In the Ian Allen photo at left, Nekeisha Gyscott, 22 years old, smiles with her baby boy who was born at 12:58 a.m. on Christmas Day at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital, weighing 3.36 kilograms. At right in the photo by Rudolph Brown, Barry Street in downtown Kingston was the scene of makeshift beauty parlours during the Yuletide season, as women got their 'Christmas hairstyles' done in a bid to 'shine' for the holidays.
John Myers Jnr.
, Staff Reporter
SOME NOTABLE charities were this Yuletide season, forced to either scaledown or abandon plans to extend the arm of kindness as a result of the stifling economic conditions prevailing in the country.
The Salvation Army, one which renders year-round assistance to people in need, has admitted that what it received this year was less when compared to last year.
Major Devon Haughton, divisional commander for the eastern division said the Salvation Army had about $3 million to spend on treats this season. The charity spent in excess of $3 million last year.
Major Haughton explained that the Salvation Army gets its funding through one of two ways; a kettle drive and letters requesting donations from companies.
"We have gotten responses (to the letters) but the response is not as high as last year. There are some cases where we were getting letters returned (as) persons are not able to give as they usually give before," he said.
For the Voluntary Organisation for the Upliftment of Children (VOUCH), the cash crunch is so severe that it is contemplating closing after 24 years of service to over six inner-city communities in the Corporate Area.
According to a statement from the organisation, it is in need of $200,000 by December 31 as "closure is imminent." But if it is to go according to its strategic plan for 2004, it will need between $800,000 and $1 million for the first six months of the new year.
CONSTANT STRUGGLE
"Ever since their ambitious beginnings in 1979 they have had a constant struggle for financial viability," said the statement.
The organisation provides subsidised health and day care services, early childhood education and training in caregiving, child care aid and management.
The Father Richard Ho Lung-led Missionaries of the Poor, based in downtown Kingston, said it has managed to keep its head above water. According to Father Ryan, the organisation has managed to do just as many treats this year. However, because of the slight downturn in contributions, it has had to cancel plans to expand in other areas.
He noted that Missionaries of the Poor treated over 500 children in the inner-cities, and inmates at the Gun Court lock-up. Father Ryan said both adults and children were provided with cooked meals and gifts.
However, few have managed to get more. The Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) Mayor's Christmas dinner received a record $1.5 million in donations this year. Mayor Desmond McKenzie noted that over 600 persons benefited in the form of treats held for residents in several communities.
The KSAC has donated $250,000 to a number of charities, in addition to a separate cash donation to the Denham Town Golden Age home.
United Way of Jamaica was recently given $1 million by Red Stripe towards its drive to raise at least $100 million. The beer company also donated a motorbike to improve the organisation's collection and delivery system.
