BASIC NEEDS PROGRAMME

FPWP-Hibiscus Jamaica currently facilitates a basic needs programme. One area of need is nutrition. Many children and caregivers often go hungry and rarely meet their daily nutritional needs. Hibiscus facilitates a feeding programme, aimed at ensuring that our clients, especially the children have at least one nutritious meal every day. Distribution of our food supplies is done on a monthly basis to clients throughout the island.

WORK WITH CHILDREN  

Education & Training
Primary & Secondary Education

In the absence of the mothers, who are mostly single parents, the children’s education is often adversely affected. The Back to School programme is essential to equip these children with the necessary education to break the cycle of poverty. Enabling them to make the choice for a good education also helps them to avoid the snare of criminality.

Under the Education programme the following are provided:

• School fees
• Lunch money
• Text books
• Uniforms
• School bags
• Bus-fare
• Examination fees

Educational Field Trips
Educational field trips are organized to take the children to places they would not normally go, thus giving them experiences that will impact positively on their lives.

Remedial Reading Programme – Although academic grades have improved some children are still struggling, due in part to their poor reading skill. This programme is so designed to help them improve their reading skill and subsequently academic performance.

Mentoring Programme – Children are linked with trained Mentors. Mentors, children and parents are trained by Hibiscus Mentoring Workshops.

WORK WITH WOMEN

Education & Training
Advancement of Women Through Education

Under this programme mothers are encouraged to return to school to learn a skill and to further their education. The Agency fosters relationships with different training institutions to provide this training. Hibiscus assists with:

Some women have had training in Food and Beverage Management, Food Preparation, Hotel Hospitality, Early Childhood Education and Nursing.

Skills Display Workshop
Many of the women return to Jamaica with a skill learned while incarcerated. They are encouraged to make samples of their products for display at this workshop. The workshop is attended by trained personnel from the craft, financial and training sectors and some retailers.

FAMILY INTERVENTION

COUNSELLING
One critical area of need is counselling, provided by the agency, through its Social Worker, Final Year Social Work Practicum Students and or trained volunteers. State agencies that provide this service are utilised. Where necessary in house counselling is accommodated.

HEALTH SERVICES
Clients are referred to State Agencies. Private medical practitioners also offer their services at a minimum cost.

Anti – Drug Trafficking Education CampaignAn annual education campaign, which is conducted mainly in our high schools, with service clubs, youth groups and businesses, seeks to target adolescents and adults who are deemed potential recruits for drug trafficking. Over 120,000 persons have participated in the campaign for the fight against drug trafficking.  

The programme had several components including a Short Story Competition, presentations and panel discussions conducted by convicted women and men along with the dissemination of posters, pamphlets, comic strips and a high rotation on television of our short animation film “Eva Goes toForeign” which illustrates the dangers and consequences of drug trafficking.