When you visit Jamaica you are amazed by the beautiful scenery, and its rich culture--when you really look, this time with your eyes wide open, you'll see the sign poverty and sickness everywhere.  I am often amazed by the returning tourist who “had a wonderful time” only to be offset by the poverty seen around the beautiful resorts. 

Our goal here is to offer medical aid, teaching supplies and educational support to the regions which desperately need the assistance.  I would love to someday see rotating medical support to all regions of this beautiful island. 

The past decade has only shown to weaken the Jamaican economy with a GDP growth rate of -0.5%.  This economic climate has presented the Jamaicans with unprecedented challenges to adequately get the necessary medical attention and food.  Often the choice is made to buy food for the month and forgo sending their children to school.  This has had a cumulative effect on major productive sectors of the economy, resulting in a decline in government revenues and, therefore, a shortage of funds to meet the growing needs of essential social services, such as education and health.  As a result unemployment levels remained high at 17% in 2005, with 18.7% of the population living below the poverty line with an exceeding high level of teenage pregnancy.  Thousands of people die every month from easily preventable and treatable diseases such as diarrhea, malaria, infectious diseases and malnutrition.

The Jamaican Health and Wellness Center offers a unique service by providing a means to improved physical health, and education through resource networking.

"Hardships there are but the land is green and the sun shineth"

This is the motto of the Jamaican people…a proud people we are but the sun often does shine as brightly for some. I am a Jamaican born Physician and without the assistance of many I would not be here in the US embarking on this endeavor. I really hope to get the assistance of others who might be the symbolism of change. Many of the 1.5 million facing the hardships of poverty and desperately desire to overcome such hardship via good health and education; this can happen but only with your help.

JHAWCs goal is simple and straightforward: to provide medical and educational assistance to the impoverished Jamaican countryside. JHAWC is dedicated to combating these issues of poverty and sickness by devoting resources to education and health. We are committed to helping impoverished individuals by giving them the opportunity to maintain independence, physical health, and emotional well-being through resource networking

We fulfill our Mission by:
• Building classrooms, medical facilities, libraries, and sport recreation areas;
• Providing Jamaican and international volunteers to teach in classrooms, libraries, and clinics;
• Organizing and operating summer camps, youth groups, preschools, and teacher training facilities;
• Securing books, medical and school supplies;
• Working in partnership with the Jamaican Government, the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and medical schools throughout the world.

We are sustained through the generous contribution of time, talent, funds, materials and supplies from individuals, foundations, and businesses.

As a Jamaican, I have the responsibility to be an instrument for innovative change, and possess the responsibility for promoting health and uninterrupted education. The Jamaican Health and Wellness Center focuses on educating, training and developmental counseling, hence directly assisting families out of the bonds of poverty.

Our goals in 2008: 200 members and $200,000 in revenue, allowing us to add important legal defense fund, media campaign, marketing, research, and member services. With this kind of professional help at the top, together with grassroots volunteer work by our members, we will work together to making JHAWC a reality.

Jamaican Health and Wellness Center
P.O Box 451
Vacaville, CA 95696-0451

Telephone: Office (228) 383-1997

Email: jhawc@rcn.com

• Who are we? We are a small non-profit organization comprising of Physicians and medical minded folks with a mission to dedicated service in combating issues of poverty and sickness by devoting resources to education and healthcare throughout the Jamaican community. Our staff includes a Jamaican Born, military trained Physician as full-time Executive Director.

• Where are we? Our U.S office is in TX with a Jamaican Branch in Chester Castle (Hanover) Jamaica.

• What is provided? We provided relief with medical and educational support to the locals by teaching children and adults how to save lives through first aid and CPR training, water safety instruction, and community safety education.

• How do I get Involved? Our plans are to coordinate on-going medical support to the countryside of Jamaican where it is desperately needed. We plan to coordinate Physicians to volunteer their time and efforts with these causes.

• How to Apply? Please submit a resume and cover letter referencing the position title so that we may efficiently route your application materials to the appropriate hiring manager.

• Operating Costs? Our annual operating costs run somewhere around $200,000. We need your help!

• How are we funded? We’re funded by donations from individuals, organizations, local corporate citizens, some private grants. We receive no funding from city, county, state, federal government, or The United Way.

• How can you help? We rely solely on the global support and voluntary service from all areas to keep our medical and educational functions afloat. We seek donations of household items, financial contributions and other needs (volunteers, low cost/no cost professional services, organizational sponsorship, et cetera). This is one small way that Physicians and medical minded individuals are able to give some and to give so that others may live. We hope to eventually have the resources to broaden our objective to include better schools and better clinics for easy access throughout the entire island of Jamaica.

