Ambassador Marks addressed members of BMA
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Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks, has lauded the contribution of the diaspora to the country’s development, particularly in the critical areas of health and education.
She said that up to July this year, there have been more than 133 diaspora-led health missions to the island, which have contributed US$6.7 million to the public health sector.
“In 2016, the diaspora organised 192 charitable missions and contributed US$8 million to Jamaica,” she noted.
She said that remittances, which account for more than 15 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), go a far way in helping to cover medical and educational expenses for thousands of families in Jamaica.
Ambassador Marks was addressing members of the Benevolent Missions of Atlanta (BMA) at a special breakfast in celebration of Jamaica’s 55th year of Independence held on August 13 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.
She urged the members of the BMA to “continue supporting these various outreach efforts, as your contributions are truly making a difference”.
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PM’S WIFE LAUDS JAMAICAN DIASPORA FOR CONTRIBUTION TO JAMAI
South Florida Caribbean NewsAugust 23, 20161 103 1 minute read
By: Derrick Scott
ATLANTA – Mrs Juliet Holness, wife of Jamaica’s Prime Minister, the Hon Andrew Holness has lauded members of the Jamaican Diaspora for continuing to provide valuable support and assistance to the process of nation building in Jamaica.
“Contributions from philanthropic organizations in the Diaspora have certainly aided Jamaica to make steady social and economic advancement over the years, and I want to especially applaud the over thirty Jamaican organizations in Atlanta for your contributions to health, education, remittances, and other areas that have not gone unnoticed.’
Addressing a special breakfast given in her honour by the Benevolent Missions of Atlanta(BMA) during her recent visit to Atlanta, Mrs. Holness said “you have left the shores of Jamaica but you have not forgotten where you are from”.
She further pointed out that she was gratified to note the importance members of the Diaspora placed on education and helping children to become educated because once you are educated the sky is the limit; you can be anything in the world you want to be, so it warms my heart when I see the effort you put in to ensuring that our young Jamaicans get proper education.
