Charity begins at home

(CNS): Representatives of Cayman’s financial services industry demonstrated their support for local children this week by donating $13,608 to buy essential medical equipment most notably a Bili-Bassinet worth eight thousand dollars that uses phototherapy to treat infants for jaundice. The donation was accompanied by huge bags of toys gathered together by employees of the corporate entities involved for the benefit of the Paediatric Ward at George Town Hospital. The donations form part of an initiative begun by Smile Africa, a Cayman based project launched to raise funds for Facing Africa. Left: Gillian Barlow, Jane Wareham and Camerin Porter (3)

Jane Wareham coordinates donations for Facing Africa, a UK charity dedicated to helping children in Africa who suffer from a devastating flesh eating disease called Noma. She said, “This is the first of what will be many significant events organized by Stuarts Attorneys, Krys & Associates, dms Management Ltd., RBC Wealth Management and Tower Marketing over the coming months. It is a great example of the way in which local organizations can show the importance of corporate social responsibility. Our fund raising is producing tangible results.”

Wareham added, “I would like to express enormous gratitude to all the companies that continue to give their time and money in what are difficult economic circumstances. Now is the time to show the public that the corporate financial services industry in the Cayman Islands adheres to an ethical standard that supports the concept of social contribution with particular emphasis on the improvement of health care for children both locally and in other places of extreme need”.

Lizette Yearwood, Chief Executive Officer of the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority, said, “We are so thankful for the thoughtfulness and support of the Facing Africa team who gave of their time and effort in raising the funds to improve the quality of care for our paediatric patients.” She continued, “This donation reflects the level of commitment and concern within our community about health issues that affect the lives of residents and visitors to our islands, especially our little ones. The generosity of the Facing Africa team will make a life changing difference in the care of newborns with jaundice.”

Smile Africa’s efforts continue in earnest with a high profile fundraising marathon that will take place in February 2010 in Cayman. Corporate groups are encouraged to enter and sponsor teams of five, each of whom will cover a distance of 10k. The marathon has already attracted interest from local organizations. Kenneth Krys, Smile Africa supporter and Managing Director of Cayman-based corporate recovery and Insolvency firm, Krys & Associates, will be drawing on his recent experience of completing the grueling Marathon Des Sables, a 6 day, 151 mile endurance race across the Sahara desert in aid of Facing Africa, to help organize the marathon.
Additional fundraising events are planned that will incorporate a financial forum introducing international speakers and the continued promotion of the financial services industry. This begins on the 14 January 2010 with the 2010 International Funds Conference, to be hosted by local law firm, Stuarts Attorneys in affiliation with Krys & Associates.

Earlier this year, seven year old Tiggi Kohl, raised over two thousand dollars for Smile Africa through a fundraising effort at her school, Cayman Prep School, by garnering support from her fellow students, encouraging them to donate their toys that Gillian Barlow, Nurse Manager for the Paediatric Ward was thrilled to receive. Ms. Barlow commented, “It is vitally important to us that we create a warm and child-friendly environment for our young patients. We rely heavily on donations to provide toys for our children so we are very grateful to everyone involved with Smile Africa for making this great contribution to us.”

Smile Africa is actively seeking corporate support and welcomes enquiries from local organizations about how they can help or take part in upcoming events such as the marathon. Enquiries can be directed to Jane Wareham at janewareham@candw.ky

About Facing Africa:

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 100,000 children, aged between one and seven years of age are affected each year by Noma, a gangrenous disease found in Sub-Saharan countries from Senegal to Ethiopia, a region now dubbed “the Noma belt”. The WHO currently estimates that ninety percent of Noma sufferers will be left to die as a result of the disease. These children are outcasts in their own communities, unable to smile, talk, or eat. The lucky ones will receive care and will survive with severe scarring thanks to the efforts of experienced medical teams.

Facing Africa sends four surgical teams from Europe to Africa every year, at a cost of $100,000 per trip. The dedicated efforts of fundraisers have allowed the charity to carry out more than 1,000 facial reconstructions since its inception in 1997. The donations of cash, clothes and toys raised have saved lives. Please continue to give to this vital cause.

For more information about Noma and Facing Africa visit www.facingafrica.org.