The aim of the Non-profit Organization, Abacus for Communities (AfC), is to work with communities in collaboration with national, regional and international governments and organizations to promote the development of safe, prosperous, stable and developing communities.
Their current focus is on helping to build the level of Preparedness of Communities to Disasters, however all aspects of Community Development is part of Abacus’s long-term vision.
AfC offers Services in Disaster Preparedness, Institutional Strengthening and Community Capacity Building as well as Disaster Response, all tailor-made for the particular country considering the specific needs of the target audience.The Services offered in the previously mentioned areas are listed below:
1. Disaster Preparedness
– Training workshops; Simulation exercises; Consultancies, Planning and Projects
2. Institutional Strengthening and Community Capacity Building
– Conferences and Training; Community Projects
3. Disaster Response
Coordination; Assessment; Response Projects
So how is Jamaica being assisted by AfC? AfC has secured support in the form of CA$81000 from the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Development (DFATD) for the ‘Community Emergency Communications for Disaster and Climate Change Adaptation in Jamaica’ project.
This project called, ‘EARS’ (Emergency Affiliated Radio Service) will train and equip 360 persons in 10 of the most vulnerable communities throughout Jamaica with radio communication equipment for immediate response to disaster in order to minimize loss of life and damage to infrastructure and environment.
There are many non-profit organizations that exist, helping to develop communities but this particular non-profit organization has obviously thought outside the box. This is so, as if disaster strikes at any given time, all the work done to lift these communities often goes down the drain and rebuilding of infrastructure has to start from ground zero, not to mention repairing and redeveloping the mindset of the people in the community after such a disaster. As Jamaicans often say, ‘Prevention betta dan cure.’
Kudos to AfC for assisting communities from a totally different angle, recognizing the importance and necessity for preparedness and offering resources for such, making efforts to protect lives and infrastructure. Thus, developing our communities household by household and the quality of life of the people in it.
Like their Facebook page, ‘Abacus for Communities’ and see the link for the website for what Afc is doing in a country or community near you.