Jamaica’s Deputy Director of Tourism for the Americas
Philip Rose is a seasoned tourism executivewithmorethantwodecadesof leadership experience at the Jamaica TouristBoard.RaisedinJamaica’stourism and hospitality industry, he began working in city hotels and beach resorts at just 15 years old, developing an early and enduring passion for the sector that hasdefinedhiscareer.
Recruited by the Jamaica Tourist Board over 20 years ago, Mr. Rose has distinguished himself as an innovative leader and strategic marketer. Having served in key roles across the United States and Canada, he has consistently advanced through the organization and nowservesasDeputyDirectorofTourism, Americas, where he oversees operations throughout the United States, Latin America,andtheCaribbean.
Throughout his tenure, Mr. Rose has played a pivotal role in strengthening Jamaica’s brand presence in key internationalmarkets.Hisstrategicinsight, data-drivenapproach,andcommitmentto authenticstorytellinghavehelpedposition Jamaica as one of the Caribbean’s most sought-after destinations. By building strong relationships with travel partners, media, and diaspora communities, he continues to champion initiatives that drive sustainable tourism growth and economicopportunityfortheisland.
His international education and experienceinJamaica,Canada,theUnited States,Singapore,andItalyhaveequipped him with a deep appreciation for cultural nuance and global market dynamics. A forward-thinking advocate of digital engagement, Mr. Rose introduced the Jamaica Tourist Board to social media marketing more than 15 years ago, designing its first campaign and positioning the brand at the forefront of digital tourism promotion. He is often quotedassaying,“Youcan’tsellanythingif youdon’thaveanaudience.”
Beyond tourism, Mr. Rose is a committed philanthropist who supports initiatives focused on children’s welfare, poverty alleviation, and education. A passionate football fan and engaging storyteller, he brings warmth and authenticity to every platformhegraces.
Andrew
Foreman
Ivan(Andrew)Foreman President
MEETYOURHOSTFOR THEEVENING
SOPHIA NICHOLSON
There are supporters, and then there are champions. Sophia Nicholson is the latter. As one of FOGS's most beloved and dedicated "powered by people" advocates, Sophia has shown up for this community year after year, notjustasaprofessional,butassomeonewho genuinelybelievesinwhatwedo.Whethershe iscommandingthestageatourAnnualGalaor keeping the energy alive at our picnic, Sophia bringswarmth,grace,andaninfectiousjoythat makes every FOGS gathering feel like a celebrationoffamily.
Sophiaisadynamicmediapersonality,cultural ambassador, and event professional who currently hosts Di Kulture Zone on IrieTimesTV.comanditsYouTubechannel,and servesasaregularguesthostonTheDonneth Show on WAVS radio. Her voice has graced commercials, audiobooks, and educational video lectures for nursing institutions, and her talents extend into wedding and event coordination, poetry performance, and emceeing cultural events at charitable and internationalengagements.
In 2013, she made her acting debut alongside beloved Jamaican actor Paul Campbell in The HeartofSummer,provingthatthereisnostage toobigforSophiaNicholson.
Academically, Sophia holds a BSc in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and a Master's degree in Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, credentials that are reflected in thepoiseandprofessionalismshebringsto everythingshedoes.
An outspoken advocate for female empowerment,Sophiausesherplatformto inspire women, champion their rights, and createuniqueopportunitiesforthemtorise.
Most importantly, she is a proud wife and motheroftwo,andtonight,sheisours.
FOGS is deeply grateful for Sophia's heart, her time, and her unwavering support. We couldnotimaginethiseveningwithouther.
RealJamaicanTaste,BakedtoPerfection!
Since 1940, Salmon Bakery has been built on heart, hard work, and a passion for quality. For three generations, our family-run bakery has embracedtraditionwhileevolvingwithtechnologytoperfecttheartof baking. Yet, our recipe for success remains the same. We deliver premium, high-quality products to our valued customers. For over 80 years, we’ve been the bakery of choice for both locals and visitors, bringingthetasteoftraditiontoeverybite.
