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For immediate release - March 8, 2011
Photo by Louise McGrath
EARLY START FOR YOUTH TRIP TO JAMAICA
At 2:30am this morning, eight high school students from Peterborough boarded a school bus behind City Hall to take them to the airport to fly to Kingston, Jamaica, for the annual Jamaican Self-Help youth awareness trip programme. The group of students, including Sophia Austrich, Michelle Blazey, Connor McGee, Ben McGrath, Caitlin Humber, Meaghan Rees, Rachel Ryan, and Kori Zwarych, joined 8 other students from Port Hope, along with 2 student leaders and 3 teacher-leaders, for a 15 day volunteer and learning experience in Kingston, Jamaica. While in Jamaica, the students will volunteer with children at one of three school placements, and learn about all aspects of Jamaican culture, history and current issues through guest speakers, workshops and excursions.
The trip is being led by Jamaican Self-Help President Caileigh McKnight, a Peterborough resident who was a trip participant herself while attending PCVS a number of years ago. “We are very excited to offer this amazing programme to local students --- not only will they assist Jamaican students with reading, math and other school activities, they will have a chance to develop their own leadership skills, and learn about another country through day-to-day experiences,” noted JSH Executive Director Marisa Kaczmarczyk. “We are very pleased to have students from three area high schools - St. Peter’s, Adam Scott, Kenner – as well as Trinity College School, and can’t wait to hear about their experiences when they return in two weeks time.”
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January 19, 2011 For Immediate Release Youth Team Plans another Meaningful Discussion
The fourth Chill Spill Sunday will be happening at the Spill Cafe on Sunday January 23 from 1-5pm. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome. The event is put on by the Jamaican Self-Help Youth Action Team which is a group of dedicated youth who work to create positive social and political change in the Peterborough area. The group began holding Chill Spill Sundays one Sunday afternoon every month in hopes of encouraging youth and adults alike to come together, hear some great performances, and talk about what is important to them and what needs to change. This month’s event features the renowned Canadian poet Tomy Bewick who is an advocate for self-esteem and spreads social awareness through his amazing work. FM HI LO will be sharing his multiple talents with the crowd and The Resolutionaries Marimba Band will be returning for a great time. The main event though, is the community discussion which takes place after the performances. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to discuss social, environmental, and political issues which are important to them.
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December 10, 2010 JSH Reunion Celebrates 30 years in Peterborough Jamaican Self-Help is recognizing those who have been involved with the organization since it was founded in 1980. On December 27th, 2010 all those who have volunteered, worked, or participated in trips with JSH are invited to the JSH 2010 reunion at the Knights of Columbus Hall from 2:00pm-5:00pm. The official welcome will be at 2:45pm. There will be drinks, refreshments, and a time to catch up with old friends and see what JSH is doing now. There will be presentations from current staff and volunteers on what JSH is doing now, as well as reminisces of past members, and trip participants. Jamaican Self-Help was founded in 1980 by John and Rosemary Ganley, in response to the need they witnessed while teaching and living in Jamaica. Along with a group of motivated volunteers, the Ganley’s created JSH to support education, community development projects in Jamaica. JSH also works to facilitate global education activities in the Peterborough Region. The organization is highly dependent on volunteers, so this event is an important occasion to recognize the contributions of the community over the past 30 years. “JSH began in Peterborough 30 years ago and remains a Peterborough community based organization. We are very excited to bring people together who have been involved in our organization to share stories and reconnect” says Marisa Kaczmarczyk. JSH invites all those who have been involved with the organization to attend the Reunion. Those interested are to RSVP to the JSH office at 743-1671 or jsh@nexicom.net. -30-
November 29, 2010
Students to experience Jamaican Life For many local high school students, means time off school, spending time with family and friends, giving and receiving gifts. But, for one committed group of 15 local high school students, December holds a very different significance this year. Jamaican Self-Help will be sending this group of students to Kingston, Jamaica, to experience Jamaican culture first hand. The students will leave December 5th and return December 18th. During their two weeks in Jamaica, the students will volunteer at inner city schools. They will have the opportunity to experience many different aspects of life in Jamaica and gain a better knowledge and appreciation for Jamaican culture. Marisa Kaczmarczyk, JSH Executive Director says “We are excited to send a group of dedicated young people to our projects in Jamaica. Christmas is a very important occasion in Jamaica. The students will be able to help in the schools both with academics and special events for the holiday. It will be a wonderful holiday to share culture and traditions while learning about social and economic issues.” Jamaican Self-Help is a charitable Peterborough based International Development Organization which supports education, community development projects, and global education activities in the Peterborough Region. -30- November 23, 2010 Youth Action Team Plans Interactive Event The Jamaican Self-Help Youth Action Team is collaborating with local artists to provide a space for great music, poetry, and engaging community discussion. The group is presenting its third Chill Spill which will take place on November 28, 2010 at the Spill Café, 414 George Street North. The event will begin at 1:00pm and go until 5:00pm. Featured artists include Fraser Mc, Fm Hi Lo, and Kiki Fraser. After the performances, the event will move into a community discussion related to local issues participants would like to address.
