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About ABA
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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
situations the young are in even when in care.
The reality is that the continued life chances of poor
young people rests largely on ongoing support within the community, and on
the possibility of being constructively active, experiencing further sheltered living, or 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
former alumni, Victor and John Richards. Sandra received her doctorate in
2006 at Claremont Graduate University, California, for her work on “educational and
vocational training in Jamaica's
youth homes”, with a particular focus on the Alpha Boys' School and
Home. Sandra involved scores of past pupils of “Alpha” in and
during her studies, making her work to date fairly unique. ABAPDC is
proud of Sandra and her work – and so we say “nuff respect”
to you and your family.
Read about Sandra’s
charitable initiative, the Mangotree Foundation, and access sections of her
book by clicking on the icon on the right.
For information on secure on-line
donation, click the "Donate" link below.
Donate
View our guest book or sign our guest book
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Mash It Up
"Farewell,
Mr Mack"
Sr
Iggy’s Marathon! “New pain threshold” in Barcelona for JD in his
3hrs 52 mins marathon for Sr Iggy’s Alpha
Click here to read more
“He ain’t heavy – He’s my brother!
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ABAPDC Ltd is a UK-based registered charity aiming to assist
vulnerable children and youths within the Caribbean, particularly those in Jamaica.
Membership consists primarily of alumni, relatives and past staff
of the Alpha schools in Jamaica.
ABA
understandably welcome the active support in assisting the vulnerable and
social disadvantaged, disaffected or disabled young people. From experience
we know such 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 “hustling”,
crime 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 it
through giving, actively supporting and/or sharing in it even now.
Membership is
open to all who are or would be aware of Alpha, and finding out how they
could (still) be an active part of this institution of ongoing care. Just
choose to be a Full, an Associate or an UK Overseas member by clicking here.
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