By Roy Sanford, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
AT LEAST three organisations that cater to the needs of less fortunate children and those suffering from the deadly HIV/AIDS virus, got a boost yesterday when a total of US$30,000 (J$1.8 million) was presented to them aboard the cruise ship Carnival Conquest.
The money was raised among the ship's crew through a programme initiated by Brian Bark, the vessel's Chief Accountant. Organisations that are expected to benefit from the contribution are Jamaica AIDS Support (JAS), the Good Shepherd's Hope Hospice and the Blossom Garden Children's Home.
Mr. Bark, who is originally from New Zealand, told The Gleaner that money was raised within the past 18 months aboard the Carnival Conquest and the Carnival Inspiration. "The money was all raised among the crew of both ships," he said.
Mr. Bark's drive to assist the less fortunate came after a visit last year to the Good Shepherd's Hope Hospice, the only facility that offers assistance to sufferers of HIV/AIDS in western Jamaica.
"I was told of an AIDS hospice with small children here and I wanted to come and see what it's all about," Mr. Bark said. "When I went there I was appalled, and this is an understatement, to see how those children are living."
Moved by what he saw he decided to give the organisation a helping hand and he devoted his entire 10-week vacation to offering assistance to those suffering from the disease. However, he felt that was not enough. "I wanted to do more," he explained.
He and a small number of friends began raising money for the hospice and he eventually took the matter to the crew on board the Conquest and the Inspiration and they expressed delight in assisting. "The crew has been very caring and understanding that there are many people in Jamaica who are HIV-positive and need help," Mr. Bark said.
He said that at the last fund-raising event on board the Conquest, the crew raised more than US$6,000.
Mr. Bark also told The Gleaner that when he retires from Carnival Cruise Lines next February he will be moving to Jamaica permanently in order to work with the JAS. "I have found that my calling is to come here to assist where I can and work with JAS," he said.
In welcoming the assistance, Fabian Thomas, Chapter Co-ordinator for JAS Montego Bay, said the nation cannot waste time in dealing with HIV/AIDS. "People like to say the Caribbean has only 400,000 cases (of HIV/AIDS) and look how bad sub-Saharan Africa is. If you blink we will be there because that 400,000 are only people that we know."
