JAMAICA SOCIAL INVESTMENT FUND COMMUNITY LINK
CHILD THERAPEUTIC CENTRE
June 29, 2023 was a history-making day for JSIF and the Caribbean Our Basic Needs Trust Fund 9 project handed-over the region’ s first Child Therapeutic Centre for children in state care to the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA)
Funded by the Caribbean Development Bank, the $202 million complex is equipped with the latest technologies Its assessment, screening, treatment and training facilities are designed around a beautiful central courtyard and were constructed to deliver specialized services via residential and outpatient programmes
Last June, we were honoured to host The World Bank President Ajay Banga and Mrs Banga on a visit to the Kirkvine Community Council Greenhouses in Manchester
The greenhouses and water harvesting system were constructed by our Rural Economic Development Initiative I (REDI I) which is funded by The World Bank. The project involved the revitalization of former bauxite lands for agricultural production, as well as the training of farmers in greenhouse production, business management, marketing and other skills.
President Banga’s visit was special for us as it not only marked his first overseas trip after taking up office, but it was the first time that the head of the world’s largest multilateral agency visited Jamaica
M A N A G I N G D I R E C T O R ' S M E S S A G E
JSIF enjoys significant goodwill within communities for the work we do on our wide portfolio of people-centred, poverty reduction projects across the island.
No less appreciated is the growing impact that our projects are having within the disabled community Our
BNTF DELIVERS BARRIER-BREAKING THERAPEUTIC CENTRE
Opened by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, the CPFSA Child Therapeutic Centre is, in every sense, a holistic intervention The project meets a long-held need for a purpose-built facility to conduct the effective screening, assessment and treatment of children with behavioural challenges in a controlled and therapeutic setting
Housed in a beautiful building with landscaped surroundings, the complex will make residential in-patient programmes possible, replacing mobile units and other modalities Outpatient counselling and psychotherapy services for children and their families will also be delivered
The Centre will benefit 4500 children who are in children homes places of safety, and foster care, as well as youth in need of psychosocial interventions Another 16,000 children and their families who access CPFSA services will also benefit
Beyond addressing an infrastructural need, the BNTF 9 project helped to address a shortage of adequately trained professionals by training and certifying 30 social workers in Clinical Social Work Another 161 caregivers from 48 State homes received training in Conflict Management Basic Counseling Skills Fire Safety and Supervision Management, to support psychologists in the CPSFA system
As with every JSIF construction project BNTF 9 conducted a building maintenance workshop for staff
g y Trust Fund 9 (BNTF 9) project at a cost of $87 million BNTF is funded by the Caribbean Development Bank
The block consists of 3 classrooms and an 8-seater sanitation block with wheelchair-accessible features A multi-purpose court, guidance counsellor’ s office, sick bay fully-equipped kitchen and dining facilities, and staff room complete the features
“IreallylovetheRamps, theBasketballCourt andtheClassroomPictures” -TarjariMorris
The new learning block is located within walking distance of the main school campus where the Special Needs Unit outgrew its space The expanded facilities will increase teacher contact time and allow for more intensive interventions - not only for Albion’ s students, 30 percent of whom have special needs, but for students within the Ministry of Education and Youth’ s (MOEY) Region 5
The project’ s design is in keeping with the MOEY’ s shift from a segregated to an inclusive school system for children with special needs Plans are already underway for an expanded project which will see BNTF rebuilding the primary school at the new location
REDI II PLUMWOOD SOLAR PUMPING STATION; SHAKING THINGS UP
Our Rural Economic Development Initiative ll (REDI ll) had a big day on June 15 2023 when it handed over a 79 2 kilowatt grid-tied Photovoltaic (PV) Solar System at Plumwood Pumping Station in New Forest, Manchester
The pumping station is operated by the National Irrigation Commission (NIC)
The project will bring a reliable water supply to almost 2000 farmers in production at the New Forest/Duff House Agro Parks in South Manchester and South St Elizabeth
In addition to providing the pumping station with an alternative power source, the REDI ll sub-project’ s aim is to reduce the JPS energy cost of the National Irrigation Commission (NIC) and in so doing, enable it to continue subsidizing the cost of irrigation water to farmers Another important objective of the subproject is assisting the NIC to transition its operations to clean and renewable energy sources
