Breaking Down the Walls....

This is a follow up on an article i wrote on July 1st of this year entitled 'The Lowest We Will Ever Be', which was based on disturbing information that we at the Jericho Project uncovered in the 'System' that governs the welfare of the orphans and abandoned children in our society.

Many positive things have occurred since that article (within a very short space of time), and I believe that a follow up note is in order to keep everyone informed as to where we are and where we would like to get to.

Some notable occurrences :-

Our team has grown significantly and continues to grow weekly with some very committed and talented people.

We have established a close working relationship with the ladies at the Ministry of Social Development and are working towards the goals laid out in our Mission Statement.

Mr. Robert Torry (of the COP) contacted us and offered to help in any way that he could.
We accepted his offer and he met with the steering committee and was able to offer guidelines as to streamlining the group's new advocacy and lobbying initiatives. Mr. Torry also assisted and offered to assist further with providing 'access' to very key players and we would like to thank him for all that he has done thus far and for what he has promised to do in the future.

Dr. Amery Browne (of the PNM), who was the line Minister under the last Administration and who was named in the last article, contacted us with a view toward providing (in his own words) information that we may not already have (we didn't).
Dr. Browne met with the steering committee and provided a candid look into the past and (recent) present goings on within the Ministry with specific regard to the operations of orphanages and homes, the Children's Authority (the new parent body under which the orphans and all children now fall) and some very helpful information where legislation is concerned. He provided us with copies of Acts pending and in force, and has made himself available for further guidance and assistance should we so need.
We at the Jericho Project would like to thank Dr. Browne for his assistance thus far.

Mr. Robin Montano, respected Jurist and well known Former Minister made himself available to the steering committee with a view towards guiding any and all proposals that are currently being prepared for presentation to the Minister.
Based on his experience in Government, he has offered to help chart a way forward for the group and has offered his services in a public manner as an Advocate for the organization.
He also advised our Media Manager on tone for the planned communication effort, and his time and advice was well received and greatly appreciated.

Kathryn Stollmeyer Wight has confirmed that both she and Nicole Dyer are interested in the efforts of the group and intend to meet with us to assist in whatever way possible.

The group has an outline plan for the Government in progress, which includes the passage of complete legislation to govern the Children's Authority, the establishment of a separate board to oversee the welfare of orphans and guidelines to bring their circumstances in line with family homes, and the development of support and assisted plans, including the Extended Family Program.

We are planning a Walk A Thon for mid September to facilitate the orphans interfacing with children from other schools and to give all the kids a morning of fun activities.

For the grown ups, we are planning a Festive Cocktail Party featuring a silent 'commissioned' Art Auction by some of the best artists in the Caribbean, live 'back in times' entertainment and steel pan at the Carlton Savannah Hotel, which incidentally has been like a home to the Jericho Project and we would like to take this opportunity to thank Lisa Johnstone and the rest of the Management & Staff at that wonderful Hotel.

We are only now facing the mountain that we have to climb, but we have a strong, committed and able team in place and with the continued help and support (please feel free to join), we expect to make a marked and considerable difference in the living conditions of these beautiful children.