1. The coming together of five community groups in a pre Gilbert planning facilitated by the Petersfield Sports and Community Club.
2. Co-ordination and distribution of hurricane relief supplies to hundreds of families in various communities within the parish. 3. The coming together of five communities for post Gilbert Planning and the conceptualization of the Association of Clubs 1989
The opening of an Association of Clubs Account
Post Gilbert Planning and Distribution of Relief Supplies
Building of a model house for a victim to demonstrate the construction of hurricane resistant homes
Building a house for an indigent in Pride of the West Community Club (Mernsville)
Distribution of over five thousand fruit trees
Implementation of a Revolving Housing Loan Program
The resuscitation of the Petersfield Community Center after its destruction by Gilbert.
1990
The simultaneous launch of the Association of Clubs and the opening of the Social Action Center Westmoreland Office
Distribution of five Housing Loans and three Agriculture and Small Business Loans
Jamaica Support Fund Labour Day Project: The Building of a Bathroom for Cave Basic School
Adoption of seven Basic School in the AOC communities
1991
Honouring of Mrs. Jenny Levy for the Housing Loan Programme Area
Distribution of seven Housing Loans and three Agriculture and Small Business Loans
Work on Roof of Petersfield Community Centre.
JSF Labour Day Project: Refurbishing of the Shrewsbury Basic School, refurbishing of the Galloway Basic School and the building of new benches for Cornwall Mountain Basic School.
1992
The organization of a series of Education workshops.
Distribution of six housing loans and two Agriculture and Small Business
Repairing of three indigents house
JSF Labour Day Project: Building of School Furniture for Galloway Basic School
Completion of bathroom facility at Cave Basic School
1993
Distribution of four Housing Loans
Association of Clubs Became a member of the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica
JSF Labour Day Project: The Building of a Canteen at the Cave and Galloway Basic School
1994
JSF Labour Day Project: Continuation of the building of a Canteen for the Galloway Basic School in conjunction with the Galloway Citizen’s Association
Honouring of Horace Levy past director of Social Action Center
Distribution of three Housing Loans and three Agriculture and Small Business
JSF Labour Day Project: Building of Cistern at the Mt. Eagle Basic School
1995
Receipt of a Grant of Fifty Two Thousand Dollars (US$52,000.00) and the Launch of the “Teachables from Trashables” programme
Distribution of three house Housing Loans.
JSF Labour Day Project: Started the building of an additional classroom for Shrewsbury Basic School
1996
Refurbishing of the Petersfield Community Center through a grant from the United Way of Jamaica
The equipping of the Petersfield Community Center with Stove, Sewing Machine, telephone, refrigerator, chairs and Chester tables
The successful implementation of the “Teachables from Trashables” programme. Over two hundred parents and teachers were trained to use recycled materials to make teaching – learning gadgets.
Distribution of five Housing Loans and two Agriculture and Small Business
JSF Labour Day Project: Started building of an incinerator at the Cornwall Mountain Basic School.
1997
The honouring of Mr. Matthias Brown for twenty five years of sterling contribution made in the field of community development
The successful conclusion of the Teachables from Trashables programme through which over seven hundred parents and fifty teachers were educated in the ‘Play Way Method’.
Four Loans were disbursed under the newly named Frank Morgan Loan Programme. Special note should be taken that the name change was as a result of the death of Frank Morgan, one of the Stalwart Initiators of this particular programme area
Erected and equipped a Mini Resource at the Petersfield Community.
1998
1. Continuation of ten years of community development work and the celebration of The tenth Anniversary of the AOC.
2. Distribution of three loans this year making it a total of fifty (52) Loans to members valued at over 1.5 million to the most needy in the community with and delinquency to date. 3. Completed work on the incinerator at the Cornwall Mountain Basic School 4. Facilitated the movement of Social Action Centre (SAC) in Moving its Head Office to Westmoreland (Rural Jamaica) where we jointly share an office and administrative costs to ensure the co-operation and effectiveness of both group .
5. After examining the plight of the Students of the Petersfield Comprehensive High School we build fifty (50) chairs and donated them to the school.
6. Hosting of the “Strategic Planning Workshop” attended by thirteen communities of four parishes.
7. Started a computer training programme offered to the members of the community
8. Facilitated the formation of two community groups’ one in Rocksprings Hanover and the other in Springfield Westmoreland for the Negril Environmental Protection Trust. (NEPT) 1999-2000
Donation of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) to the Galloway Basic School.
Distribution of Books to six schools from a donation by Carl Feuer.
Construction of a cultural stage.
