Page 16 - JSIF Magazine Approved-v2-web4

The Hon. Orette Bruce Golding

Former Prime Minister

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund was established twenty The commendation JSIF has received from important
years ago. At first, I was skeptical that it was to be engaged multilateral institutions is well deserved and should inspire it
in duplicating services for which government agencies already to face the challenges of the next twenty years with a sense
existed. Its performance over the years has vindicated its of accomplishment and confidence but, importantly, with
establishment because it has brought a sharp focus at the a renewed commitment to continue its crucial mission in
grassroots level where it matters most on alleviating poverty Jamaica’s quest for development. For, as the capable and
through community building and people empowerment. As dedicated staff of JSIF knows well, there is still an enormous
much as the importance of these objectives is recognized, they amount of work to be done. The experiences gained over the
are invariably at risk of falling off the radar of agencies that are past twenty years should enable them to achieve even greater
overwhelmed with broader responsibilities. success in the future.

Whether it is in the building of roads, schools and community Please accept my sincere congratulations and best wishes for
centres or in the installation of water supplies and sanitary the future.
facilities or in the provision of health services, JSIF has sought
to engage communities in the setting of priorities as well as
the identification and implementation of projects. The value of
its efforts is therefore much more than the physical facilities it
has assisted in providing. It includes the impact it has had on
strengthening communities, reaffirming their identity, imbuing
a new sense of purpose and facilitating positive community
leadership.

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