Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer 
Custos Rotulorum of St. James, Clarence Nelson (left), patron of the Good Shepherd Foundation, converses with associates at a cocktail reception in Montego Bay, last week, to raise funds for the Good Shepherd Foundation. The foundation is a charitable organisation which provides assistance for the needy, as well as care for HIV/AIDS patients at the Hope Hospice. Others from left are former Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke, Joe Hylton, Roman Catholic Bishop Charles Dufour, Noel Donaldson, Mayor of Montego Bay and Dr. Francis Lindo, a trainee deacon and advisor to Bishop Dufour. - Noel Thompson/Freelance Photographer
WESTERN BUREAU:
EXECUTIVES OF the Good Shepherd Foundation in Montego Bay are biting their nails in abject confusion, because they do not know where funds will come from to continue caring for the needy and persons living with HIV/AIDS.
Their bout of misery could be eased dramatically, if only the Government would write-off taxes against profits from contributions business individuals make to the charitable organisation.
"The business sector is willing to assist us much better but they are cautious to do so because for the past nine years, the Government has refused to grant any tax exemption on their contributions," said Bishop Charles Dufour, patron and founder of the foundation.
Bishop Dufour noted that MoBay Inc., which comprises friends of the Good Shepherd Foundation, living in Florida, raises a good chunk of the funds that runs the foundation. Marie Buteau is the person in charge of MoBay Inc. Interestingly, the United States Govern-ment exempts tax on those funds.
Mark Kerr-Jarrett, managing director of Barnett Limited and former president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, concurs with Bishop Dufour.
"I spoke about it two years ago and it created a stir, but nothing has been done. Good Shepherd is doing work which the Government should really do. If the Government is not prepared to do it or cannot do it then they should encourage entities that do, by facilitating private sector donations and waive the costs on imported donations," Kerr-Jarrett remarked.
Further, Bishop Dufour emphasised, "We can take more people in the (AIDS) hospice. The people who go there cannot afford to pay otherwise. We accept old people who have nowhere to go. Since we started the hospice nine years ago, more than 400 people have died there but with their dignity. Whenever most of these people come to our facility their condition is usually advanced."
MONTHLY PLEDGES
It costs approximately $6 million to operate the facility, but the foundation is experiencing severe financial crisis, with just about enough to continue for another four months. Bishop Dufour noted the crisis could be eased if the Montego Bay business community makes monthly pledges.
The foundation, in collaboration with Mustard Seed, operates a programme in Murray Mount, St. Ann, which sees up to 500 students being educated.
Anyone wishing to make a donation should make it payable to The Good Shepherd Foundation, Box 197, Montego Bay # 1 P.O. or to account # 78905215 (First Caribbean Bank).
