Blue Mountain Project, Hagley Gap, Jamaica

The Blue Mountains are located 10 miles from Kingston, Jamaica. Here you will find Jamaica’s highest mountain peeks, over 7,000 feet above sea level. A small number of adventurous travelers take the challenge of hiking to the peak, where one can see Cuba on a clear morning. However, most of the time you will find a community of positive, hardworking people.

The mountains are covered with coffee farms and mango trees. Unfortunately, these coffee farmers take detrimental losses on their crops each year due to erosion and lack of equipment. Although this Jamaican java sells for over $35 per pound, these farmers only earn $10-$20 per day. There is no fair trade coffee from Jamaica.

The people walk almost everywhere as the infrastructure and access to transportation barely exists. Roads are not paved and are extremely narrow and dangerous. The roads become worse during the hurricane season. as a result of landslides and flooding. Sometimes the roads are completely impassable, leaving entire villages cut off from food and other necessities.

Jamaica Environment Trust Jet, Kingston, Jamaica

The Jamaica Environment Trust is a non-profit, non-governmental membership organization operating in the island of Jamaica. We were formed in 1991 and our main focus is environmental education and advocacy.

We believe awareness of and concern about environmental issues are critical building blocks of sustainable
development.

National Aids Committee Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica

The National AIDS Committee (NAC) is a private non-governmental organization that was established in 1988 by the Minister of Health to co-ordinate the national multi-sectoral response to the AIDS epidemic in Jamaica.

The National AIDS Committee began with 18 members and now has over 100 member organizations.

The National AIDS Committee has four main functions.

To advise the Minister of Health on policy issues relevant to HIV / AIDS / STIs.

To involve all sectors of society in efforts to prevent and control HIV / AIDS / STIs.

To act as a central body where ideas, experiences and questions about HIV / AIDS /STIs in Jamaica can be shared, discussed and addressed.

To provide a sustainable means of supporting the initiatives of the NAC and member organizations by eliciting funds from fundraising activities, public and private sector participation.

The NAC has strong links with the National HIV/STI Control Programme (NHCP), representatives from both public and private sector organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community based organizations (CBOs).

The NAC is further facilitated by an Executive Committee, Sub-committees, 13 Parish AIDS Committees and two AIDS Advisory Committees.

The Executive Committee consists of a Chairman, a Managing Director, a Co-ordinator, the Chairpersons of Sub-committees and Parish AIDS and Advisory Committees.

In addition there are elected members from both the public and private sectors. The Executive committee acts as a Board of Directors.

The National AIDS Committee acting in its capacity as an umbrella organization reflects the needs voiced by agencies in the structure of its Sub -committees. Hence these needs are reflected in the choice of Sub-committees.

The Sub-committees of the National AIDS Committee are Education, Care and Counseling, Legal and Ethical and Fundraising.

The Education Sub-committee advises on all aspects of HIV / AIDS written and public educational materials.

The Care and counseling Sub-committee promotes the provision of quality care for those individuals that are infected or affected by HIV / AIDS.

The Legal and Ethical Sub-committee examines and advises on the legal and ethical issues that are faced by persons infected and affected by HIV / AIDS. The Sub-committee also attends to the legal transactions of the NAC.

The Fundraising Sub-committee is responsible for locating and allocating the needed financial resources to assist in the national HIV / AIDS initiatives of the National AIDS Committee.

In addition to the Sub-committees, the National AIDS Committee receives an enormous input from 13 Parish AIDS Committees and two AIDS Advisory Committees across the island.

Parish AIDS Committee (PACs) have formed in all parishes. These committees reflect the structure of the NAC and provide a multi - disciplinary community based response to the needs of persons infected and affected by HIV / AIDS.

Likewise, the PACs act as local representative bodies that inform and contribute to translating ideas and building policy enabling the work of the NAC to be more realistic, obtainable and sustainable.

Jamaica Red Cross, Spanish Town, Jamaica

Jamaica Red Cross has helped those most vulnerable since 1948. We work with disaster response, disaster preparedness, first aid, search and rescue, health services, HIV/AIDS, social welfare, environmental problems, information/dissemination and youth.

By mobilizing our thousands of volunteers, we aim at improving the lives of those who need it the most.

Jamaica Red Cross is a part of the International Movement of Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies.

The mission of the Red Cross Movement is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. We work to prevent and alleviate human suffering and to protect human life and dignity.

The core areas that define the work of all Red Cross Societies, including Jamaica Red Cross, are disaster preparedness and response; health and care in the communities; and promotion of fundamental principles and humanitarian values. There is a strong focus on youth development.

Western Society For The Upliftment Of Children, Montego Bay, Jamaica

The Western Society for the Upliftment of Children seeks to develop a sustainable programme that will assist the marginalized youth of our communities to achieve their full potential: physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually.

Vision: A guiding light to the future of drop-outs, marginalized street and working children is this exemplary agency called Western Society for the Upliftment of Children.

As a part of our effort we offer up-to-date numeracy and literacy modules along with Sewing, Craft, Carpentry and Electrical Installation as part of our pre-vocational areas. In addition we offer blazing trail Interior Decorating, Barbering, Information Technology, Cosmetology and Videography as part of our special evening program.

Our noble and efficient staff has reached the ultimate zenith through hard work, dedication and commitment despite the limited resources.

Sports programs keep youth connected to friends, builds character, and fosters positive socialization skills. A donation of $50 purchases supports supplies for these activities.

The UAP works to develop the physical, cultural, and social development of inner city youth. Help change risky & violent behavior among these children by supporting the Kidz Summer Camp. A donation of $100 will send four kids to camp this summer.

Playground toys and after school play activities that are so common in developed countries are in short supply to disadvantaged children in Jamaica. Won't you brighten a child's day by donating $50 for the purchase of after school materials?

Exposing our nation's youth to computer technology is an educational objective in dire need of support. Your donation of $100 goes towards the purchase of educational software and the development of computer laboratories.

A UAP Marching Band reaches isolated children through music. Your donation of $50 allows one more child to participate in a special program designed to promote the self esteem of a handicapped youth.

Some families are hard pressed to afford clothing for their children to wear to school. A donation of $50 will allow for the purchase of enough khaki fabric to make four school uniforms.

Many disadvantaged children have one chance for a balanced meal when able to afford a school lunch. A donation of $25 will provide lunch for one child for a month.

Decrease illiteracy among adolescents by helping to purchase interesting materials that are in short supply. $25 will purchase critical books to keep inner city youth returning to a reading program.