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Official Messages
HIS EXCELLENCY THE MOST HON. SIR PATRICK ALLEN, ON,
GCMG, CD, KSt.J
Governor-General
I warmly congratulate the Board, Management and Staff of the There is one particular aspect of the JSIF criteria for funding
Jamaica Social Investment Fund on a remarkable and highly which all Jamaica, in the corporate, public and private spheres,
valued contribution to our country over the past two decades. would do well to adopt. It is the commitment to the sustained
maintenance of the facility or the service which has been
It is to your credit that as an organization you have maintained provided. We need to appreciate the wisdom of “taking care
and strengthened the partnership approach both in structure of the small things” and in so doing, avoid large expenses at a
and in operations throughout the period. Not only did the later stage. This is indeed the age of expendables and the lure
establishment of the Fund respond to critical needs at a time of the latest attractive model on the market. But buildings and
of national need, it also provided a model based on the principle equipment, especially when they are in constant use, must be
of community involvement in designing, implementing and properly maintained to preserve their value.
paying for the identified projects which were undertaken.
JSIF continues to be held in high esteem by its various partner
The JSIF model is very much in line with the tradition of an organizations and stakeholders. This is further proof of its
earlier period of Jamaican community life, especially in rural excellence in managing its resources, and a clear sign that it
areas, where a spirit of self-reliance and a commitment to has a bright future. We note that the expected life span at its
shared voluntary labour facilitated a level of prosperity which establishment has long been exceeded and that prospects for
otherwise would have been difficult to achieve. Today, as a additional partners are good. It is my hope that its performance
result of the adoption of the JSIF approach to community over these twenty years, its reputation and its dynamism will
development, we are once again experiencing desired guarantee the Jamaica Social Investment Fund many more
outcomes from projects within a large number of urban and years of enlightened support as we advance the development
local communities alike. of our country.
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