Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer
Gary Foster, chairman and visionary behind Upliftment Jamaica, addresses guests at the sixth annual gala awards dinner at the old Goodyear Factory, Morant Bay, St. Thomas, on December 10.
MANY PERSONS may know of Upliftment Jamaica for its glitzy and elegant annual gala and fund-raising dinner. Held in December, the gala usually hosts an élite guest list which includes personalities like Jacki Reid of BET TV, Russell Simmons and wife Kimora Lee-Simmons of Phat Farm and civil rights leader the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Still, the spectacular gala is a treat for the numerous board members, staff, volunteers, led by co-founder Gary Foster, who work tirelessly throughout the year to uplift White Horses, a community in St. Thomas.
Upliftment Jamaica has become a vehicle for advancement for the relatively unknown community, about four miles west of Morant Bay, that was mostly riddled with crime, unemployment and poverty. Upliftment Jamaica's endless list of assistance includes: health care, shut-in visitations, tertiary training, back-to-school programmes, kiddies treat, Kidz on the Net, coastline clearing and cleaning, summer games, among others. More than 10,000 people benefit annually from this organisation.
"There are so many needs, so we get drawn in so many other ways," said Sandra Kenton-Fraser, executive director of Upliftment Jamaica.
UPLIFTMENT JAMAICA'S BIRTH
In 1999 a group of young men sat under an ackee tree in White Horses and spoke of creating an uplifting future for Jamaica, its youth and its people. These young men - Gary Foster; Kirk Green, deceased; Nigel Parris; Clayton Balliston and Rainford Grant - put their thoughts into action. This zeal to give back to the community and environment and to make a difference resulted in the birth of Upliftment Jamaica.
There is no doubt that Upliftment Jamaica has been well received and appreciated by the community. Going into its seventh year Upliftment Jamaica is their pride and joy. "They accept this as a part of the community, they respect the staff, volunteers, students, and the community assists us in whatever way they can and whenever they can," said Mrs. Kenton-Fraser.
She told Lifestyle that the community has shown its appreciation in many ways. "The other day some of our footballers and netballers needed to be transported to a game and the bus was unable to come and a few taxi drivers came by and assisted us to transport the participants to the games."
PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION
Mr. Foster, who resides in the United States, and a long list of board members, have taken Upliftment Jamaica from strength to strength. He has not only managed to make a huge personal contribution of time and money, but also inspire others to do the same, to support a worthy cause. Mr. Foster continues to be a driving force and contributor. Upliftment Jamaica now operates out of a building attached to the White Horses Methodist Church. The church donated the space, and this is where everything happens. The equipment, which includes 21 computers and eight printers, were donated by AOL Time Warner and was opened in May 2003.
MOTTO: EACH ONE TEACH ONE
Mr. Foster surely believes that if you teach a man to fish you teach him to live for a lifetime. This same principle he has been adapted to Upliftment Jamaica. Hence it's motto: to each one, teach one.
Mr. Foster is proud that Upliftment Jamaica has grown from a vision shared by five childhood friends into an organisation with a dedicated unpaid U.S. based board of directors and a staff both in the USA and in Jamaica. More than 10,000 people benefit annually from this organisation.
FOSTER'S ROOTS
Mr. Foster, who grew up in White Horses but finished his secondary education in Baltimore, Maryland, is vice-president of RUSH Communications, a subsidiary of Russell Simmons' Phat Farm. Mr. Foster and his team have managed to bring on board the elite list of sponsors, that includes Russell Simmons.
Local sponsors include National Commercial Bank (NCB), Cable and Wireless (C&W), CVM TV, and many others. "We are guided by the good Lord who keeps opening doors where it seems impossible, so it's bigger than the sponsors. The sponsors come and see that they are our partner in what we are doing because they are a part of it, not only financially but physically and spiritually." With this charge Mr. Foster said that he will not allow Upliftment Jamaica to fail. "Upliftment Jamaica will not fail because we are touching people's lives, we are committed. Upliftment Jamaica will be here for decades. It will out live us and also those who we are serving."
The profit, if any, is turned over to the Upliftment Jamaica said Mr. Foster. "Anything we make goes back into the community for redevelopment. Profits help to fix schools, hospitals, parks and other infrastructure. So before you know it the parish will be uplifted. St. Thomas will be the parish people will want to come and live in. So it is about sustainable development of the community and parish."
Mr. Foster said that there have been challenges since the inception such as the death of two members, KIrk Green, a founding member, and Barrington Biswick, a board member; both were murdered in the community. Yet, undoubtedly a lover of his birthplace, he said that they will not allow any distractions to befall the cause of Upliftment Jamaica. "Upliftment Jamaica is the tool and force to bring about a change in Jamaica, I gave my word to the people and I'm sticking by it," he said.
Another board member Winston Cousins, a pastor in St. Thomas, has been a part of Upliftment Jamaica since the beginning. Mr. Cousins got involved because he also saw the need. Mr. Cousins, originally from Bog Walk, St. Catherine, has called St. Thomas his home for the past 30 years.
"Upliftment Jamaica is a good move, it really attracted me and I promise that as long as I live in Jamaica I will be a part of it."
One of Mr. Cousins' most memorable moments was building house in White Horses for an elderly woman who was blind. Sadly, the house owner, Miss Becker, died some months later. "It was a joy for her when she heard that she would be given a house. She was so glad; I can't even explain how grateful she was," recalled Mr. Cousins.
The pastor noted that Upliftment Jamaica will not fail. "I believe that our young people are the future and I will assist them in whatever area I can for them to move forward and fulfil their dreams," he said.
