Reaching out with Medical Care & Support

Medical Missions Groups Give Back to Native Countries

By Allison Skeete

New York, NY: September 25, 2009 – As the Fall Season begins across the U.S, two things happen, the Social Season of Black-tie and upscale events in support of causes begins and the fundraisers for more focused charity concerns begin. In the Caribbean Community many organizations host fund raisers in support of medical care and support benefitting the homelands of the many from the Caribbean Diaspora but who now call the U.S home.

One such group is the Health & Education Relief for Guyana Inc.; (HERG Inc.) established in January, 2000 as a non profit, 501 C-3 organization HERG Inc. is led by a governing Board of Directors and volunteers. HERG Inc.’s goal and purpose is to aid institutions delivering health care in Guyana, South America with medical care and follow-up support. Since its inception, HERG Inc. has sponsored annual medical missions to Guyana providing pediatric orthopedic care to children in many regions of the country. Doctors Wayne Sampson and Collie Oudkerk began the program after visiting their homeland while completing Medical Studies at Howard University in Washington, D.C. They and their volunteers have not looked back since their first medical mission to Guyana in December of 2000; their work continues to be appreciated and welcomed by grateful patients and the medical professionals in Guyana.

HERG is hosting their dinner event Saturday, September 26th in Queens; the proceeds go back into their work to continue providing medical care, treatment, surgery and follow-up in Guyana. To make a tax deductible contribution to HERG, visit their website: http://hergweb.org/index.cfm

The Organization for Social Health & Advancement in Guyana and the Caribbean (OSHAG-C) is another philanthropic group that focuses on the medical care, nutritional, education and research that helps Cancer patients in Guyana and the Caribbean. This group originally began as a collaborative effort between the Guyana Citizen’s Initiative and the Guyana Cancer Society. They quickly learned that throughout the Caribbean there was a severe need for help with Cancer patients since most treatment was not easily afforded in the Diaspora. The groups’ name was changed showing its inclusion of other Caribbean nations. They have previously partnered with the Caribbean Medical Mission (CMM) to take a team of doctors to Guyana in all disciplines of medicine; they provided medical and Cancer care, treatment and surgeries and hosted lectures in nutrition, health and hygiene. Check this blog for more details about their upcoming fundraiser; the event is slated to be held at Chateau Royal on December 4, 2009 in order to sponsor their 2010 Medical Mission and workshops that teach care and education fostering improved health in Guyana and the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Medical Mission (CMM) set in New Jersey and was founded in 1996 by six doctors and three nurses. Today the group includes the doctors and nurses as well as a diversity in which members who are professionals; these include clergy, business people and others who volunteer their time and service to provide medical care to the needy.

CMM is also a non-profit organization; their commitment means that their volunteers travel several times a year to provide the free care and support to the Caribbean Diaspora’s needy in Guyana, Jamaica, Nigeria, and St. Vincent/Grenadines; they also provide local health fairs in Essex County, New Jersey. Medical Mission participants pay their own travel expenses. They have just returned from Jamaica; they have also gone to Guyana, and Grenada and they are set to go to Nigeria in December to complete their missions for 2009. For more information or to make a donation to the Caribbean Medical Mission visit their website at http://caribbeanmedicalmissionnj.org/

The work and care provided by these groups is not often heralded by mainstream media but it is no less worthy or deserving of exposure. The dedication and commitment to do something for a home of the past to ensure a future to come is the common thread at the heart of all these groups purpose. To envision a collaborative of all these groups one day is certainly an idea to entertain. It would certainly bring a greater benefit to the Diaspora.

Monty Alexander, Jamaica's Internationally Renowned Jazz Pianist at Lincoln Center

Monty Alexander Returns To Lincoln Center


CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. Sept. 9, 2009: Catch the `Harlem-Kingston Express` as Jamaica's internationally acclaimed Jazz piano great, Monty Alexander, C.D. (Commander of Distinction-Jamaica), returns to Jazz at Lincoln Center's Allen Room for 4 shows, October 2 & 3 at 7:30 & 9:30 p.m.

