Fletcher’s Grove/Mount Pelier Circuit of Baptist Church
The Fletcher’s Grove/Mount Pelier Circuit of Baptist Churches in Sandy Bay, Hanover (coastal community) recently launched Phase II of the Coastal Zone Solid Waste Management Initiative in Sandy Bay, Hanover. The first phase, soon to be completed focused on solid waste management education and initiatives. The community conducted cleanups held educational workshops/seminars with community members and provided garbage skips throughout the community to encourage persons to dispose of waste in a responsible manner.
Collaboration with the Parish Council and National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) was imperative to the success of the project, as regular garbage removal from collection points was necessary. After two years the community has seen a significant shift in the behavior of those persons targeted as well as a considerable reduction in waste present along the coast and in the gully that runs towards the coastline.
Phase II of the project will build on the momentum gained in Phase I by initiating plastic bottle recycling along with responsible solid waste management. Fletcher’s Grove will collaborate with Protect the Environment Trust (PET) and Negril Recycling Centre to implement this project.
Lions Club of Kingston
A grant of $3.5M was awarded to the Lions Club of Kingston to undertake eye screening activities; assist with the provision of eyeglasses and eye surgery for children (basic and primary level). The organization works closely with the Bustamante Hospital for Children and during the implementation of the project, it was felt that the needs of the children could be better served with the acquisition of an Ophthalmic Cryosurgery system, which would be used to perform eye surgeries. The Cryomatic Machine was acquired at the cost of $1.35M and is the first of its kind on the island. The machine is used mainly to treat babies at risk for Retinopathy of Prematurity, which is a potentially blinding eye disorder that primarily affects premature babies. The procurement of this vital machine will enable the Hospital to perform more surgeries to prevent blindness in babies. Representatives of the Lions Club of Kingston officially handed over the machine to the Bustamante Hospital for Children on October 30, 2009.
Ms. Charmaine Webber(2nd left), Programme Coordinator, EFJ at handover ceremony with representatives from Bustamante Children’s Hospital and Lions Club of Kingston
Sir Arthur Lewis Institute for Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) Child Research Conference
SALISES successfully held their 4th Annual Caribbean Child Research Conference under the theme Global Crises: The Impact on Our Children on October 22, 2009. Approximately 150 persons including child sector stakeholders and high school students were in attendance to hear the selected child (written) research papers presented by youths from across the island. The conference also had exhibits from approximately 10 organizations including a mix of NGOs and government agencies. EFJ grantee Dudley Grant Memorial Trust showcased their work in the Early Childhood Sector in addition to providing information on EFJ. UNICEF along with EFJ provided funding for this important event.
