Friendship, Jamaica · Cincinnati, Ohio
Focused on Michael’s own primary school in Friendship, Jamaica, in partnership with Mrs. Inez Hawthorne, Principal of Mount Waddy Primary School.
“The Foundation will provide assistance with tuition fees and the provision of educational resources to deserving students to enable them to meet their financial obligations throughout their educational pursuit from elementary through college, thus removing financial barriers to achievement.”
“Teachers at the school will also benefit, as the Foundation provides educational resources to include, but are not limited to, books, computers, printers etc. so that teachers can enhance their teaching and the students have a competitive platform from which they are technologically up to date in their quest for knowledge.”
A full school year at Mount Waddy Primary School costs $11,280 across the twenty students eligible for support — $564 for one child. Equipment is bought outright, at these prices:
One student’s school year
A classroom fan — eight needed
A whiteboard
A projector
A printer
A full classroom kit — printer, projector, whiteboard, 8 fans
Each year the Foundation presents a scholarship award to two deserving students. We don’t publish recipients’ names.
Michael A. Folkes
Andrew Grazzel, Student, Mount Waddy Primary School
$564
One fan per classroom — the smallest complete thing you can fund.
“Extending our humanitarian efforts beyond borders and boundaries. It’s never about some of us, it’s about all of us.” — Michael A. Folkes
“The Medical Care Initiative will have a number of phases. The Foundation’s first phase intends linking with the Auditorium Initiative at Mount Waddy Primary School to use the auditorium as the perfect environment for bringing Health Fairs to the school. Initially, medical professionals from the USA will be attending the fairs providing information and health care for the school’s students and the community at large.
However, it is the Foundation’s hope that the Health Fairs will provide a model for local health care professionals to continue in the future and that this will utilize local skills and knowledge, improving provision for students to ensure lack of health is not a barrier to learning and achievement.”
Wellness checks and health education
Eye examinations
Oral care: cleaning, sealants, extractions
Blood pressure and blood sugar screening
Film
The first fair at Mount Waddy, alongside MAF Day in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The second fair. Between them, 95 people seen.
Michael A. Folkes
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fairs — 2016 and 2019
people seen
professions represented
One building that unlocks three of the Foundation’s four initiatives. “The Foundation will build a multi-purpose auditorium at the Mount Waddy Primary School in Friendship, Jamaica.”
“Without a suitable indoor space, students may only enjoy Physical Education when the weather is suitable outdoors. However, the auditorium will provide a fantastic facility suitable for P.E. in all weathers, and is intended to improve the health, fitness and well-being of the school’s young people.”
“An excellent environment in which to have an approved health care facility to meet the wellness needs of the students and local community.”
“To celebrate achievement with parents and to inspire younger students to aim high.”
“A creative space in which to share, demonstrate and celebrate dance, music, theater and art.”
Michael A. Folkes
It began with one farmer feeding his family and selling the surplus to the local college. Two generations later, it is the Foundation’s plan for self-sufficiency.
“As a child Michael Folkes worked on his grandfather’s farm. Melbourne Folkes used the produce to feed his extended family and sold surplus to the local college.
As farming is clearly important in Friendship, and in remembrance of his grandfather, Michael wishes to continue and develop this tradition with the Foundation’s Sustenance Farming Initiative.”
“Involving local people and students this initiative will be a community-wide project initially providing produce to local colleges, hotels and restaurants in Phase One.”
“With the Foundation’s support it is intended that with greater scale, equipment and organization the Farming Initiative will extend to international exports.”
“The proceeds from this program will fund the Foundation’s educational and humanitarian long-term efforts, thereby creating self-sustainability instead of relying solely on financial donations.”
Michael A. Folkes