• What types of volunteers are needed at the free clinic?
Nearly 200 medical professionals have expressed willingness to volunteer at the clinic—but additional help is needed. JHAWC relies on donated time from both retired and active physicians and nurses, as well as volunteers from the community to provide administrative support.
Volunteer roles include:

• Physicians, Nurse practitioners and nurses
• Social workers and psychologists
• Patient educators
• Dietitians
• Administrative and operational support.
• What free services will be provided at the clinic?
• Primary and preventive care for both chronic and acute illnesses
• Health education
• Medications for acute and chronic illnesses w/only a low-cost handling fee
• Psychological counseling

We thank you in advance for your assistance.

Dr Dennis D. Walker, Medical Director
email: jhawc@rcn.com
Eydin Hansen, Associate Director
Jean Simpson, Jamaican Representative
Mario Henry, Database Administrator

How do I make a donation?
JHAWC is a non-profit cooperation and charitable organization with no current affiliates. Our mission is to provide medical and educational assistance to the impoverished Jamaican countryside. Being a non-profit organization there is no inflow of money to help run common expenses. In order to meet our annual operating cost of around $200,000 we have to rely on your donations. The most effective way to make a donation is directly to JHAWC at our Texas branch. These donations can come in the form of monetary donations from individuals (including guests), organizations, corporations, and grants from private firms.

In addition to a committed group of volunteers, JHAWC needs your tax-deductible donations. Please send contributions to:

JHAWC
P.O Box 451
Vacaville, CA 95696-0451

What should I donate?
Your generosity will make it possible for JHAWC to support projects assisting children and adults in need in Jamaica. Remember, every donation helps! The following lists of suggested items are the materials we are currently seeking assistance in acquiring for JHAWCs projects. These projects are dedicated to combating the issues of poverty and sickness by devoting resources to education and health while preparing Jamaicans for a life of dignity as responsible, healthy citizens. Please join us in at least one of the following ways. You will make a difference.

Donations: We invite you to consider making a tax deductible gift. Whether it is $100 or $5,000 – know that you are making a difference in someone's life. For each $100 you donate to our programs and services, you can support a child vaccines, meals, books, transportation to school for a month. – this may be the last opportunity for many of them!

Special Medical Needs
The following list of needed items includes items that are required to get the clinic opened (one-time start up items) and items required for on-going operation. The list will be updated monthly so please contact JHAWC for current information and needs. Cash donations will be used to purchase these and other needed items.

Item Nbr.	Quantity Needed	Quantity Donated	Item / Description	Value / Cost
1	1		Hand Held pulse oximeter	$450
2	2		Small Refrigerator	$300 each
3	4		Ear Nose & Throat Wall Unit	$675 each
4	4		Blood Pressure Mercury Unit	$150 each
5	4		Goose Neck Light	$100 each
6	1		Wheelchair	$500
7	4		Spin Stool	$100 each
8	2		Adult Scale	$200 each
9	2		Pediatric Scale	$200 each
10	1		Eye Chart	$15
11	1		Small double lock cabinet	$400
12	1		EKG Machine / Monitor	$3,500
13	1		Autoclave	$3,800
14	3		Computers & Monitors – Desk Type	$1,500 ea.
15	1		Laser Printer	$2,000
16	2		Copiers – Large duty & light duty	$5,000
17	1		Telephone System & 4 Phones	$3,000
18	1		Security / Alarm System	$2,000
19	2		TV with VHS or  DVD Players	$500 each
20	1		Microwave Oven	$200
21	1		Coffee Maker	$100
22	1		Toaster Oven	$100
23	1		Fax Machine	$200
24	1		DSL Connection	$600 / year
25	1		Break Room Kitchenware	$300
27	1		Vacuum Cleaner	$150
28	1		Stereo / Music System	$300
29	3		General Office Supplies	$500
30	4		Exam Tables	$500

Medical Equipment and Supplies
Alcohol wipes
Ear wash system
Ear curettes
Exam gloves
Glucometers and test strips
Microscope
Nebulizer
Rolls of exam table paper (21 inches)
Sani cloth germicidal wipes
Spirometer - hand held
Spirometer - Office
Cold Pack 5" x 6"
Gauze 4" x 4" Sterile
Ammonia Inhalants
Band Aid 3/4" x 3"
Roll Gauze 2"
Latex Gloves PR
Triple Antibiotic Ointment Packs
Gauze 3" x 3"
Gauze 2" x 2"
Tape 1" x 10yd
Eye Pads
Alcohol Pads
Tweezers
7.5" Trauma Sheers
Disposable Penlight
Tweezers
BP Cuff
Nasal Cannula
Dual Head Stethoscope
Uline 14" x 20" Zip Bag

Cleaning Supplies
Lysol/Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
Murphy’s Oil Soap
Bleach
Liquid Dish Soap
Liquid Hand Soap
Dishwasher Detergent
Laundry Detergent
Fabric Softener Sheets
Shower Door Spray Cleanser
Air Freshener