Alexander has been broughts back to Jazz at Lincoln Center by popular demand after his 2008 sold out hit program, "Lords of the West Indies." Come and experience Monty revisit his own personal and musical, adventurous, cross cultural JAmerican journey, as he takes you roundtrip from Jamaica to the great world of American Jazz where he performed/recorded with Quincy Jones, Frank Sinatra, Sonny Rollins, Tony Bennett, Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby McFerrin, George Benson, Milt Jackson, Natalie Cole, Clint Eastwood (in the film "Bird"-the life of Charlie Parker), and the greats from Jamaica: Ernest Ranglin, Sly and Robbie, Tony Rebel, Luciano, and more....

Performing with the maestro will be masters of both American Jazz and Jamaican music and heritage.

WHEN: October 2 & 3, 2009

7:30 pm & 9:30 pm

WHERE: The Allen Room, Frederick P. Rose Hall

(Broadway @ 60th St.,NYC )

HOW: Get Tickets $55 & $65 @ Jazz at Lincoln Center Box Office (Bdway @ 60th St.) or call

CenterCharge at 212.721.6500 or via

http://www.jalc.org.

Box Office hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 am-6 pm, Sun. 12 pm -6 pm.

Saturday, October 3rd ONLY, at 5:30 pm: The Jamaica Tourist Board and Essence magazine, in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center, will present a FREE pre-concert Jamaican Festival for all ticket holders, featuring live music, food and beverage samples, gift bags and more!

See her for details: http://www.jazzatlincolncenter.org/concerts/details309a.asp?EventID=2039 for more information.

Mayor Bloomberg & Colin Powell Headline Caribbean Parade 2009

By Allison Skeete

Brooklyn, NY: Monday, Sept. 7, 2009 -
The Caribbean community is no stranger to political association; this year was no exception, with the many primary race candidates vying for office the parade drew politicians of every district and intent all eager to connect with a crucial voter segment before next week's Democratic primaries. The parade route was peppered with campaign signs and many candidates’ glad handed revelers to get their vote next Tuesday.

The Census 2010 group also had several booths along the parade route spreading the word for all to ensure that they fill out the form come April 2010; there was a Census float in the parade with a theme of ‘Jump for the Count,’. They’re aim was to ensure an improved count of Caribbean Americans which would improve legislative and business progress in the neighborhoods inhabited by many Caribbean-American families. An undercount of the Caribbean-American voting block in 2010 after elections would mean that many of the seats now being run for could be subject to redistricting laws.

The biggest endorsement announced this year was that of Former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell who formally voiced his support of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s re-election on Monday after having expressed the view that the Mayor had done a tremendous job in NYC when he appeared on Larry King Live about two months ago. Powell who was born in the Bronx, and now lives in Virginia told Larry King that he would vote for Bloomberg if he were still a New York resident.

“I endorse him, and I hope he’ll win,” Mr. Powell said as he appeared next to Mayor Bloomberg at a news conference before the parade. “I would encourage everybody in the crowd, all the citizens of New York not just to go with an endorsement, even though endorsements are important, but to look at the record of the individual,” said Mr. Powell. “If they do that, I think they would find that Mike is the guy who ought to be mayor for a third term.” Mr. Powell, who is of Jamaican heritage, was a grand marshal.

Mayor Bloomberg thanked Powell, calling him a "great American and a great New Yorker," Bloomberg said that the former general is a man who "calls it like he sees it" and works with officials of every party.

Presently, Mayor Bloomberg trails Democratic challenger Bill Thompson among black voters in the city, so the Powell endorsement won't hurt.

Guyana's Former First Lady Doreen Chung passes on...

OP expresses condolences on passing of Doreen Chung
By Stabroek staff September 7, 2009

The Office of the President has expressed condolences to the family and friends of Mrs Doreen Chung, wife of the late President of Guyana Mr Arthur Chung, who passed away on Saturday. She was 77. Born Doreen Pamela Aun, like her husband, was born at Windsor Forest on the West Coast of Demerara. Mrs. Chung was the wife of Guyana’s first President Arthur Chung, who died on June 23, 2008.

According to a release from the Government Information Agency, Mrs Chung died on Saturday afternoon at a (St. Joseph's Mercy) city hospital after a brief illness.

