Jamaica Bauxite Mining funds St Ann Infirmary with $600,000 to restore facility

Jamaica Bauxite Mining Limited (JBM) donated an amount of US$600,000 for the renovation work of the retirement home, St Ann infirmary in The Caribbean which has adjoining localities embedded in history.

At a ceremony held recently at the infirmary a cheque along with articles of clothing and care packages, were handed over to the authority.

A major portion of the fund would be separated for the urgent repairing of some parts of the refinery. The institution derives its funding from the Ministry of Local Government through the local authority (St. Ann Municipal Corporation). Donations are usually made by non-governmental organisations, service clubs and churches.

JBM’s client relations manager, Deborah Smith, remarked, “Two hundred thousand dollars is to buy some necessities that they need because I had visited them and they had outlined some stuff that they had needed, like a weed whacker, they need stretchers and a few other things at the nurse’s station”.

She also assured the crowd that major part of the donation would be invested in the revival process of the entire facility, including the repairing of doors, cabinets and bedside tables.

According to JBM’s Managing Director, Donna-Marie Howe, the company was really excited to be a part of such a noble cause, helping at least 84 residents at once with such great contribution.   

 “We feel that we have the fiduciary requirement to extend our profit and give back in an economical way. Giving back… shows compassion and what the infirmary has here is that they are working against a lot of obstacles… and the more that we can participate to lessen those challenges it makes your jobs easier, and this is what we are here to do,” she said.

After formally incorporating the infirmary under their wings, JBM spokesperson Ms. Howe also noted that the entity places a “very strong emphasis on our corporate social responsibility” and they will continue to lend support to the infirmary in order to make the lives of the residents easier.

“For the local municipalities they are tasked with so many responsibilities and it is a limited budget, and it can go so far so I believe it is our fiduciary requirement to do what we can to help and enhance that benefit,” she added.

Councillor Dallas Dickenson, the Chairman of the Poor Relief Committee at the St Ann municipal corporation narrated to The Gleaner that the municipality has welcomed the donation with open arms.  

“This donation means a lot because we have a lot of infrastructural maintenance to be done on an on-going basis and so the municipality is very grateful,” Dickenson pointed out.

Dickenson, who also holds the post of the deputy mayor, said, for the infirmary to run properly donations from huge enterprises as JBM are essential. He noted that the infirmary has been getting its fair share of help from its patrons.

“I believe that half of our daily intake is from corporate citizens like Jamaica Bauxite Mining Ltd,” as pointed out by Dickenson.

After the tour around the facility, the officials came to the decision that restoration was immediately needed.