The supply, installation and commissioning of the Photovoltaic system represented a $37 million investment for REDI ll and The World Bank which funded the project
GOJ ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAMME:
Ministers Floyd Green and Frank Witter at the Plumwood handing-over event
THROWING
RESIDENTS A LIFELINE
Good things are happening in JSIF’ s Community Electrification Programme Now in its 3rd year, the initiative has enabled 2300 households in 10 parishes to receive electricity from safe, legal connections, while 5 kilometres of pole line extension have been carried out
“Having legal, reliable electricity improves lives and stimulates economic and social activity,” explains JSIF Managing Director Omar Sweeney “It allows people with small enterprises to invest in good equipment without worrying that unreliable voltage will damage it Also the risk of fire from illegal connections or kerosene lamps is significantly reduced
A key part of the programme ’ s success is the training beneficiaries receive prior to getting service Householders learn budgeting meter-reading and safety training JSIF has also partnered with JPS to help recipients establish accounts
This year, we have programmed 700 households to receive wiring, and 2 kilometres of pole line extension to be carried out The team is also conducting a feasibility study on a renewable solution that would eliminate the need for pole line extensions
ICDP II’S RED CARPET AFFAIR -
The ICDP ll team combined their skills to execute a Red Carpet affair of distinction for its inaugural Enterprise Development Grants Awards Ceremony held at the AC Marriott Hotel on April 6, 2023 Awardees were visibly moved when they heard MC Gerry McDaniel announce their names for sectional prizes meanwhile a friendly rivalry between communities added to the afternoon’ s fun
Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister Senator The Hon Minister Aubyn Hill headed the list of invitees which included a full court press He was full of praise for the awardees’ journeys of success, beautifully captured in a film produced by JSIF Communications Department But the highlight of the event was the anecdotes shared by Mrs Mona Sue-Ho, Senior Social Development Manager One could’ ve heard the proverbial pin drop as she recounted examples of how beneficiaries rewarded the faith that JSIF had in them by exceeding targets
“Some believed we were taking a huge risk placing expensive equipment in the hands of micro-enterprise operators” But during our monitoring visits we were elated to see that not only did they maintain the equipment, but they invested their own capital to enhance the investment received,” she said “F i t f t b fi i ry and returned to see 5
ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS WINNERS
more units purchased from profits Another recipient started business in a wooden structure and within months upgraded to block and steel It was absolutely heart-warming More than that, it is a strong testimony that what many small business operators need is a hand up, not a hand out,” she emphasized, adding, “Our template should really be studied and replicated”
Explaining what inspired her to conceptualize the idea of a Red Carpet Awards Ceremony, Mona said,“I wanted recipients to have the chance to celebrate their achievements against the odds Many have never graduated from an institution or been formally honoured for anything Yet they are hardworking heroes of their families; heroes who never get the opportunity to pause and reflect on their achievements and full potential We felt this was important Meeting business targets is great, but recognition, honour and appreciation feed the spirit and are important too, as it gives them the fuel to push through and meet bigger goals So going forward this will be an annual feature of the project”
Recipients of the inaugural ICDP ll Integrated Community Development Project Grant Awards were drawn from the communities of Norwood, Anchovy, Salt Spring and Mount Salem in St James, Denham Town, August Town and Greenwich Town in Kingston, and Treadlight in Clarendon
DVRP
ANNOTTO BAY COASTAL PROTECTION PROJECT A BUFFER AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
JSIF’ s Annotto Bay Coastal Protection Project has not only halted the severe shoreline erosion experienced by St Mary’ s second largest town, but recently protected it against the strongest hurricane to impact Jamaica in over a decade
Executed under the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP), the project has enhanced the Annotto Bay’ s aesthetics and is improving the livelihoods of fisherfolk and other business operators in the coastal town of 5400 residents
Annotto Bay is also benefiting from a beach nourishment sub-project stretching 800 feet along the shoreline The nourishment extends 40 feet from the scarp and is accompanied by 3 groynes which trap the sand in place
When completed, the beach will sit 5 feet above sea level
The project was funded by the World Bank to the tune of JMD 217 million
PERIOD AT A GLANCE
INTEGRATED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT II (ICDP ll)
