HELP Jamaica! stands for Help Establish Library Projects in Jamaica! and is a registered non-profit organization based in Germany and Jamaica. HELP Jamaica! aspires to build libraries and education centers in needy communities in Jamaica.
Why we do what we do
Jamaica’s high crime rate has been recognized for a long time. An annual murder rate of more than 1,600 murders in a population of 2,826,000 (official statistic 2009) puts Jamaica in the top ranks of the most violent countries in the world. Jamaica’s ghettos are exposed to shocking levels of violent crime, gang wars, political conflicts, drug and gun trafficking and police brutality. Poverty, unemployment and frustration culminate into a vicious circle contributing to the rising crime rate, often leaving the children without opportunities and positive expectations. Growing up in the inner city ghetto communities in Kingston, children and youths are confronted with these realities from their earliest childhood days. Many of them lack adequate access to education, books, computers and some lack attention and care.
What we do
HELP Jamaica! aims to establish libraries and education centers in poor Jamaican communities and thus tries to create opportunities and hope for the children growing up in the ghetto.
We currently renovate a building in the community of Cassava Piece, Kingston 8 and plan to open the education center in the course of this year. With the necessary support of the community we have started to reconstruct and furnish the building and are collecting the first books.
The center will be operated by skilled and trained personal, be equipped with a modern and comprehensible collection of books for children and adults and with a computer lab to teach basic computer skills and creative techniques. Computer skills, IT-knowledge, web design and internet services can help prepare the children for to find new opportunities in their job search. Especially the immaterial and international character of the internet might provide ways to establish small businesses and to make international contacts. Additionally to literacy and reading programs there will be computer courses, photo- and video-workshops, drama classes, skill-training, handcraft, music-classes etc. These courses will add to an attractive program especially dedicated to stir the interest of children, teenagers and young adults, who are in crucial stage to make significant decisions about their future way of life.
We aim to encourage creativity, talent, hope, ambition and excellence. Instilling pleasure and satisfaction from being able to read, to discuss, to perform, to act, to play drama, to learn to play instruments and gather knowledge in a welcoming and secure surrounding, can make a difference and will raise self-esteem and self-assurance of the youths.
We believe in inspiration and qualification as a means to break the circle of frustration, violence and crime!
Education For A Change!
For more information please visit: www.helpjamaica.org
Or write an email with your questions and thoughts to: [email protected]
