PALAS checks health of scores of east Kingston adults and children
Published:Sunday | August 26, 2018 | 12:00 AMJason Cross/Gleaner Writer
Scores of adults and children from east Kingston on Sunday received free health checks and back-to-school goodies, made available by United States-based non-profit organisation Peace and Love Academic Scholarship (PALAS).
The health fair and back-to-school giveaway, which took place at the Mount Zion Baptist Church, located off Mountain View Avenue, catered to several persons checking for non-communicable diseases.
Pastor of the church, Reverend Rondel Grant, told The Gleaner yesterday that persons came in and made good use of the services.
"They responded very well. Persons I have not seen in many years have come, joining in as one. [Even though the gangsters stay away] you find that other persons, like their sons and daughters, will turn up," Grant said. "This is the first time something like this is being held at this church. It is a blessing because children receive packages and other gifts. You find also that mothers receive Pampers (diapers) and other goodies."
The Mountain View community, where the fair was taking place, also happens to be where successful attorney and PALAS Chairman Patrick Campbell started out in life before moving to the United States at age 14.
SERVICES OFFERED
Medical doctor and PALAS volunteer Nicole Nation said: "The main things done were blood and sugar checks, urine checks, approved medicals and physical examinations."
Added the four-time PALAS scholarship recipient: "We saw a lot of women. I wish the men would come out more."
The PALAS programme was established in December 2010 after the murder of young reggae artiste Vanessa Campbell in Portmore, St Catherine.
An initial scholarship pro-gramme was created as the SSSJamz/Vanessa Campbell Academic Scholarship to assist high-school students from her alma mater, Bridgeport High School.
Subsequent appeals by PALAS founder Ruel 'Rula' Brown to listeners of his Internet radio shows 'Sultry Sunday Slow Jamz (SSJamz)' and 'Peace and Love Vibration Show' produced a significant response, and it was subsequently decided to extend the scholarship programme to high-school and university students currently residing in the Caribbean.
Over the past eight years, PALAS has awarded close to 700 scholarships valued at more than J$40 million.
See PALAS Chairman Patrick Campbell's inspirational story HERE
HOW TO DONATE
- You can donate any amount, anytime at www.PALAS1.org.
- You may also mail a check payable to Peace and Love Academic Scholarship or PALAS. Send to:
PALAS
PO Box 5461
Alpharetta, Ga 30023-5461
USA.
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Opens May 1 to June 10 each year
Requirements:
- One essay of 300-500 words emphasising the reasons you should receive a PALAS Scholarship.
- Maintain at least a 'B' average.
- Be actively involved in their community.