1. Charity activities and achievements in 2019: Reflections from the Chair

2020 is here! The New Year is an opportune time to reflect on the past and plan for the future.  For me, 2019 had several high points, uncertainties and challenges.  However, I am confident that our goals to fill gaps in health service provision and provide medical and health service supplies to Jamaica, were accomplished.  It gives me pleasure to continue to work with JHLOF committee and supporters in service to Jamaica through Diaspora activities via the Jamaican High Commission and to see the volume of people who do similarly.   Our 2019 charitable efforts and collaboration with others within the Jamaican Diaspora in the UK has increased support for the charity. I remain proud of the work we continue to do, whilst juggling our many commitments. I will highlight the key achievements in 2019, which is the focus of this newsletter.  

We sent 6 neonatal incubators and many other much needed medical supplies to the Health for Life and Wellness Foundation Ltd/Ministry of Health in Jamaica to be distributed to whichever hospitals they believe to have greatest need. In addition, 20 Nebulizers, paediatric and neonatal medical supplies, as well as, toys and books for the wards were sent to Bustamante Hospital for Children.

Some of the proceeds from JHLOF fundraising efforts in 2019 are being allocated to Jamaica’s ‘Adopt –a-Clinic’ programme. Directing funds to one of the rural clinics within the project will maintain our commitment to this health service initiative and we will  highlight developments in future newsletters.  JHLOF was one of six charities included in the JA55 Charities group who collaborated with the Jamaican High Commission to hold a successful fundraising event in London. .I am pleased to say that other charities in this group are also continuing to support the Adopt-a-Clinic programme.

Further on in this newsletter we extend congratulations to our Patron, Dame Karlene Davis, DBE on receiving the award of ‘Order of Distinction’ (Rank of Commander)from the Government of Jamaica for dedicated contribution and services in the field of health, in particular  Midwifery, within  the Jamaican Diaspora.

 Our Vice-Chair Stepheney McPherson-Sulaiman was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s recent New Year’s Honours list for her contribution to the Sickle Cell & Thalassemia Service development in Wandsworth & St Georges NHS Foundation Trust.

Congratulations and best wishes to both!!

Thank you all for your support in making 2019 a great year overall and we look forward to an even more promising and productive year in 2020.

God bless you all

Dr Val Collington, JHLOF Chair

 

1. Fundraising event May 2019

Thanks to the efforts of our regular JHLOF supporters, friends, family, sponsors and donors we had a very successful fundraising Gala Dinner and Dance at the prestigious Epsom Downs racecourse. In attendance were the Jamaican High Commissioner His Excellency Seth George Ramocan, his wife Dr Lola Ramocan and some staff from the High Commission. We were particularly pleased to welcome Senator, the Honourable Kamina Johnson-Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, who gave the keynote address at the event. She indicated that it was an honour to do so, and commended “the amazing work of JHLOF. Her encouraging and inspiring speech that included a summary of key policy and infrastructure developments in Jamaica was well received by our guests.

 

Here are a few photographs of the event, including key guests mentioned, and committee members:

 

 

 

 

Ozimzim Band

High Commissioner and wife, Senator, JHLOF committee members

HC and Senator Johnson-Smith

Dame Karlene Davis, Patron, Senator and Dr Collington, JHLOF Chair

1. Support and sponsorship

 

We are very grateful to the many supporters who gave donations towards raffle prizes or provided practical help at the gala dinner and dance and financial donations from those who were unable to attend.

 

Importantly, we thank our main sponsors – Carlton Leisure, Victoria Mutual Building Society, Grace Foods, The Gleaner Media Group and Bow Law Chambers.

