Reading Time: 4 minutes

The Canadian Women’s Club (CWC) of Jamaica is a group of approximately 30 members who believe in teaching a village to fish so that rewards can be reaped for a lifetime rather than for a day.

Interestingly it was founded as a men’s club in the 1930s. 

It is a non-profit organisation comprised of Canadian women living in Jamaica who acquaint themselves with the culture of their new home through volunteerism. The group also has non-Canadian members who are endeared to the CWC through the work that it does and what it represents.

Since its inception, over 60 years ago, the CWC has raised money to underwrite several projects that include, but are not limited to, purchasing supplies for schools, golden age homes, orphanages and hospitals, that are in dire need.

The CWC also assists like-minded groups with their goals, especially if they relate to education, improving the lives of families, children and the elderly.

To fund its Outreach the CWC hosts a few major fundraisers each year – a Harvest Fair in October (fall), a Fashion Show in May (Spring), and also to mark International Women’s Day, in March, we have introduced a new dynamic fund raiser, a Wine-Food Pairing Event, which received overwhelming support and ultimately will be added to our Calendar of Events.

20 PROJECTS IN ONE YEAR: THE CANADIAN WOMEN’S CLUB OF JAMAICA

During the organisation’s fiscal year, which ends in June, the CWC has supported several initiatives across the island. Here’s a snapshot of what this small, yet influential club has achieved in a short space of time.

St John’s Ambulance – A total donation of J$330,000, was made to St John’s Ambulance to assist the organisation in extending its outreach programme in schools.

Care Packages – Fifty-two care packages comprising of personal hygiene items, were distributed to women in need through Woman Inc. and Mary’s Child.

Ebeneezer Infant School – School furniture (a table and 18 chairs), educational toys, and books were donated to this school, additionally the CWC assisted with their Christmas party, ensuring that each of the 40 students had a gift and their teachers a token of appreciation.

Papine High School – A donation of a food processor, blender, toaster oven and two indoor grills was donated to the hospitality department. The technical department received woodworking tools consisting of a jigsaw, a palm sander, an angle grinder, and a drill with extra bits.

Woman Inc – A security device was donated to this organisation for access control purposes.

King Weston Primary and Infant School – The school’s computer room was rewired, and several non-working computers were repaired. Also, a wireless printer, paper and ink was donated.

Special Olympics – A donation of custom-made yellow football socks for the team to wear while at the Special Olympics Summer games in Dubai.

Clan Carty High School – The school’s cosmetology department was gifted a drier chair, a shampoo chair, and a pedicure bath.Hope HospiceBaskets containing toiletries were given to the residents during Christmastime.

Mary’s Child – The CWC events coordinator visits the home twice a week to continue the personal development programme for the girls.

University Hospital of the West Indies – Accident and Emergency Dept. was presented with outdoor benches for visitor seating.

Boy Scouts of Jamaica – The Boy Scouts in Gordon Town embarked on a clean-up campaign of the environs near Gordon Town, and the CWC donated paint/ paint brushes to help with this project.

St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church – Donated 20 gallons of paint to the church located in Chapelton, Clarendon.

Abilities Foundation – Donated and installed a gas stove with an oven so that the organisation will begin a breakfast and lunch programme for the impoverished.

St John Bosco Home for Boys – Four dozen pairs of navy blue work socks were given to the boys at the home.

Nurses’ Association of Jamaica (NAJ) – A donation of paint to assist with a facelift of their retirement facility.

St Patrick’s Foundation – Students from Holy Cross Mission in Ottawa who were on the island building a house for the homeless and as a result the CWC hosted the group for a fun evening.

The Verley Home for Retired Gentlewomen – Hosted a Valentine’s Day bingo even and coffee morning, we try to do this once a year.

Open Arms Development Centre – A microwave was donated to the centre that provides temporary shelter, food and clothing to the homeless.

Children’s Book Collection – Delivered books to the Grove Primary School in Gordon Town and to selected schools designated by members of the Violence Prevention Alliance to assist in their programmes to develop literacy skills.