The large audience at the Four Seasons in Miami rose to its feet on the announcement of the recipient of the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) International Humanitarian Award — William Mahfood. As the citation noted, “Generosity comes so naturally to William Mahfood that when he is thanked he seems almost unaware of his many kindnesses that have uplifted countless Jamaicans.”

The tribute video featured Sister Mary Benedict Chung, who noted that as chairman of the Laws Street Trade Training Centre, William Mahfood is never too busy to assist her in the service of Jamaica’s poor in Kingston’s inner city. The legendary Shaggy explained that it was when William sat with him and his wife Rebecca to create a structured approach that the Shaggy Foundation really took off, later earning millions for the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

Philanthropy runs in the Mahfood family. They are founders of Food for the Poor, now serving millions in 17 Caribbean and Latin American countries. Their company Wisynco has grown into a multi-billion group of companies and, as a staff member commented, their chairman still makes the time for the humblest of his employees. During his recent presidency of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, William was known for his energetic advocacy of good governance and the promotion on inclusivity for national partnership.

When the young politician Damion Crawford described his 1-2-3 plan for education in his community, William took the time to call me and bring Crawford to my office so I could write about this unique approach. William Mahfood has a passion for education and has quietly supported and mentored many young Jamaicans. William and his wife Frances are a philanthropic power couple — Frances (nee Feanny) is a giver in her own right and a caring nutritionist with the Heart Foundation of Jamaica. We are proud to know them.

Other AFJ awardees were Sheryl Gillian M Wynter, a team member of the consulate general of Jamaica in South Florida and Dr Kevin Coy, a highly skilled cardiologist who has saved many lives in his capacity as a senior physician at the Aventura Hospital and Medical Centre of Mercy Hospital in South Florida.

The pledges came in thick and fast at the charity gala, bolstering the US$310,000 presented to various Jamaican organisations last Monday by the AFJ. The board of the AFJ comprise former US ambassadors to Jamaica and their colleagues. The AFJ board is led by President Wendy Hart, presidents emeriti ambassadors Glen Holden, Sue Cobb, and Brenda Johnson, Treasurer Barron Channer, Secretary James A Coda, and other directors, retired ambassadors Pamela Bridgewater and J Gary Cooper; other philanthropists Patricia Falkenberg, Monica Ladd, Paula Campbell Roberts, Michele Rollins, Dr Laura Tanna, Glenn Creamer, and Sydney Engel.

To date, the AFJ has contributed over $60 million (US$470,000). Recipients include The Alpha Institute, The Good Shepherd Foundation, Fight for Peace, The Pocket Rocket Foundation, Cornwall Regional Hospital, and SOS Children’s Village. This outpouring of support shows how convinced our international friends are of our potential. Now we need to match strides with them to show our appreciation for their faith in our country.

Jamaica 55 legacy projects

The announcement of the Jamaica 55 celebrations, last Wednesday, revealed that this was far more than the usual festival activities. Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport Olivia “Babsy” Grange unveiled substantial legacy projects. These include the Caribbean Sports Medicine Centre to be led by Dr Akshai Mansingh, the redevelopment of the Trelawny Stadium as a hub for sports tourism, the Jamaica Virtual Sports Museum in advance of the physical Jamaica Sports Museum. There are also plans to redevelop the National Stadium, create four mini stadia across the country — Drax Hall, St Ann; at the Herb McKenley Stadium in Clarendon; at the Goodyear Oval in St Thomas; and in Portmore, St Catherine. There are plans for a Stafanie Taylor Oval at Eltham High School to honour the first woman cricketer to lead the regional team to a world title. There are also several sports and entertainment monuments including statues in honour of Olympians Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Veronica Campbell Brown, and Asafa Powell.

In the field of arts and culture, there are plans for a Jamaica Performing Arts Centre (JAMPAC), the establishment of the Jamaica Philharmonic Orchestra (memories of the dedicated Sibthorpe Beckett), the Jamaica Music Museum, the National Children’s Park & Playground at Hope Gardens, and the Jamaica Police Museum. These projects will create jobs, promote sport and culture, and enrich our tourism product. We look forward to their establishment.

Responsibility to ourselves

Why is it that so many Jamaicans are not moved to do for our own country what others do for us? Perhaps our people are disheartened about the garbage, joblessness, and are immobilised out of frustration. However, it becomes very embarrassing when those outside of our country continue to give so willingly while we become closed to the neediest among us. Even though our people should be getting closer attention from our Members of Parliament and councillors, it is still our duty as citizens to reach out to others. No innocent child or helpless elderly should be allowed to suffer because “is Govament business”.

The horrendous murder of a 14-year-old by an 11-year-old in Trelawny led to the discovery by the Child Development Agency of a five-year-old in the same district being mercilessly abused. This co-incidental discovery leads one to wonder how much child abuse is going unnoticed throughout our country.

Without early intervention, traumatised children will manifest their anger in the antisocial behaviour that is rife in the country. Again, this column repeats the call for an incentive programme to train more social workers to promote harmony in families and in communities.

The agony of Hanover

At a recent town hall meeting in the parish of Hanover we heard various citizens speak of the terror and trauma resulting from the murder or injury of loved ones, and the shadow of threats under which they live. One hotel human resource manager shared the grief of his staff members, the lost time granted for compassionate leave and recovery from injuries, and the palpable fear of those who must return to their communities after nightfall. The situation is keeping away potential returning residents. One gentleman said that his Jamaican friend who had been living in the UK and had been planning to return here, decided to settle in Spain instead.

We stopped at a small cafÃ&Copy; beside a new gas station in Green Island, Hanover, a couple of months ago and were impressed with the dÃ&Copy;cor, the service and the quality of the food. Unfortunately, we were the only customers in the restaurant, and we pray that this place, established with obvious care and professionalism, will survive and that their friendly staff will stay employed.

Is there a business first-aid unit at Jampro that could work with our security ministry to give protection to start-ups in challenged communities? This is the practical response we need from government agencies. We hope it happens.

lowriechin@aim.com

www.lowrie-chin.blogspot.com