At Left: This model house in 'Ivan Ville' is owned by Daniel Francis (in red shirt). The house was toured by Rev. Father Burchell McPherson, chairman of Food For the Poor and Livingston Morrison, president and CEO of the Sugar Company of Jamaica. At Right: Livingston Morrison, (left) president and CEO of the Sugar Company (SCJ) of Jamaica and Rev. Father Burchell McPherson, Chairman of Food For the Poor, listen attentively to a passionate Lascelle Bailey as he expresses thanks for the house provided by SCJ and Food For the Poor. He and the other residents of 'Ivan Ville' in DuckenField, St. Thomas, also received several food items as well as agricultural tools and seeds for planting. - CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
THE SUGAR COMPANY of Jamaica (SCJ) and Food For the Poor joined forces to deliver Christmas cheer to the inhabitants of 'Ivan Ville' in Duckenfield, St. Thomas, last week.
Every household received food stuff such as rice, flour, cornmeal, sugar, cooking oil and peas as well as agricultural tools including a machete, a pick axe, a shovel, and a spade and file. They also received various seeds for planting. The various items were given under the Rural Economic Agricultural Programme which is administered by George Thompson on behalf of Food For the Poor.
The area where the people live is dubbed 'Ivan Ville' because they were forced to moved into the unfinished Food for the Poor houses after Hurricane Ivan ravaged their barracks-like and rundown houses in late 2004. The 73 one- and two-bedroom houses are built on lands owned by the Sugar Company of Jamaica that they developed to the tune of $30 million. The total cost of Food for the Poor's commitment to the project is $20 million.
LARGE GATHERING
The development represents the first such collaboration between the Sugar Company of Jamaica and Food For the Poor. Other developments are in the making and they include Phoenix Park at Bernard Lodge Sugar Factory and Long Pond at Hampden in Trelawny as well as Moneymusk Sugar Factory in Clarendon.
Livingston Morrison, president and chief executive officer of the SCJ, in addressing the large gathering at the handover function said: "The Sugar Company of Jamaica is pleased to see that you have kept the area in good condition and hopes that you will continue to do. The first development for former and current sugar workers is to be a model for the others that are to be developed." He also announced that next March, the finals of the Best-kept House would be announced and the first five units winning awards would reap rich rewards for their efforts.
The Rev. Father Burchell McPherson, chairman of Food For the Poor, also praised the people for the way that the area was being kept. Additionally, he spoke about a plan to further develop the community by adding a recreation area with various playing fields and a homework centre.
Lascelle Bailey, a resident who received a two-bedroom unit, was very appreciative of the contribution of the companies. "I am very pleased about the help of the Sugar Company and Food For the Poor and I am trying my best to keep it good. Yuh know, ambition is the best thing that you can have, and I am hoping for the best," he said.
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