Minutes of KASSSI with the CEO and Secretary present from UK.
Venue: New Hope Primary and Junior High School.
Date: Monday 29th, March, 2010.
Schedule start time: 09:00.
Meeting was called to order at 09:25 by the Chairman, Kenton Wright.
Invocation and prayer was made by The Rev. Lloyd W. Samuels.
Apologies accepted from local businessman/supporter of KASSSI, Mr. Arnold Myers, and for the late arrival of Nurse Drummond and staff from the Health Department.
Introduction followed as each present made personal introduction.
Mr. Wright gave a brief outline of the charity, stating achievements to date.
Member of team Jamaica, Sadie Walcott-Hensell offered the group more information, reminding us of the three main areas that Kasssi is concentrating on, Health, Social Welfare and Education.
All stakeholders and friends of Kasssi were mentioned, a special thank you to Cllr. Gifford for his assistance in transporting the over 5,000 used books (donated by Libraries in United Kingdom) from Kingston Wharves to Whitehouse, Westmorland.
The Chairman made a special introduction of Mr. Garth Walcott CEO, of KASSSI and his wife, Denise Francois- Walcott, Secretary to the organisation.
Much explanations of their work with other organisations, also the Charity Commission (governing body for all charities in UK & Wales).
Some Fund Raising ideas were talked about, namely “your change will make a change,” one of the simple but effective ways, as you are only asking persons for their loose change, stating that by placing loose change into a container over a period of
time will amount to Dollars/Pounds. It was suggested the idea be tried in Jamaica.
It was explained that executive decisions will be taken in London by the Management Team- in conjunction with Team Jamaica. In terms of funds held, Team Jamaica will hold a small float to be replenished or topped-up as and when necessary. All monies, however gained, will be held in KASSSI named account in London.
Garth and Denise quite efficiently explained the linkage KASSSI wishes to have between schools in the United Kingdom and Jamaica, pointing out that the books donated will be given to the Petersville All Age, Kings Primary and New Hope Primary and Junior High schools respectively. They also spoke about a school in London, Boutcher Primary that had raised in excess of £500:00 by way of a Readathon.
The work shop was divided into three groups, with each of the Principals heading the groups: Topics, Health, Social Welfare and Education to be looked at by each group. Much brainstorming and passionate exchanges resulted in intense consultations, ideas
and issues as to how best to resolve situations and the offering of support for community needs.
Suggestions: Children who are often absent on Fridays could be visited in order that parents may appreciate the importance of education for their children. Volunteers would need to be trained to carry out this task. Another discussion focused on the possibility of “employing” a Taxi driver to transport identified children to school on a Friday. Costing needed for this. Additionally, it was suggested that the schools could monitor attendance and punctuality for these children, which would then place the charity in a better position to evaluate the intervention. The data could then be used as the charity seeks financial support to expand into other schools.
It was reported that adult literacy class has started at the Petersville School, and is operating twice weekly.
Another area of discussion was around getting persons who were handling food to get a basic certificate..”Food Preparation and Hygiene” this would empower them and possibly give them employment options etc
Much discussion came forth; we were encouraged to (with consent) take photographs of meetings and work done at all times, especially at school grounds, and any sort of farming activity. London is setting up a programme, which will allow children there to communicate with children in Jamaica via the Internet (Virtual Cultural exchange). This will be done around sustainability project- farming. Much discussion on producing their own food, selling it and also gaining a life skill.
The breakfast club is ongoing at the schools, but they are very much in need of sponsorship both to continue and in order to offer more assistance to much needy students. Children are still coming to school apparently not having had breakfast at home, and unable to afford the $30 or $50 needed to contribute for to the club.
The UK heads of the charity hopes to be able to offer some assistance to this end, and encouraged this group to continue looking at a more healthy way forward, as it was said by one of the Principals, that children were coming back into class after having ingested foods from vendors at the school gate, “as if on a high”.
Kenton Wright – Chairman Lorvise Smith – Secretary.
Pictures from the meeting can be viewed on the Gallery Wall by clicking here.
Garth