Completion of $113 5-m Integrated Infrastructure work inclusive of drainage, curb and channel, and sidewalk in August Town Proper and Treadlight
Provision of infrastructure (830 Metres—100mm Dia PVC pipeline) to facilitate onboarding of 19218 residents by the NWC in August Town (Goldsmith Villa), Rose Town, and Granville/Retirement at a value of J$50 57-m
Rehabilitation and equipping Denham Town Police Station to improve working conditions for 400 police officers
Investment of $5 75-m in entrepreneurial grants to 45 persons from Parade Gardens and Savanna-la-Mar
Provision of birth certificates to 2868 persons in 10 communities
Provided short term employment for 376 people as environmental wardens
Funded by the Government Of Jamaica
RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE II (REDI II)
Handed-over the Plumwood Pumping Station PV Solar System Installation Project, Manchester
Commenced construction of the National Fisheries Authority Tilapia Hatchery Update Project, Twickenham Park
Signed contract for the Agro-Investment Corporation Irrigation Transmission Forces Main and Equipment Project, Ebony Park, Clarendon
Conducted Financial Linkages Sensitization Forums for both Tourism and Agriculture sector stakeholders
Conducted sensitization workshops for the Baseline Study and GIS Mapping of Community Tourism Enterprises Project
Completed the consultancy for the Evaluation and Revision of the National Tourism Policy and Strategy
Sponsored and participated in the 7th Annual Blue Mountain Coffee Festival
Funded by The World Bank
St Mary Multipurpose Co-op Society Cold Storage Facility (REDI ll)
ICDP ll Interschool Spelling Bee Competition 2024
PERIOD AT A GLANCE
DISASTER VULNERABILITY REDUCTION PROJECT (DVRP)
Completion of the the Myton Gully Drainage Improvement Project, Old Harbour, St Catherine
Completion of the Annotto Bay Coastal Protection Works and Beach Nourishment Project, St Mary
Completion of the Church Pen Drainage Project, Old Harbour, St Catherine
Provision of specialized seismic equipment to the Earthquake Unit and completion of seismic studies of Morant Bay and Savanna-La-Mar
Edited 3 Main Building Codes: Jamaica Fire Code, Jamaica Small Building/Residential Code
Trained 27 trainees in key agencies in the use of the Building Code
Developed National Online Risk Information Portal
Funded by the World Bank
BASIC NEEDS TRUST FUND 10 (BNTF
10)
Handing-over of the Albion Primary School Special Needs Block, Knockpatrick, Manchester (Cycle 9)
Handing-over of the CPSFA Child Therapeutic Centre (Cycle 9)
Disbursed 25 Rural Alternative Livelihoods Development Project Grants of Small Amount and commenced series of training workshops
Commenced construction of the Mendez Town Farm Road, Trelawny
Conducted capacity building workshops for school principals and leaders as well as numeracy and literacy workshops for teachers
Signed contract to commence construction of the Kendal Primary School Rehabilitation Project, Hanover
Funded by the Caribbean Development Bank
Myton Gully Drainage Improvement Project, Old
Harbour, St Catherine (DVRP)
Rural Alternative Livelihoods Development Project Grants Workshop (BNTF 10)
MONA SUE-HO
Senior Manager, Social Development and Portfolio Manager - GOJ & CDB
The Early Years....
My introduction to social development began as a volunteer with a medical team on Saturdays at the VOUCH Clinic in Kingston My passion grew and later I had the opportunity to work at the SDC as a Director of Projects and thereafter JSIF in 2010
Academics....
I did my first degree in History and Economics at UWI, MBA at the University of Manchester, and my MSc in Development at University of Swansea, Wales I also didapostgraduateDiplomainEducationatMicoUniversity Stillstudying!
MyJSIFJourneyBegins....
I am convinced It was my destiny to work at JSIF! I visited Jamaica in December 2009 to see my dad who had a heart attack I saw a job advert from JSIF while reading the newspaper that night and decided to apply. In January 2010, I received a job offer for the post of Social Development Manager I returned to Jamaica in February 2010 and started to work at JSIF on February 22, 2010 One ofthebestdaysofmylifeandagreatjourneysofar
HowMyFatherShapedMe....
All that I am and have become is due to my father He was an avid reader, very structured with his time, an entrepreneur, lover of plants and dogs with a big senseofhumourandoccasionaltemper.Hisactionsthroughoutmylifeimprinted on me that I was loved and supported and I never forget that The unwavering loveofaparentisthebiggestblessinginsomeone’slife NowthatIamaparent,I appreciatemydadevenmore.Hisfavoritetermwas“everythingiscopacetic”i.e. everything is fine or excellent. After my dad died in 2021, my step-mother often saystome“yourfatherunderstoodtheimportanceofpresencenotjustpresents”
MyLeadershipStyle....
My team is comprised largely of mature and experienced professionals and so I adopt more of a coaching leadership style I am diligent and very focused on achieving goals, however, genuinely collaborative work brings the best results I am filled with joy to see my team members succeed and do my best to support theirdevelopmentandcelebratetheirsuccesses
TheBeneficiaryI’mMostProudOf....
