JAAA 10th Anniversary recap

Good day and happy Sabbath, today I am delighted to give the report of the Organization. We have achieved a significant milestone in the life of this organization of which we are pleased.

Ten years ago, the Jamaican American Adventist Association was born out of the Lighthouse Seventh-day Adventist Church under the leadership of Lester Thomas and LLewyn Gardner.  They both had a passion to assist small children attending Seventh-day Adventist basic school in Jamaica.. Their passion for this quest was so forceful that they decided that an organization should be implemented to navigate these uncharted waters, thus the organization was formed in the fall of 1998 and the first venture to raise seed money was a concert in March of 1999.  Through prayer and fasting, a few organizations and members of the executive committee raised money to hold a Concert.  September of 1999 was designated a day of worship and with God at the helm the journey has continued for the past 10 years. So fitting is the goal of the organization “to help church based operated basic school to set the foundation for a Christian education that will provide spiritual, mental and physical development to boys and girls in Jamaica, thus enabling them to grow into productive citizens and prepare them for the eternal kingdom.”

In our quest to assist S.D.A. basic school, we reached out to conferences and churches in Jamaica to recommend schools with the greatest need. The first school to get assistance was Little Angel Basic School in Kingston.  The first major capital project we undertook was the Mendez S.D.A. basic school in rural St. Catherine.  When we started they only had accommodation for (21) twenty one students and was located in the church vestry which had dirt floor, no window and only one teacher. With the donation that you, the participating members and friends contributed, the work began to expand the school.  With pride the skilled members of the church put their talents together and did the necessary work using the funds wisely to get more done with what they received. 

They expanded the vestry to proper classrooms, finally from accommodating (21) twenty one to over (50) fifty students, from dirt floor to concrete floor, acquiring proper running water, from latrine to toilet, from no light to electricity, from slabs to age appropriate desks and chairs, from (1) one teacher to (4) four teachers.  Teaching equipments such as books, pencils, pens, encyclopedia, play dough, crayons were sent for students and staff, thus creating a positive environment for learning and a sense of pride to the community.  The children were so well prepared that when they moved on to higher learning at traditional school they were commended for their preparedness and discipline. With this new sense of pride the membership of the church increased. The Lord always has ways to build His church and this is one of His ways.

The organization worked with this project for (5) five years before we moved on to the next capital project, but to our amazement individuals still give donation earmark for this school. It’s like some parents who always show more love to their first child.  After hurricane Andrew church services was held in the basic school, because the church was damaged.  Praise God! The next major project was the Flower Hill SDA basic school in the parish of St. James.  It was mandated by the Department of Education to have proper equipments in place for them to be awarded the privilege to serve warm lunch.  We were able to assist in this area by supplying the funds to purchase a refrigerator, to build cupboard for proper food storage, provide age appropriate chairs and benches and to put a cistern in place. In addition we also send teaching supplies, because this is the tools for education. It is said that without proper tools you will get shabby work.  Some more work is still in progress and the children’s are doing well.  We have moved on to two new schools the Reid’s Friendship SDA basic school in Trelawney and the Advent SDA basic in Linstead St. Catherine.

These schools are in need of everything, for example the buildings are in disarray they are in need of  repairs to create a better conducive learning environment, age appropriate chairs and desks. When it rains in Linsted the floor becomes muddy.  A lot of us know this condition very well, and because we know and experience these conditions at some time, we must do our uttermost to help to alleviate such conditions.

During our conversation with the principals or designee and photographs received from these schools it is evident that their needs are very great, but the organization objective is clear, it is to strengthen Christian education through training and nurturing and to create an environment which will foster the spirit of love.  We have taken on the challenge and with your financial help we can create a more conducive learning environment for these children.  There are but few things that might equal the joy of knowing that you have done your best, yet nothing can exceed the satisfaction when your best is done to honor the Lord. 

 Throughout the years, we have also given one time funding to other basic schools in Jamaica for items such as, building cupboard for storing books, building chairs and desks and other miscellaneous items upon request and approval by the committee.
 For nine years we have sponsored a child to attend Camp Victory Lake in New York in the summer for two weeks.  There is, a considerable amount of work left to be done.  We must remember that large differences exist where schools are concerned in Jamaica.  Public Schools and other institution of learning are funded from the government and old student associations while, SDA Basic Schools get very little or none.  So we appeal to you to assist this organization to fulfill our goals.  Reading to children is about the simplest thing that can be done to help them achieve, and it is a critical step in raising achievement and closing achievement gap.  For this reason, the JAAA exists and we will continue in our quest to try to make a difference.  So today, we appeal to you to help us make a difference in the life of the young children that attend SDA basic schools in Jamaica.  The Bible teaches us to “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will never depart from it.”  It is our hope that as we make the sacrifice to train these young boys and girls in a God fearing environment they will remember from whence cometh their help.
 Finally I must thank and acknowledge our sponsors who have given unselfishly to the organization over the years and this day in particular.

Your contributions and dedication are truly a labor of love and determination to this cause.  Notable mention of thanks must go to Orley G. Cameron, CPA; Tropical House Bakery; Rosebell Cleaners; Fine Choice Realty but most of all Transcontinental Shippers & Movers.  This company has been of tremendous help to this organization. They have partnered with us by shipping items we send down free of cost and for this we are most grateful. We look forward to the years ahead with complete confidence that this organization will continue to bring a sense of pride to every Jamaican across the Americas and the world.  The journey has begun; may we all continue to receive the guidance of the Almighty as we seek to advance His Kingdom in this Ministry.

Thank you

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