults from surrounding communities. The VOUCH centre also provides training courses for caregivers. These are approved by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education.