In July 2025, Friends of Good Shepherd International had the privilege of touring the Good ShepherdFoundationMedicalClinic inJamaicaandpresentingacheck in continued support of its vital work.
The visit offered a meaningful opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of programs dedicated to healthcare, education, and compassionate care for vulnerable children and adults. From classrooms filled with eager learners to spaces providing essentialmedicalanddailysupport, theworkoftheFoundationreflects resilience,dignity,andhope.
The check presentation symbolized more than financial assistance. It represented years of collaboration, faith, and a shared commitment to servingthosemostinneed.Forthree decades, Friends of Good Shepherd International has worked alongside partners in Jamaica to strengthen communities and expand access to criticalresources.TheGoodShepherd Foundationremainsanintegralpartof thatjourney.
Moments like this tour serve as a reminderthatserviceissustainedby people.Bywalkingtogether,listening, and responding to evolving needs, both organizations continue to build onalegacyrootedincompassionand responsibility.
As Friends of Good Shepherd International celebrates 30 years of service powered by people, the partnership with Good Shepherd Foundationstandsasatestamentto what can be accomplished through steadfast commitment and shared purpose.
A PARTNERSHIP BUILT ON COMPASSION Celebrating VITAS Healthcare
FriendsofGoodShepherdInternationalhasbeenblessedoverits30yearsofservicewithpartners whodonotsimplywriteacheckandwalkaway.VITASHealthcareisoneofthosepartners,and theirstorywithFOGSisonerootedingenuinehumanconnection,sharedvalues,andasustained commitment to the mostvulnerable among us.This is"powered bypeople"at its finest.We are grateful to long-time FOGS member Elaine Goddard, whose connection to both organizations helpedbringthismeaningfulpartnershiptolife.ElaineandherhusbandBerthavebecomeintegral to the FOGS mission, embodying the spirit of service and dedication that has defined this organizationfor30years.
Where VITAS and FOGS Align
The alignment between VITAS and FOGS is not incidental. It is foundational. Both organizations are driven by the belief that every human being, regardless of circumstance, deserves dignity, care, and compassion. VITAS extends that belief to patientsfacingthemostdifficultchaptersof their lives. FOGS extends it to the poor, the underserved, and the vulnerable in Jamaica andSouthFlorida.Thethreadconnecting
them is the same: a refusal to look away from those in need. It is no surprise that VITAS directs its support specifically toward healthcare initiatives, an area where FOGS's work throughtheHope(Teaching) Health Clinic, LivWell Jamaica, and community care programs continues to makeaprofounddifference.
How VITAS Supports FOGS
VITAS's support of FOGS is both broad and deeply personal. As a proud sponsor of the Annual Gala and Annual Picnic, VITAS helps ensure that these cornerstone events continue to unite the community in service and celebration. VITAS team members also contribute through a voluntary payroll deduction program, making personal and recurring donations that provide FOGS with consistentsupportthroughouttheyear.Itisa culture that genuinely cares. In times of crisis, VITAS has also stepped up with special fundraising campaigns following hurricanes and naturaldisasters,ensuring that resources reach those who need them most.
With Gratitude
FOGS extends its deepest gratitude to VITAS Healthcare and to every team member whose generosity has strengthened our mission over the years.AndtoElaineandBertGoddard, thank you for being the bridge that made this partnership possible and for giving so much of yourselves to this family. You are the very definition of powered by people. To VITAS, thank you for seeing what we see, for caring thewaywe care, and forstandingwith us year afteryear. This partnership is a gift,andwedonottakeitforgranted.
Join Us: 2026 Mission Trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica
Since 1996, Friends of Good Shepherd International has been making a difference in the lives of the poor and disadvantaged in Jamaica. Now, we invite you to see the fruits of this remarkable work firsthand and continue thisjourneywithus.
Destination:
Good Shepherd Foundation, Montego Bay, Jamaica
Dates: Wednesday, October 21 to Sunday, October 25, 2026 Length of Stay: 4 nights
Activities include visits to the Good Shepherd Foundation & Mustard Seed Communities.
