|
About ABA
|
In describing poverty in Jamaica, DFID (the Department for International
Development) wrote that “the poor tend
to have low level of educational attainment, and are often unemployed " (that) poverty disproportionately affects the young
“ (that) half of those living in poverty
are children, and the mean age of those in poverty is 22.4 years; (that) urban
poverty is linked to crime, violence and garrisoned communities” (and that) inner city dwellers are often stigmatised and excluded
from employment and access to public goods”. (Country
Assistance Plan – October 2005).
ABA (ABAPDC Ltd)
knows only too well the above assertions. Our concern is the vulnerable and
at-risk situations the young are in even when in-care.
The reality is that better life chances for many children
rest on the possibility of experiencing sheltered
but substitute family experience; and for the majority of at-risk poor young
people on ongoing support within the community as well as on the possibility
of being constructively active if not being employed.
For these reasons ABA
fundraises to enable its local Jamaican implementation group, “Aiding 3-D
Youths” to make links with a variety of community-based
organisations to enable the kind of support and financial assistance that encourages
alternatives to lives to idleness, crime and violence. To those exasperated
with news of crime and violence in Jamaica,
we invite you to join and support us in making a difference to the youths of Jamaica.
Respect to
Dr Sandra Richards-Mayo PhD, the daughter and niece of two alumni, Victor and John
Richards. Sandy received her doctorate in 2006
at Claremont Graduate University, California, for her work on “educational and
vocational training in Jamaica's
youth homes”, focusing particularly on the Alpha Boys' School and
Home. She involved scores of alumni of “Alpha” in and during her
studies, making her work to date fairly unique. ABAPDC is proud of Sandy
and her work – and so we say “nuff respect” to you and your
family, Sandy!
To read about
Sandy’s
work and her charitable initiative, the Mangotree Foundation, click here.
For
information on secure on-line donation, click the "Donate" link
below.
Donate
View our guest book or sign our guest book
|
Alpha Music
AOB Network
Message board
MySpace Tribute
Mangotree
Foundation
Our Work in
Jamaica
Contact
Others
Charity Status
Yorkie
Shaw
Fundraising
Mash It Up
Tributes
To Sr Ignatius RSM
Farewell to Mr Mac
So long Tony Brown
Phillip Andrews
And to Victor
Richards
…but Cedric Awarded
In Nursing Home
JD Runs Again!
“He ain’t heavy – He’s my brother!
|
ABAPDC Ltd is a UK-based registered charity aiming to assist
vulnerable children and youths at risk within the Caribbean, particularly in Jamaica.
Membership consists primarily of alumni, their relatives and
friends. ABA
understandably welcomes the active support in assisting the vulnerable,
social disadvantaged, disaffected or disabled young people –
particularly past staff of the Alpha schools and those sympathetic with our
aim. From experience we know such children and youths are usually estranged
from badly needed family life; and that in the absence of ongoing support in
preparation for life in the community, they are prone to succumbing to lives
of abuse, crime “hustling” and even violence.
“Alpha Cottage” (and later Boys & Girls schools) embodies the
interplay between childhood struggles, dedication of a religious order of
nuns, and life achievements in which this family
of
boys and girls has been cared for over 125 years, many becoming renown for their talents and personal
positive impacts on the lives of others.
Founded and run by the Sisters of Mercy, “Alpha” has a unique story to tell, somewhat
mirroring the struggles and story of Jamaica itself. ABAPDC’s mission is
to enable and add to the success of that story for Alpha and beyond.
You are invited to be a part of ABA through actively supporting and sharing
in our work.
Membership is open to all who
are aware of Alpha, and want to be an active part of this wider
“institute” of ongoing care. Just choose to be a Full, an Associate or an UK
Overseas member by clicking here.
|
