JIS Brings Christmas Cheer to Mount Olivet Boys’ Home

The Jamaica Information Service (JIS) paid its annual Christmas visit to the Mount Olivet Boys’ Home on Saturday, December 14, bringing gifts and cheer to the 26 residents of the Manchester-based facility.

The JIS team participated in the home’s annual luncheon and prize giving ceremony to reward the boys for their hard work over the past year. The agency also made presentations of much needed items such as towels and toiletries.

Chief Executive Officer at the JIS, Donna-Marie Rowe, said she is pleased with the growth and development of the boys at the facility, which the agency adopted some four years ago, as part of its corporate social responsibility.

“Our first staff visit was in December 2009, and we have been here three times a year ever since – for Easter, back-to-school and at Christmas. We have hosted a career day, work day, sports days, crop planting, visited their church service, and have held mentorship sessions with the boys. We have had a wonderful time watching the boys grow and make bold steps towards the adults they will become,” she stated.

Mrs. Rowe said the JIS is “proud to give our time, love and attention to the boys and “it is with joy that we continue to serve the Mount Olivet Boys’ Home.”

The agency has held a number of internal fundraising activities such as cake sales and movie nights to support its work at the home, and has also sought the assistance of various sponsors.

Yohan Blake’s YB Afraid Foundation came on board last year, contributing significantly to the development of the home, and most recently, the Expression through Creativity (ETC) group has been offering assistance.

Co-Founder of Expression through Creativity, Regina Beavers, who joined JIS at the home on Saturday, said the group has been working with the boys for the past three months, engaging them in the performing arts and culinary arts.

“We are here every Saturday with the boys doing various workshops in drama, culinary arts, drumming, voice and film,” she said.

“We are so proud of you boys. The improvement has been really good,” she stated.

Director of the Home, Sonia Lowe, in expressing gratitude to the various sponsors and supporters, said that the home has been blessed.

“This year has been a good year and we have been truly blessed in many ways. Some boys have left to return to their families, and we are very happy for them. The boys here at the home are pleased to have their uncles and aunties from the JIS and YB Afraid, and I know you will continue to love and cherish them as you have over the past few years,” she stated.

Mrs. Rowe thanked the various sponsors, who have contributed to the success of the visits, including Ping’s, Rainforest Seafood, Trade Winds, Sammy’s, Novelty Trading Limited, Sangster’s Book Store, MegaMart and Juici Patties.