Kitchen Supplies
Scrub Brushes
Aluminum Foil
Zip Lock Freezer Bags – Gallon Size
Dish Cloths & Towels
Plastic Wrap
30 Gallon Trash Bags
Gladware Containers
Disposable Latex Gloves

How will my monetary donation be used?
This is an ambitious task and we ask for your help to make it all happen.
Your donation supports JHAWC by giving Jamaican the opportunity to maintain a physically healthy development, and overall well-being through services at no charge to impoverished Jamaican citizens. JHAWC is seeking monetary donations to sustain our programs. The funds will be used for increased efforts in public health and education, foreign relations with the Jamaican government, and the implementation of legal services. With the generous support of contributors like you, making both small and large gifts, JHAWC can provide quality medical assistance to people in poverty who are desperately in need. You can make a real difference in the lives of those affected and facing the disease by supporting us today.

How Can I Help?
HELP US HELP HEAL AND EDUCATE THE JAMAICAN COMMUNITY

Thank you for your interest in learning more about volunteer opportunities at JHAWC. Giving your time, energy, and talent is a generous way to participate in helping to serve our mission and, therefore, the Jamaican community in general. Our volunteers play an important role in our efforts to improve health in poor communities. In the end, you know that your efforts have made life just a bit easier for someone and we are certain that you will find it enriching and rewarding for yourself as well. Your support is what allows us to respond effectively to urgent Jamaican crisis.

Through the generosity of many people just like you, JHAWC is able to provide health and educational services to hundreds of people.

Gift Cards: You can help our clients regain their dignity and self esteem by providing directly to their individual needs with Gift Cards: Barnes & Noble • Costco • Lowes • Home Depot • Local Grocery Stores • Old Navy • Payless Shoes • Staples • Target • Walmart • Gas & Phone Cards.

JHAWCs Wish List
Sponsor prescription medications:
Your gift of $1,200 covers all prescriptions for one week; approximately 300 patient visits.

Diabetes Care:
JHAWC is capable of managing as many as 200 patients suffering from diabetes, a costly and debilitating disease which often results in complications involving the heart, kidneys, eyes, circulatory system and nerves.

Can You Give?
• $48 sponsors one patient for one month, including glucose test strips, blood lancets, alcohol swabs and insulin syringes.
• $576 sponsors one diabetes patent for one year.
• $10,500 sponsors our Diabetes Care for the 20 patients most in need of care for one full year.

High Blood Pressure Care Program:
High blood pressure is experienced by approximately 25% of JHAWCs patients and is responsible for illness and even death. The goal is to keep our patients' blood pressure under 140/90 by medication and lifestyle changes. By enrolling more patients in the Program, we will be helping them prevent the many serious consequences of this condition in an inexpensive way.

Can You Help These Patients?
• $89 per patient per year to join the Hypertension Program.
• $823 for 500 new patients for one week in the program.
• $3,500 for 500 patients for one month in the Clinic.
• $22,000 to add 200 patients to the Hypertension Clinic for one full year.

Equipment, Supplies and Rooms
Currently we have only 2 rooms to house volunteers which makes JHAWC extremely limited in the amount of help we get in Jamaica…we implore your assistance. We understand that these are ambitious tasks and we ask for your help to make them all happen. Your donation supports JHAWC by giving Jamaicans the opportunity to maintain a physically healthy development, and overall well-being through services at no charge to impoverished Jamaican citizens. JHAWC is seeking monetary donations to sustain our programs.

Can You Sponsor?
Refurbish and Name the Following Rooms:
• JHAWC Pharmacy……………$50,000
• Volunteer’s Room #1………….$50,000
• Volunteer’s Room #2………….$50,000
• Patient Exam Room #3…………….$50,000

Can you help?
Can your family or friends help?
Can your church or civic club help?
Can your employer help?

Supporting Opportunities
Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. We seek able-bodied volunteers to do some of the miscellaneous medical and educational tasks at JHAWC. Volunteering can be a heartwarming and rewarding experience for individuals and is vital to supporting our programs. JHAWC rely on donated time from both retired and active physicians and nurses, as well as volunteers from the community to provide administrative support. If you are interested in donating your time and services, please contact us at email: jhawc@rcn.com

Volunteers may fill the following roles:
• Physicians, Nurse practitioners and nurses
• Social workers and psychologists
• Patient educators
• Dietitians
• Administrative and operational support.
• Serve on a specific committee
• Help raise funds
• Planning events
• Office administration
• Speaking to groups about JHAWC
• Staff events such as our auction, gathering, and more
• Recruit additional volunteers

Thank you for your support.

JHAWC – Give Now
© 2007 JHAWC
P.O Box 451
Vacaville, CA 95696-0451
Phone: (228) 383-1997