Accommodations Toby's Resort, Montego Bay, Jamaica
Double Occupancy: $100 per night
Triple Occupancy: $107 per night
Good Shepherd Foundation Hostel, Montego Bay, Jamaica Cost: TBD
Airfare to be arranged individually. Ground transportation included.
This is more than a trip. It is an opportunity to be part of something that has been changing lives for 30 years.
For further information, please contact: FOGSINTL@gmail.com
Elaine and Bert Goddard, two of FOGS's most ardent and beloved supporters, whose dedication to the mission exemplifies the true spirit of powered by people.Cheers!
FAITH Inspired
BURCHELL MCPHERSON
MAY 7, 1951 - MARCH 25, 2026
Bishop Burchell Alexander McPherson was found by faith late and loved it early. Born on 7 May 1951 in Hall's Delight in the Blue Mountains of St. Andrew, he came to the Catholic Church through the CatholicYouth MovementandreceivedBaptismattheage of twenty-four. That experience of being sought and found shaped everything that followed. He never stopped extending to others the same welcome he had once received.
OrdainedtothePriesthoodon23June1991, he went straight to the poor parishes of Kingston and stayed for twenty-five years. He was not passing through. He chose to remain among the struggling, the overlooked, the broken, convinced that this was precisely where Christ could be found and where a priest therefore belonged. WhenPopeFrancisappointedhimthethird Bishop of Montego Bay in 2013, he carried that same conviction into the episcopate, opening the doors of the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament to the sick, the hungry,andthoselivingonthestreet.
He had a particular tenderness for sinners, notapermissivetendernessthatlookedthe otherway, but the kind that looks a person in the eye and says: you are worth more than this, and God has not given up onyou. He preached repentance and mercy together, neither cheapening grace nor withholding it. And as Archdiocesan Youth Director, he shaped a generation of young JamaicanCatholicswhofoundinhimbotha challenge and a friend, because he had himself been young and lost and then found, and he never forgot what that felt like.
We at Friends of Good Shepherd celebrate a man who understood that holiness is not found above the mess of human life but in the middle of it, with sleeves rolled up and hands outstretched. He was a shepherd, a servant, and a friend, and we are richer for having known him. We commend him, with full confidence and with gratitude, to the Good Shepherd he spent his whole life imitating.
A VISIT TO LETHE ALL-AGE SCHOOL
BY CHARLES ‘MONTY’ KONG
Except for the roads, the trip to Lethe All-Age School was a delight. Ms. McGhie, the principal, was waiting for us on the multi-purpose concrete area used for sports and parking. I don't know which was brighter, her pink hair shining in the sun or the warmth of her smile. A few students were assembled to greet us, including the Head Girl and Head Boy from Grade 6, two prefects fromGrade5,andtwostudentsfromGrade1.‘KillaChris’ arrived a few minutes after us and we took pictures together before Ms. McGhie and Killa gave us a tour of theschool.
As we entered each classroom, Ms. McGhie announced that visitors had arrived. Each class stood up and greeted us by reciting the school motto and their ambitiontobethebestinwhattheydo.Itwasamazing.
The Kindergarten greeting was the best. As we entered the room, about four of the children rushed out of their seats and gave us hugs. The teacher sent them back to their seats and told them to say good morning. They didn'trecitethemotto.Theysimplysaid"Goodmorning." Then the entire class mobbed us with love. I told the class teacher that I couldn't believe how loving the children were. She smiled and said, "Yes, but they are mischievous."
Yes, but they are mischievous
Monty with the mischievous Kindergarteners
National Pride
FOGS members presenting donation check to Principal McGhie, students, Killa Chris (back-center), and the esteemed staff at Lethe All-Age School
From Left: Charles ‘Monty’ Kong, Judy James, and Principal McGhie
Grade 4 Students
PHOTOS BY ELAINE KONG
LETHE ALL-AGE SCHOOL
Mission Statement
1.Build a community of perfect love through respect for self and others.