Started training in Scriptwriting and Video Animation.
Approved and disbursed eleven (11) loans which brought the total number of loans disbursed to sixty four (64)
2000 -2001 1. Hosting the South West St. Andrew Association of Clubs twenty one community group under the guidance of Hope for Children. These0 twenty one group from Kingston and fifteen from Westmoreland meet to discuss and to evaluate the performance of the Westmoreland Association of Clubs
2. The training and the graduation of thirteen young people in Video Animation techniques. 3. Video sensitization programme for the sustenance of the Sugar Industry. To sensitize all the major stakeholders or the Sugar Industry, especially the wider community, on the importance of having an efficient industry in order to maintain the social and economic stability of the parishes of Westmoreland and Hanover. 2001-2002
The first community computer training course and graduation of twelve community members in Computer Technology.
The establishment of the AOC Community Computer Lab.
Grouping of Basic Schools to maximize training in Computer Technology.
4. EFJ Sponsored Project: (Community Awareness and Mobilization for Development). This project seek to upgrade the literacy and skill base of the AOC communities and develop videos to sensitize them on critical issues affecting them.
5. Training of Trainers in Computer Technology.
6. A Digital Video Training sponsored by UNESCO which will engage in the training of Trainers in Script writing, Camera use and Editing.
7. "AOC Summer Camp Jamboree 2002 - present" 200 children per day for 1 month. 8. AOC Health Fair 2002 over 800 community persons was given health care by General Practitioner, Dentists, Pediatrician and Ophthalmologist from USA. (First annual) 2002 - 2003
Summer Camp Jamboree 2003- (over 250 children per day for 1 month)
Hosting of AFS Students for six months
Collaboration with Pittsburgh University, Amizade Service Learning Centre result in a).The launch of the Village Tourism For Education & Development Programme area.
b) The painting of the Petersfield Post Office c) The building of a bathroom & kitchen for an indigent community member.d) The painting of the male ward at the Savanna-la-Mar Infirmary 4. The Building of a Mini Park at Shrewsbury Petersfield around a 1988 monument built for the workers in the Petersfield area of which the Pittsburgh students and the summer campers contributed greatly. 2004 The Association of Clubs will be celebrating its 16th Anniversary. Theme: “Youth Empowerment through Sustained Community Volunteerism.” From Gilbert to Ivan. The AOC was started in December after Hurricane Gilbert and we will be celebrating our 16th anniversary on December 18, 2004 after Hurricane Ivan. The Guest speaker will be Senator Floyd Morris minister of state. All that was set out in our work plan for this year was accomplished, and our work plan was similar to the work plan of 2003, so all major events in 2003 was done in 2004 with the exception of the following. 1 Miss Kady-Ann Whyte represented the AOC at Youth Parliament as Parliamentarian and was one of the four presentations that were featured, five AOC members were in the gallery0. 2 Crowning of Miss AOC Summer Camper 2004 Andrene Campbell, the theme was “Youth Empowerment through Sustainable Community Volunteerism.” 3 Training course on the setting up of Web Site, ten persons were trained and AOC Web Site was upgraded 4 After series of workshops and seminars on globalization, Shellion Cope and Clive Vassell represented the AOC at a Youth Conference in Guyana on globalization. 2005 This year was dedicated to PSCC.
The building of a bushed at the Shrewsbury Square to facilitate the Petersfield High School, users of the Park and other community members.
The hosting of Summer Camp Jamboree 2005.
The celebrating of the PSCC 20th Anniversary AGM.
This was an AGM with a difference we were able to bring back some of the pass members who the club has impacted on on has been achieving through hard work, dedication and education to speak to the younger ones.
Earth Day participation 2005 seminar for schools, building covers for sink holes or under ground tunnel.
PSCC members hosting visitors in their homes on an Inter Exchange Programme with Pittsburgh University under the Village Tourism Programme.
The official launch of the Cuba Friendship Association Westmoreland Chapter Petersfield.
4. Planting orchid of quarter acre70 trees of oranges for Galloway ECI and the Coke’s View primary school to mark the PSCC 20th anniversary 2006
Petersfield Celebrated its 21st Anniversary. Guest Speaker- Dr. Hopeton Dunn- Lecturer, Mona School of Business.
Visit of Professor Peta -Anne Baker to the AOC Shelter and Development Loan Programme (SDLP) now called the Frank Morgan Loan Programme and the presentation of the Caribbean Journal. Dr. Baker had high praise for the sustainability of the programme.
Successful Summer Camp 5th, an average of about 150 participants per day and the field trip to the volatile Jacques Road, Mountain View, this had tremendous impact on the 40 youths that went.
