Jamaicans in Atlanta Urged to Give More Support to Education

Wife of the Prime Minister, Lorna Golding, has appealed to Jamaicans in Atlanta, to give more support to the island’s schools.
“I implore you all to contribute more to education, so that the children of Jamaica can get the right start,” she pleaded.
Mrs. Golding was speaking at the Benevolent Mission of Atlanta fund-raising tea party, at the Villa Christina Restaurant in Atlanta, on September 7.
Acknowledging that Jamaicans overseas have contributed greatly towards meeting the needs of persons back home, she said even more help is needed at this particular time, to meet the growing challenges.
“My dream for Jamaica, is one that I share with my husband; it is a dream for a Jamaica where no child is left illiterate and without hope, where no child knows hunger, irrespective of his or her economic needs,” she said.
Mrs. Golding also used the occasion to laud the Benevolent Mission of Atlanta, for its outstanding contribution to charitable organisations, making special mention of its support for education in the island.
“The true spirit of volunteerism is a concept that should be recognised and celebrated in our daily lives,” she told the audience.
Meanwhile, Benevolent Mission of Atlanta President, Dr. Conrad Ingram, explained that the mission of the organisation is to “harness and leverage the time, talent, and resources of our partners to assist disadvantaged kids in Jamaica and Metro Atlanta.”
“Our mission is also to prepare these students for a lifetime of responsible citizenship and to help prepare students for the difficult times, as they move from primary school to higher education,” he added.
In his remarks, Jamaica’s Honorary Consul in Atlanta, Vin Martin, acknowledged the timeliness of the Mission’s focus on education in Jamaica, noting that with the recent passing of Tropical Storm Gustav, several schools were damaged and are now in need of great assistance.
Mr. Martin appealed to the Jamaican community in Atlanta, to give financial support, as that would provide a very welcome boost for efforts to rehabilitate schools.
Also attending the tea party were Jamaican-born Superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, Dr. Beverly Hall, and District Attorney for Clayton County, Atlanta, Jewell Scott.
Proceeds from the event will go towards assisting the Jamaica Early Childhood Development Foundation, of which Mrs. Golding is Chairman.