C-Arm Machine Handed over to the Mandeville Regional Hospital

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07 Dec, 2022

Mandeville Regional Hospital got a major boost in its diagnostic and treatment capability with new C-Arm machine from the CHASE Fund purchase at a cost of $31M.  A C-Arm machine is an advanced medical imaging device that is widely used during orthopedic, complicated surgical, pain management (Anesthetics) and emergency procedures.

The machine which was officially handed over to the hospital on November 3, 2022.  The machine, although diagnostic, is primarily being used for surgery at MRH. Dr. Steve Mullings, Orthopaedic Consultant and Head of the Orthopaedic Department at the Mandeville Regional Hospital said that with the use of the C-Arm machine downtime for the patient would be less, blood loss would be reduced and surgical trauma to the patient could be lessened.

 

Dr. Steve Mullings (2nd left), Orthopaedic Consultant and Head of the Orthopaedic Department at the Mandeville Regional Hospital, highlights the special features of the C-Arm machine with (L-R) W. Billy Heaven, CEO, CHASE Fund; Omar Frith, Chairman, CHASE Fund; and Dr. Everton McIntosh, Senior Medical Officer Mandeville Regional Hospital.
Dr. Steve Mullings (2nd left), Orthopaedic Consultant and Head of the Orthopaedic Department at the Mandeville Regional Hospital, highlights the special features of the C-Arm machine with (L-R) W. Billy Heaven, CEO, CHASE Fund; Omar Frith, Chairman, CHASE Fund; and Dr. Everton McIntosh, Senior Medical Officer Mandeville Regional Hospital..

UWI Medical Students Benefit from Bus Financed by CHASE Fund

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07 Sep, 2022

The CHASE Fund 29-seater coaster bus, acquired for the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of the West Indies (UWI), was officially handed over on June 29, 2022.  CHASE provided $10M in funding to purchase the bus which is being used to transport students to hospitals and clinics across the island as part of the UWI’s training programme for medical and allied health care workers.

University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Principal, Professor Dale Webber, thanked the Fund and Toyota Jamaica, which had significantly discounted the price of the coaster bus.  Professor Webber noted that the CHASE Fund has been a long-standing partner of the UWI.

 

CHASE CEO W. Billy Heaven said that over the years, the fund has spent $259 million on various projects at the UWI.  “We are delighted to have participated in so many ways here, and today is no different. We know that the bus will be used for the intended purpose, we know it will be well maintained, and we look forward to the delivery of good service and better-developed students clinically as they go across the island to carry out their duties and further their career path,” Heaven said.

 

CHASE CEO, W. Billy Heaven (2nd left), cuts the ribbon to open the door to the Toyota coaster bus which was purchased for the Faculty of Medical Sciences, UWI. Participating is (l-r): Professor Dale Webber, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal, UWI, Mona Campus; Professor Minerva Thame, Faculty of Medical Sciences, UWI; and Howard Foster, General Manager, Toyota Jamaica.
CHASE CEO, W. Billy Heaven (2nd left), cuts the ribbon to open the door to the Toyota coaster bus which was purchased for the Faculty of Medical Sciences, UWI. Participating is (l-r): Professor Dale Webber, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal, UWI, Mona Campus; Professor Minerva Thame, Faculty of Medical Sciences, UWI; and Howard Foster, General Manager, Toyota Jamaica.
Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal, UWI, Mona Campus of the UWI, Prof. Dale Webber, speaks with, CHASE CEO, W. Billy Heaven, during the short bus ride around the ring-road on the UWI campus. Also taking a ride were: Dr. Trevor McCartney and Prof. Minerva Thame seated in the back, and students and nurses of the Faculty of Medical Sciences.
Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal, UWI, Mona Campus of the UWI, Prof. Dale Webber, speaks with, CHASE CEO, W. Billy Heaven, during the short bus ride around the ring-road on the UWI campus. Also taking a ride were: Dr. Trevor McCartney and Prof. Minerva Thame seated in the back, and students and nurses of the Faculty of Medical Sciences.

