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Rotaract Club of St. Andrew with Sangster’s Book Stores’ Stationery Drive

by Charities

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The Rotaract Club of St. Andrew has partnered with Sangster’s Book Stores for a Back to School Stationery drive, where the proceeds will go towards Balcombe Drive Primary and Junior High School students.

From now until the end of August you can visit one of the participating Sangster’s Stores located in Mall Plaza, Springs Plaza, Sovereign, Portmore Pines or 33 King Street and just drop your contributions in the box provided.

To donate you can also contact the Rotaract Club of St. Andrew at [email protected].

Follow them on Instagram: rcsa_connection

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Help to Rebuild the Wortley Home

by Charities

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The Wortley Home that housed girls, ages 7 to 18 for decades at 193 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 8, was recently destroyed by a fire. The girls housed came from a variety of home situations, some orphans, some abused or some from families who could not afford to care for them properly. Many donations of clothes and toiletries have been received for the girls who temporarily stayed by the Immaculate Conception Convent, a quiet and peaceful place for them after such a tragedy. The girls have now been separated and sent to different homes. This may not be the ideal situation for them as so many homes are tight for space already.

There are now efforts to rebuild The Wortley Home that has cared for the girls, given them a Christian upbringing, sent them to local schools and also provided life skills to prepare them for life after leaving the home.

Please see the image above that was published in the Jamaica Observer last week and see how much you can contribute to the rebuilding fund. Every dollar counts.

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Rotaract Club of Kingston Painted All Classrooms at Four Square Basic School

by Charities

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Suga’s Throwback Thursday goes out to The Rotaract Club of Kingston’s repainting of Four Square Basic School by Cassia Park on Labour Day, May 25, 2015. The staff, parents and Principal of the school assisted the club members, ensuring that they were fed and hydrated throughout the day. Kudos also to the Eastwood Gardens Youth for Progress Youth Club for partnering with The Rotaract Club of Kingston by sending volunteers on the day. The Rotary Club of Kingston assisted on the day as well.

So many hands coming together to make a positive impact. The kids returned to their newly painted classrooms on the Wednesday of the week that followed in a fresh, brighter, cleaner environment to learn and focus in.

Facebook: Rotaract Club of Kingston

Website: http://www.rotaractkingston.org/

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Help Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) to move from Earth House to Earth Cottage

by Charities

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JET is scheduled to leave their current location on 11 Waterloo Road to 123 Constant Spring Road by the end of this June. Hon. Gordon Butch Stewart and the Sandals group have generously donated to the use of their Earth House location for the last 13 years and are thankful even though Butch may be finding other use for the property soon.

As JET will now be renting an office space, they will need donations to assist with this unbudgeted move.

Please click on the link provided below, organized by Booster, and make your donation today no matter how big or small. Their goal is to raise $1000USD and they are currently at $525USD with 4 more days to go!

https://www.booster.com/jetismoving?utm_source=fb_share_desktop&utm_campaign=jetismoving&utm_medium=fb_share_on_donation_campaign

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Rotaract Club of St. Martin Nord Balanced Community Service and Professional Development of its Members!

by Charities

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The Rotaract Club of St. Martin Nord won Club of the Quarter recently in Rotaract District 7020, which comprises of 9 other territories including Jamaica. Suga was interested to see the work they did to accomplish that position, as clubs across the District have been doing outstanding work not only in their communities and islands, but internationally as well.

There were quite a few projects executed, however, there were two that Suga wished to highlight.

In March, Rotaract Club of St. Martin executed a Garden Beautification Project at Bethany Home, a Senior Citizens home. They planted some beautiful flowers in their garden. The seniors were very happy with the initiative and were even excited to give them some tips on planting from their younger years of experience.

But the most exciting and overwhelming time of the afternoon for club members, was when they sat down and shared snack time with the seniors. The President had baked 2 delicious cakes and a few drinks were bought and offered to them. During that time, some of the seniors seized the opportunity to share some stories with the Rotaractors while others had quite stimulating conversations. Both parties enjoyed the interaction so much that they didn’t have enough time to complete the gardening and returned a few days later to do so.

Since Rotaract also speaks to Personal and Professional Development of its members, the Rotaract Club of St. Martin Nord organized their 4th edition of ‘Speed Working’ for Start Ups in the quarter as well.

The club wished to assist the future entrepreneurs by setting up an original concept of Speed Working. Mrs. Angele Dormoy, Entrepreneur and 1st Vice-president of the French Chamber of Commerce, did a special presentation on how to evaluate and create your own company successfully.

After the presentation, all participants had the opportunity to network with 7 different professionals during the speed-coaching mentoring part of the program.

