Oswald Dixon, a Jamaican living in Miami, Florida, is giving back to the North East Manchester area where he grew up.
Over the past nine years, he has been making donations to students and schools in Devon, Bethany, Hibernia and surrounding districts, through the Rachel Dixon Memorial Fund, which he founded and named for his late mother.
Recently, he handed over two laptop computers and school supplies to the Hibernia Early Childhood Institution and 10 computers to the neighbouring Bethany Primary School.
Two students entering fourth form at Knox College were each presented with cheques valued at $80,000.
Donations of 50 adult diapers, 50 boxes of gauze and two blood pressure machines, were also made to the Christiana Health Centre.
Mr. Dixon tells JIS News that his support to the schools and students is based on the strong belief in the ability of education to transform lives.
“Education is power…I believe that every child can learn and if given that opportunity every child can make a difference,” he says, noting that equipping students with the right educational tools is important.
Education Officer for North Manchester, Dorothy Reid, says she is appreciative of what Mr. Dixon has done in the area.
“The Ministry of Education applauds such a partnership. His donations to the schools add value to the classrooms and empower the teachers and students. The supplies help them to achieve more,” she notes.
She is encouraging other individuals, who are able to make tangible contributions to communities across the island to do so.
Public Health Nurse for the Christiana Health District, Llelia Miller-Beecher, expresses gratitude for the donation of medical supplies.
“I am in awe at what he (Mr. Dixon) is doing. We have an entire community benefiting,” she points out.
Mr. Dixon tells JIS News that over the years, the fund has facilitated repairs and built a counter in the canteen at Bethany Primary School; and donated 26 new computers to Bethany, Balaclava, and Devon primary schools, and the Hibernia Early Childhood Institution.
In 2014, the fund donated and furnished a new wing at Hibernia and in 2015, a perimeter fence was erected and a play area created.
In 2007, a six-year scholarship and laptop computer were awarded to a student from Bethany Primary to attended Bellfield High.
“We now have two students at Knox College on five-year scholarships starting at $55, 000 with 10 per cent annual increase. Last year, they both received $77, 000,” Mr. Dixon informs.
Over the last five years the fund has donated hundreds of boxes of gloves, gauze, adult diapers, five new wheelchairs, scrubs and other supplies to the Christiana Health Centre.
“We also donate new and used clothing, shoes and more to the people in the areas.
We believe in giving back to these communities and Jamaica on a whole. It’s our firm believe that there can be doctors, lawyers, teachers, nurses, coming from those communities if given the opportunities,” Mr. Dixon tells JIS News.