Pick up the paper, watch the news, check out many blogs and all you see is the same thing over and over again…Stress inducing bad news!
And now, study after study is actually documenting how stress is literally killing us.
You’ve probably been affected by the current economic news more than you realize.
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No, I’m not talking about your finance — I’m talking about your health.
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We in the diaspora  may face challenging hurdles, however our capacity to cope and thrive is an order of magnitude better than many of our fellow Jamaican back a yard.
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The social and community infrastructure where most of us live provide us with a much more developed social safety net. Just think about it, 20% of Jamaica’s GDP is from remittance, the private economic stimulus to sustain families there.
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But what about those who are in need and do not have any diasporic support ?
Sure there is government safety net, but as we are well aware, this net is fragile at best, and is not enough. The current economic pressures have further frayed the existing net. Well organized, and efficient charitable organizations are called on to fill the gap.
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It is indeed my privilege to introduce you to one such organization, the Jamaica Volunteers Association, Inc. (JVA).
This organization has been serving in this capacity for 26 years. They have supported multiple organizations with a focus on education, health care, and community outreach.
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My first encounter with this organization came in last September when Prime minister Golding came to visit in Washington DC. Ambassador Johnson recognized one special couple for their many years of serving the Jamaican community, and publicly affirmed them . Well long story short, I had the privilege to visit with that special couple, the Morgans several times and was able to secure an interview with Mr. Donald Morgan, president of JVA.
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 Click to hear Prof. Morgan describe JVA
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Prof. Morgan & the Women’s centre of Jamaica Foundation director
review development plans
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The focus for 2009 is the development of a kitchen and dinning facility for the Women’s centre in Kingston. This centre is one of eight centres in Jamaica that serve adolescents, who need a second chance after teen pregnancy. These centres have successfully served over 35,000 young women, giving them education and the necessary life skills to become well developed adults.
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The goal is to raise US$14K by June 15, 2009.
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Send your tax deductible contribution to:
Jamaica Volunteers Association, INC
1201 Kalmia Road, NW
Washington DC, 20012
Inquiry : 202 726 8292
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Last year, Prof. Morgan placed a smile on director Beryl Weir’s face with the first installment to develop the centre.
Will you be one of the 1400 that would invest $10 to make a difference?
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