By Tyrone Reid, Staff ReporterTHE LONG-SERVING Foundation for International Self-Help, better known as the FISH Medical Clinic, has received a $3 million plus donation from the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, England.
On Thursday, the final £7,000 of the £32,000 was handed over to the 19-year-old non-profit organisation, known for its inexpensive medical services. Headley Forbes received the money on behalf of the organisation at its Gordon Town Road, Papine, St. Andrew offices.
The funds will be used to construct a well-needed records office, as the present structure is inadequate. Employees of the clinic told The Gleaner that the archaic arch-shaped structure that is made of zinc cannot keep out rodents. Also, when it rains the ceiling leaks and when the sun is up, the temperature inside rises close to boiling point.
Holly Levy, manager of FirstCaribbean Bank, also pledged financial support. "I am going to work very hard to see that FirstCaribbean put in more in terms of dollars into your efforts," Mrs. Levy promised.
FAREWELL
The function, at the clinic, also served as a platform to say farewell to Professor Murchison Callender of the University of Waterloo and three of his final-year students from the Waterloo School of Optometry, who all did voluntary work at the clinic and several primary schools.
Some of the schools that benefited from their three-week visit were Pembroke Hall Primary, Mona Primary, Hope Valley Experimental, and St. Michael's Primary.
Senior Supt. Leon Rose and other members of the Jamaica Constabulary were lauded at the function for transporting Professor Callender and his team during their stay.
Professor Callender who has been visiting the FISH clinic for several years, was overwhelmed with emotions and brought to tears as he thanked his three students Jody Lorentz, Shilpa Patli and Adrian Atwell for their participation in the programme.
The FISH clinic was started in 1985 by the late Dr. Louis Strathmore Grant (past Professor Emeritus of the Department of Microbiology, U.W.I.). It is a non-profit, charitable organisation dedicated to serving lower-income groups and the very poor. It offers medical, dental and eye-care services to its patients.
