WASHINGTON, DC – President of the Atlanta based Benevolent Missions of Atlanta (BMA) Mrs. Gail Dunwell, has been appointed to the position of International Donor Consultant for the National Education Trust (NET) Jamaica by Jamaica’s Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator Ruel Reid.
According to the Education Minister, Mrs. Dunwell’s scope of work will focus on fundraising from international donor organizations. It also includes the identification of international donors who are willing and able to work in Jamaica. Furthermore, these donors’ strategies and areas of focus should be complementary to the area of work of the National Education Trust (NET).
Senator Reid made the announcement while he paid a courtesy call on Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks. This took place at the Embassy of Jamaica on Friday, November 10, 2017.
The education minister said that in her new role, Mrs. Gail Dunwell would be responsible for developing a database of potential donors. This database would be established by research and identification. She will also summarize the range of donors potentially interested in funding education development projects.
Funding Education Development Projects
Gail Dunwell will also map global funding options, including the private sector and foundations. Plus, She will recommend strategies to approach these funders and the best ways to engage them. In addition, Dunwell will also develop a fundraising strategy to guide the organization for the next two years.
Dunwell will also help share information between the diaspora and NET. She will do this through promotion and by hosting workshops, town hall meetings, and forums. Most importantly, she will also share the diaspora’s concerns and challenges. These relate to efforts to provide funding and quality resources for education in Jamaica.
Finally, she will be engaged in developing solutions to improve the mechanisms and processes through which this is accomplished.
Vision of National Education Trust (NET)
The minister said the vision of NET is to engage the Jamaican Diaspora community of three (3) million strong to massively invest in the development of education through infrastructure upgrades for early childhood and primary schools. “Mrs. Dunwell will play a key role in the organization achieving those goals, the minister said.
Senator Reid said NET has partnered with the Jamaica Diaspora Education Task Force (JDETF) and The Jamaica National Group. NET is working through its JN Foundation and the Early Childhood Commission (ECC). Together, they will revamp the Pledge2Build Project.
Accompanying the minister were Mrs. Gail Dunwell and chairman of the Early Childhood Commission Ms. Trisha Williams-Singh.