 

1. Donations to the Ministry of Health in Jamaica

Despite the challenges of liaising with the Health for Life and Wellness Foundation Ltd/Ministry of Health in Jamaica, we are determined to support the health service. We continue to provide a range of medical supplies and equipment with their guidance. In 2019 consignments shipped included:

Drager Airshields Isolette C2000 Incubators

SECA 384 baby scales

Sterilised neonatal needles

Neonatal feeding tubes

Softpore dressings

Suture removal packs

Disposable laryngoscope and blades

Ambubags + mask

SECA electronic floor weighing scale

OMRON M7 BP machines and BP cuffs

Examination gloves

Dressings, swabs, plaster, bandages etc

 

20 Mobile Micro Piston-type Compressor Nebulisers (100-240V/USA plugs, 12V battery car adapters & built-in batteries/ 20 Packs of 2 spare air filters for the above machines/20 Packs of 4 Duracell pre-charged rechargeable AA batteries. (for Bustamante Hospital for Children)

 

 

1. Awards and recognition:
2. Victoria Mutual Building Society hosted a celebratory event in July 2019 in recognition of ‘Outstanding Woman of Jamaican Heritage in the UK Diaspora. Included in the group of recipients were our Patron, Dame Karlene Davis, DBE and JHLOF Chair, Dr Val Collington

 

• Dame Karlene Davis, DBE – Congratulations to our Patron on receipt of an Order of Distinction (Rank of Commander) from the Government of Jamaica for dedicated contribution and services in the field of health, in particular Midwifery, to the Jamaican Diaspora.

 

The Jamaican High Commissioner hosted a Reception and Handing-Over Ceremony in honour of Dame Karlene Davis, CD and the Reverend Prebendary Rose Hudson-Wilkin, CD, on the occasion of the recent conferment upon them of National Honours by the Governor General of Jamaica.

 JHLOF Chair was pleased to participate in this special Reception among family and friends, to celebrate two phenomenal women of Jamaican soil.

Stepheney McPherson- Sulaiman – Awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the New Year’s Honours list for services to People with Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Disorders. Stephanie commented “I humbly accept this reward on behalf of all my patients & their families, colleagues and supporters in enabling me in the long struggle in addressing inequality in service delivery. I also want to say a special thank you to my Beloved son Ibrahim, and pay homage to all our Windrush generation”.

 

1. Membership appeal and comments from a new member

We are very grateful to our members and regular supporters who attend our fundraising events and/or donate to the charity. However, we need more active members who are prepared to join the committee and help take the organisation further to build on the success achieved so far.

Membership fee - £20

How to join: membership application form can be found on our website www.jamaicahospitals.org.uk 

OR e mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

 

New committee member

My name is Dr Joy Miles. I have lived in the UK for over 40 years.  I have over 20 years of experience working in the private, voluntary and public sectors and five years of teaching in Higher Education. I am a qualified social anthropologist. I presently work as Finance Manager and my charitable roles as Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer have been with various organisations and sectors associated with youth services, respite care and fostering. 

 

I became aware of Jamaica Hospitals League of Friends’ activities when I attended one of their fund-raising events. I was impressed with the report of the charity’s focus on health supplies to various hospitals and clinics throughout Jamaica.  The work and reputation have been achieved through steadfast commitment of its committee members spanning 29 years. The organisation has made a real impact at the micro levels in health provision throughout Jamaica with the support of Jamaica’s Ministry of Health. As a proud Jamaican I felt it would be a privilege to become a member of JHLOF, which I consider to be my small part in giving back to Jamaica even though I live 4,000 miles away in the UK.

 

1. Plans for 2020 and beyond

Our committee/Trustees have decided to hold the main fundraising event, the Gala Dinner and Dance bi-annually, with smaller fundraising and PR activities taking place in interim years. So, the next gala event will be in May 2021!

 

 Planned activities for 2020 will be circulated in due course.

 

1. Donating to JHLOF

We encourage you to use our ‘Virgin Just Giving’ website- www.virginmoneygiving.com/jhlof for regular or single donations as it is set up to get Gift Aid from the tax relief. 

Alternatively, JHLOF bank details are: NatWest Bank Sort Code 60-22-20, Account No. 11076933 – use your name for reference!