Division 25:

Children looking forward to the completion of the Providence Club's community centre project.

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Our Kiwanis movement is well established in the Caribbean and perhaps nowhere better than in Jamaica. Jamaica: an island whose very name conjures images of pristine beaches peppered with exotic palm trees and hot hot sun.

Jamaica is also an island in need, and this is where Kiwanis comes in. We support Jamaica as one of our designated HIV/Aids project recipients. We build community centres, youth drop in centres, schools, parks and playgrounds. In Jamaica, Kiwanians can be seen building the community every day of every week. Kiwanis moments abound; hands on service projects flourish.

Governor Gary meets Division 25 Kiwanians at their opening reception.

We began our tour of Division 25 (Montego Bay) with a grand airport reception. Kiwanian Joy met us as we disembarked the plane and ushered us through immigration and customs to a waiting group of Kiwanis Presidents, Past Lieutenant Governors and our sitting Lieutenant Governor, Corris Samuels. LG Corris introduced us to DLG Joe Williams who, in addition to heading up the Governor's Planning Committee, was to serve as our guide for the next four days.

DLG Joe whisked us off to an opening reception at the Grandiosa Hotel, run by Distinguished Lieutenant Governor Veviene McDonald. Kiwanians from near and far packed the outdoor terrace of the Grandiosa Hotel and officially launched what was to become and extraordinary Divisional visit.

We began the day early for there were a number of exciting service projects we were to tour. We journeyed to the Paradise Basic School where we took part in a Montego Bay Club Project. The club reads and donates books to the school on a grand basis.

The Blossom Garden Children Home.

They get the books from a number of sources and end up donating hundreds of them every year. Today, in addition to giving each student a book that they could keep and take home, we had the privilege of reading to them books we had brought down to leave behind. Julia's classroom skills quickly surfaced as she spoke to, and read to the class of youngsters.

The Montego Freeport Club actively supports the The Blossom Garden Children Home with both financial donations and active hands-on Kiwanis building. Their most recent project was the construction of a brightly coloured reading room.

The reading room was equipped with modern shelving, tables and chairs. It contained a spacious play area and storage facilities.

President Doris and Lieutenant governor Corris show Governor Gary the Hurlock Youth Centre project

Kiwanians are builders; that is out motto. We build communities one child at a time. This is exemplified by the Providence Club, led by their dynamic President, Doris Channer-Watson. A community needs analysis highlighted the great need in their community. There were no parks, no playgrounds, no community centres to meet the needs of their young people. Under President Doris's guidance the club purchased a parcel of land in an area of their community that was clearly under serviced.

They contacted neighbourhood activists and community churches to help solicit funds and manpower. When we toured the facility, a team of community volunteers were hard at work mixing cement and pouring the foundation.

Knowing that the project was too big for one Kiwanis club (even with the growing list of community partners), President Doris approached the Kiwanis Club of Montego Bay, asking them to partner on the project. Montego Bay President Lisa Blake-Golding was eager to help. Today, the project is on track and expected to open later this year.

Kiwanian "Aunt" Laura proudly toured us through the Hopewell club's playground.

Another fine example of a Kiwanis community building project is the Hopewell Club's project: Aunt Laura's Playground. Here, long time Kiwanian, Laura, saw a need for green space and a community playground. She donated the land to the club and the Hopewell Kiwanis Club purchased equipment. The members created the playground and continue to maintain it. When we were there the well used playground was teaming with activity.

A highlight of our visit was a well attended meeting with area Key Clubbers. Between 150 and 200 high school kids took time out of their Friday afternoon to celebrate Kiwanis. The energetic group of young people reminded us that our world in their hands will be in good hands.

Lieutenant Governor Corris and Governor Gary stand with the Division 25 leadership team.

A DCM in Savlamar, hosted by the Westmoreland Club ended our visit. We had an opportunity to address and work with Lieutenant Governor Corris and his Division 25 team. DCMs, Caucus Meetings and Interclubs continue to be excellent opportunities to share ideas and foster Kiwanis fellowship.

.

For Slide Show Please Click Here