Jamaican Diaspora for education in Jamaica
The recently formed Jamaica Diaspora Education Task Force (JDETF) has launched a campaign called ‘Pledge 2 Build’, to raise US$2 million over the next three months, November 1, 2016 to January 31, 2017, to support education in Jamaica.
Following the official launch of the fundraising effort by Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks, at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, DC, on October 26. Jamaican Consular General to the Southeastern US Franz Hall supported the official launch of the initiative with a reception at his residence in Davie, Florida on Friday, Oct 28.
Leo Gilling, South Florida resident and chairman of the JDETF says the organization has partnered with organizations in Jamaica and the Diaspora to raise the US$2 million to upgrade the infrastructure of schools in Jamaica.
Speaking at the reception in Davie, Consular General Hall urged support of the Diaspora to provide funds to meet the goal of improving early childhood and primary schools in each of Jamaica’s 14 parishes.
Gillings also said a portion of the funds raised will be used for professional development and training of teachers at various levels of the educational system.
Ambassador Marks also urged the Diaspora to support the worthwhile venture. She said “I encourage all gathered here today to support this important drive, and I’m confident that with the strength and determination that define us as Jamaicans, we can accomplish whatever we set our minds to.”
The venture will be officially launched in Jamaica on November 1. Gilling pointed out fundraising drives will be launched at other Jamaican missions in North America, Canada and the United Kingdom.
He said one feature of the fundraising campaign will be an inter-parish competition among Jamaicans across the globe. Donors will compete to raise funds for their respective parishes from which they originate.
Gilling also stated that the US$2 million fund raising campaign is part of a larger 5-year fundraising plan envisioned by the JDETF to encourage the Jamaica Diaspora to play a greater role in the development and transformation of education in Jamaica.