There are many, but I get a lot of satisfaction from the livelihood programmes in the GOJ and CDB portfolios It is great to see ordinary people work hard and excel,achievefinancialindependenceanddemonstratedignityandprideintheir achievements They inspire me, and I am so grateful to be a witness to their transformation.
WhatDrivesMe....
The recognition that much of what I have and have achieved is due to factors I have no control over – the country, decade and family I was born in and opportunities I got It keeps me humble and lets me realize my insignificance in thebiggerschemeoflife Ihavealsobeenguidedbythe principle,“theloveyou putoutintotheworldistheloveyougetback
WhatRenewsMe....
MyfaithinGod,mysonandfamilyandthepeopleIinteractwithinmyworkand personal life. I am the beneficiary of significant generosity, encouragement and love IamgratefulandtrytogivebacktoothersasmuchasIcan
MEET
DAINTYANN BARRETT-SMITH
Project Manager, Basic Needs Trust Fund 10
The Early Years...
In my primary and high school years, I was always getting the prize for ‘Most Helpful Student.’SomyschoolGuidanceCounsellorencouragedmetoconsidera‘helping profession’, That started me thinking and eventually I realized that becoming a Social Worker was my calling Even now as a manager, that initial impulse has remainedwithme,toleadwithaservant’sheart
Academics…
I have a BSc. in Social Work and a MSc. in Development Studies - both from the University Of The West Indies I’m also a certified Project Management Professional aswellasacertifiedProfessionalInAccessibilityCoreCompetencies
MyJSIFJourneyBegins...
After university I worked on several community development projects - first in Grenada and St. Vincent under the Caribbean Internship Programme, and then at ODPEM back home I realized I loved it so applying to JSIF was something of a naturalprogression,youcouldsay
HowCadetsShapedMe...
I grew up as a cadet and now hold the rank of Lieutenant in the Jamaica Combined Cadet Force. Because of Cadets, I approach things in a very detailed, systematic, almost regimental way, it could be said It helps keep my team organized ItellpeoplethatCadetsisawayoflife,andit’strue Morethananything it has helped to develop my leadership capacity In later years, participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Commonwealth Leadership Study Conference also helped honemyleadershipchops
MyLeadershipPrinciples...
I believe in providing an atmosphere of ‘Psychological Safety’ for my team This means everyone must feel they can speak freely about any issue. Team members are held accountable without their morale being broken. It’s paid big dividends, especially in terms of efficiency Inspiring buy-in for my mantra is also a priority for me: “approach everything with a spirit of Excellence ” Likewise, I encourage all to staysharpandkeepupskilling
ProjectI’mMostProudOf.....
They’ve been many, but producing the storybook, ‘Break The Silence’ was special It’s a book about the taboo subject of sexual abuse It was challenging getting key people to partner, but we ended up with a well-produced, properly tested tool for professionals.It’sbeenincrediblyrewarding,because7yearslaterIstillseecopiesin useintheschoolsIvisit IfeelespeciallyfulfilledwhenIseebraillecopiesandthesign languageCDbeingused
WhatDrivesMe..…
It’s my desire to always find ways to be an agent of change and to stand up for those who are voiceless. Actually, it’s a big part of how I self-identify - being a Defender of the Poor It motivates me to seek the the poorest, most remote, most vulnerablecommunitiestohelp Itsmypurposeinlife-achargefromGodIbelieve, so I am intentional about it I am one of the few that have found a career path where my purpose and passion intersect. That keeps me going when the tough dayscome
Balance.....
My husband, 6-year old son, and Christian faith renew my soul and add deep meaningtomylife Oursonbringsusjoyinsomanyways Hekeepsmeonmytoes, andteachesmewhataretheimportantthingsinlife.Igivethanksforthem
DENBIGH is always a special time of year for JSIF and this year our booth was banging! It was everyone’s first outing since Covid, so our REDI ll team brought their A Game to the production There was tons to see, taste, learn, and even try one’s hand at,, with our partners adding an exciting dimension to the offerings and happenings And come lunch time, JSIF was the booth to be at with contests, pop quizzes and fun demonstrations galore We were thrilled to catch up with old friends and see new faces. See you next year!
11 OXFORD ROAD; KINGSTON 5 (876) 968-4545 • 619-1133 WWW JSIF ORG
JAMAICA SOCIAL INVESTMENT FUND