2.Help each student to function academically, aesthetically, and vocationally thereby making each student a functional member of society.
3.Help Students develop their creativity and innovativeness and to think logically.
School Pledge
This is our school. It is our duty to build it It will rise by our diligence It will fall by our negligence We are to make life happy for ourselves, our teachers, and our community Punctuality counts, neatness and accuracy no less. Our school will rise, rise, rise Success will make it and pass it along We love our school We’ll make it strong.
The hurricane's impact on the school was sobering. Water had risen about 3.5 feet inside the building, leaving behind significant mud and damage. Without electricity or water, a neighbor generously loaned themageneratorandapump,andtheywereableto use water from the very river that had flooded the school to wash out the mud. Several facilities remain out of use, most notably the Sick Bay and the kitchen. All of the kitchen cabinets need to be replaced before the Health Department will permit thekitchentoreopen.
Then there was Killa Chris. What a misnomer. He is a reallykindman.Aftertheschooltour,Killatookusto the town center and introduced us to the main industry of Lethe, rafting. He also shared a little history of the area. We stood on a bridge and looked at the river some 25 feet below. Killa shared that the waterhadcomeoverthatbridgeforonlythesecond time since it was built in the early 1800s. A humbling reminder of just how powerful and historic Hurricane Melissa'simpacttrulywas.
OnMarch26,2026,our$3,000donationtoLetheAllAgeSchoolbroughtourmemberstothecommunity, and what they witnessed there moved them deeply. That visit inspired an additional $1,000 contribution byMarieDufour-Buteautowardtherestorationofthe school kitchen. That is the spirit of FOGS in action, people seeing a need and responding with open hearts.
THE RIGHT REV. PETER EATON BISHOP, EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
Dinner
Guest Speaker PHILIP ROSE
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TOURISM, JAMAICA FOR THE AMERICAS
President’s Message ANDREW FOREMAN
FOGS Video Presentation
FOGS Appeal
Banner Sponsor’s Message EDWARD RAINE, CEO FOOD FOR THE POOR
HONORING OUR MEMBERS FOUNDING MEMBER BETTY DUFOUR REMEMBERANCE VIDEO
Membership Speeches SAMANTHA RADLEIN AND JOAN SEGRE
Presentation of Pins
2026 CORPORATE AWARD THE YOGI FOUNDATION
2026 HUMANITARIAN AWARD
MICHELLE BUTEAU
Musical Selection ALL STAR BAND
Dance Party
DJ MARK SWABY
OUR MISSION
FriendsofGoodShepherdInternational,Inc. is committed to provide financial, physical and moral support to the educational and healthcare needs of the disadvantaged. We provide resources to support the health, welfare, and education of the most vulnerablewithinthecommunitiesweserve.
OUR PLEDGE
As members of Friends of Good Shepherd International, Inc. we count it a privilege to be able to serve the poor and needy of Jamaica and beyond. We pledge to commit ourtime,resourcesandexpertiseinmaking adifferenceinthelivesofthosewhobenefit from our services. We seek to support the works of the Good Shepherd Foundation of Montego Bay and Mustard Seed Communities; we strive to assist needy students with education funds and the sick who have no one to turn to. We seek no praise or glory for our work, but will defend the mission of reaching out to the poor and disadvantaged with all our strength and financial resources. May God grant us the couragetobetruetoourpledge.
MEMBERS
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
PRESIDENT, ANDREW FOREMAN
VICE PRESIDENT, GINA TULLOCH
TREASURER, VACANT
SECRETARY, DENISE ISAACS
EMERITA
HONORARY MEMBERS
OLD MEMBERS
DAMIAN & ANDREA FACEY
IAN & LUZANNE FFRENCH
FREDRENA GREEN
WILLIAM MCINTOSH
JOSEPH RHODEN
ILVER MEMBERS
SHEILA BARRETT
LORNA KOZLOWSKI
CLIFF & VELMA SCOTT
RONZE MEMBERS
DELROY & LUCIA DAVIS
MAGGIE DECAMBRE
JUSTIN FOREMAN
ACTIVE MEMBERS
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE VITAS EMPLOYEES WHO REGULARLY DONATE IN SUPPORT OF OUR MISSION.