Launch of the Cecil Cooper Exhibition and Inaugural Scholarship

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17 Jun, 2022

The Cecil Cooper Foundation Exhibition and Inaugural Scholarship were launched on June 17, 2022 at the Olympia Main Gallery in Kingston.  CHASE provided support for the launch and seed funding for the scholarship in the amount of $3.7M.  The mission of the Foundation is to assist the visual and performing arts.  A final year painting student will receive a full scholarship annually for the final year while bursaries will be awarded to four high school students matriculating to EMCVPA.  The Fund was represented by Board Chairman, Omar Frith, who delivered remarks.  Also in attendance were Director Duane Smith and Public Relations and Administrative Manager, Hilary Coulton.

 

Rose Bennett-Cooper, Chairman of the Cecil Cooper Foundation (right), highlights one of the 70 works by the late Cecil Cooper, curated for the Cecil Cooper Foundation Exhibition. Viewing the artwork were (left - right), Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Mrs. Juliet Holness, Patron of the Cecil Cooper Foundation and Omar Frith, Chairman, CHASE Fund.
Rose Bennett-Cooper, Chairman of the Cecil Cooper Foundation (right), highlights one of the 70 works by the late Cecil Cooper, curated for the Cecil Cooper Foundation Exhibition. Viewing the artwork were (left – right), Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Mrs. Juliet Holness, Patron of the Cecil Cooper Foundation and Omar Frith, Chairman, CHASE Fund.

CHASE Advancing Technology in Early Childhood Institutions

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13 Jun, 2022

Hundreds of students in Early Childhood Institutions islandwide have stepped into the future of learning, with Smart Boards provided by the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund.

Ninety (90) boards have been provided to 35 schools at a cost of roughly $55 million, under the Fund’s Technology Enhancement Programme.

The programme which was established before the pandemic found further relevance with the reality of wide scale distance learning.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the CHASE Fund Billy Heaven, who sat down with JIS News, said the effects of the pandemic echoed across multiple sectors.

“While you can see the impact of COVID on health right away with people getting sick, being hospitalised and quarantined, there is also a significant impact on education in general and early child hood education to be specific,” he said.

While CHASE explores commissioning a study on the impact of the coronavirus on early childhood education, the Fund has continued work, to make up for lost time.

“Kids have lost not only hours in school but they have missed out on learning a great deal. If the facilities were not there before to accommodate online learning, even now it is difficult for 3-6 years olds to use this method,” he said.

The Technology Enhancement Programme is focused on optimising student learning, by introducing technology to the classroom.

Project Manager at CHASE Mrs. Latoya Aquart-Foster said that the Fund saw the need to assist infant schools with interactive whiteboards to improve the quality of the learning experience.
“They can see visuals, hear sounds, go on the screen and with the touch of a finger, they can move an object from left to right. Before COVID the focus was on interactive whiteboards. Since COVID, we have broadened the technology enhancement program to include tablets and printers for the schools,” she said.

The CHASE Fund has provided over two thousand tablets to schools since the pandemic, valued at over $50 million.

Mrs. Aquart-Foster disclosed that the whiteboards distributed in the years before, have the capability to connect to the tablets.

With the aim of leaving no child behind, she also said where students and schools were unable to benefit from the smartboard or tablets, the programme provided other necessities.

“There are some students who live in an area without any sort of internet connectivity. They would still need to receive learning tools and supplies. What we did was to provide some schools with printers and a supply of paper and toners that will last them for a period of time. This will allow them to print materials for the children who may not be able to access the internet on a tablet.”

Some of the schools that have received whiteboards include Bethel Infant in Hanover, Mandeville Infant in Manchester, Providence Heights Primary and Infant in St. James, Arcadia Primary and Infant in St. Thomas, Frankfield Primary and Infant in Clarendon, St. Michael’s infant in Kingston, Seymour Edwards Infant in Clarendon and Friendship Primary and Infant in Westmoreland.
CHASE will continue its initiative with another 23 whiteboards to be installed in schools across the island, which will bring the total to 113.

