12 minute read
Musson Foundation Year in Review
2018 was an exciting year for the Musson Group Foundation, as we funded and spearheaded various projects that support the values we believe in while contributing to achieving Vision 2030 for Jamaica, and the Sustainable Development Goals globally. We continue to be technology led, preparing children and young people to compete in the modern world. We are committed to advancing education, promoting youth development and fostering entrepreneurship and economic independence in young people. With food as the core of our business, we are committed to supporting schools in our communities with their meals and nutrition programmes. We support sports and creative careers as economic drivers in Jamaica, and believe in equal opportunity for all.
EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY •
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THE ROBOTICS TEAM GOES TO PITTSBURGH AND WINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRIZE
The Musson Foundation, along with the Seprod Foundation sponsored the winning Robotics team to go to the international competition in Pittsburgh to represent their school and Jamaica! The Musson Foundation provided support for transportation and accommodation for the team, as well as team shirts and a videographer to document the activities. Coached by Halls of Learning, the team comprised of four girls and four boys from Allman Town, Calabar, Clan Carthy and North Street primary schools. It was a dream come true for the 10 and 11 year olds who, under the theme, hydro-dynamics, studied the human-water cycle and demonstrated how it related to water pollution on the island.
OUTREACH DAY
The Musson Foundation once again collaborated with Halls of Learning to host their annual Outreach Day. Outreach Day is an open day where children, from all walks of life, between the ages 5 and 15 years old can explore various stations that demonstrate the concepts of robotics and coding. Children are encouraged to visit all the stations and pick their favorite!
HOUR OF CODE
The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify the concept of ‘coding’, to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with one-hour coding activities, but expanding to all sorts of community efforts. It is hosted by Code.org®, a non-profit dedicated to expanding access to computer science and increasing participation by women and under represented minorities. Their vision is that every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science, just like biology, chemistry or algebra. Code.org organizes the annual Hour of Code campaign which has engaged 10% of all students in the world.
The Musson Foundation was instrumental in introducing the Hour of Code to Jamaica, in particular, to inner city schools. Halls of Learning have been our partners in the execution of the Hour of Code. During Computer Science Education Week in December, coding workshops were conducted at 5 underserved inner city schools, reaching 400 students in total. Halls of Learning also trained teachers in the Hour of Code activities so that they can replicate with other students and keep the interest in computer science strong. Videography of the workshops was also made possible through the Musson Foundation.
SCHOLARSHIP: CRAIG REID
The Musson Foundation assisted Craig Reid with the Enrollment Commitment fee after being accepted to the University of Technology for a Bachelor of Science in Computing. UTECH has a commendable record of producing work ready graduates with the ability to positively contribute to the development of Jamaica, the region and beyond.
SCHOOL BOOK PROGRAMME
The Musson Foundation supports the purchase of school books for staff members children during the back to school period. The goal is to formalize and expand the back to school book programme.
YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP •
The Musson Foundation sponsored the JCC Young Entrepreneur Own Your Future II Conference which focuses on empowering, motivating and stimulating young Jamaican entrepreneurs and business students. The guest speaker was Dr. Tashni-Ann Dubroy, who is not only an entrepreneur herself, but was also appointed as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the prestigious Howard University this year.
The conference shared focused strategies that other young and driven individuals have utilized that put them on the path to realizing their dreams. Their promising entrepreneurial skills would have been unlocked by hearing first hand case studies demonstrating that despite challenges, there are also many opportunities. Participants also had the valuable opportunity to ask questions and network.
The event was a success, with over 250 people in attendance. The Musson Foundation and the JCC believe that entrepreneurship must be encouraged in our society and it is particularly important that the encouragement begin early.