CELIA BRADY *
CLOVER DAVIS
JACQUES DAVIS
ANDREW FOREMAN*
JENNIFER FOREMAN*
BERTRAM GODDARD
ELAINE GODDARD
DENISE ISAACS
JUDY JAMES *
ALISON KONG
ELAINE KONG *
CHARLES (MONTY) KONG *
YASMINE MCINTOSH
MONICA PITTER
SAMANTHA RADLEIN
JOSEPH RHODEN
KIMBERLY SAHOY
JOAN SEGRE
HYACINTH SPENCE
GINA TULLOCH
CLARONA WILLIAMS *
DENOTES MEMBERS WITH 20 YEARS AND GREATER OF
DENOTES MEMBERS WITH 10 YEARS AND GREATER OF ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP
FOR
MARIE DUFOUR-BUTEAU
STANDING WITH JAMAICA
FOGS HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS
When Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025 as a powerful Category 5 hurricane, it left a trail of devastation across Jamaica, with over 600 schools sustaining significantdamage.Amongthoseaffectedwere three of Montego Bay's most respected educational institutions, Cornwall College, Montego Bay High School, and Mount Alvernia High School. Friends of Good Shepherd International answered the call without hesitation.
Truetoits30-yearcommitmenttothepeopleof Jamaica,FOGSmobilizedtoprovidedirectrelief to all three schools, contributing funds to supporttherestorationoffacilitiesandhelpget students back into a safe and stable learning environment as quickly as possible. For FOGS, this was not simply a donation. It was a reaffirmation of the belief that education must beprotected,eveninthemostdifficultoftimes. Cornwall College, Montego Bay High School, and Mt. Alvernia High School are more than schools. They are pillars of their community, shaping the next generation of Jamaican leaders, professionals, and change-makers. SeeingthemimpactedbyHurricaneMelissawas a sobering reminder of how vulnerable these vitalinstitutionscanbe,andhowcriticalitisto havepartnerswillingtostepupwhenitmatters most.
FOGS is grateful to all of its members and supporters whose generosity made this relief effortpossible.Together,wearehelpingJamaica rebuild,oneschoolatatime.
Representing FOGS, Mrs. Elaine Kong presents a check to Principal Michael Ellis of Cornwall College
Representing FOGS, Mrs. Judy James presents a check to Principal Gairy Powell of Montego Bay High School
Representing FOGS, Mr. Monty Kong (right) presents a check to Principal, Mrs. Kayon Whyne (2nd from right$ and Mt. Alvernia High School staff.
2025PICNIC
OCTOBER18,2025
REMEMBERING
Betty Dufour
Friends of Good Shepherd International pauses to honor the memory of one of its most beloved founding members, Betty Dufour, whose grace, dedication, and love for Jamaica were woven into the very fabricofthisorganization.
In1996,followingArchbishopCharlesDufour'sappointmentasBishop of Montego Bay, he gathered a group of former parishioners from Jamaicawithasharedvision:tosupporteducationfundinginJamaica. That group first met on the back porch of Betty's home, where she welcomed everyone with warmth and grace. As a founding member, Betty was deeply involved in planning fundraisers and participated in severalmissiontripstoJamaica.
Long before migrating to the United States, Betty had already dedicated herself to helping children access education funding in Jamaica. Her involvement with FOGS was simply a continuation of a lifelongpassionforservice.
Betty was married to Tony for over sixty years and is survived by her two children, Charles and Andrew, theirbeloved daughters-in-lawMarina and Melissa, and three grandchildren, Nicholas,Alex, andBrandon.
