Ambassador to the United States, Anthony Johnson (fourth right), meets with representatives of Jamaican organizations in Washington, DC, Baltimore, Virginia and Philadelphia, to discuss hurricane relief, on Saturday, August 30, at the Embassy of Jamaica, Washington, DC

Photo by: Derrick A. Scott

Mrs. Lorna Golding, wife of Prime Minister Bruce Golding, has made a strong pitched for education with an appeal to Jamaicans in Atlanta for more support towards the island’s schools.

The request was made as Mrs. Golding spoke at the Benevolent Mission of Atlanta fundraising tea party, at the Villa Christina Restaurant in Atlanta, on Sunday, September 7.  Acknowledging that Jamaicans overseas have contributed greatly towards meeting the needs of Jamaicans back home, she said even more help is needed at this particular time, to meet the growing challenges. “Unfortunately our illiteracy rate is much too high,” she lamented. “I implore you all to contribute more to education, so that the children of Jamaica can get the right start.”  Mrs. Golding revealed that “my dream for Jamaica is one that I share with my husband: it is a dream for a Jamaica where no child is left illiterate and without hope; where no child knows hunger, irrespective of his or her economic needs.” Mrs. Golding also used the occasion to laud the Benevolent Mission of Atlanta for its outstanding contribution to charitable organizations, making special mention of the BMA’s support for education on the island.

The true spirit of volunteerism is a concept that should be recognized and celebrated in our daily lives, the Prime Minister’s wife told the supporters of the fundraiser, the proceeds from which will go towards assisting the early childhood foundation of Jamaica.

Meanwhile, Benevolent Mission of Atlanta president Dr. Conrad Ingram explained that “the mission of BMA is to harness and leverage the time, talent and resources of our partners to assist disadvantage kids in Jamaica and Metro Atlanta. “ He went on to emphasize:  “Our mission is also to prepare these students for a lifetime of responsible citizenship and to help prepare students for the difficult times as they move from primary school on to higher education.” In his remarks  Jamaica Honorary Consul in Atlanta Vin Martin acknowledged the timeliness of the BMA’s focus on education in Jamaica, noting that with the recent passing of hurricane Gustav, a number of schools were damaged and in need of great assistance.  Mr. Martin appealed to the Jamaican community in Atlanta to give financial support as that would provide a very welcome boost for efforts to rehabilitate schools.

Among other personalities attending the 1st annual BMA tea party, entitled “Support Education to a Tea,” were Jamaican-born Superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools Dr. Beverly Hall, and another Jamaican, Mrs. Jewell Scott, District Attorney for Clayton County, Atlanta, GA.
Jamaican soprano Dawn Marie Virtue enchanted the patrons with classical renditions of Jamaican folk music, accompanied by Dr. Barry Davis on piano.

Derrick A. Scott
JIS Washington DC

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