On Friday, September 28th, a grand opening of the brand-new Computer Lab at the Oracabessa Primary School was held with much excitement. The Computer Lab was donated by Issa Trust Foundation and the Oracabessa Foundation in collaboration with the N.C.B. Foundation and the Ministry of Education. The fully air-conditioned room has 18 computers with new desks, chairs and a projector. In addition, the badly needed girls’ and boys’ restrooms were also remodeled. In total, the cost of the project was US$45,796.

St Ann's Bay Hospital Pediatric Ward Grand Opening – The Making of For The Children Jamaica from Issa Trust Foundation on Vimeo.

June 2017, Ambassadors, Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock, Air Supply, performed a benefit concert at Couples Sans Souci Resort from which $160,000 was raised. This money was integrated in a whopping $267,000 improvement project for the ward, which was officially opened on March 22, 2018, by Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton.

Extensive work was done on the ward and included the provision of new beds, cots, vital-sign monitors, piped medical gases, furniture for staff, patients and visitors, replacement of all windows, new curtain tracks and curtains, a central air-conditioning system, split air-conditioning units, fans, television sets, ventilators, and other critical infrastructural improvements, including the critical care nursery.

“I believe that how we care for each other reflects who we are as a nation; and how we care for children reflects the kind of future we’re going to have,” ITF Chairman Paul Issa shared. Wife of the Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Juliet Holness, says every Jamaican deserves good healthcare and should have access to first-rate health facilities.

Speaking at the opening of the renovated Pediatric Ward at the St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital in St. Ann on Marc Mrs. Holness said it is against that background that it is so commendable that the North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA) and the Issa Trust Foundation have joined together “to produce a world-class facility” for children.

“This phenomenal team has put together a world-class facility to ease the pain of children. You don’t find this kind of effort happening every day, which reinforces even more the need to appreciate this kind of love that has been meted out to our children and their parents,” she said.

Photos

Press Links

• http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/your-health-your-wealth/st-ann-8217-s-bay-hospital-8217-s-new-look-paediatric-ward_131156?profile=1213
• http://hospitalityjamaica.com/mark1.html
• http://jamaica-star.com/article/entertainment/20180327/funds-air-supply-concert-well-spent-refurbished-paediatric-ward-opens
• http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Govt_grateful_for_support_to_health_sector_Tufton?profile=1373
• http://jis.gov.jm/pms-wife-says-every-jamaican-deserves-good-healthcare/
• http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/article/20180318/ARTICLE/180319690

Air Supply toured the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital in 2015 and spoke with the children there, and saw firsthand the lack of basic facilities, which clinched their involvement. We’ve put information about the foundation on our website and social media; children are our future and they need to be taken care of,” acknowledged Russell. “We travel the world and see some heartbreaking things, people living under freeways, homeless children living on the streets. You can’t change everything, but you can change some things. This was an opportunity to raise money and for us it is all about helping where we can,” offers Graham.

MORE than 1,200 children in St Mary recently received free eye examinations through a partnership between the Issa Trust Foundation, the non-profit arm of Couples Resorts, and Lions of Michigan.
Taken from the Jamaican Observer November 28, 2017

In fact, over the three days of the Vision Clinics, 178 pairs of glasses were dispensed.

The clinics were held at Retreat Primary and Junior High School and the Oracabessa Primary School. Over the three days, comprehensive eye exams to test the health of each child’s eyes and whether they needed glasses to improve their vision were provided free of cost.

A total of 1,259 children received eye examinations.

According to the foundation, the mission team consisted of optometrists, a medical doctor, a licensed optician, and five volunteer technicians who assisted in eye examinations and in fitting the glasses.

“All the glasses provided were previously used glasses that had been collected, sorted, cleaned, measured and shipped from the United States to Jamaica,” the foundation said yesterday. “Lions uses a computer program to search for the best glasses that they have in their supply, closest to the child’s prescription needs.”

A clinic was held at Couples Sans Souci for the adult staff of that hotel and Couples Tower Isle, where 252 employees were seen and 177 received glasses, the foundation said.

Lions Clubs International, is said to be the largest service organisation in the world, with 1.4 million members from 210 countries.

A successful Vision Mission at Retreat Primary and Junior High, Oracabessa Primary School and Couples Resorts. An outstanding and compassionate team from Michigan Lions, Ambassadors, I Believe Initiative, Her Excellency Lady Allen, and volunteers impacted many lives the week of November 6th. In 4 days the team provided 1,511 eye exams, and dispensed 259 glasses at no cost. We were thankful for the partnerships to help the children succeed and do their very best.

The mission team consists of Optometrists, a Medical Doctor, a licensed Optician and five volunteer technicians that assist in examining the child’s eyes and in fitting the glasses.