For the provision of printers, schools located in deep rural communities with little to no internet access were targeted.

These include Boundbrook Infant School in Portland and St Agnes Infant School in Portland, Upper Rock Spring Infant School in Hanover and Hillside Primary & Infant in St. Mary.

Pre-assessment of schools are also done to ensure the smartboards and printers can fulfill their intended purpose.

“[For receiving smartboards] there would have been those schools that have active internet connection. We would also take note of other needs for instance security grills for the school. We would do minor works such as tiling the room and installing new windows so when the child goes in that room, they should be like, ‘yes, I’m ready to learn now’,” she noted.

Project Officer for Education at CHASE Ms. Shannon Guthrie said that in some cases, should the internet capacity of a school not be up to standard, CHASE will increase it. “We don’t go into anywhere without being prepared to go beyond what the initial intent was. It’s not just a whiteboard that schools are getting . We look at the addition of the whiteboard as an addition to the classroom setting,” she said.

Ms. Guthrie also said schools were selected based on data indicating the wants and needs of institutions from the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) Database.

“For the smart boards, we look at schools that are close to achieving certification by the Early Childhood Commission among other criteria, and then decide that they were suited for a smart board based on the fact that most of their immediate and basic needs have been met,” she explained.

Though recommendations are accepted from the ECC, CHASE does invite applications.

“Persons can always write to CHASE for something as small as a desktop printer to maybe building an entire school. That’s the level of assistance that we give and so we’re open to persons applying. We’ve actually had schools apply for the smartboard programme,” she said.

Mrs. Aquart-Foster advised that interested persons could also make contact with the fund for guidance on preparing proposals.

“You can just make contact with CHASE and we can flesh out a proposal but it’s important to look at our website, as it has a lot of information on it. It also provides details on the eligible entities, which at CHASE there is a focus on infant schools,” she said.

As part of its continued response to the effect of the pandemic on early childhood institutions, the Fund has also allocated $75 Million to do sanitation projects.

Ten million dollars was also allocated towards the provision of learning kits and close to $1million for the training of parents in how to better assist their children in light of the pandemic.

The CHASE Fund which has been in operation for 20 years, is a government entity that provides funding support to projects and programs in the areas of Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education.

For more information persons can visit the CHASE website at chase.org.jm.

Lifting Voices of Jamaican Writers

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For twenty years, the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund has been assisting Jamaican writers in highlighting the nation’s historic and cultural achievements.

Through the Fund’s Policy on Literary Works, efforts such as documentaries, biographies and autobiographies of celebrated Jamaicans, works on parishes and places of historical significance have been supported.

Fifteen percent of the Fund’s resources are channeled towards projects that lead to the improvement of libraries, archives and documentation facilities, restoring and maintaining the country’s historic sites and monuments, as well as supporting the publication and distribution of books.

Literary works that have been supported by CHASE span education, history, literature, poetry art and digital records.

Project Monitoring Officer for Arts and Culture at the CHASE Fund, Alain Williams said to date, over one hundred publications have been funded.

“We view the publication of books in a broader sense as being contributors to the body of work available to the Jamaican population. There are things related to our leaders and founding fathers and for most countries developed and otherwise across the world, it is a huge part of the repository of the knowledge of those societies. We believe it is important to have these works captured documented and made available to current and future generations,” he said.

The most recent publication done was 100+ Voices for Miss Lou, Poetry Tributes, Interviews, and Essays, edited by Professor Opal Adisa.

Done in collaboration with the University of the West Indies Press (UWI Press),     the collection recognises the outstanding contribution of the celebrated literary icon and historian Louise Bennett Coverley.

The book also formed part of the One Hundred Days of Celebration to mark the 100th birthday of the Rt. Hon. Dr. Louise Bennett Coverley initiated in 2019.

The CHASE Fund approved funding of $1M in October 2019 towards the editing, publication and launch of the anthology.