Previously the Chill Spill has been successful at bringing members of the community together to move towards positive change in an enjoyable atmosphere. Last month, the event attracted about 50 individuals from the community. The goal of this event is to not only promote meaningful discussion, but also to encourage people to take action and create positive change.
The JSH Youth Action Team works to create positive social and environmental change. The Chill Spill is just one of its many events which they use to advocate for positive change, and encourage others to do so as well. November 24, 2010 A Meaningful Gift
With the Holidays approaching, you may have gift shopping on your mind. It can difficult to know what to buy for people sometimes, especially if you are of a socially conscience mind. Jamaican Self-Help, a local international development agency, is offering members of the community the opportunity to give a meaningful gift this Holiday season. Beginning this year, you can make a donation to specific JSH initiatives in honor of someone special, and make a positive impact in the life of a Jamaican.
No matter what your budget, you can give the gift of support, hope, and encouragement. For $10, you can pay for the tutoring of a child in math or reading. For $20 you will provide the necessary healthcare to a young mother in Jamaica. A donation of $25 gives a mother or father the opportunity to take part in a constructive parenting workshop, and $45 offers a youth at risk the invaluable chance to receive vocational and life skills training. $100 supports important peace building projects with inner city youth, and $150 provides the wonderful gift of library services for inner city youth. When you purchase these gifts, you will receive a certificate to give to the person you are buying for describing the importance of the specific initiative you chose to support.
To make a donation as a gift this holiday, please contact the JSH office at 743-1671 or jsh@nexicom.net. Jamaican Self-Help is a charitable Peterborough based International Development Organization that supports education, community development projects, and global education activities in the Peterborough Region.
-30- November 4, 2010 Lecture Educates about Social Justice Jamaican Self-Help welcomes Margaret Bolt, a distinguished Jamaican educator, to the 2010 Ganley Lecture on November 10. The Ganley Lecture has been held every year since 2005 as a way of educating the Peterborough community about world issues, social justice, and Canada’s role within a global perspective. Partial funding for this event comes from The Ganley Fund for Innovation. The title of Margaret’s lecture is “Reforming Education in Jamaica, Transnational partnership and accountability for Global Citizenship”. The lecture is being held at George Street United Church at 7:30 pm. There is no admission cost and donations to the Ganley Fund for Innovation are being accepted. Child care is available.
The Lecture is held in honour of John and Rosemary Ganley, the founders of JSH. The Ganleys established JSH in 1980, in response to the need they witnessed while teaching and living in Jamaica. Since JSH was established, the Ganleys have approached their work with responsiveness, openness, and a willingness to take risks. The Ganley Fund for Innovation was formed in recognition and continuation of this spirit, and enables JSH to pursue innovative and new projects. Since its creation, they Ganley Fund has raised over $18, 000 for these kinds of projects. Jamaican Self-Help is a charitable Peterborough based International Development Organization that supports education, community development projects, and global education. Locally JSH works to educate people about global issues and is known for its youth awareness trips to Jamaica among other activities.
