Saluting Maurice Facey, the social engineer
Published:Friday | April 12, 2013 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I wish today to turn another page in the recollections of the work of the late Honourable Maurice Facey, who left the indelible imprint of a man committed to changing both the physical and social landscape around him.
Mr Facey might be better known for his work within the business community, but in several of our underserved communities, he was a true architect of change.
Performing duties as the first chairman of the development planning committee at the Planning Institute of Jamaica, out of which the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) emerged, he was responsible for overseeing the design of the programme.
More than 16 years later, JSIF has completed billions of dollars in projects for underserved communities across the length and breadth of Jamaica.
In a personal capacity, Mr Facey was also known for suggesting projects intended to level the playing field in education and was a major sponsor for two such projects under the JSIF.
He wanted to ensure that boys and girls in disadvantaged communities received opportunities which were more accessible to those in the island's wealthier enclaves. In this venture, he partnered with the JSIF in projects as far-flung as Union, St Ann, and Boys' Town, St Andrew. In St Ann, Mr Facey partnered with the JSIF to develop a modern basic school for the children of the Union community.
In the projects which he at first verbally suggested and then backed with time and money - this businessman demonstrated that he believed in education and tried several approaches to secure this for the underserved.
Later came a more formal approach to social engineering and intervention through the Cecil Boswell Facey Foundation (CBF). One of the main projects of CBF - named after Maurice's father - was a modernised basic school for the small children of Boys' Town. In the area of education, the foundation also concluded work on the Lalyce Grey Basic School, Union Basic School, the Wortley Home and the island's two largest universities - the University of the West Indies and the University of Technology.
Today, it continues to support the operations of the Boys' Town Basic School - which has been renamed the Cecil Boswell Facey Basic in honour of his father - assisting with staff costs, a breakfast programme, and the provision of school supplies.
In Boys' Town, I recall that Mr Facey said he wanted the school to mould upright citizens. He himself was an upright man who has managed to convince many colleagues in the workplace and his children alike that giving back must become not an option, but a necessary part of doing business in Jamaica.
We at JSIF, recalling his interest in social development, wish to salute the man and recommend to all a template for social responsibility. His commitment was legendary, his dedication true.
SCARLETTE GILLINGS
Managing Director, JSIF