Acting General Manager at UWI Press, Ms. Nadine Buckland who was present at the handover of the anthology in March, lauds the CHASE fund for their support in making the collection a reality.

“The production of this impressive collection with contributions by over 100 great cultural influencers, former heads of state, professors, and other literary and creative luminaries was made possible by the kind support of the CHASE FUND. We commend the CHASE FUND for seeing the value of bringing this vital work to the public and recognising the contributors’ role in creating a remarkable collection,” she said.

The editor, Professor Opal Adisa said working on the project was a pleasure and that she was “thrilled with the final product”.

“I love the volume, and more importantly, I believe Miss Lou would be pleased with the inclusive diversity, and to see this confirmation that she was so loved and positively impacted and influenced so many.  There is still so much more that needs to be done on Miss Lou, and I am prepared to go further and produce a documentary using this anthology as a springboard.”

Mr. Williams further explained that projects are selected for funding based on the focus of the Fund and the proposals submitted.

“After a proposal is submitted, from there it would be assessed in terms of relevance and again that would take into account some of the thematic areas covered under the policy. We would look at it in terms of quality, readiness and marketability. To be guided on much of these, we do have external persons who we call on to review manuscripts and provide their opinion as it relates to those areas which will help to coming to a final decision,” he explained.

Other publications supported by CHASE include The Jamaican Theatre: Highlights of Performing Arts in the Twentieth Century was written by Wycliffe Bennett and Dr. Hazel Bennett, Ancestral Whisperings by Kay Anderson, Sweet Runnings, Jamaica Recipes Galore by Pamella E. Powell and Heart Song: Poems of My Transformation by Blossom O’Meally-Nelson.

Latoya Aquart-Foster, Project Manager, CHASE Fund (right), looks through the book, “One 100+ Voices for Miss Lou” with Prof. Opal Palmer Adisa, the editor of the anthology and Nadine Buckland, Rights and Permissions/Finance Manager, University of the West Indies Press.

CHASE Funds New Building for May Pen Infant School

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07 Jun, 2022

Educators and students at the May Pen Infant School now have access to a comfortable learning environment, after moving out of an old, termite invested building into a new modern facility.

The changeover follows a generous donation by the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund totalling $130 million. The grant covered building and renovation costs for a two-storey building between November 2019 and March 2022.

Principal of the Clarendon based institution, Mrs. Kim-Cay Brown, said in addition to improving students’ attitude towards learning, the school is now better positioned to becoming certified by the Early Childhood Commission (ECC).

With the improved physical environment, the school has met building, health, and safety stipulations for children, as well as provide ample space to facilitate student and staff development.

As a result, the school will now be compliant with standard four of the 12 operating standards specified by the ECC.

“I am feeling overjoyed and elated having received this tremendous support from the CHASE Fund for the reconstructions and renovations. Our students are excited about learning in their new environment, and we are looking towards seeing improvements in the end of term assessments coming in December,” Mrs. Brown disclosed.

By the same token, the early childhood intuition has been furnished with safe and child-friendly indoor and outdoor equipment. These, including infrastructure that enable access to students with disability and promote growth among the 240 pupils enrolled at the school.

Together with boosting a safe environment for children, staff and visitors, the infant school has been set in motion to clear operational standards five and eight.

Along with that, the infant school has been enclosed by a new and sturdy perimeter fence that prevents vandalism and unauthorised access. There are now restrooms for students on every block with wheelchair access and a modernised canteen area, which includes a furnished kitchen, pantry, and lunchroom for students and staff.

Additionally, the school now boasts fully furnished and ventilated classrooms and offices equipped with bathroom facilities for the principal, vice principal, and guidance counsellor.

A records room and waiting area have also constructed, while the administrative building has been relocated to the second floor.

“I am also feeling blessed to be the principal. More persons are calling [about] registration and want their children to attend as early as three years old but [they]will have to wait until the child gets to four years old,” the educator said.

Moreover, the school has become a prized possession in the Church Street, May Pen community.

