Int’l donors encouraged by Pencils4Kids’ nation building in Jamaica

Soho, New York:

International donors, some who have never stepped foot in Jamaica, pump millions of dollars collectively into a United States (US)-based charity, Pencils4Kids, whose mission is to instil nation building, which they have harnessed through one of the most vulnerable areas locally, a deep-rural community.

Pencils4Kids has adopted Quickstep in St Elizabeth, where it has spent more than $200 million over the last eight years to foster development through education, infrastructure, social stability, farming, and sports.

None of that development would be possible without the involvement of foreigners who are sold on the drive and dedication of Pencils4Kids founder Randy Griffiths.

Griffiths was born and raised in Quickstep and migrated to the US, where he plies his trade as a highly sought after fitness trainer.

The Pencils4Kids third annual fundraiser, to offset expenses and projects for its yearly mission to Jamaica, was held last Thursday at The Hornet in Soho, New York.

Sid Gupta, a financier and Indian-American, told The Gleaner that he is drawn to the charity because of the similarities between his Indian roots and Jamaican culture.

“So my parents are from India. When my mom passed away, we decided to donate to a women’s school in remote India. We took a journey to Western India, on the border of Pakistan, and we spent a night at this all-women school, and we donated a classroom in my mom’s name. To see the kids and how important it was to them that we there, was very special, so I kind of connect that to what Randy is doing in Jamaica,” Gupta said.

SMALL AMOUNT, BIG DUFFERENCE

He told The Gleaner that he understands that a small amount can make a big difference in the lives of less fortunate children.

“The difference between being in trouble and trying to build a career is very slim. I feel like what Randy and everyone here is doing is the same thing – just a small amount of help can make a big difference,” Gupta said, adding that his father, who was a scientist, had a small group of people who impacted his career.

Amanda Silverman, CEO of The Lede Company in the US, said she has been donating to Pencils4Kids since its inception.

Silverman told The Gleaner that what Pencils4Kids has done and continues to do for the children and community of Quickstep is truly amazing.

“I think that Randy approaches it from such an authentic place, and you really see the results, and every penny he raises goes right back into the school (Quickstep Primary and Basic School), and the community and I think that is amazing,” Silverman said.

She said that over the 10-plus years she has been donating to the cause, she has seen where her money is spent and would recommend that others join in.

“Definitely, 100 per cent ... . I’m proud of everything that Randy has done. I think that he literally rebuilt a community,” Silverman, who was a co-host at the fundraiser, told The Gleaner.

Micheal Feder, CEO of the Hornet and the fundraiser’s other co-host, reiterated Silverman’s position for giving to a charity that is keen on the development of the rural community.

“It really ultimately comes down to Randy. I’m inspired by Randy and all that he does, what he created, and the life that he lives. My connection to him is very far away from Quickstep, but the character of the man, Randy, and seeing the work that he has done, just inspires me to say, simply, ‘What can I do to help?’” Feder told The Gleaner.

Feder said his connection and friendship to Randy, seeing how Pencils4Kids is devoted to what they do for nation building in Jamaica, keeps him going as a businessman.

“Just to simply watch what he does every given year in his own sort of soft and subtle way just, ultimately, really makes you physically see change in Quickstep and see the progress,” Feder said, adding that he visited the community last year to see the projects firsthand.

Pencils4Kids opened a playground, which was named after The Lede Company.

Feder said that in the sea of other charitable organisations in which he has participated or to which he has contributed Pencils4Kids seems homegrown.

“Where you truly see your dollars making physical and mental changes in the kids is very inspirational to me,” said Feder.

Businessman Joe Primiano, owner of the luxurious Springville Villa, located on the border of Hanover and St James in Jamaica, said Pencils4Kids has brought life to a place where there was no life.

“I’m talking, literally, no one even saw them,” Primiano said of the remote district.

He told The Gleaner that he himself has not been donating to Pencils4Kids long enough.

“He (Griffiths) started with pencils. I got involved when he started awarding students scholarships. What he has done has inspired me to do more. The truth is, usually you don’t get to see any progress. You give money to something, and you don’t know what’s gonna happen. But now you got him (Griffiths), and he is actually making it happen. Hands on, the guy puts his hands in the dirt. How much better is that?” Primiano said.

Primiano told The Gleaner that children in Jamaica, especially in rural towns, do not feel that there is a way for them to grow.

“Or actually to become successful, so they focus on scamming. Scamming is a major issue. If you teach them that they can actually become very successful, and if you do it slow and steady, it’s a whole different level of success. The other one (scamming) is not sustainable, and I think that’s what’s missing in Jamaica,” said Primiano of the void being filled by Pencils4Kids.

This year, the goal of Pencils4Kids is to start and finish phase two of a sports complex in Quickstep, which will be equipped with a football field and a running track.

andre.williams@gleanerjm.com

If you are interested in helping Pencils4Kids, visit www.pencils4kids.org.