The eye exams test the health of the child’s eyes and whether they need glasses to improve their vision.

All the glasses provided are previously used glasses that have been collected, sorted, cleaned, measured and shipped from the United States to Jamaica. Lions uses a computer program to search for the best glasses that they have in their supply, closest to the child’s prescription needs.

Lions Clubs International, is the largest service organization in the world with 1.4 million men and women members from 210 countries. There are hundreds more Lions members in Michigan, working weekly on collecting used glasses, sorting, cleaning, measuring, and entering them in a computer database and packaging for shipping. All the workers are volunteers and the glasses are provided free of charge.

We thank the schools for allowing their child to be a part of our Lions Clubs International/Issa Trust Foundation vision care mission.

Dr. Gary Anderson, Lions Club International – Past International Director
Diane Pollard, President & CEO Issa Trust Foundation

A story by Jessica Dinh, Nurse, who shares her story while volunteering in Jamaica.

According to google the definition of life changing is…

"having an effect that is strong enough to change someone’s life: a life-changing decision/moment. Having a powerful effect."

It’s feels like such an understatement and a cliche to say these past 10 days have been life changing. But it is the literal truth. Anhtuan and I were blessed to join the Issa Trust Foundation for it’s 2017 Pediatric Medical Mission Trip in Jamaica. Thanks to Diane Pollard and Kerri Cook for making this possible.

I wish I could articulate the hundred of moments that i got to be apart of. The group of 42 people that were there we’re such amazing, compassionate individuals and I can’t imagine doing this with anyone else. As I decompress and fully look back at everything we did I know more things will come to me. For now I wanted to share one moment in particular.

 

Our 2nd clinic location we had a 18 year old girl come in. It was obvious that she was extremely ill and the amazing assessment skills of Laci Swanson and Elizabeth Mitchell Foden recognized this immediately and got her seen very quickly. She was in the end stages of a terminal illness. She only weighed about 75lbs and could barely eat or drink anything because it hurt too bad. To add to everything else she also had pneumonia. 

 

We were able to give her antibiotics and a fluid bolus to help with her extreme dehydration……. and then she was on her way home. I had an extremely hard time this day. I was blessed to get to help comfort her during her IV start and throughout her treatment. Those who know me as a nurse know that I do not shy away from these type of situations. I tend to gravitate towards difficult and hard patients and try to make their experience better in some way. This was no exception, but the feeling I had after was something I’ve never experienced in my professional career. It was a toxic combination of sadness, failure, hopelessness, sorrow and guilt.

 

I watched her leave knowing she would likely die within a few weeks if not sooner. That her death would be painful and horrible. That the severe lack of access to medical care ensured the world would be deprived of the amazing things this girl has to offer. I am not saying in america that we could have changed the end. Maybe so, or at least prolonged it. Enough to let her actually live a full life. Or to simply be comfortable.

 

After a few minutes of feeling sorry for myself I came to a surprising realization. After her fluid bolus she did look "better". We were able to give her a sandwich and fresh fruit (although she wasn’t able to eat much). The antibiotics should begin working and hopefully decrease the amount of pain she is in. I do know she left better than when she came in. And although medically we could not save her. I do pray that she left feeling that people cared about her. That she was important and loved. That she mattered. I sent my small fan I brought with me that hangs around my neck with her. It was a cheap $4 Wal-Mart purchase. But I hope that if all I could give her was a little more comfortable death and the feeling of love, compassion, kindness and respect…..I’m not sure we can ask for much more than that…

 

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa

Chairman of the Issa Trust Foundation Paul Issa is pleased with the support received for Saturday’s For the Children charity concert. Held at Couples San Souci Resorts, St Ann, it pulled a huge crowd and allowed the foundation to meet its target of $160,000!
Taken from the Jamaica Gleaner Jun 26, 2017

Chairman of the ISSA Trust Foundation Paul Issa is pleased with the support received for Saturday’s For the Children charity concert. Held at Couples San Souci Resorts, St Ann, it pulled a huge crowd and allowed the foundation to meet its target of $15 million.

Speaking with The Gleaner at the event, Issa said that the foundation may have not only met the target, but exceeded it, He extended his gratitude to those who came out and supported the initiative.

Issa told The Gleaner that funds raised from the concert would go a long way in helping to improve conditions at the St Ann’s Bay Hospital. “I think it went very well. The turnout was great. We sold out completely. This project was specifically for the paediatric ward at the St Ann’s Bay Hospital. I think this is a good start, and we’re on our way. We have been working very closely with the hospital. We did a lot of work in their neo-natal intensive care unit, and now we’re focusing on the whole paediatric ward,” Issa said.

