Jamaican Association Donates To Hospitals
On August 10, 2013, the Jamaican Association of Bermuda [JAB] in collaboration with Wild Apache Productions held a cruise, “Big Ship Sailing on the Ocean”, to celebrate Jamaica’s Independence Day and help raise money for the hospital both in Bermuda and Jamaica.
A spokesperson said, “For the first time, the JAB hosted an overseas live entertainer – world renowned reggae artist, Neville “Tinga” Stewart. Tinga is known for many songs including the winning Independence song “Play De Music Sweet”. Tinga did just that as he mesmerized the crowd of approximately 350 people on Board the MV Bermudian.
“Today, the JAB is pleased to announce that the event was a huge success, allowing the JAB to set aside $4,000 for an equal contribution to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and Kingston Public Hospital in the amount of $2000.00 each.
“The JAB is the first cultural group to make such a contribution to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and we would like to encourage and challenge other groups to follow. Every dollar counts towards the big picture and while we are in Bermuda, this is the first and closest place when we have fallen ill.
“It is also important not to take from another country but it is important to “give back”. The bible sums it up even better in Acts 25 vs 35, “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
“JAB’s donation of $2,000.00 to Bermuda’s hospital will be accepted by the Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Trust [BHCT] in support of the “Why it Matters” campaign in support of transforming the KEMH into a world-class hospital facility by 2014.
“With regard to the Kingston Public Hospital [KPH], the JAB plans to begin work of an aesthetic nature on the female ward in early spring 2014.
“The KPH is in need of great assistance and the JAB has singled out the female ward to concentrate its efforts. We will be providing bedding, curtains to provide privacy to each patient, night stands, fans and where possible provide cabinets for the Doctor/Nurse’s station.
“JAB has appointed Mr. Vincent & Mrs. Cassie Collins to spearhead a team consisting of members of the JAB and associate members now in Jamaica to carry out these works.
“Mr. & Mrs. Collins who are both life members of the JAB, upon retiring here in Bermuda to Jamaica had asked the JAB not to give them any gifts or farewell party but instead they asked the JAB to use such funds towards a worthwhile project for assisting the poor in Jamaica or provide assistance to KPH. It is as a result of their unselfish desires that we are set to initiate this project.
“The JAB would like to express a big thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Collins for their vision for the KPH project and for the preparation work done – to date – in Jamaica together with the President, Flynn-Carty who has travelled to Jamaica to hold meetings with the Collins and KPH personnel.
“Mrs. Flynn-Carty anticipates that work will begin at the KPH in Spring 2014. The Collins is a great example of “each one helps one” attitude. Their acts of selflessness, kindness and love have encouraged us – the JAB – to continue to extend a helping hand not just to Jamaica but anywhere in the world that we can lend assistance.
“This year JAB chose to assist not just the hospital at home [Jamaica] but also extend a hand to Bermuda, our second home, by assisting in the fund-raising efforts of the BHCT.
“The JAB is not stranger to giving locally, over the years, they have made charitable donations to PRIDE, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Society for the Blind, as well as persons in the community who have had severe hardship.
“JAB has assisted twice in the purchase of a wheelchair, assisted persons who have lost everything in their house due to fire, assisted persons needing medical attention, just to name a few. We have also assisted islands such as Haiti and Grenada during hurricane Ivan.
“The “Haiti With Love” telethon which raised approximately $100,000 for the earthquake devastated Haiti a few years ago was the brain child of the JAB with the kind assistance of the other Caribbean associations on the
island and the Government and people of Bermuda.
“The Jamaican Association is open to receive application for membership from not only Jamaicans residing here but to any person of good character ordinarily residing in Bermuda. The yearly membership fee is $30 and we meet on the last Tuesday of the month at the BIU Building at 7:30pm.”
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