Governor General Thanks South Florida for Assistance

Governor General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Howard Cooke has expressed appreciation to the South Florida community for their on-going assistance in the country’s continued development, noting that the goodwill and love shown signified members’ care and concern for their homeland.
Speaking at the third annual fund-raising banquet of the Caribbean American Medical Educational Organization (CAMEO), on October 23 in Fort Lauderdale, Sir Howard said that this help manifested itself in the overwhelming and immediate response after Hurricane Ivan devastated parts of the island on September 10.
The Governor General lauded Jamaicans for successes in their personal lives, citing the performance of athletes at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
He also spoke of the creativity and talent of Jamaicans, recalling that they were among the early technically skilled professionals working in the development of major cities in the United States.
While he urged the nationals to continue their acts of goodwill through love and compassion, Sir Howard said their efforts were significant in the development of the young people who would be the leaders of tomorrow.
A family operated medical mission group that began in 1993 in South Florida, CAMEO has touched the lives of the less fortunate, providing health care and general hygiene in rural areas of the Caribbean, including Jamaica and St. Vincent. Services will now be expanded to include Belize, Haiti and Guyana beginning in November.
Under the direction of Dr. David Keen, a Jamaican-born physician, and his mother, Yvonne Keen, a retired registered nurse, the group of some 20 volunteers, including other doctors, medical interns, para-medicals and other committed persons, have travelled at least three times yearly to those rural areas ministering to the needy.
So far, the team has accomplished 40 medical missions. During their one-week trip, approximately 800 patients have benefited from the services of CAMEO volunteers.
Moving the vote of thanks, President of CAMEO, Mrs. Keen spoke passionately of the dedication and commitment of the volunteers on the missions. Her commitment to this effort was a legacy left by her late husband, Dr. David Keen, also a physician, who provided services to the rural communities in Jamaica.
“As CAMEO’s resources grow, we will be able to provide more services, more equipment and medication to more places, more frequently,” she added.Also in attendance were Jamaica’s Consul General to the Southeast USA, Ricardo Allicock and his wife.