The BAC selected this project because it is creating employment and generating income. It is sustainable.
Claude Thompson, JNBS Falmouth
JN Foundation Project leads to safer, cleaner Frenchman's Beach
Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth: Frenchman’s Beach, in the South coast tourist enclave of Treasure Beach, is much safer and cleaner today with the erection of two lifeguard stations, the acquisition of two lifeguard rings and the strategic placement of five jumbo garbage bins along the beach.
Bernard Otis Sutherland, president of the Frenchman’s Beach Fisher Folks Association says that, “Unfortunately persons do get into difficulties even with the ‘strong current’ warning signs dotted along the beach.” This prompted the Fisher Folks’ application to the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation for assistance with this safer beach project.
Mr. Richard Salmon, Supervisor of the JNBS Junction Branch, through which the application was routed, said the project has the potential to save lives while keeping the environment clean.
The project was evaluated and selected for support by the members of the Members Advisory Council (MAC) at the Junction Branch, comprised of JN members and employees. The Member Advisory Councils operates in all 25 JNBS branches and eight JN Money Shops across the island, with the mandate to support local community development projects, with funding from the JNBS Foundation.
“This is the kind of project that our MAC likes to support because it impacts the community in a positive way,” Mrs. Alethia Carpenter-Peart Branch Manager reported, adding that it will ensure a cleaner beach, as well as save lives.
Witnessing the handing over were Roy Powell and Nerissa Bell, two members of the MAC who expressed their pleasure with the towering seven foot blue and yellow lifeguard stations, with local-made thatch roofing; and the yellow life saving rings hanging close by.
Guesthouse owner Andrew Lynch, whose property is by the beach, mused that this was something that should have been implemented a long time ago. Mr. Lynch would like to see a third life guard station erected in the centre of the beach strip, and more bins along the beach, stating that he plans to meet with the Fisher Folks and provide the assistance to make these things happen.
Mr. Chris Bell, a tourist from Utah, USA, said he could not help noticing the life guard stands as he jogged by but wondered where the life guards were.
“We have several life guards and the team will be bolstered as some 13 Treasure Beach residents were recently trained and certified,” Mr. Sutherland stated, adding that the Fisher Folks were currently conducting dialogue with them, as they finalise a volunteer programme and seek funding to provide stipends.
For local born Diana Dennis visiting from England, the bins were a welcome sight as “the last time I was here I had difficulty finding one along the beach and already you can see how much cleaner the beach is,” she added.
Mr. Bell agreed, stating that “this beach is surprisingly much cleaner than the one in Ocho Rios.”
For Fisher Folks Ted, Kevin and Clifton Parchment who have seen and participated in many recues, the life guard stations will give a birds eye view and allow them to see everybody in the sea.
“The undercurrent can be very strong and on holidays when the beach is crowded you find that some persons swim out of their depth,” stated Mr. Allan Daley, tour guide, who describes himself as a long-time fisherman who has been “cutting fish” on the beach since the age of ten. To him, “the beach is cleaner and you feel safer just knowing that something is being done to equip the life guards.”