14 Projects for Diaspora Day of Service
By: , June 18, 2024
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Diaspora Conference Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer of the VM Group, Courtney Campbell, makes a point while addressing a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank held at the agency’s head office in Kingston.The Full Story
Fourteen projects will be executed in several communities on Diaspora Day of Service on Thursday, June 20.
The projects, which cover medical missions and community development and educational initiatives, will conclude the 10th Jamaica Biennial Diaspora Conference, which began on Sunday (June 16).
The day allows diaspora members to take part in pre-arranged projects in communities across the island.
“We are very pleased with the responses, so far,” said Conference Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the VM Group, Courtney Campbell.
“People from the diaspora have organised their own projects because they are committed to contributing to the well-being of their fellow Jamaicans. It is amazing how committed these Jamaicans who live overseas are to serving local projects,” he said.
Mr. Campbell was addressing a recent Think Tank at the JIS head office in Kingston.
About 200 community members are expected to benefit from the medical mission, which will take place at the Barrett Town Community Centre in St James.
Mr. Campbell said that the project is being executed by the Jamaica Diaspora Taskforce Action Network and involves members across 15 countries.
It involves collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness under the #KnowYourNumbers campaign, an initiative intended to help Jamaicans fight the growing problem of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and premature death.
“So, Jamaican doctors and nurses are returning to the island to participate at the Barrett Town Community Centre, and they will be doing health screenings, testing of individuals and health education,” Mr. Campbell said.
Additionally, there will be health screenings for diabetes, cholesterol, prostate and cervical cancer, HIV and Syphilis.
Mr. Campbell said a project titled ‘Build a house in one day’ will involve the construction of a home for a family of four in St. James.
This project will be led by Jamaica’s Consul General to Miami, Oliver Mair and Food For the Poor, which delivers social houses to needy Jamaicans.
The Honorary Consul of Jamaica in Montreal, Canada, will lead a renovation project at Black River High School in St. Elizabeth.
“The team will be renovating the girls’ bathroom at the high school. The goal is to create a better environment for students,” Mr. Campbell said.