New York, NY, December 28, 2006 - On December 18th, 2006 eager young faces greeted Jamaica Impact, Inc. (JAMPACT), Chichibud and United for Jamaica (UFJ) volunteers as they arrived at Crescent Road Basic School. The Christmas treat combined over 80 children from Crescent Road Basic School and Mt. Olive Basic School for an afternoon of gift giving and caroling. "Every year we look forward to this Christmas Treat and the bonus presents which add so much to our classrooms. The children are happy to see the visitors and the community turns out in large numbers," said Mrs. Bennett, Principal of Crescent Road Basic.
Each year the Christmas Treats aims at ensuring that every child receives a gift for Christmas and that the schools have adequate supplies for the New Year. The treats also aims to thanks the teachers and administrator for all the hard work they do in ensuring that these children receive the best education possible. JAMPACT’s Santa Stefan Wright and Mrs. Clause, Judith Aarons were happy that at the end of each event every child had smile on their face.
This was only one of JAMPACT’s many annual Christmas treats held at their five adopted basic schools in Kingston’s urban communities the three other Christmas treats were hosted at Coles Basic, Maxfield Park Basic School and Maxfield Park’s School for Children with Special Needs, and St. Steven’s Basic School on December 14th and 15th.
These annual Christmas events are organized through a partnership between two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) - New York City-based JAMPACT, Inc., the sponsor, and Jamaican-based CHICHIBUD LTD. Claudia Fyffe, Principal of St. Steven’s Basic stated "We know we can count on JAMPACT and Chichibud to help us out every year and we enjoy working with them." Over the years Jampact has supported the schools in improving their infrastructure. This year the schools will receive grants for to assist needy families with tuition payment and computers for both children and parents to learn to be computer proficient.
JAMPACT’s President Carl Heron stated that "The Christmas treats are a JAMPACT tradition that our members look forward to every year, and for those of us who are lucky to be home in Jamaica at Christmas, it reaffirms our commitment to the JAMPACT’s mission." Chichibud Director, Rebecca Tortello, enjoys celebrating with the children and finds that the organizing gets easier each year: "This is the fourth year we have partnered with JAMPACT on their adopt-a-school project and we are pleased to be working with them towards making these schools model basic schools in their communities."
JAMPACT’s mission is to use collective energies, intelligence and resources, as an impetus for progress in Jamaica (www.jampact.org). Since its inception in 1998, JAMPACT has united Jamaicans living aboard to actively contribute to the social, economic and political issues affecting Jamaicans. Chichibud is dedicated to promoting emotional growth through facilitating play, creative expression, reading, cultural awareness, and where necessary bereavement counseling, among basic and primary school-aged children (www.chichibud.org). In addition, United for Jamaica, (www.unitedforjamaica.org) an Atlanta-based organization, led by president Jason Walker collaborated with JAMPACT this year to help make the treats a success.
Local sponsors include Mother’s Patties which donated patties; Smith & Stewart, Inc., distributors and makers of Crazy Jim Ice Cream which generously donated ice cream and cones; Grace Kennedy and Co., which provided beverages and chips; George Azan and Co., Azan’s Supercentre and the Cake Shoppe who generously discounted the costs of the presents and cakes; and the Gleaner Co. which donated large reams of paper to each school collectively ensured that the children all had a great time.
Jamaica Impact Inc. ("JAMPACT") had its official launch on September 24, 1998 at the Jamaica Consulate in New York City, and was inspired by the support and encouragement that was received from both the Consul General Dr. Basil Bryan and the Jamaican community in New York City. JAMPACT is a certified 501(c)3 non-profit organization consisting of a diverse group of young Jamaican professionals, students and friends of Jamaica. Its philosophy is to use its collective energies, intelligence and resources, as an impetus for progress in Jamaica. Its main objective is to make positive contributions towards the improvement of social and economic conditions in Jamaica.
Chichibud Ltd., incorporated in 1998 is a registered Jamaican educational NGO, dedicated to promoting play, creative expression and reading among children and their parents.