- CONTRIBUTED
His Excellency Dr. Christian Hausmann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany (centre in blue shirt) presents lumber to a resident of Portland Cottage. At left is Pastor Claude Brown, director of ADRA Jamaica who initiated the distribution effort.Livingston Allen, Gleaner Writer
GINGER RIDGE, St. Catherine:
GERMAN AMBASSADOR to Jamaica, Mr. Christian Hausmanns presented relief assistance to 148 residents of Portland Cottage, Mitchell Town and Rocky Point in Clarendon last Monday.
The relief assistance came in the form of zinc, lumber, ceiling boards and nails. The total cost of the relief package from the Federal Republic of Germany cost JD$4 million or $72,000 euros.
The brief ceremony, which took place on the Portland Cottage play field, saw ten of the 148 individuals selected for relief receiving token distribution, while the other 138 received vouchers for the same amount to be collected at the Central Welding Supplies and Hardware store on Manchester Avenue, May Pen.
The relief assistance came as a result of the intervention of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) who wrote a project proposal which was gladly accepted by the Ambassador who used his influence to garner support from the government and people of the Federal Republic of Germany.
SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS
Pastor Claude Brown, ADRA director for Jamaica, Bahamas and the Turks and Cayman Islands said that was the second time in two years that the Federal Republic of Germany was funding a project in Clarendon. In May, 2002, the Republic funded a project in Scotts Pass, Osbourne Store and Toll Gate. On that occasion the beneficiaries received food, clothing, beds and bedding after they were devastated by Hurricane Mitchell.
Pastor Brown told the residents that negative experiences could be turned into positive experiences. He noted that Germany had been like a big brother to Jamaica. He lauded the Ambassador for the way he expressed his love and devotion for the people of Jamaica.
His Excellency, Ambassador Hausmann, said that he was in Jamaica when Hurricane Ivan hit the island. He also said that when he heard the extent of the damage from Finance Minister, Dr. Omar Davies and Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, he contacted his home office in Germany and asked them to look deep in theirs coffers. "I tried to get instant relief because I know what flooding can do to people, he said."
Ms. Princess Lawes, director of Communication, West Indies Union Conference of the Seventh Day Adventists, said she was thankful that ADRA could work with government and non-government relief organisation.
Pastor E. Brown, president of the Central Jamaica Conference of ADRA urged recipients not to sell the donation of zinc and other materials but to use it to repair and construct their residences which have been damaged. The strong detachment of security personnel, led by Superintendent L. Bent, was lauded for their punctuality and for helping the smooth processing of the distribution.
