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June 17, 2010
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
-30- For Immediate Release
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.
-30-
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.
-30-
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 |
Charitable Registration Number: 89733 7150RR0001 |
