HANOVER, Jamaica — Having served vulnerable populations and organisations across western Jamaica for 69 years, Hanover Charities is now an internationally recognised non-governmental organisation (NGO).

“For almost 70 years, we have stood with the people of Jamaica, Hanover, and especially, of course, the west. We don’t argue with whatever we face; we just try and get the job done. From our donors, executive team, volunteers, to everybody in front of us here today — you all play a special role within our communities,” stated Hanover Charities Chairperson, Katrin Casserly.

She was speaking during the organisation’s annual grant ceremony held at the Round Hill Hotel and Villas in the parish on Tuesday.

This year, Hanover Charities has distributed $100 million in bursaries to 500 students. Additionally, 40 annual general grants were also awarded to various entities.

The annual Sugar Cane Ball, held every February at the Round Hill Hotel and Villas, was once the charity’s primary fundraising event. However, the organisation’s funding model has now evolved.

“It’s no longer our main fundraiser; Hanover Charities has actually pivoted to an internationally recognised NGO (non-governmental organisation) that affirms to donors the support in our mission: building a better-supported and educated Jamaica for the world,” Casserly said.

In 2025, Hanover Charities’ total funding for projects, grants and donations reached US$1.8 million (more than $277 million).

“Our vice chair, Jennifer [Flanagan], and our treasurer, Ms [Karen Songster-] Grant — we have been going through the figures many times because I couldn’t believe it, but here we go,” relayed the happy chairperson.

“This incredible result speaks volumes of the conscious choice every donor makes: where to give, whom to support and what causes to believe in. We are humbled that they chose Jamaica, of course, they chose Hanover Charities and our community initiatives: educational programmes and general welfare,” Casserly added.

Following the passage of Hurricane Melissa last October, Hanover Charities stepped up to provide international NGOs with the logistical connectivity needed to import much-needed relief items.

“Our work has not paused. Even without the limelight, we remain steadfast in our promise to invest in our people. Despite the severe setbacks — the massive storm Melissa presented all of us with — our annual signature project, the ‘Container of Love’, became a lifeline for international organisations like the Jamaica Foundation of Houston, Jamaica Consulates in Houston, Baltimore and Maryland, Caribbean Health Outreach California, and many others,” Casserly explained.

She revealed that more than twelve 40-foot containers were shipped and handled through Hanover Charities.

“Many of our containers have supported schools that are now being converted — a tradition we started almost five years ago. There is one at Maryland Primary, at Watford Hill, at Lucea Primary, Hopewell High and the list goes on. It actually has been a pleasure to see how that container then is transformed into a computer room, a resource centre, a library, or a tuck shop,” Casserly said.

Casserly said the organisation was able to facilitate several medical missions from both local and overseas providers. The Hopewell Sports and Community Centre — constructed in a collaborative effort led by Hanover Charities in 2018 — became the hub for a new initiative.

“The kitchen was used to prepare a new programme: the Meals on Wheels, which started in December to March, and our team delivered meals to rural communities that were difficult to reach because of the destruction of the roadways. Hundreds of people in great need were served with hot meals and water.”

“Our ‘Kitchen of Love’ programme initiative had grown from a single soup kitchen in Lucea from before to three kitchens serving in Hopewell and New Milns (also known as New Mills). But now with the Meals on Wheels, we were suddenly available and rose to the occasion and served 3,000 meals, for example, only from November to December,” Casserly added.

The post-hurricane crisis also spurred the creation of Edu Resource Hubs, which have since opened at Bethel Primary, Lucea Infant and Green Island High School in the parish. Further, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, a training programme for principals is scheduled to get off the ground in August.

Meanwhile, Hanover Charities remains dedicated to early literacy and supporting basic schools, according to Casserly.

“We continue programmes such as the Books for Kids Jamaica, and we will distribute 6,000 Brain Quest workbooks this year to children ages four to six. The formative years are critical in battling Jamaica’s high illiteracy and innumeracy rates. Sadly, a number of small basic schools are facing closure due to the lack of funding in Westmoreland. Once again, in partnership with local leadership, we can avoid them closing their doors. Rocky Hill ECI is one of those schools,” Casserly said.