Having booked Air Supply for this year’s event and executing a world-class show, Issa says that he is already thinking of ways to top this year’s event. “I don’t know who we’ll choose, but we chose Tessanne and Air Supply this year, and it was a great show,” Issa said.

Issa Trust Foundation, Goodwill Ambassadors, Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock traveled to Jamaica and immersed themselves into the culture and spent time touring Annotto Bay Hospital, St. Ann’s Bay Hospital and Free Hill Primary and Infant School in St. Mary Jamaica. We know the power of music can be healing and impact a person’s life. To have award-winning artists bring awareness and partner with the Issa Trust Foundation’s sustainable and measurable programs is heartwarming and lifesaving. The healing power of music enriches our lives, and Air Supply has been providing the world with “The Power of Health & Love” for 40 years!

We are thrilled to come back to Jamaica in support of the Pediatric Ward of St. Ann’s Bay Hospital and the wonderful work they do and of course also to perform again for our loyal fans. – Russell Hitchcock

To be performing a show for the St. Anne’s Pediatric Ward is a great thrill for Air Supply, one of the highlights of our long career. We are hoping that people will respond to this great cause and donate as much as they can to give much needed assistance to these beautiful children! – Graham Russell

The Trust Foundation Pediatric Education Seminar will provide Midwives and Nurses with general information regarding the care of neonates.

May 1^st & 2^nd at Couples Swept Away Resort Conference Room

May 4^th & 5^th at Couples Sans Souci Conference Room

Times: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Lunch and Refreshments Provided

Cost: US $10.00 at the door. Please bring exact change

Seminar Description: Who should enroll: This seminar will provide midwives and nurses with general information regarding pediatric and neonatal care. The educational program will be geared toward “take home” messages that can be instituted in to medical practice. In addition to didactic lectures, interactive sessions, team-based learning objectives and newborn resuscitation skill sessions and simulation will be incorporated into the seminar. 

Instructors:

• Kerri Cook RN, Pediatric Critical Care Nurse, Blank Children’s Hospital, Des Moines, Iowa, Issa Trust Foundation Advisory Board Member

• Elizabeth Landry RN, Pediatric Critical Care Nurse, Pediatric Transport Team Life Flight, Blank Children’s Hospital Des Moines, Iowa
• Chris Eckardt RN, Neonatal Critical Care Nurse, Blank Children’s Hospital, Des Moines, Iowa

Questions? Email diane.pollard@issatrustfoundation.com or call 876-503-5903 or 515-480-1683

Schedule

Monday May 1, 2017

9:00a – 9:15a	Introduction, Overview of Program, Distribute materials, pretest
9:15 a – 10:00a	Infection control/team building with your co workers
10:00a – 11:00a	Fluid balance and IV management
11:00a – 12:00p	Medication calculation
12:00p – 1:00p	Lunch
1:00p – 2:00p	NRP review
2:00p – 3:00p	Hands on
Review of neonatal resuscitation, hands on with simulation – bag/mask ventilation, (will limit participant number each day)

  Tuesday, May 2, 2017

9:00a –10:00a	Respiratory and ventilator review
10:00a – 11:00a	Care of infant during prolonged delivery/delayed cord clamping
11:00a – 12:00p	Developmental and kangaroo care/bereavement
12:00p – 1:00p	Lunch
1:00p – 2:00p	hands on
2:00p – 3:00p	post test, further questions evaluations
Review of neonatal resuscitation, hands on with simulation – bag/mask, (will limit participant number each day)

May 4^th

9:00a – 9:15a	Introduction, Overview of Program, Distribute materials, pretest
9:15 a – 10:00a	Infection control/team building with your co workers
10:00a – 11:00a	Fluid balance and IV management
11:00a – 12:00p	Medication calculation
12:00p – 1:00p	Lunch
1:00p – 2:00p	NRP review
2:00p – 3:00p	Hands on
Review of neonatal resuscitation, hands on with simulation – bag/mask ventilation, (will limit participant number each day)

  May 5^th

9:00a –10:00a	Respiratory and ventilator review
10:00a – 11:00a	Care of infant during prolonged delivery/delayed cord clamping
11:00a – 12:00p	Developmental and kangaroo care/bereavement
12:00p – 1:00p	Lunch
1:00p – 2:00p	hands on
2:00p – 3:00p	post test, further questions evaluations
Review of neonatal resuscitation, hands on with simulation – bag/mask, (will limit participant number each day)

To Register, email the following information to Ms. Roxanne Henlon:
E-mail: roxanne.henlon@nerha.gov.jm

Name
Telephone Number
Email address
Place of work
Position
Dates Attending : May 1st and 2nd @ Couples Swept Away or May 3rd and 4th at Couples Sans Souci