The Canji International Foundation has given a little over J$1.5 million in financial aid and support since the pandemic.
Recipients, just to name a few, are from the University of the West Indies (UWI), University of Technology (UTech), St Mary High, Jose Marti Technical High and Cumberland Primary schools. One recipient is Rosalee Jones.
Rosalee, a graduate of Jose Marti Technical High, was vice-president of the student council and was awaiting acceptance to UTech when she joined Canji Youth Leadership Academy.
She attained six (1s) and three (2s) in CXC business courses. On April 23, Canji carried out three successful programmes. Canji’s outreach department commenced the first programme in joint partnership with the Faith and Life Ministries in Rock Hall.
Canji forging partnerships in Jamaica
Canji Youth Leadership Academy, along with members from Faith and Life Ministries, hosted a prayer breakfast for young Jamaicans. They delivered care packages of a week’s supply of groceries to homebound and disabled individuals in the community.
Canji‘s global president, Dr Donnett Anderson; executive director Dr Dailion Robinson-White; president of Canji in Jamaica, Jennifer Clarke; and Reverend Nicolas Montague initiated a partnership with the coach from the Rock Hall Primary school to further develop the youths in sports and recreation.
They have committed to engage other stakeholders to procure additional sponsorship for gears such as uniforms, and financial aid to compete in track and field, netball, football, high jump, and several other local competitions. The coach expressed to the global president Dr Donnett Anderson that he obtained several local scholarships for students at the Rock Hall Primary each year through sports and recreation.
However, the organisation has faced many challenges financially to support the students to compete in many competitions that they have since qualified. The coach expressed that it can cost as much as US$20,000 for a team to complete abroad and this will give them more exposure to the international sporting arena.
Other programmes this year
The second programme held this year commemorates Canji’s four years of working in communities across the world, two years of mentoring and leadership training for the youths and acknowledgement of the hard work, dedication, and support to the organisation by the executive body.
The third programme was held in association with Grants Pen Police Station, where the philanthropic organisation interacted with police leadership as well as rank and file officers based at the station. Canji hosted a lunch honouring the law enforcement officers for their hard work and dedication to the communities.
Canji’s gift of a wheelchair to the police station was courtesy of the drive wheelchair programme, which assists persons with temporary or permanent disabilities.