NATIONAL BUSINESS MODEL COMPETITION DEVELOPMENT BANK OF JAMAICA
The Musson Foundation was also a proud sponsor of the National Business Model Competition. This competition provides the unique opportunity for students to put entrepreneurial principles into practice with an integrative learning experience. It also provides the potential for entrepreneurs to support economic growth and job creation in Jamaica. Furthermore, students at the tertiary level have an opportunity. It also provides students at the tertiary level with an opportunity to create their own employment and development of human capital. Queritel, a market research business, conceptualised by Shani Bennett and Kevonne Martin beat out five other teams from tertiary institutions across the island. They went on to compete in the International Business Model Competition.
Three out of five of Jamaica’s business model teams finished in the top 10 of the International Business Model Competition with UWI’s Eco Structures placing second, and Queritel also copping a top 10 spot.
HEALTH & NUTRITION •
THE ALPHA INSTITUTE
The Alpha Institute, operated by the Religious Sisters of Mercy, provides a caring environment for at risk young men in need of educational, vocational and life skills training. Most of the students are from inner-city communities where social conditions are very challenging. The training program at Alpha is designed to generate holistic development and career advancement in a variety of relevant employment areas such as music, woodwork, barbering and landscaping. The Musson Foundation has been supporting the Alpha Institute for many years with regular monthly donations of rice, flour and cooking oil. These donations assist with providing healthy meals for the students on a daily basis.
The Musson Foundation has also supported Maxfield Park Primary School and Western United Basic School for many years by providing regular monthly donations of flour, cooking oil and other ingredients for their breakfast programme. The Musson Foundation will continue these donations as they go a long way in feeding the children on a daily basis.
SPORTS, CULTURE & THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY •
THE DESMOND BLADES AQUATIC CENTRE AT AISK
The American International School of Kingston (AISK) launched its swim team in 2014, putting the ‘AISK Hurricanes’ on the radar. Both prep and high school swimmers entered the national championships held at the National Stadium that year. The swim team has grown from strength to strength each year since. Now, there are even morae possibilities with the construction of their very own swimming pool on campus to facilitate ongoing training and to encourage further interest in the sport. The swimming pool was fully funded by the Musson Foundation in memory of the late chairman of the Musson Group of Companies, Desmond Blades.
NATIONAL SWIMMER: CHRISTANYA SHIRLEY
The Musson Foundation sponsored the flights for National Swimmer, Christanya Shirley, the daughter of a Musson staff member to Barbados to participate in the annual Goodwill Swim Meet. The annual swim meet provides much needed competition for young swimmers who did not qualify to make the CARIFTA or any other national age group swim team for any regional or international championship.
Congratulations to Christanya for being selected to the team!
SUPPORTING PRESS FREEDOM
Global Reporters for the Caribbean is a news gathering company focused on all investigative and in-depth reporting in the Caribbean. The organization produces a show called 18 Degrees North, a similar programme to 60 minutes. Musson Foundation sponsored the Global Reporters of the Caribbean in hosting a special screening of the film “The Post” with a Q&A with George Freeman, Executive Director of the Media Law Resource Center in New York City and Mr James Goodale, Former General Legal Counsel of the New York Times. The Post depicts the true story of attempts by journalists at The Washington Post to publish the Pentagon Papers, classified documents regarding the 30-year involvement of the United States government in the Vietnam War.
L’ACADCO A UNITED CARIBBEAN DANCE FORCE
L’Acadco: A United Caribbean Dance Force celebrated its 35th anniversary season of dance. Each year, the Dance Force organizes and executes a performance for underprivileged or marginalized groups. This year they hosted 400 marginalized people over the three day Season of Dance, including at risk youth, and senior citizens. These special guests are provided with transportation to the event, entrance to the performance, snacks and a gift package. Their ‘special love’ charity was Mary’s Child, a member of the Mustard Seed Community, a home that provides a secure environment for abandoned pregnant teenagers. The girls of Mary’s Child were the special guests for one of the evenings, where part proceeds supported their home. The Musson Foundation was happy to have supported this great cause!
