Building A Better Community

  • US$225.00
    raised of $10,000.00 goal goal
2% Funded
4 Donors

No more donations are being accepted at this time. Please contact the campaign owner if you would like to discuss further funding opportunities

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Dear Friend, Family, Colleagues, Contingents, Supporters, Doers and All:

We are asking for your support, because one of our greatest desires is to assist in making the hopes and dreams of children and families in the local area of Clarendon, Jamaica –a reality. So here we are with this great cause, reaching out for support!

Our current team working for one cause are as follow:

Ralston Anderson, Arthur Blake, Ann-Marie Duffus, Lewis Jones, Dahlia McLean,

Lavern Smith-Jones, and Ancel Thompson

So, let me give you a little background and insight to assure you that your support is a worthy act of kindness that would elevate the cause of the 3 great patrons of good--who started it all. Ancel Thompson, who resides in the United States, went back to his community, in the hilly interiors of Copperwood Clarendon with the aim of giving back. His vision continued for a number of years when Arthur Blake and Ralston Anderson decided to join forces with him. Together they worked hard to influence the community and impacted the lives of many. I, Lavern was blessed to get in contact with Arthur Blake who told me about their work and I was in tears to see hearts so big. His drive and determination compelled me to do my part. Since joining I have helped found ATAB Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the growth and development of the children, the less fortunate and the conservation of the elderly in Clarendon Jamaica.

This foundation is still in formation stage, but as you know the work must continue. For the past 10 years these gentlemen have traveled to Jamaica each December to put joy, smiles and tears of gratitude in members of the community hearts. Our Team is committed to helping the Clarendon community, therefore several trips were made to Jamaica this summer to see firsthand the needs of the people.

Let us share a few initiative put forth by these 3 patrons doers. They have personally funded the following initiatives and with your help and God’s grace their work will continue.

Children Treat, Support & Care:

Most children within this community have very little to nothing at all. This hardship would bring about discontentment and disregards, but no, they are proud and humble in their demeanor and communication.

During the annual Christmas event, 200+ children are catered to in the Copperwood community. It entails back to school items such as books, pencil, bags and clothing. Many parents look forward to this gesture as they are unable to properly provide for their child/children due to financial constraints. This act of charity is greatly appreciated and highly anticipated by the community, parents and local schools. The children are also given an opportunity to have a fun by means of a various rides and play accessories that are not available to them on a regular basis.

Medical Care

The elderly are very important members of the community, yet they are often forgotten. Meals are provided for the disabled and shut-ins. With this in mind our founding men hired a team of medical practitioners from various health departments in Jamaica to assist in the following areas: eye examinations, blood pressure, cholesterol and STD testing and much more. These services are provided free of cost to beneficiaries who are unable to afford proper medical care. Many of these elderly are not in a position to respond adequately to their health needs, therefore this helps to alleviate some of the expense and medical stresses they normally face. With God’s blessings and kindness of others we will continue assisting in this capacity and expand in areas such as dental, prescription vouchers, EKG and Diabetes testing.

Social Programs

Education is an essential part of an individuals’ betterment; so many individuals are unable to afford funding for education at different levels. Many of the children are unable to attend High school due to lack of funds. Yes, I said high school, a luxury that so many of us abroad take for granted. Well, in Jamaica, it is not free! Thus many are denied this essential part of their development. The founders saw a need and once again they reached out to surrounding communities and secured qualified, competent educators who devote their time and expertise. They are given lessons in reading, mathematics, cabinet making, art & craft and computer skills. Resources most time is scarce, making it difficult for the facilitators to execute to their full potential. The goal is to build upon this foundation to improve students’ academic growth and skills development can be seen, thus improving the chances for social and economic development, through education.

Gospel Concert

In order to assist the founders to carry out more work, they have put together the “Winter Gospel Fest” concert as a mean of raising funds to execute the afore mentioned projects. This concert hosts’ some of Jamaica’s finest and international gospel and reggae gospel artists. This has been ongoing for the past four years and has received excellent reviews by those in and around the communities. The concert also provides an opportunity for up-and-coming artists to display their talents. This time of praise and worship is highly anticipated each year and we would like to continue this great event as an inspiration to the community that otherwise would not see such entertainment or festivities.

Before I continue, we would like to thank you very much for reading as I know it was quite lengthy, but I felt the need to give a little background, before asking for your support.

December 18, 2013 is the next event. The event will be spread over the 3 days. The first day will be the Health Fair for the elders as described above. The 2nd day will be the children treat and school support as described above. On the 20th there will be the Winter Gospel Fest. We were blessed to have volunteers eager to help and support the fundraising initiative for the different projects, but we are still behind the curb in the funding require to adequately execute the projects for the event.

There will be volunteers traveling to Jamaica from the US, Canada and UK to support the event and to help to distribute school supplies and clothing to the children, the Umbrella of Hope a Division of Church of God Sabbath Keeping Ministries in Canada has partnered with us in this event. They have been an inspiration in the community as they have been showing unwavering support to the schools. They have fundraised to provide enough needed school supplies to support several students for the year of 2014.

Our goal is to raise $10,000 USD to support the different programs for this event. We would like to afford education for 9 deserving child to continue his or her high school education. This means one (1) child per school and there are 9 schools in the area. If we can fund the education for one senior for 1 year in each school, we would change the educational blueprint for that family and community. We would like to express that there are many brilliant minded children in this areas who have the potential to make a difference in our world, if only given an opportunity. Their parents do the best they can but with our economical downturn, it becomes difficult to afford school fees, so the children are forced to stay home. Sadly, I have seen and heard the stories for myself during my visit. My heart was heavy to see the potential and the dreams of these youths just fading away. It saddens me to hear that a child had only 1 year remaining to complete his/her high school education, but was unable to complete because of the fees.

All funds donated will go towards supporting our cause as outlined above. The budget is great but attainable; any amount you can afford to donate would certainly make a significant difference. We hope that you will find it compelling to offer your support in making a donation.

We appreciate your interest and the time you took to read about our cause. If you should have questions please let us know. Thanks and God Bless!

Organizer

Donors

  • Tanya Morton
  • Donated on Sep 24, 2013
$50.00
  • Terri Safford
  • Donated on Sep 22, 2013
  • Many blessings to the children and for those who genuinely care.

$50.00
  • Allen Delay
  • Donated on Sep 18, 2013
  • Keep up the good work.

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Donors & Comments

4 donors
  • Tanya Morton
  • Donated on Sep 24, 2013
$50.00
  • Terri Safford
  • Donated on Sep 22, 2013
  • Many blessings to the children and for those who genuinely care.

$50.00
  • Allen Delay
  • Donated on Sep 18, 2013
  • Keep up the good work.

Amount Hidden
  • Cheridan & Quinton Jones
  • Donated on Sep 12, 2013
Amount Hidden

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US$225.00
raised of $10,000.00 goal
2% Funded
4 Donors

No more donations are being accepted at this time. Please contact the campaign owner if you would like to discuss further funding opportunities