JTB gives back
THE JAMAICA Tourist Board (JTB) promotes the best of Destination Jamaica – the people, the cuisine, the music and the attractions. These attributes have made the island one of the most visited destinations in the Caribbean and the winner of scores of regional and international industry awards. Jamaica has also played host to numerous acclaimed events and influential personalities. In addition, for the past several years, Jamaica has welcomed more than three million visitors. While these are noteworthy achievements, one of the efforts that the JTB finds most rewarding is collaborating with visiting groups and organisations that give back, especially to Jamaican young people.
These not-for-profit organisations focus on charity and philanthropic endeavours that involve workshops, sports clinic, building schools and financial donations. Director of Tourism Paul Pennicook said, “we are always proud to promote Destination Jamaica to the world because we have confidence in our tourism product. We know first-hand that the gains from tourism contribute to the income of many Jamaican households as well as other vital sectors of the society. We are equally proud to support events which give back to the society. It is heart-warming to know that our partnerships continue to have meaningful outcomes, especially in the lives of young Jamaicans.”
The RuJohn Foundation, Jakes Triathlon, Karl Hale Jamaica Tour with the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation and the Arthur Wylie Foundation are just some of the entities that invest in the human and social capacities of Jamaican youth. The JTB supports the tangible and intangible contributions of these and similar organisations, as scores of Jamaica’s students continue to be empowered through the creation of life-changing opportunities.
Week-long acting workshops, baseball, football and basketball camps with celebrities are features of the RuJohn Foundation. The foundation, which began in 2003 by siblings Andrew and Christina Batchelor, seeks to inspire industry in youth by creating and facilitating opportunities for them to interact with role models. The students benefit from camps, workshops and sessions that focus on pursuing academic excellence. The RuJohn Foundation activities have provided much-needed school supplies together with tuition disbursements. As second-generation Jamaicans living in the United States, the Batchelors are keen for young Jamaicans to mature into respectable citizens.
HELPING HANDS
Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation is a Canadian charity established in 2006 by Jamaica-born tennis professional Karl Hale. The foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of the next generation of Jamaicans by creating a world-class education system through investment in infrastruc- ture, resource materials and expertise. In addition to partnerships with local and international organisations, Hale also hosts the Karl Hale Jamaica Tour, which is an International Tennis Federation Seniors Championship event. Proceeds go towards building schools. To date, the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation has built seven schools and renovated four on the island. They have conducted educational workshops, ongoing teacher training, nutrition seminars, meal programmes in schools as well as tennis classes.
Earnings from the multiple-stage Jakes Triathlon are used to promote education, sports, cultural heritage and emergency health care in Treasure Beach. Not only does the event showcase the island as a sport destination, but it highlights the vibrant and very successful community tourism model that exists in Jamaica’s south coast.
The recent inaugural Arthur Wylie Foundation Celebrity Golf & Events Weekend is another organisation that has taken interest in the social, economic and leadership potential of Jamaicans. Its weekend of events brought representatives of several international companies who shared their success stories. They provided insight on leadership and entrepreneurial vision for existing and upcoming businesses in Jamaica. The Bob Marley Foundation is the first organisation to benefit from the Arthur Wylie Foundation.
Together, these and other philanthropic efforts have been pull factors that account for many visitors who visit Jamaica.