Mrs Chung served as First Lady during her husband’s presidency from 1970-80; the couple was married for 54 years. Former President Chung passed away last June.

A relative of the late Former First Lady told Stabroek News yesterday that her relatives and friends are expected in the country this week for her funeral which is still being arranged. Those arrangements will be announced sometime this week.Mrs Chung leaves to mourn two children -Diane Pamela and Raymond Arthur (Jnr) – as well as numerous relatives and friends.

http://www.stabroeknews.com/2009/stories/09/07/op-expresses-condolences-on-passing-of-doreen-chung/

Brooklyn Carnival BRASS FEST

Friday September 4th 2009

The Official Brass Fest 2009

Machel Montano HD, Patrice Roberts, Zan, Farmer, Bunji Garlin, Fayann Lyons & the Asylum, Iwer 'the boss' George, Kes the Band, KMC, Da Mastamind, Lyrikal, Pupa Lindee, MC Wassy

Music by: DJ Spice, Dr Jay, KUTTERS RHYTHM SECTION

SHOWTIME: 8:00PM - 3:00AM.

Admission: $35. - door $40.

ALL SHOWS HELD IN AT THE: BROOKLYN MUSEUM

200 EASTERN PARKWAY, BROOKLYN, NY Rain or Shine
FOR TICKETS & INFO CALL: 718.467.1797

Brooklyn Museum: 718.638.5000

EMAIL: wiadcainc@gmail.com http://www.wiadca.org/ www.myspace.com/wiadca

Mandeville comes to NJ with flare...

Mandeville Resturant is a contemporary, Caribbean-style food venue in a relaxed, warm and sophisticated atmosphere. Come for Thursday night Jazz or Sunday Brunch.

They cater too. Planning to celebrate, it's just the place, intimate with a nice flare, beautiful space all in Orange, NJ. Don't want to drive there, no problem take NJ Transit to the Orange Station and its just steps from the stations' parking lot...

Try the Jerk, Spanishtown Salmon, Maracas Bay Chicken, or Garlic Pork or the Codfish fritters and Demerara Shrimp... all these mouth watering flavors are yours to savor!

So head to Mandeville in Orange... See Roger and tell him the Community Collaborator sent you...

TUE - THU 11:00AM to 11:00PM
FRI & SAT 11:00AM to 1:00AM
SUN 10:00AM to 8:00PM
MON-CLOSED

Tel: 973 672-2900
Fax: 973 672-2998
email:info@mandevillenj.com
http://www.mandevillenj.com/home.htm

Will the White House address Caribbean Immigration Issues?

Caribbean Advocates Missing From Immigration Debate?
Immigration Korner
By Felicia Persaud

CaribWorldNews, WASHINGTON, D.C., Fri. Aug. 21, 2009: Caribbean immigrant advocates were missing in action as the White House yesterday hosted a conversation on the hot button issue with more than 100 immigration reform backers.

Among the myriad of organizations listed in attendance, not one was Caribbean or Haitian. Instead, participants were largely from major unions, general immigrant advocacy groups or Hispanic and Jewish.

The lack of Caribbean nationals at the table and around the hot button issue is a trend that has continued for years, despite the fact that thousands of Caribbean migrants are themselves in need of immigration reform.

The session was officially hosted by Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, who has been sharply criticized by immigrant advocates in recent days for putting too much emphasis on enforcement and too little on reform legislation and making the immigration system more humane. President Obama dropped in briefly at the meeting.

The media was not allowed into the meeting, but Napolitano later issued a written statement emphasizing her commitment to reform.

`Today`s meeting on comprehensive immigration reform was an important opportunity to hear from stakeholders and build on the significant time I`ve spent on the Hill meeting with members of Congress on this critical subject. I look forward to working with President Obama, my colleagues in Congress and representatives from law enforcement, business, labor organizations, the interfaith community, advocacy groups and others as we work on this important issue,` she said.

The meeting came on the heels of comments by Obama that he will push the issue to the back burner for now, moving it from his first year in office to 2010.