-30- For Immediate Release October 4, 2010
Jamaican Spirit Inspires Event Jamaican Self-Help 2nd Annual “Caribbean Irie Dinner” promises to be even more fun than last year! The much anticipated event is being held on October 15 at The Knights of Columbus: Doyle Hall. This fun filled family event features a delicious vegetarian friendly Caribbean buffet, entertainment from some very talented local artists and a silent auction. All the proceeds from the evening will be going to education and community development projects in Jamaica. Tickets, in advance only, are $40 for adults and $20 for kids under twelve. They can be purchased by contacting the Jamaican Self-Help office. Jamaican Self-Help is a Peterborough based International Development Organization that not only funds a variety of education and community development programs in Jamaica, but also aims to educate people in the Peterborough community about issues in Jamaica. The “Irie Dinner” will raise funds to further their programs, and create a positive impact both in Jamaica and Peterborough. Entertainment for the night includes the Trent International Students Association choir, local singer song writer Sarah McInnis, and writer Nan Peacocke who will read a piece she wrote about Jamaica. Those who supported the event last year commented on the tasty food, talented performers, and the all around fun evening, saying they couldn’t wait for next year. The event’s inspiration stems from the Patois (one of Jamaica’s national languages) word “irie” which means “at complete peace with your current state of being”. -30-
May 25, 2010 For immediate release LOCAL GROUP WATCHING WITH CONCERN Members of the local organization, Jamaican Self-Help, are watching events unfold in Kingston, Jamaica with concern. Over the weekend, fighting and violence broke out between supporters of Christopher “Dudus” Coke, wanted in the United States for drug and gun smuggling, and the Jamaican Constabulary Force who are searching for Coke to extradite him. “So far the violence seems to be limited to a couple of inner-city communities,” said Marisa Kaczmarczyk, JSH Executive Director. “We are very worried about all the families living in those communities and the impact of this situation in the immediate and longer-term.” JSH supports seven projects in Jamaica; of that, six are located in inner-city communities in Kingston. “One of our primary schools is located very close to the communities where the violence is occurring. Already last week, the area was being barricaded and the school was forced to close. We hope that the families in that area are keeping safe.” Other JSH projects have not been directly affected by the violence, although some of the schools and community centres have temporarily closed their doors or are providing only limited programmes. JSH will contact its partners in Jamaica over the next few days to hear more from their perspective on the ground. “We hope that this situation will be resolved quickly. Once things have settled, there will be a lot to do to address the longer term impact, and JSH is committed to continuing our support as our partners strive to return to a more peaceful state.” -30- April 9, 2010
For immediate release
PETERBOROUGH TO HOST JAMAICAN CHILDREN’S PERFORMING GROUP
On Wednesday April 21, the St. Peter Claver Children’s Ensemble from Kingston, Jamaica will take to the stage to present the multi-faceted talents of its members. The Ensemble of 15 children, aged 8 to 12, will perform traditional Jamaican, gospel, and pop songs in an energetic mix of vocal, dance and drum. Special guests, Peterborough's FULL THROTTLE, will also perform at the show. The Ensemble has been invited to Canada by Peterborough-based Jamaican Self-Help, as part of its 30th anniversary year celebrations.
The planned tour will take the Ensemble to Peterborough and Ottawa over a period of 10 days in April. The Tour is planned to enhance cross-cultural understanding, develop leadership and self- esteem for all the children involved and, to raise the profile of Jamaica and the work of Jamaican Self-Help.
While in Peterborough, the 15-member group and three leaders will be hosted by the families and communities of St. Anne’s Catholic Elementary School and Prince of Wales Public School.
Prince of Wales teacher Ashley Gall says, “Both staff and students are excited about the opportunity to get to know people from another culture. We are looking forward to welcoming them into our school and having them participate in daily events such as assemblies and art lessons.”
"This is an amazing, once in a life time opportunity to learn about a different culture in a way that doesn't bore kids to death! I think having kids form another country teaching you about their country is much more meaningful and accurate and I'm really looking forward to this amazing opportunity," says Haley Thomas, age 12, student at Prince of Wales Public School.
In addition to the public performance, the Ensemble members will participate in activities and present a concert at each of their host schools, and also participate in special programmes at the Canadian Canoe Museum and the Whetung Gallery at Curve Lake.
The ongoing support by Jamaican Self-Help of the music programme at St. Peter Claver Primary School has been an integral part of the success of this Ensemble. By bringing the Ensemble to Peterborough, Jamaican Self-Help is able to extend the impact of its support by offering local Canadian children, teachers and family’s opportunities to learn more about a different culture through direct interaction with the Jamaican visitors. The last time the Ensemble came to Peterborough was in 2006.
“I'm really excited to see the choir again, as they are always lively, colourful and put on a stunning performance with a huge flair of Jamaican culture which brings me right back to the island,” noted Caileigh McKnight, Vice President of JSH.
The April 21st performance will be held at Mark St. United Church auditorium at 7:00pm. Admission is free (donations accepted) and all are welcome. Peterborough youth band, FULL THROTTLE, will be special guest performers. For more information, contact Jamaican Self-Help at 743-1671 or visit www.jshcanada.org
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April 1, 2009
ANNUAL SPRING AUCTION TO HELP JAMAICAN SELF-HELP PROGRAMS Jamaican Self-Help is holding its 21st Annual Brunch and Auction on Sunday April 25, 2010 from 11:30am to 2:30pm at Princess Gardens Retirement Residence in Peterborough. The event features over 100 items donated by local businesses and artists in both silent and live auctions. Organizers hope to raise $15,000 this year through auction bids and ticket sales. Proceeds from the event will be used to support education and community projects in Jamaica including remedial reading and literacy programmes, vocational training, youth leadership and community peace-building activities, as well as global education activities in the Peterborough region.
