A New Partnership Enables FOJ to Ship 6,000 Books to Jamaican Schoolers

Through a partnership with First Book and Food for the Poor, Friends of Jamaica delivered 6,016 new books to be distributed to youth in Jamaica through primary schools. The shipment were books with a Caribbean theme like Jack Sparrow #3: The Pirate Chase for ages 9-12. FOJ would like to especially thank Andrea Tehan G74 for introducing FOJ to First Book, Cris Greene at Food for the Poor, and Rebecca Tortello at the Jamiacan Ministry of Education for coordinating delivery to the schools.

As more funding becomes available, FOJ hopes to send a shipment of books directly to current volunteers for use in the communities where they serve. For less then $0.25 a book we were able to get these books into Jamaican schoolers hands. For $1,000 we could send dozens of books to every community the PCVs are in.

FOJ is currently reviewing new project applications.  Check back to find out what projects have been funded. Below you will find a list of some of the most recent projects Friends of Jamaica has funded.

Betty Karplus Micro Grant Fund

With the generous assistance of RPCV Betty Karplus FOJ has continued the Betty Karplus micro project fund. FOJ matched the contribution of Betty Karplus to this fund. This fund is locally administered in Jamaica by VAC and Peace Corps Jamaica. It awards small grants allowing volunteers to complete their community projects. Examples of projects that have been funded include:

A Mural at the Negril Marine Park’s Headquarters

PCV Brooke Anderson and PCV Iris Ying are working on a mural that will encompass the Educational Visitor Center and Gift Shop at the Marine Park’s Headquarters. High school art students from three of the local high schools have expressed interest in working on the project and the Negril Coral Reef Preservation Society looks forward to their involvement.

The project includes a life-sized coral reef diorama, approximately 15 feet long by 7 feet high. The diorama is also underway. Paints for the project were purchased from Nova Color of California and were funded by a Betty Karplus grant.

New footballs, basketballs and a Pump for a School

New footballs, basketballs and a pump were purchased with funds from the Betty Karplus Grant.

The students at the Leicesterfield Infant, Primary and Junior High School, located in North Clarendon, are now able to use the screw-in needle and guard which helps stabilize the air-pump and gives the students the freedom to pump up the footballs without assistance.

The students are learning how to dribble the basketballs using a dribbling drill called "keep away", where they learn to dribble the basketball between their right and left hand, avoiding a third person stealing it away.

Mats for Karate, Yoga, Pilates, and Aerobics

Newly purchased mats are used for Karate, Yoga, Pilates, and Aerobics at the Force One Health Club, located in Caledonia Courts Plaza. PCV Sienna said “Providing professional level classes gets them excited and interested in fitness. I have taught all over the world and nothing has compared to the vibes teaching in Jamaica!” The mats are also used at the Iris Scarlet Senior Center to conduct Exercise and Diabetes presentations, making it possible for seniors to conduct modified exercises on the floor. -Sienna Creasy, PCV Mandeville, Manchester.

GAD Creative Thinking Contest 2008

The PC Jamaica Gender and Development (GAD) Committee has announced its 2008 Creative Thinking Contest winner. GAD was led by PCV A'Nova Ettien, this year's scholarship contest was a poster competition to promote nonviolent relationships. Through the support of Friends of Jamaica, the winning posters were printed and distributed to schools across the island.