“We have received positive responses from not only students and parents but also teachers and community members. They love the appearance and layout of the facility. They are in awe each time they step foot onto the compound,” Mrs. Brown said.

“The tranquil experience they receive when they walk along the corridors and enter the green space between the two blocks never grows old. The sight is one to behold and visitors do not want to leave when they come to the facility,” she added.

Mrs. Brown is also thankful that the building now conforms to the National Building Code and Jamaica Fire Brigade specifications. She added that the improvements have stirred an increased sense of pride among the school community and resulted in greater parental support.

For his part, Chief Executive Officer of the CHASE Fund, W. Billy Heaven, said advancing the infant school is a significant step in the efforts to develop rural Jamaica.

Caption: Chief Executive Officer of the Culture, Heath, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund, W. Billy Heaven

The CHASE Fund’s aim is not simply to upgrade existing schools. Through our early childhood programmes, we are hoping to promote improvement in the health, education, and environment of children at the early childhood stage,” he said.

The organisation places emphasis on projects at the critical stages of the early childhood education level.

Projects are focused on building infant schools and resource centres; equipping and upgrading early childhood institutions; [conducting] health screening and providing scholarships for specialist training in Early Childhood Education.

Gym for the JCF Protective Services Division

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03 Jun, 2022

The CHASE Fund awarded $2M towards the establishment of the JCF gym located at the headquarters of the Protective Services Division in Kingston and officially opened on June 3, 2022.  The gym was named in honour of the late Sergeant Marlon Smith, close-protection officer previously assigned to Minister of Finance, Dr Nigel Clarke, who perished in a three-vehicle collision a year ago.  Hilary Coulton, CHASE Public Relations and Administrative Manager, represented the Fund and delivered brief remarks. Also present were Director, Novelette Howell, Project Officer, Nigelee Johnson and Dayton Edwards, Driver/Messenger.

St. Joseph’s Teachers’ College Benefits from Music in Schools Initiative

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01 Jun, 2022

The St. Joseph’s Teachers’ College is singing the praises of the Culture, Health, Arts, Science and Education (CHASE) Fund after becoming one of the most recent beneficiaries of its music in school initiative.

The College received a $2 million grant in the 2021/2022 financial year and Acting Principal, Winsome Francis, says the funds was used to purchase much needed musical instruments including a bass guitar, xylophone, conga drum and more.

Mrs. Francis has expressed appreciation for the support, lauding CHASE for recognising the importance of music education in stimulating learning across different age groups.

She said that the support came at the right time. “These instruments provide an opportunity for more people to get involved with music, not just our students, but also our staff.

“With the Fund’s support we can look into how we can improve on the use of music in teaching and learning as well as in a wider space. As we go forward, we will ensure that…our students and community understand the value of these resources so that they benefit us in the short and long term,” Mrs. Francis added.

She also pointed out that while music is a wonderful teaching resource, it is also a therapeutic resource and “given the period that we have gone through with COVID-19, music has been helping and continues to help.”

Since its inception, the CHASE Fund has been responding favourably to educational facilities that have sought funding to strengthen existing music programmes. The initiative targets students at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels and is aimed at fostering talent and skill development in arts and culture.

Project Manager of the Fund, Latoya Aquart-Foster, said the organization expects St. Josephs College and other beneficiaries to fully utilize the musical instruments and equipment provided. She added that the educational facilities must “invest in their respective music programmes so that more students can benefit from the empowerment that music provides through self-expression.”

The benefits of the Music in Schools programme are two-fold. Students who have successfully completed their studies and become professional educators can impact others, including children at the early childhood level. Music in early childhood schools is also highly beneficial to children because of their need for sensory and auditory stimulation and development.

Mrs. Aquart-Foster stressed that music contributes to brain development and creates pathways in the brain that improve a child’s cognitive functioning at the early childhood level.

She also pointed out that students with an interest in the performing arts, and music in particular, have been able to gain early exposure that gives them an outlet for self-expression, and build their self-esteem and confidence, while sharpening their technical skills.

