November 2003

Dear Friends and Sponsors,

Greetings to you and your family from all of our children, especially your godchild, Staff and the Board of Directors of SOS Children’s Village of Jamaica Foundation.

Staff Training for SOS Mothers and Aunts

In our constant effort to provide the best care for our children, we continue to train our Mothers and Aunts as well as our Administrative Staff to upgrade their skills in order to help them become more competent and better able to carry out their various functions.

This year our Annual Mothers’ Training was held in May 2003 at the Half Moon Hotel. It was a success and the Mothers and Aunts left with good memories and accomplishment, knowing that what they learnt will be an asset in effectively performing their duties. We wish to express our heartiest thank you to Mr. Richard Whitfield (Managing Director) for providing the accommodations and the superb food.

Staff Training for SOS Mothers and Aunts

TENNIS STARS

Oh yes! Tennis continues to be the most favourite sport on our Village. This year another of our bright stars Kashwayne Nelson was invited to participate in tournaments in Canada and we know that he will do just as well as his fellow mates.

Fabyion Gordon studied Architecture at the Montego Bay Community College. He worked as Tennis Pro at the Half Moon Hotel and has moved on to a prominent University in Canada to further his dream of being an Architect.
Our Shining Tennis Champions

We thank our kind benefactors in Canada for making this possible for our children.

FINE ARTS

In the line of fine arts, three of our children Sanya Crumbie, Dave Smith and Oshane Fullwood entered a local photo competition in three categories and came out on top. Sanya won first place and was awarded a scholarship at the Edna Manley School of Art in Jamaica where she is pursuing the art of creative dance. We express a warm thank you to The Generation 2000 Team.

NEW SCHOOL

The school co-financed by CB Richard Ellis was built at Stony Hill and was named in honour of our founder “Hermann Gmeiner”. We opened our doors in September 2002 and currently have four grades (grades 1 – 4) with approximately 78 children on roll, both from the Village and surrounding communities. We anticipate an increase in enrollment in September when another school year begins.
NEW SCHOOL

Story of Troy

Troy Ramsey is a child at our village in Barrett Town. He was diagnosed with an acute medical condition and had been through several surgeries which were unsuccessful. His condition began to deteriorate and was subsequently taken to the Mobay Hope Hospital in Montego Bay where he was placed under the care of Dr. Ralf Ueker. After careful assessment he concluded that Troy needed a surgery that was not available in Jamaica.

On April 11th, 2003 Troy and Mrs. Joan Palmer-Blake (Auntie Joan) flew to the John Hopkins Institute in Baltimore where the surgery was performed. We are happy to say it was a success, and Troy is now recuperating home and trying to catch up on all that he missed out on and more.

We wish to extend our most sincere thanks to: Mr. and Mrs. Siegel, The Buchanan Family, Mr. Heinz Simonitsch, Mr. and Mrs. Strongman, The Jamaica Austrian Society, The Half Moon Hotel and Golf Club, Prof. Gearhart and his team (John Hopkins Institute-Baltimore), Dr. Ralf Ueker (Mobay Hope Hospital – Jamaica), Cable and Wireless Jamaica, Dehring Bunting and Golding, Joan Palmer-Blake (House Mother) and The International SOS Family.

This is proof of the fact that if we all work together we can achieve the very best for our children. After all they are the future…

Troy Ramsey

Report on Rose Hall/SOS Soccer Camp

Once again the children of SOS Barrett Town were given a special treat by Mrs. Michelle Rollins wife of one of our Barrett Town Village founders the late Mr. John Rollins. This time it was football, fun and more football.

This event kicked off on August 4th to August 8th 2003 and was coached by several international coaches from various universities in the United States. The coaching staff was spear headed by son of Mr. and Mrs. Rollins, Marc Rollins and assisted by our Barrett Town Boys’ House Supervisor Revolino McPherson and some members of our very own Jamaica Reggae Boys.

The children were provided with complete sporting gears, water bottles, daily lunch and specially printed shirts dedicated to the memory of Mrs. June Carter Cash.

We say a big thank you to the Rollins Family, Captain Horace Burrell (Jamaica Football Federation) and all the organisations that were instrumental in making the Rose Hall/SOS Soccer Camp the success that is was. Our children had a wonderful time and some even discovered skills they never knew they had and we certainly look forward to this becoming an annual event for our children.
SOS Soccer Camp

Tribute to Johnny and June Carter Cash

The SOS Children’s Village in Barrett Town sadly mourns the loss of one of their fathers, Country Music Icon, Mr. Johnny Cash and his wife June Carter Cash. Their outstanding contribution for over thirty years has helped to enrich the lives of our children. The legacy they left will no doubt be footprints in the sand for others to follow. Their lights will forever be kept alive in our hearts.

Mr. Gmeiner & Johnny Cash

In closing, the entire SOS Children’s Village of Jamaica Foundation, express sincere
appreciation for your kindness and generous support throughout the year, and as we
approach the festive season, we wish you and your family

A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS 2004

Yours sincerely,
Johann Denk
National Director

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