Well everyone, the crew from Tampa and Connecticut are all home, and sad to be gone from Treasure Beach. We did want to thank everyone in the community for their tremendous efforts on behalf of the new Women's Center and Clinic building, including Patti and Joe, the local Peace Corps volunteers (Patti spent months organizing and fundraising--great job!); our skilled and dedicated local crew, including Herbert, Radiant, Witty, Desmond and Nesbert, young Dwight, and our volunteer and good friend Alteman (Moor) Graham; the Todd family for donating the use of their villa, Lyric; Polly, Dawn and Mr. Graham for taking such good care of us (as always); the women's group (and especially their energetic president, Jean) for funding the project and feeding us every day; Lisa for moral, financial and technical support, Axel for so much, including building plans, materials and labor; Rebecca for transportation, Jason Henzell and BREDS, and a great big thank-you to Celeste Anderson, who has made this her full-time job!

The building still has a long way to go--we need a roof and fixtures, among other things. We would love to see more community support--if interested, please reply to this message with your name and contact information.

Best wishes to all--Janet and Erik MacPeek

Dear Janet,

After everything that you have all done, I am confident that you will get a lot of reply messages from people in the community to help support and complete what you have all created. I know everyone is exhausted from fixing up after Ivan, so hopefully after Christmas when everyone is well rested , we will all be ready to start again in the New Year.
Please contact me directly and let me know what I can do.
Sarah Todd
twigitha@cwjamaica.com

What the Treasure Beach Womens Group needs more than anything else right now to be able to complete this wonderful building is MONEY -- plain and simple. If someone can send a big check, that would be great; but even small, small donations would be very welcome. I will volunteer to collect and courier ship any checks directly to them. (This would probably be the easiest way to consolidate donations from the U.S. and Canada.) Please make them out to TBWG, and mail them to:

Karen Kennedy
11124 Rich Meadow Drive
Great Falls, VA 22066-1415

If donations are coming from Jamaica or Europe, I ask that someone from TBWG add a message explaining the best way to get your donations to them. And, if you're reading this in Treasure Beach, even a small cash donation will be much appreciated; just watch the Forum for instructions on where you can deliver your donation. (Please know that even a $100J will help.)

Just send the checks payable to Treasure Beach Women's Group, Calabash Bay P.A., St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, West Indies.

For further information you can also email tbwgjamaica@yahoo.com.

Many people have been asking about the progress of our new building. The 40x40 cement and block structure is replacing the 15x26 board house that Ivan completely destroyed. Through the generous donations of so many, and a grant from USAID and United Way $1.5 million ($25,000 US) towards the total cost of $2.5 million ($41,666 US) has been raised.

Part of the roof was cast on Sunday, and the roof over the large (almost 30x30) meeting room will be shingles. The walls are being rendered as we speak, doors and windows will go in early January and the ladies will be out with their paint brushes once the roof is complete. We’ve come this far and we’re only in our fourth week of construction.

Those of you who are looking for one last year-end deduction might want to peek at our "needs" list below. Contributions would be gratefully accepted.

You can write a check to:
The Treasure Beach Women’s Group

And send to:
Patti Shannon
Calabash Bay P.A.
St Elizabeth, Jamaica, W.I.


Doors (12) @ $61.00/door
Door locks (12) @ $10.00/lock
Windows (12) @ $60.00/window
Kitchen sink $90.00
Hand basin (3) @ $22.50
Paint (75) @ $21.00/gallon
Roof shingles (900) @ $2.00/sq ft
Groove & Tongue board (900) @ $1.00/sq ft
Hurricane straps (40) @ $0.50/strap
2x6x26 board (18) @ $42.00/piece
Cement (100) @ $6.50/bag
Tin set (60) @ $5.75/bag
Floor tiles (1600) Donated!!!
Electrical materials estimate $1,000.00
Plumbing materials estimate $420.00
One day, one man labor (320) @ $25.00/day

-Patti
(US Peace Corps Volunteer working with TBWG)