Old Harbour Friendship Association Stages Education and Health Fair
By: , August 20, 2024
Photo: Contributed
Members of the Old Harbour and Friends Association (OHFA) pause for a photo opportunity at a recent education and health fair staged by the Association, at the Old Harbour Primary School in St. Catherine.
Photo: Contributed
Custos of St. Catherine, Icylin M. Golding, delivers the keynote address at an education and health fair staged by the Old Harbour and Friends Association (OHFA), at the Old Harbour Primary School in the parish.
Photo: Contributed
Member of the Old Harbour and Friends Association (OHFA), Kayla Beckford Harrison, makes a presentation to Old Harbour High School student Talia Brown, during a recent education and health fair staged by the Association, at the Old Harbour Primary School in St. Catherine.The Full Story
Students and other residents of Old Harbour in St. Catherine received school supplies, medical checks and care packages during an education and health fair staged by the Old Harbour and Friends Association (OHFA).
Six students were presented with grants totalling $36,000, another six were gifted with laptop computers, while more than 350 care packages were distributed during the event held recently at the Old Harbour Primary School.
Community members also benefited from free health services and counselling.
Laptop recipient Rickelmi Laing, who will be attending Glenmuir High School in September, said the device will assist him in his studies.
“I felt very good about it because it will help me educationally and I am very thankful,” the former Old Harbour Primary student told JIS News.
Formed 30 years ago, the OHFA is dedicated to providing financial and material aid to the Old Harbour community, with special emphasis on education and healthcare.
The group has organised health fairs in association with the Lions Club of Old Harbour and medical missions, where dentists and optometrists from the United States (US) have travelled to Jamaica to treat over 4,000 persons to date.
President of the OHFA, Lavern Robinson, told JIS News that the Association has adopted six schools in the area.
“We want to make the community better, assist with not just cash awards to students but also offer other support. We seek support for families and to help as many children as possible,” she said.
Members of the OHFA have also worked with citizens to refurbish and maintain two primary schools in the area.
In addition, the Association has donated over 10,000 books, computers, printers and photocopy machines to the Old Harbour Public Library, Old Harbour High School and Marlie Mount Primary and Infant School.
“It is a one-of-a-kind organisation. It is full of love, full of giving back to the communities in the Old Harbour area and other communities,” said Custos of St. Catherine, Icylin M. Golding, who is a member of the group.
She noted that doctors, who have been a part of the medical missions to the community, had received educational assistance from the OHFA and “they are now giving back”.