“Despite the difficult economic times, local businesses have been extremely generous again this year in contributing items and services to our auction,” says Marisa Kaczmarczyk, Executive Director of Jamaican Self-Help. “We will have something for everyone – from restaurant certificates to artwork to theatre tickets and garden items. This is a wonderful spring event for a really important cause. The people who come out know that every dollar can make a huge difference in the life of a Jamaican child or family. Jamaican Self-Help appreciates the incredible generosity of our community.”
A very special performance by the St. Peter Claver Children’s Ensemble, direct from Kingston, Jamaica will be a highlight this year. The event will be hosted by local radio personality Ron McFarland, with auctioneer Rob Rusland from Rusland Auctioneers and Appraisers. Hors d’oeuvres and specialty brunch items from BE Catering will be featured, along with rum punch and ginger punch to add to the festive flavour.
Tickets are available in advance for $35 per person (includes a $20 tax receipt). For more information or to buy tickets, contact the JSH office at 743-1671.
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February 17, 2010
Youth ready to travel to Jamaica
At 4:45am on Wednesday March 10th a group of committed local high school students will begin their journey to Jamaica for the annual Jamaican Self-Help (JSH) awareness trip programme.
16 students from three area high schools and three local teachers will head to Kingston, Jamaica for the two-week programme. The group will also include two other high school students – past trip participants who are returning as assistant leaders.
“We had our orientation weekend at Camp Kawartha in January, and last week met with the parents, so now we are just preparing the last minute details for the programme before we leave,” said JSH trip leader Tucker Barton.
For the participants, much of the time is spent working as volunteers in inner-city schools, and evenings include hearing from Jamaican speakers and other learning activities. Although the group is based in Kingston, they will spend a weekend on the north-coast in a mountain retreat centre, take a hike in the Blue Mountains, so that the students have a chance to see different aspects of life in Jamaica.
“It’s such a fantastic experience where both the Canadians and Jamaicans gain so much. This year we are organizing a second trip to Jamaica in early July. There are still a few spaces left for high schools students for that trip. Anyone interested should contact our office at 743-1671 right away,” noted Marisa Kaczmarczyk, Executive Director.
Each year between 15 and 30 young people from Peterborough and surrounding communities participate in this in-depth educational experience. Past participants have come from most of the local public and Catholic high schools.
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January 29, 2010 Annual One World Dinner looks at the “Spin” on Food On Saturday February 6 at 5:30pm at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, the 29th Annual ONE WORLD DINNER, the world’s largest international vegetarian potluck dinner, will open its doors to hundreds of local residents of all ages. Organized by four Peterborough organizations with a global focus, the dinner is a family-oriented event that also raises funds for the Peterborough New Canadians Centre, Kawartha World Issues Centre, Jamaican Self-Help and the Trent International Students’ Association (TISA). Nicole Gagliardi, Chair of the Organizing Committee, is excited about this year’s event, “our theme is the Spin on Food, which will be addressed through dub poetry by performers Chet Singh and Jarret Prescott, as well as music from the TISA Choir and the Raging Grannies. We also have a raffle and dessert auction to raise funds, and a square dance with live music to wrap up the evening. ” “The event is a unique gathering of people interested in building community, both locally and globally. As a vegetarian potluck, the emphasis is on inclusion of people from all backgrounds while keeping our environmental footprint small,” says Marisa Kaczmarczyk , member of the Organizing Committee. Tickets at the door are $5 per person or $10 per family (suggested), and everyone is asked to bring a vegetarian contribution for the dinner with a list of ingredients, as well as their own dish pack. Doors open at 5:30pm and the dinner begins at 6:00pm. For more information, contact KWIC at 748-1680.
December 8, 2009 ARTISAN SALE RAISES OVER $1,700 FOR JAMAICAN SELF-HELP This past weekend’s Annual Artisan Sale raised over $1,700 for education and community development projects in Jamaica. Jamaican Self-Help Executive Director, Marisa Kaczmarczyk, was thrilled with the amount: “We moved the sale to a new location and included more artisans this year, but we never expected to double the amount raised. Last year we raised about $850, so we are thrilled with this year’s total. We are so grateful to all the artisans who participated in the sale, and the help of the volunteer committee. It’s such a great way to promote local artisans and help out a global cause.” 18 local artisans participated in the sale, which included a wide range of items, from silver jewellery to felt dog coats to watercolour paintings. Note cards with drawings from Jamaican children were also available at the sale. Funds raised from the event will support programmes in Jamaica that focus on education, youth and leadership development in both inner-city and rural communities.
September 2009 JSH RECEIVES $5000 DONATION In September, 12-year old Peterborough student Lily Dart was awarded a national “Free the |
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Charitable Registration Number: 89733 7150RR0001 |
