Who? Jamaica's leading charity organization, Food for the Poor (FFP) whose main affiliate is FFP Inc., the second largest international charity in the United States.
What? Will be hosting an Expo for its agricultural arm, the Rural Economic Agricultural Programme (REAP) to highlight the successes of the programme and to showcase farmers whose lives have significantly improved through training programmes and the provision of seeds, farm tools and other agricultural supplies donated by FFP.
Where? St. Dorothy's Anglican Church,
Church Pen
Old Harbour, St. Catherine
When? Wednesday, March 26, 2008 to commence at 2:30 p.m.
Invitees: Minister of Agriculture - Hon. Christopher Tufton
President of JAS - Senator Norman Grant
Deputy Missions Director, USAID - Mr. James Harmon
President, CASE - Dr. Paul Ivy
Chairman, RADA- Dr. Omar Thomas
Chairman, NIC - Stanley Rampair
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Rural Economic Agricultural Programme (REAP) was launched in August 2004 to assist with the development of small farmers through training programmes and the provision of seeds, farm tools and other agricultural supplies. Though its initial objective was to facilitate the production of cash crops, the programme has since expanded to facilitate poultry farming, goat rearing and beekeeping projects. Since its launch, over 93,000 farmers Islandwide have benefited and continue to benefit. In 2007, FPP distributed over J $199.7 million worth of agricultural supplies to small farmers across the island. Though the project primarily targets farmers in need of assistance, it also makes provision for the indigent, elderly, orphans and select inner-city dwellers. The programme, which was originally scheduled for three years, has been expanded due to its success. An Expo has been organized to highlight these successes and to showcase farmers who continue to benefit.
FOOD FOR THE POOR: Food for the Poor, (FFP) ministers to spiritually renew impoverished people throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Established in 1982, our goals are to improve the health, economic, social and spiritual conditions of the men, women and children we serve. Since its founding, FFP has distributed more than US$2.3 billion in food, medical, educational, building and small business supplies to 16 countries in the Caribbean and Central America. The organisation maintains a large network of churches, hospitals, orphanages, schools and feeding programmes, and shipped over 5,000 containers of assistance to the area in 2005. In addition to the feeding programmes, FFP provides housing – over 33,000 homes have been given to the destitute. FFP also provides medical assistance, water projects, educational aid, microenterprise programmes and emergency relief assistance. For additional information visit: www.foodforthepoor.org., or call 984-5005 Ext 286/287or 382-7135.