The full list of yesterday’s participants were:

AFL CIO, Paul Almeida
AFL CIO, Ana Avendano
AFL CIO, Arlene Baker
Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform, Monte Lake
American Civil Liberties Union, Chris Calabrese
America`s Voice, Frank Sharry
American Farm Bureau, Ron Gaskill
American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, T.J. Donner
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Paul Booth
American Immigration Lawyers Association, Crystal Williams
American Jewish Committee, Chelsea Hanson
American Meat Institute, J. Patrick Boyle
Arizona Latino Commission, Eve Nunez
Asian American Justice Center, Karen Narasaki
Associated General Contractors, Katherine Knott
Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO, Robert Pleasure
Casa de Maryland, Gustavo Andrade
Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Mark Franken
Cato Institute, Dan Griswold
Center for American Progress, Angela Kelley
Center for Community Change, Gabe Gonzalez
Change to Win, Anna Burger
Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Allison Johnson
Church World Service, Jen Smyers
Citigroup, Paul Thornell
Compete America, Rebecca Peters
Compete America, Bo Cooper
Esperanza USA, Mary Clark
Essential Worker Coalition, Laura Reiff
Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Jon Adler
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society/Interfaith Immigration Coalition, Mark Hetfield
Hewlett Packard, Gina Bancroft
Immigration Equality, Julie Kruse
Immigration Policy Center, Mary Giovagnoli
Information Technology Industry Council, Dean Garfield
Intel, Ryan Triplette
Interfaith Worker Justice, Kristin Kumpf
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Terry Yellig
International Brotherhood of Teamsters, John Coli
International Chiefs of Police, Russell Laine
International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers, Paul Shearon
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craft workers, James Boland
Irish Apostolate, Geri Garvey
Jesuit Refugee Service, Shaina Aber
Laborers` International Union of North America, Bevin Albertani
League of United Latin American Citizens, Rosa Rosales
Legal Momentum, Lisalyn Raquel Jacobs
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, Leslie Velez
Major City Chiefs, Dean Keuter
McDonalds, Bo Bryant
Mennonite Central Committee, Tammy Alexander
Mexican American Legal Defense Fund, Dini Karasik
Microsoft, Bill Kamela
Migration Policy Institute, Marc Rosenblum
National Association of Asian Law Enforcement Commanders, John Lee
National Association of Evangelicals, Galen Carey
National Association of Homebuilders, Jenna Hamilton
National Association of Police Organizations, Andrea Mournighan
National Baptist Convention, Rev. L.B. West
National Council of Jewish Women, Elissa Froman
National Council of La Raza, Clarissa Martinez
National Day Laborers Network, Chris Newman
National Electrical Contractors of America, John Grau
National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, Rev. Dr. Angel Nunez
National Immigration Forum, Jeanne Butterfield
National Immigration Forum, Ali Noorani
National Immigration Law Center, Marielena Hincapie
National Korean American Service & Educational Consortium, Eun Sook Lee
National Latino Peace Officers Association, Arturo Venegas
National League of Cities, Ricardo Gambetta
National Restaurant Association, Beth Johnson
National Sheriffs Association, Ann Yom
National Urban League, Valerie Wilson
New Democratic Network, Simon Rosenberg
Oracle, Dejan Pavlovic
PICO National Network, Jared Rivera
Police Executive Research Foundation, Chuck Wexler
Police Foundation, Hubert Williams
Presbyterian Church USA, Julia Thorne
Rights Working Group, Jumana Musa
Service Employees International Union, Eliseo Medina
Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Marc Norberg
Sisters of Mercy, Regina McKillip
Society for Human Resource Management, Mike Aitken
Sojourners, Rev. Jim Wallis
South Asian American Leading Together, Deepa Iyer
Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, Helly Lee
Tech America, Jeff Lande
Tyson, Nora Venegas
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Angelo Amador
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Ryan Dwyer
U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, David Ferreira
UNITE HERE, Brenda Carter
United Farm Workers, Arturo Rodriguez
United Food and Commercial Workers, Joe Hansen
University of Texas, Dr. Ray Marshall
Wal-Mart, Adam Hemphill
World Relief, Jenny Hwang