SOURCE: The Jamaica Gleaner

The JWN Foundation has announced its donation of chicken starter kits and food items to farming communities in Clarendon. The donation forms part of the company’s ongoing commitment to support local farmers and provide food security in Jamaica.

This project, which began in 2021 in the St Elizabeth communities, recognises the potential of agribusiness as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation and improved livelihoods in communities surrounding J. Wray and Nephew factory locations. This phase focuses on nine communities in the Clarendon area.

According to Tanikie McClarthy Allen, CEO of the JWN Foundation, “This has been something that the community members have requested, and we listened. By equipping individuals with the necessary resources and support, the JWN Foundation seeks to enable participants to establish sustainable and profitable poultry ventures. We are proud to support the farming communities in Clarendon through this and other donations as we recognise the important role that farmers play in ensuring food security and economic growth in Jamaica, and we are committed to supporting them.”

Southwest Clarendon Member of Parliament Lothan Cousins was on hand for the donation and had great things to say about the continued investments from the JWN Foundation.

“Every quarter, JWN has this community council meeting to hear the feedback of the people and see how the company is impacting the community members. I have seen many benefits from this approach, and I look forward to the continued exemplary leadership of the company.”

He continued, “As a matter of fact, I wish more companies would take a look at this model employed by the JWN Foundation to see how best they can continue to contribute to the overall development of Jamaica.”

The donation comes at a critical time when many Jamaicans are facing economic challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising food costs. With the support of the JWN Foundation, farmers in Clarendon will be able to provide for their families and contribute to the local economy.

The donation was welcomed by local officials and community leaders alike in Clarendon.

Plans to Build

“Today’s donation from the JWN Foundation will go a long way in supporting our community and our need to start a small business so that we can sell and buy more so that our business can expand. Ultimately, it’s bigger and better for us. I even have plans to build a bigger ‘chicken coop’ in my backyard,” shared Anneika Bailey, a resident of Gimme-Me-Bit, Clarendon.

The JWN Foundation has a long history of supporting local communities in Jamaica. Since its inception in 2012, the company has previously donated to schools, hospitals, and other organisations in need. The Foundation actively plays a part in ‘transforming lives and communities for a better Jamaica’.

The chicken starter kits consist of baby chicks, broiler pellet, broiler crumble, feeder pans, vitamins, heat bulbs and instructions on how to care for the chickens while the food packages donated by LASCO include Lasco Food Drink, Lasco Rolled Oats, Lasco Baked Beans and more.

JWN Foundation said its donation benefited more than 40 farming families in Clarendon for this phase, and the company would continue supporting local communities in Jamaica in the future.

SOURCE: Our Today

United States Ambassador to Jamaica, N. Nick Perry, has officially handed over approximately J$21 million to six local entities, through the Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Federal Awards Programme.

The beneficiaries will undertake activities spanning several sectors and themes including education, youth development, conflict resolution and animal conservation.

During a recent handover ceremony held at the US Embassy, Perry congratulated each recipient, asserting that the “US Government is pleased to support programmes that create opportunities that tackle challenges faced by Jamaica”.

He went further to state that “the programmes will help provide a road map to success for many of the island’s youth”.

The six awards were issued, following the Embassy’s Notice of Funding Opportunity, which attracted over 70 applicants. The recipients are Creative Language-Based Learning (CLBL) Foundation, Educatours JA Limited, JWN Foundation, Seprod Foundation, United Way of Jamaica, and the International Iguana Foundation.

The CLBL Foundation is a non-profit, educational initiative designed to improve the learning ability of children across Jamaica, by developing a community of early childhood and special needs educators. Led by founder, Mandy Melville, CLBL will execute a programme involving literacy and numeracy training for teachers throughout the island.

Educatours JA Limited is an EdTech and adventure tour company, powered by exploration with gamification, storytelling and technology to enhance tours and learning. Co-founders Kadeem Petgrave and Simier Lansend will undertake a ‘Math and Money Challenge’ aimed at addressing math anxiety and strengthening financial literacy among marginalised youth.

Known for its philanthropic pursuits, the JWN Foundation will delve into the issue of conflict resolution in schools. In partnership with the LASCO Chin Foundation and Learn The Fun, the JWN Foundation will facilitate intensive training for teachers and student participants on techniques to prevent dangerous and violent situations, towards promoting safe living and learning environments.

The Seprod Foundation will engage youth between the ages of 6-12 years for its Edu-Skate Extended programme. Through this sport-based educational initiative, the Foundation will aim to empower youth with life skills that instill discipline, determination, and self-motivation to achieve healthy personal goals.

The Read Right from the Start Train the Trainer programme, led by the United Way of Jamaica, will aim to improve the capacity of teachers within the early childhood sector to deliver effective language and literacy programmes to children from birth to six years old. The United Way of Jamaica will also collaborate with the United Way of Greater Atlanta and language and literacy experts from the Rollins Center, to conduct face-to-face training sessions in Jamaica with groups of early childhood teachers, and representatives of the Early Childhood Commission.

Caribbean Rock Iguanas are the most imperiled group of lizards in the world and the Jamaican Rock Iguana, considered critically endangered, is arguably the most threatened among them. The International Iguana Foundation will undertake the Enhancing Conservation and Management of the Jamaican Rock Iguana. This programme highlights the progress that can be achieved through strong partnerships between US and Jamaican stakeholders, working towards the protection of Jamaica’s unique flora and fauna.

The US Embassy in Jamaica said it was pleased to support these initiatives that enhance shared priorities towards progress, prosperity and peace.