St. Mary used to be #1 in agricultural farming, producing the finest fruit and vegetables in the Country. However, the illiteracy rate of its people is as high as 80% in some areas. The Jamaican community is willing to work, but lack education about farming techniques and available farm land is in limited supply.

Many families have several children, but cannot afford to send them to school. The parents, for many different reasons, are jobless and sometimes homeless. While the adults are willing to work, they simply have no marketable skills to attract employers. Through 20 years of work in the region, we have found most adults with limited education are willing to learn and work if given the chance. Returning to school is not a viable option as their children remain the priority when funds are available for education, hoping the next generation of Jamaicans will have a better life.

Additionally, there is a growing need for places of safety and protection for children who are being left alone on the streets to fend for themselves. These children are falling into treacherous hands, frequently abused and neglected. On a daily basis, local newspapers report a rise in incidents of child abuse, in which we have seen a huge increase in abuse and even murders of our children in the Port Maria area.

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