GraceKennedy Ltd and its business associate Western Union International were jointly honoured by the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) at the organization's 24th annual benefit gala held on November 5, 2005 in New York.

The two companies received AFJ's 2005 International Humanitarian Award for their outstanding contributions to the Jamaican society, particularly in the area of education.

Accepting on behalf of GraceKennedy was Chairman and CEO Douglas Orane. In his acceptance remarks, Mr Orane said "Our desire to invest in education looks at a common good for all our people- service, citizenship and empowerment. Through education a society can change and sustain the direction of its people. Education is a common thread that runs through our intentions for global change and frees us from domestic bondage and mental strangulation that is ever present today."

Last year, GraceKennedy and Western Union collaborated with AFJ and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide over 300,000 mathematics textbooks to Jamaican children island wide. This year, Western Union and GraceKennedy Remittance Services have pledged US$100,000 each toward a similar objective. The joint contribution will provide English language textbooks for more than 300,000 children in primary schools across the island.

Established in 1982, the AFJ is a non-profit organization, which assists Jamaican charities in the areas of education, health care and economic development. Each year, the organization raises funds through its charity gala and distributes grants at a luncheon hosted by the United States Ambassador to Jamaica in Kingston. Past gala honourees include Ralph and Ricky Lauren, Jamaican-born billionaire and philanthropist Michael Lee-Chin, and actor and social activist, Harry Belafonte.

Posted: November 14, 2005