The awarding of the JA-STYLE, “Football for education, developing mind, body and spirit” on healthy lifestyle Project.
The awarding of the EFJ project, “Intervention today for a crime free tomorrow”. This programme works with adolescence and parents.
The AOC celebrated its 18th anniversary. Guest Speaker, Ms. Andrea Ricketts- Business teacher at the Black River High School and member of the AOC.
Members Award:
Anserd Bryan- JCDC Parish Council Community Development
Theresa Johnson represented us at Youth Parliament.
Shaneek Atkinson nominated for Prime Minister Youth Award for community development.
8. Galloway Citizens Association Advocacy finally bears fruit as the Galloway ECI was completed. 9. Logwood Citizens Association completed their Community Centre. The first rural community to build their own community centre. 2007Projects:
Completion of the JA-STYLE/ USAID programme “Football for education; developing mind, body and spirit” a healthy lifestyle Project. Football competitions were used to attract adolescent males to Literacy and Numeracy classes and healthy lifestyle sessions.
AOC project with Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) called “Intervention Today for a Violence Free Tomorrow” which is very successful as it raised the level of awareness in the community of Improper Parenting and Child Abuse. We were also asked to mentor 47 students at the Petersfield High School and their parents because of this intervention and is now positively looking on how we can educate parents about early stimulation activities.
Labour Day project 2007 was the extension of the Summer Campers Park. The AOC successfully lobby to the Sugar Company of Jamaica and the Parish Council for an abandoned road to expand the park.
Successfully completed our 6th Summer Camp Jamboree, an average of 180 participants per day.
Michael Manley Award for Community Self Reliance, Association of Clubs 2007 winner. Project title: “Community Development through Continuous Education”
The construction of our indigenous ice-cream and juice parlor adjoining our developing Summer Campers Park, where kids and parents will have stimulating outdoor playing equipment. The products will be made from our fruits grown in our community in abundance right throughout the year where each housewife/ home can have a stake. Our over one hundred (100) visitors per year will do the marketing overseas, our communities will do the marketing locally and consume their own product. At that time we will truly be self- reliant and sustainable.
Starting of a summer computer class for 23 students and a proposed certification by HEART and graduation by AOC.
Galloway Citizens Association built an incinerator for the Galloway ECI.
The AOC this year celebrates 19 yrs of community development.
The AOC a member of the Jamaica Cuba Friendship Association (JCFA) collaboration strategy played dividend. Three of our members received scholarship to study Medicine in Cuba. A moving send off party was held by the AOC for the participants who pledged their support to the club.
2008
The successful conclusion of the project “Intervention Today for a Violence free Tomorrow”.
Launch of 2 year project sponsored by the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) dubbed “Tools and Strategies: To parent Jamaican children at the Early Childhood Development Stage”. This project deals with the provision of playing equipment and indoor teaching / learning gadgets for 4 E.C.I and a series of training workshops for teachers, parents, especially fathers.
Village Tourism for Education, Volunteerism & Development - The AOC has completed its 7th Village Tourism Season. 37 visitors visited our community. They stayed from 1 – 4 weeks. Taught and Mentor at E.C.I to High School Students, Helped in the refurbishing of our Park, Landscaping and Painting of Murals at the Galloway E.C.I and volunteer at the Frome Sugar Company of Jamaica Clinic.
Institutional Self – Assessment of the AOC. AOC’s rapid institutional self – assessment has shown an organization that has had experience in developing its internal processes and moving towards sustainability. Even after 19 years in existence, AOC is still in the process of learning, is effective in some areas and needs strengthening in others.
Of a possible score of 175, AOC scored 148 points. While an overall score gives no indication of the status of the organization, it reflects mixed scores on the various components. The 2007 Michael Manley Award for Community Self – Reliance awardee has shown remarkable prowess in areas that many Jamaican NGO’s continue to grapple with. AOC’s strong areas include programmatic capacity building and outreach. AOC’s objective to build community self reliance is clear and translated in its 5 programmatic areas, especially those that focus on capacity building and income generation. AOC has had significant impact on the communities it serves and with the programmes and activities envisaged, can make even greater impact.
Upgrading (refurbished) Summer Campers’ Park called “Pride of Petersfield” inclusive of playing equipments, a Gazebo, Bathroom facility, tables & seats, walkway and a Fun food Counter sponsored by the EFJ, AOC and the Amizade Global Service Learning and Volunteer Program and the local community.
Official Opening of our upgraded Park which coincided with our 20th Annual General Meeting and Anniversary celebration.