Who? The second largest international charity in the United States and Jamaica’s leading charity organization, Food for the Poor (FFP).
What? Presents the official opening and renaming of the Lena Jones Basic School following the recent construction of a new million dollar building inclusive of a classroom, an office, a fully equipped kitchen and a bathroom.
Where? Lena Jones Basic School
Colonel’s Ridge
Clarendon
When? Thursday, March 6, 2008, to commence at 2:00 p.m.
Background Information: Since Hurricane Ivan destroyed Colonel’s Ridge Basic School in September 2004, students and teachers had to settle for classes at the Church of God of Prophesy in that community. However, this was less than ideal as teachers were prevented from creating permanent displays and the students had to stay home whenever the church had meetings or seminars. Food for the Poor (FFP) responded to the plight of the 36 students and two teachers who needed a structure that could meet the standards of the Ministry of Education. This included the construction of a new building for the classroom and office space along with a kitchen area equipped with a gas stove, wash sink, cupboard and a refrigerator. Teachers and students will also benefit from an attached bathroom with three toilets and a wash basin. The charity organization also installed water intake lines and external drainage pipes connected to a newly constructed absorption pit. The old building was demolished and the existing building constructed at a total cost of J $1, 506, 428. 00. The school will be officially opened and renamed under the name Lena Jones Basic School in honor of its founder, Lena Jones. Among those participating in the opening is the Honourable Pearnel Charles, Minister of Labour and Social Security.
Food for the Poor: Food for the Poor, (FFP) ministers to spiritually renew impoverished people throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Established in 1982, our goals are to improve the health, economic, social and spiritual conditions of the men, women and children we serve. Since its founding, FFP has distributed more than US$2.3 billion in food, medical, educational, building and small business supplies to 16 countries in the Caribbean and Central America. The organisation maintains a large network of churches, hospitals, orphanages, schools and feeding programmes, and shipped over 5,000 containers of assistance to the area in 2005. In addition to the feeding programmes, FFP provides housing – over 33,000 homes have been given to the destitute. FFP also provides medical assistance, water projects, educational aid, microenterprise programmes and emergency relief assistance. For additional information visit: www.foodforthepoor.org., or call 984-5005 Ext 286/287or 382-7135.