Professionally, Betty served as secretary to Dr. John Gordon Clarkson MD, Dean of the University of MiamiMedicalSchool,untilherretirement.Duringhertenure,shequietlyandgenerouslyhelpedmany JamaicansinneedofeyesurgerygainaccesstocareattherenownedBascomPalmerEyeInstitute.
OnMay20,2025,Bettywascalledhometoeternalrest.Atherfuneral,thefamilyrequesteddonations to Friends of Good Shepherd International in lieu of flowers. Among those donations, Dr. Clarkson contributed a $1,000 scholarship in Betty's honor, awarded to a deserving student inJamaica, a fitting tributetoawomanwhospentherlifeopeningdoorsforothers.
Mayhersoulrestineternalpeace.
Roots of a mission: FOGS members gather at Betty Dufour's home in the early years.
On May 31, 2025, current and former FOGS members came together to honor and celebrate the life of beloved founding member Betty Dufour.
Betty Dufour with Dr. Clarkson
Tony giving Mrs. Margaret Campbell, Principal at St. George's College check for scholarship June 27th, 2025
ROOTED IN PURPOSE
HONORING THE YOGI FOUNDATION WITHTHEFOGSCORPORATEAWARD
Friends of Good Shepherd International (FOGS) is proud to recognize The Yogi Foundation as the recipient of the FOGS Corporate Award at the 30th Annual Fundraising Gala. This honor reflects a partnership built on shared values and a mutual commitment to creating lasting change in the livesofthosewhoneeditmost.
ThroughtheadvocacyofMichelleButeauandthe Yogi Foundation's dedication to meaningful impact, FOGS was honored to receive a transformative gift totaling $75,000. These funds were distributed across seven vital initiatives in Jamaica, each representing a step along a shared PathwaytoDignity.
HOWTHEFUNDSWEREDISTRIBUTED
Archbishop (Emeritus) Charles Dufour's Education Fund received $45,000 to expand access to scholarships and academic resources for Jamaican students, equipping young people with the tools to pursue higher education and longtermopportunity.
Good Shepherd Foundation, Montego Bay received $9,000 in support of programs providing healthcare, care services, and structured learning environmentsforvulnerablechildrenandadults.
Mustard Seed Communities received $10,000 to advance holistic care for children with special needsandindividualslivinginpoverty,reinforcing dignityandopportunity.
Hope Teaching Clinic received $5,000 to support an outpatient clinic offering doctors' rooms, pharmacyservices,dentalcare,acanteen,andan operatingtheatreforminorprocedures.
Lethe All-Age School Hurricane Restoration received $3,000 to assist in restoring school facilities impacted by hurricane damage, ensuring educational continuityandcommunityresilience.
VillageofHope,nowknownasLivWell, received$3,000tosupportitsAdultDay Centre, Small Care Home, and Eye Centre,enrichingthelivesofindividuals intheMontegoBaycommunitythrough exceptionalagingandeyecareservices.
A SEAMLESS ALIGNMENT OF VISION
TheYogiFoundation'smissiontoinvestin human potential aligns seamlessly with the work FOGS has carried out over 30 years of service in Jamaica. From education and healthcare to restoration and dignified elder care, every dollar of this gift has been directed toward removingbarriersandopeningdoors.This is the Pathway to Dignity in action: the belief that every person, regardless of circumstance, deserves access to the resources, care, and opportunity needed tothrive.
FOGS is honored to formally recognize TheYogiFoundationbeforeitsmembers and supporters at the 30th Annual Fundraising Gala on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the DoubleTree by Hilton at Sawgrass.Thismilestonecelebrationof30 years of service, powered by people, would not be complete without acknowledging the profound impact of thispartnership.
Michelle Antoinette Buteau was born in Boonton, New Jersey. After attending high school in South Jersey, she relocated to Florida to attend Florida International University, pursuing a degree in Journalism. At FIU, she wastoldbyaprofessorthatshewastoofattobeinfront of the camera. Rather than be defeated, Michelle channeled that moment into fuel, working behind the scenesandbecomingaskilleddigitaleditor.
