(L-R) Alethia Carpenter-Peart, Manager of Jamaica National Building Societys (JNBS) Junction and Santa Cruz Branches; Nerissa Bell and Roy Powell, representatives of JNs Member Advisory Council - Junction Branch; and Kevin Powell and Bernard Otis Sutherland of the Frenchman's Beach Fisher Folks Association discuss the new safety procedures at Frenchmans Beach in St. Elizabeth on May 3. The JN Member Advisory Council, which is comprised of JN members and employees supported the safety, health and environment project with funding from the JNBS Foundation.
Frenchman’s Beach is a popular Jamaican destination, located along the island’s south coast in the breadbasket parish of St. Elizabeth. For quite sometime, the beach lacked lifeguard stands, which are important for overseeing and ensuring visitors’ safety. Additionally, proper garbage disposal proved problematic due to the absence of dust bins. However, last Thursday (May 3) the beach received much-needed jumbo garbage bins, life guard stations and life guard rings, acquired with funding from the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation. It is expected that these items will reduce the number of incidents and maintain a healthy environment at Frenchman’s Beach.
Bernard Otis Sutherland, President of the Frenchman’s Beach Fisher Folks Committee said, “unfortunately persons do get into difficulties” even with the ‘strong current’ warning signs dotted along the beach”.
Upon realising this, the Fisher Folks applied to the Foundation for assistance. The project was evaluated and selected for support by the members of the Junction Branch’s Members Advisory Council (MAC), which is comprised of JN Members and employees. The Member Advisory Councils were established in all 25 JNBS branches and eight JN Money Shops across the island to support local community development projects, with funding from the JNBS Foundation.
“This is the kind of project that our MAC likes to support as it impacts the community in a positive way,” Mrs. Alethia Carpenter-Peart Branch Manager opined, adding that it will ensure the beach is kept clean as well as save lives!
At the hand over ceremony, Fisher Folks Ted, Kevin and Clifton Parchment explained that the life guard stations will give a birds eye view and allow them to see everybody in the sea. “The undercurrent can be very strong and on holidays when the beach is crowded you find that some persons get out of their depth,” stated Mr. Allan Daley, tour guide, who describes himself as a long-time fisherman who has been “cutting fish” on the beach since the age of ten. To him, “the beach is cleaner and you feel already safer just knowing that something is being done to equip the life guards.”
Alethia Carpenter-Peart (right) Manager of Jamaica National Building Societys (JNBS) Junction and Santa Cruz Branches congratulates Bernard Otis Sutherland, President Frenchman's Beach Fisher Folks Association for the completion of the project to increase safety and promote an environmentally friendly atmosphere at Frenchmans Beach in St. Elizabeth on May 3. The JNBS Foundation provided funding support for the project, which was selected by JNs Member Advisory Council Junction Branch. The Councils, established in all JNBS branches and JN Money Shops across the island, allow JN members and employees to support projects of their choice within the communities in which they live and work.