Page 60 - JSIF Magazine Approved-v2-web4

Despite a shortage of funds in 2001, the Jamaica Social Over 600 farmers and vendors in the South Manchester
Investment Fund invested $1 billion in local infrastructure community of Resource, also benefitted from a $10.4
and communities across the island with assistance from the million JSIF funded project which saw the rehabilitation and
European Union. JSIF disbursed $352 million, while approving construction of some 3.5 kilometres of feeder roads.
a total 96 projects in 2001.
$250 million was dedicated to improving the lives of those in
At the beginning of 2001, the Fund recorded a total of 120 inner-city communities and further assistance was given to
projects that were completed since its inception in 1996. the development of infrastructure across the island. The grant
These included: the building and rehabilitation of roads, was provided by the European Union (EU) to assist in improving
schools, water systems and health facilities, day care and skills conditions in the poor communities in Jamaica.
training centres. JSIF has invested in 19 community projects
in St. Elizabeth, three of which are road projects in the districts
of Gillard, Round Hill, and Beach in St. Elizabeth. The projects
involved the upgrading of the feeder roads to improve access
to farms and markets for the residents who are farmers in the
area.

2001

2002

JSIF continued its work across the island with the In 2002, JSIF disbursed funds that were used to undertake 171
introduction of summer camps for children in inner-city social and economic infrastructure projects, and strengthen
communities. JSIF provided the children in these communities social services projects.
with the choice of being involved in uplifting activities, rather
than staying on the streets where they were prone to negative Belfield Road Rehabilitation
influences.

Millions were spent to develop infrastructure in the western Before After
parishes. The projects have ranged in scope from: agro-
processing, health programmes and skills training projects Before and after photos of the Belfield to Albany Feeder Road, St. Mary which was
to the expansion of schools and day care centres. To date, in financed by the Caribbean Development Bank.
2002, St. Elizabeth was the western parish which had reaped
the most benefits from JSIF with a total of 23 community
projects being financed by the agency.
Since JSIF was launched in November 1996, it has approved
billions in funding to 426 community projects. At the end of
March 2002, 304 of those projects were completed.

60