JIS and Partners Bring Cheer to Mount Olivet Boys’ Home Following Hurricane Melissa
By: , December 14, 2025
Photo: Rudranath Fraser
Special Projects Officer at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), Romona Geohaghan (right), receives a donation from Founder of the Dr. Sue and You Charitable Foundation, Dr. Susan Davis, towards the annual Christmas treat and relief efforts organised by the JIS on behalf of the Mount Olivet Boys' Home. The presentation was made recently at the JIS head office on Half-Way-Tree Road in Kingston.
Photo: Adrian Walker
Special Projects Officer, Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Romona Geohaghan (left), hands over a case of bottled water to Director of the Mount Olivet Boys' Home, Sophia Morgan, which was among essential items presented at the annual Christmas treat staged by the JIS, at the home in Walderston, Manchester on December 7.The Full Story
Residents of Mount Olivet Boys’ Home were showered with gifts and awards last Sunday (Dec. 7), as the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) staged its annual Christmas treat at the Walderston, Manchester-based facility.
The event, which involved support from various sponsors and partners, was in keeping with the agency’s decade-long adoption of the home.
Timothy Spencer of Joseph’s & YB Afraid Foundation, Dr. Sue and You Charitable Foundation, Off the Grid Foundation and Crocs Jamaica, all partnered with the JIS to treat the over 32 wards and staff, providing footwear, clothing, toys and other gifts, personal care items, and non-perishables such as food and water.
Representatives from sponsoring entities like Lasco and Rainforest, joined the JIS team for the festive occasion.
In addition to the handover of gifts, dinner and an awards ceremony to acknowledge and celebrate academic improvements, good behaviour, creativity and resilience, this year’s programme included a church service, planned and executed by the residents.
Following the impact of Hurricane Melissa, which caused damage to the dormitories, greenhouse, and animal houses, and left the home without electricity for over a month, the residents were especially grateful for the visit.
“I am happy when JIS comes. They always spend time with us and talk to us and let us play games and they always have gifts,” said one of the boys.
Another resident shared that “I was wondering if they were still coming this year because of [Hurricane] Melissa, so I am very happy.”
The Christmas treat is an annual event coordinated by the JIS, which adopted the home in 2009, and has continues to support the facility through outreach activities to include personal and career development sessions, sporting activities, and awards and recognition programmes.
Visits are organised during Easter, at the start of the school year, and during the Christmas season by the JIS, through partnership with corporate sponsors and internal fundraising initiatives.
Director at the Home, Sophia Morgan, expressed gratitude to the JIS and its partners for their generous support.
She noted that “the JIS is [like] family” and that the items received will benefit all the residents.
Executive Director of the Off The Grid Foundation, Adiel Thomas, shared words of hope and encouragement, urging the boys to “channel greatness” by remaining focused on education, personal growth and positive choices.
As the season of goodwill continues, and the close of another year approaches, the JIS and its partners affirm their commitment to offering support and guidance to the residents of the Mount Olivet Boys’ Home for 2026 and beyond.
