The contribution that the Canadian Friends of St Thomas Healthcare Organisation has been making to Jamaicans, particularly in the parish of St. Thomas, has been applauded. The body recently celebrated.

The organisation has helped many Jamaicans who were unable to afford the cost of eye examinations to get diagnosed, treatment and provide them with free eye glasses.

“Because of the work this organisation has been doing over the years and its relentless determination to help the poor and needy, Jamaica is now a better place, especially where blindness is concern. Since the group started conducting its free eye care clinic in Jamaica, more than 3,000 Jamaicans is now able to see,” said Audrey Campbell, president of the Jamaican Canadian Association.

Lornette Powel of the Princess Margaret Hospital in St. Thomas shared what she witnessed when the clinic was being conducted. “The organization here is really doing a tremendous job in helping patients not only at the hospital but in St. Thomas on a whole.

I remember one morning when I got to work I saw this long line of people and was wondering what was happening until I found out that a group from Canada was conducting a clinic and giving away free eye glasses and that was so wonderful,” she said.

Seth George Ramocan, Jamaica’s consul general to Toronto, praised the humanitarian work that the St. Thomas Health Care Organization is doing in the parish of his birth. “If I had a choice of being deaf or blind, I would rather be deaf then I would be able to see all the good deeds and services that are being provided by my fellow men,” he said.

Three people — Alfreda Smith-Alexander, Marcia Lewis and Cynthia Wilson — were presented with awards for their service to the group. There was also a fashion show featuring clothes made fashionable by Louise Bennett- Coverley (Miss Lou) and from designers who use the colours of the Jamaican flag. Violinist Arthur Goslin performed and the Heritage Singers thrilled the patrons with their rendition of Jamaican folk songs.