New York Based Jamaican Charity Children of Jamaica Outreach Visits Jamaica During Child Month
NEW YORK – A delegation from the New York based Jamaican charity, Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) inc. will visit Jamaica from Monday, May 18 to Friday, May 22 as part of its activities in observance of Child Month, celebrated in May each year. COJO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in New York, whose mission is to help improve the health, education and general well being of underprivileged children.
Led by Chairman/Founder Gary M. Williams, the delegation which arrives on May 18 in Kingston will make presentations of computers, printers, projectors, school supplies and clothing to two schools and one institution.
On Tuesday, May 19 at 10:00 am, the Adastra Gardens Basic School will be the beneficiary of a copier, while all students will receive backpacks and school supplies. This presentation is made possible as a result of the Jamaica Airline Pilots Association (JALPA), which approached COJO to make a donation in support of its community outreach initiative.
On Wednesday, May 20 at 10:00 am, COJO will make a presentation of10 computers, printer and projector to the Louise Bennett-Coverley All Age (formerly Gordon Town All Age) for its computer lab.
The donation was made possible through a partnership with past student Christopher Roberts, Owner, The Door Restaurant in Queens, New York.
On Thursday, May 21 at 11:00 am, the Summerfield Boys Home in Clarendon will be the recipient of 5
computers plus software, projector, printer, a 42’ flat screen TV, and the residents will receive COJO t-shirts, clothing and school supplies.
Air Jamaica, the World’s Favourite Airline to the Caribbean has again come on board to support COJO and will transport the items, including computers to be presented and will assist in flying members of the delegation to Jamaica. COJO Executive Member Robert DeSouza Sr., Managing Director of Transcontinental Express Shippers has also lent the services of his company to assist in providing storage and freight for the items.
Over the past decade, the volunteer-driven organization has supported a number of institutions in Jamaica as well as the United States. Among them, the Alpha Boys’ Home, Glenhope Place of Safety, Marigold Child Care Centre, City of Refuge, St. Augustine Place of Safety for Boys and the Musgrave Girls’ Home in Jamaica; and in New York, the Jamaica, Queens YMCA and Leaf of Life.
Chairman of COJO Gary Williams says it gives him great pleasure to return to Jamaica each year, noting that this is his ninth visit to Jamaica, since the organization was formed in 1994. ” If we fail to take care of our children, there will be no future for us. Any opportunity to help our children is a worthwhile investment, which will without a doubt have far reaching implications for us as a nation as our children are the future.” said Williams, Chairman of COJO.
Proceeds raised from COJO’s Annual Scholarship Gala each December in New York helps the organization fulfill its mission. COJO will host its 15th anniversary gala on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza LaGuardia Hotel in New York City.