MICHELLE BUTEAU
At FIU, she became involved with Friends of Good Shepherd (FOGS), attending mission trips to Montego Bay, Jamaica. On herfirsttrip,shebroughtahandheldvideo recorder and documented the various facilities supported by FOGS, including a hospice, clinic, and school. The hospice left a lasting impression on her, as she witnessed firsthand the fragility of life and theurgentneedforcompassionatecarein underserved communities. When she returned, she edited the footage and provided FOGS with its first video to be shownatitsannualfundraiser.
After graduating, Michelle relocated to New York and took a job with NBC editing the news. She was working the overnight shift on September 11, 2001, and after covering that tragedy, she made the lifechanging decision to pursue comedy as a waytobringlighttoaworldthatsodeeply needed it. She left her editing career and neverlookedback.
She has since become an accomplished author, comedian, host, actress, and producer, earning numerous awards for her work. Throughout her rise, she has never stopped giving back. She has performed shows raising funds for variouscharitiesandforFOGSinNew York,andhashostedseveraltelevision programswithproceedsgoingdirectly totheorganization.
Today, Michelle is more than an entertainer.Sheisanadvocateandan inspiration, particularly for plus-size women, proving that the very thing someone uses to count you out can becomethefoundationofyourgreatest story. She champions self-love, resilience, and the courage to pursue yourdreamsonyourownterms.
Michelle lives in New York with her husband, Gijs van der Most, a Dutch photographer, and their 7-year-old twins,HazelandOtis.
FriendsofGoodShepherdInternational is proud and honored to present Michelle Buteau with the FOGS Humanitarian Award in recognition of hergenerosity,heradvocacy,andher unwaveringcommitmenttomakingthe worldabrighterplace.
EDUCATION ALegacyofCommitmentto
ANNUAL ARCHBISHOP DUFOUR SCHOLARHIP
Celebrating the Inaugural FOGS Lifetime Achievement Scholarship in Honor of Archbishop Emeritus Charles Dufour
In 2025, Friends of Good Shepherd (FOGS) bestoweditsinauguralLifetimeAchievement Award upon Archbishop Emeritus Charles Dufour in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the people of Jamaica. As a hallmark of this award, FOGS committed to awarding US$1,000 annually to the Archbishop's Education Fund for Jamaica, directly supporting deserving Jamaican studentsforgenerationstocome.
Our Generous Donors
FOGS extends its deepest gratitude to Charles (Monty) and Elaine Kong, donors of the first scholarship, and to Hope Bodden, donor of the second. In the inaugural year, two US$1,000 scholarships were awarded, a remarkable reflection of the generosity and spiritoftheFOGScommunity.
Meet the 2025 Scholarship Recipient
FOGS is proud to present the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Scholarship to Miss Kelliesha DavisofMountAlverniaHighSchool(MAHS)in Montego Bay, Jamaica. A Grade 12C student pursuing Business Administration, Kelliesha excels in Management in Business, Tourism, and Communications. She is active in netball, basketball,PhotoImaging,andCadetClub,and servesherschoolasaPrefect.Sheaspirestoa college degree in International Marketing and/orAccounting.
DHL: Connecting People, Improving Lives Through Education
AsFriendsofGoodShepherdInternationalcelebrates its 30th anniversary, we are honored to recognize a partnerwhosecommitmenttocommunityhasmadea profoundimpactonstudentsacrossJamaica.
DHL is known globally for connecting people and businesses, but it is equally distinguished for connecting communities to opportunity through meaningful acts of service. At the heart of DHL's philanthropy is its company purpose: Connecting People,ImprovingLives.Thisisnotjustaslogan;itisa cultural foundation lived by thousands of employees acrosstheAmericas,includingtheCaribbean.
ThisspiritfuelsDHLHelpingLearners,thecompany's technology access program in which volunteers refurbish decommissioned laptops and donate them to schools and nonprofit organizations at no cost. FOGS International was the proud beneficiary of 150 laptops through this initiative five years ago, and DHL'sgenerositycontinuestogrow.