The concept was very simple. It allowed the future, young entrepreneurs to meet professionals and also key interlocutors (persons who take part in a dialogue or conversation) who intervened in the process of the new business start-ups. They were granted 10 minutes with every interlocutor to present their projects, ask questions and also benefited from advice for their new business start-ups. Each attendee was followed up with to ensure they had advanced with their company or respective project. This action allowed 17 projects to benefit from advice of experimented professionals!

They were able to exchange with professionals/interlocutors from the Bank, Chamber of Commerce, Accountants, Business owners, Artistic designers and the Support Federation for Small Businesses (FTPE).

As each territory faces different kinds of challenges, Rotaract assesses the needs of their communities by priority and funds available to assist. They also find the most innovative ways possible to improve their members personally and professionally in order to be better people, build their careers and most importantly, to serve their communities and the world in a better way.

Congratulations to the Rotaract Club of St. Martin for their outstanding work, as well as the other clubs who continue to improve our nation.

 

AfC Chairman, Col. Stacey Thompson (R) and Project Coordinator, Brandon McFarlane (L) pay a courtesy visit to Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Mr. Robert Ready (C) after securing support from the Canadian DFATD earlier in April '15.

Abacus for Communities, Building Community Resilience Household by Household

by Charities
AfC Chairman, Col. Stacey Thompson (R) and Project Coordinator, Brandon McFarlane (L) pay a courtesy visit to Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Mr. Robert Ready (C) after securing support from the Canadian DFATD earlier in April '15.
AfC Chairman, Col. Stacey Thompson (R) and Project Coordinator, Brandon McFarlane (L) pay a courtesy visit to Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Mr. Robert Ready (C) after securing support from the Canadian DFATD earlier in April ’15.

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.

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The Lions and Leos of Downtown Kingston are ‘Relieving World Hunger’

by Charities

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The Lions and Leos of Downtown Kingston have a monthly feeding at the St. Matthew’s Anglican Church in Allman Town. Though a few months ago, Suga is happy to highlight how they started their year under the theme, ‘Relieving World Hunger’, feeding over 100 senior citizens on Sunday, January 25, 2015.

The seniors were treated to a scrumptious, filling meal of Curried Goat, Rice and Peas, Tossed Salad and Fruit juice, topped off by Ice cream and Fruit cake for dessert.

It was also an inspirational day, as members of the St. Matthew’s Anglican Youth Fellowship offered prayers and inspiration via songs to the seniors present.

Items of clothing and shoes were offered to individuals in need as well.

Kudos to the Lions and Leos of Downtown Kingston for keeping up such a thoughtful and helpful initiative.

Have a Happy and Holy Easter Everyone!

What is Paint Jamaica?

by Charities

The Paint Jamaica initiative started in 2014, with the concept of transforming Jamaica’s visual surroundings as a social intervention via art and uplifting messages.

For instance, Paint Jamaica has connected with residents of Parade Gardens to understand their aspirations. Their feedback has been translated into beautiful, insightful murals with a positive impact designed by talented artists from all over Kingston.

Paint Jamaica has now grown into a true community project, engaging volunteers from various backgrounds as well as residents of Parade Gardens.

Paint Jamaica plans to carry the movement islandwide. In recent news, I-Octane should have shot his new music video, ‘Don’t stop di vibe’ on Fleet Street last Sunday. A huge, abandoned warehouse used to be on 41 Fleet Street, which has been transformed into a new street art landmark.

Paint Jamaica can be contacted at [email protected] and feel free to keep up to date by liking their Facebook page, Paint Jamaica.

If you would like to make donations in order to contribute to uplifting inner-city communities through the arts, follow the link: http://tinyurl.com/kbg7rto.

The various murals created by Paint Jamaica have also been framed,  printed on mugs etc. for sale in their new Paint Jamaica Store at http://tinyurl.com/p9y93cb with all proceeds going towards future Paint Jamaica Projects.

Keep up the good work Paint Jamaica!

Rotaract Club of Liguanea Plains (RCLP) assists Shalom Pre-School

by Charities

Who knew cashing in crates of bottles could do so much? RCLP cashed in bottles from a bottle drive to purchase educational charts and over 100 seedlings for the Shalom Pre-School Feeding Programme. The University of the West Indies, Mona Social Services and parents will also assist with the growth and maintenance of the Vegetable Garden.

The club also donated books to the school courtesy of the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association and gave them Four Way Test Signs to be placed on the walls of the School.

What is the Four Way Test? It is said by Rotaractors and Rotarians at each meeting they hold, it is also a way to live by. With each situation, test yourself. Ask, 

1. Is it the truth?

2. Is it fair to all concerned?

3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

This was done during World Rotaract Week to commemorate when the organization began in March, 1968. 

Good job Rotaract Club of Liguanea Plains!