In the meantime, Music Teacher at the St. Joseph’s Teacher’s College, Horace Mason, calls the grant a really good investment by the CHASE Fund.  “We thank the Chase Fund for this opportunity. Based on my observation, there has always been a lack in relation to support for music programmes in schools. I am excited that this opportunity was given to us to get new instruments to build our programme,” he said.

He is supported by Head of Aesthetics Department and Senior Music Teacher, Clyde Walters, who is thrilled that students can now explore music beyond the recorder and keyboard. Mr. Walters is even more pleased that the assistance has strengthened the college’s one-year music programme which is offered to students studying early childhood and primary education.

Mr. Walters noted that the entire school community is benefiting from the Fund’s input. In addition to improving knowledge, students now have more enhanced extracurricular activities from which to choose.

Worship ceremonies have also been transformed into a more enjoyable and engaging experience for students and staff. And the college is moving closer to establishing a long-desired music band to provide entertainment at internal and external events.

St. Josephs Teachers’ College now joins several other institutions that report positive social impacts coming out of the Music in Schools programme.

chase_admin
07 Apr, 2022

The CHASE Fund provided financial assistance to acquire fixed assets needed in seven children’s homes identified by the Lions Club of New Kingston. The Lions Club through their own fund-raising efforts, will provide the homes on an ongoing basis with replenishable supplies such as food items, school supplies, sanitary products, personal hygiene products, and toiletries.  Homes being supported include the Andrew Parish Church Home for Girls, Muirton Boys Home, Mustard Seed Communities, Transitional Living Facility – Lady Musgrave Road, Strathmore Gardens Children’s Home, Transitional Living Facility – Palmoral Avenue, and the Annie Dawson Home for Children.

Funding provided by CHASE, fits within the mandate of the Fund to provide support toward building, upgrading, restoring and equipping health facilities, children’s homes, palliative and drug rehabilitation centres, AIDS hospices and shelters for the homeless.

Carmen Mullings, Acting Regional Director of Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) and Yonice Roberts-Robinson, Social Worker, CPFSA Transitional Living Programme (left and 2nd left), receive a laptop from Nigelee Johnson, CHASE Fund Project Officer for Health and Elaine Robinson, Lions Club Region 4 Chairperson. Also participating is Levene Griffiths (right), Sustainable Development Committee Chair of the Lions Club of New Kingston.
Carmen Mullings, Acting Regional Director of Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) and Yonice Roberts-Robinson, Social Worker, CPFSA Transitional Living Programme (left and 2nd left), receive a laptop from Nigelee Johnson, CHASE Fund Project Officer for Health and Elaine Robinson, Lions Club Region 4 Chairperson. Also participating is Levene Griffiths (right), Sustainable Development Committee Chair of the Lions Club of New Kingston.

CHASE Receives MOH Recognition for Contribution to COVID-19 Fight.

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17 Jan, 2022

The Ministry of Health and Wellness recognized the contribution of local and overseas partners for their invaluable contribution to the national COVID-19 response.

The CHASE Fund, along with 29 entities from across the public and private sectors, international organisations and governments, were presented with awards at the COVID-19 Donor Partners Recognition Banquet held on July 29 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.

CHASE continued to contribute significantly to the Government’s efforts to manage the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the interventions done by CHASE was the funding of a genome sequencer, valued at $40M, for the National Influenza Centre (NIC). The sequencer, along with its accessories and reagents, were delivered to the NIC over the period October 2021 to January 2022, and, effective January 17, 2022, the country attained the capability of testing for variants of viruses. The machine will continue to be relevant in the post-COVID era, as it allows for sequencing of other viruses, including HIV and Influenza.

 

Public Relations and Administrative Manager, Hilary Coulton, accepts the award on behalf of the CHASE Fund from the Custos of St. Andrew, Ian Forbes.
Public Relations and Administrative Manager, Hilary Coulton, accepts the award on behalf of the CHASE Fund from the Custos of St. Andrew, Ian Forbes.