Across every country in the Americas, I've seen our people step forward with compassion, energy, and a genuine desire to makeadifference.Volunteeringis more than giving time. It's about creatingabetterworldtogether.
Andrew Williams CEO of DHL Express Americas
Connecting People, Improving Lives Through Education DHL:
Thisyear,DHLhasmadeanextraordinarydonationof 300laptopsand12laserprinterstosupportstudents, youth programs, and community organizations throughout Jamaica. This contribution is especially timely in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the Category 5 hurricane that made landfall in October 2024 and causedsignificantdamagetoover600schoolsacross theisland.Ascommunitiesworktorebuildandrestore educational continuity, DHL's donation arrives as a powerfulandpracticalactofsolidarity.
Thiscontributiondoesmorethanprovidetechnology. It transforms futures. It empowers teachers striving for modern, digital instruction; It opens doors for young people preparing for careers in a rapidly evolving world; and it strengthens the organizations thatupliftvulnerablefamilieseveryday.
Friends of Good Shepherd International is deeply grateful for DHL's generosity, its commitment to education, and its belief in building stronger, brighter futures for every child. Together, we celebrate a partnership rooted in compassion, purpose, and the unwaveringdrivetoimprovelives.
Thank you, DHL, for helping us empower today's studentsandtomorrow'sleaders.
Special thanks to Esteban Rivas and his team of volunteers, whose dedication and skill make this all possible.
Giving Back to Those Who Give:
Friends of Good Shepherd International has long believed that strong partnerships are the foundation of lasting change. One of our most cherished and enduringpartnershipsiswithFoodforthePoor(FFTP), an organization that has stood alongside Jamaica for over 40 years. In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, FOGS was proud to present a $3,500 donation to FFTP in recognition of their extraordinary relief efforts andinsupportofthevitalworktheycontinuetodofor thepeopleofJamaica.
When Hurricane Melissa made landfall in October 28, 2025, as the most powerful storm in Jamaica's recordedhistory,FoodforthePoorwasready.Trueto their reputation, FFTP had already mobilized resources well before the storm arrived, prepositioning food, water, generators, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, and bedding across the island so that relief could begin the moment it was safe to do so. FFTP's Director of Operations, Nakhle Hado, confirmed that teams were in full preparation mode even as the storm approached, working closely with partners to ensure an immediate response. In the weeks that followed, more than 1,600 volunteers assistedwithpackinganddistribution,withwarehouse output averaging 3,500 food kits per day. FFTP coordinated their response in close partnership with the Government of Jamaica, the Jamaica Defence Force, and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, ensuring that aid reached themostvulnerablecommunitiesacrosstheisland.
ForFOGS,supportingFFTPwasanatural and heartfelt response. As one of our most ardent and longstanding supporters, FFTPhas consistentlyshown up for Jamaica with compassion, urgency, and unwavering commitment. When they needed support, we did not want to miss the opportunity to give back.
FOGS extends its sincere gratitude to every member, donor, and supporter whose generositymade this contribution possible. It is because ofyou thatwe are able to extend our mission beyond our own programs and stand behind the partnerswhoshareourvalues.
We are deeply grateful for our partnership with Food for the Poor and look forward to many more years of working together toward a stronger, more dignified future for the people of Jamaica.
FOGS Presents Donation to Food for the Poor
From Left: Monica Pitter, Clover Davis, Jacques Davis, Magda Canales, Maricarmen Arguiano, and Michael Chin Quee
THIRTYYEARSOF
Thirty years ago, a seed was sown, A handful of hearts, a vision grown. A simple gathering, a common call, To rise for the least, to stand for all.
From Montego Bay to Florida's shore, We answered the knock at every door. No child forgotten, no elder alone, Powered by people who made it home.
Through hurricanes, heartbreak, and seasons of grief, We showed up with hope, we showed up with relief. Thirty years of giving, of faith, and of grace, And still so much love left to put in its place.
So here is to all who have given their best, Thirty years strong, and we are not done, For as long as there is need, this work carries on.