COMMUNITY SUPPORT •
WEBSTER MEMORIAL CHURCH
The Musson Foundation routinely supports the Webster Memorial Church. The Webster Memorial Church is a pillar or worship and service in the Half Way Tree community – close by the Musson Foundation offices.
MEN’S BIBLE STUDY GROUP
The Musson Foundation was delighted to support a Father’s Day Bible Study!
RISE LIFE MANAGEMENT SERVICES
RISE’s mission is “to provide educational, vocational and health-related services for atrisk populations, including those suffering from addictive disorders, in order to facilitate healthy and productive lifestyle choices”. RISE envisions “a Jamaican society where young people and other vulnerable populations are empowered to make healthy lifestyle choices in a supportive and rehabilitative environment”. RISE continues to deliver numerous community based interventions in many inner city communities with an emphasis on life management skills, employability and entrepreneurial training, human rights, HIV/AIDS prevention, sexual abuse prevention and governance, and capacity building for civil society organizations, island wide. In addition, RISE provides services for the prevention and treatment of addictive disorders including gambling, an island wide telephone counseling service, drug testing, individual and group counseling, training for teachers, guidance counselors and personnel from gambling houses, and implements employee assistant programmes.
A total of 44,596 individuals received training, mentoring and/or assistance through RISE’s projects and programmes for 2018.
Here is the impact breakdown:
Outpatient substance use disorders treatment and prevention programme
1,982 People impacted
National Telephone Lifeline
266 Calls recorded
Responsible Gaming Programme
15,478 People impacted
Employee Assistance Programmes
297 Counseling sessions conducted
Trainer of the trainers project at four juvenile remand centers
375 People trained/impacted
Support for the National HIV/AIDS response Jamaica for the most at risk populations
2,337 People impacted
Finding my Voice Prevention of Sexual Abuse against Children
22,901 People impacted
The majority of RISE’s funding comes through grants for community based initiatives. In many cases, when awarded a grant, RISE has to contribute 5-10% of the funding as the applicant’s contribution. This is where the Musson Foundation steps in to help. We enable RISE to do the valuable work they do by helping them fill the gap needed to receive and execute projects that are majority grant funded.
HUMAN RIGHTS •
CRIME STOP JAMAICA
The Musson Foundation made a donation to Crime Stop Jamaica to assist with efforts to prevent child abuse and violence toward children, and to investigate cases of missing children. Crime Stop is a partnership between the community, the police and the media designed to involve the public in the fight against crime. Crime Stop encourages the public to give information by offering total anonymity to all callers and, for those who wish, a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest, recovery of stolen property or the seizure of illegal drugs or guns. Through our sponsorship, the TV show CS311 has seen impressive results. After watching one episode about violence against children, a child called the Crime Stop office seeking assistance to leave her home where her father was abusing her. Crime Stop was able to get the assistance of the Child Development Agency to have the child removed from the home. In another instance, after viewing the Missing Person segment, a child who initially left home over a year ago, returned home. Furthermore, tips to Crime Stop increased exponentially with the airing of Seasons 2 and 3 of CS311.
Our partners honoured at the RJR Gleaner Honour Awards – The RJR Gleaner Honour Awards recognises the initiatives, accomplishments and courage of individuals or organizations that have made a sterling contribution to Jamaica’s development in the categories of art and culture, sports, science and technology, entertainment, business, public service, education, voluntary service and health and wellness. The awards were held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston.
Dr. L’Antoinette Stines, founder and artistic director of L’Acadco was honoured in the category of Art and Culture, and Marvin Hall, founder of Halls of Learning was awarded the Special Award in the category of Science and Tehcnology. The Musson Foundation supported the L’Acadco Dance Force in their efforts at giving back through entertaining and fundraising for the girls of the Mary’s Child, a home for pregnant teenagers, and young mothers, and continues to work closely with Halls of Learning in executing technology workshops in inner city primary schools in efforts to prepare Jamaican children for the modern world.
