4 Aubrey Campbell /Gleaner Writer NEW YORK, NY, USA: T HREE JAMAICANS in the diaspora, and spanning continents, who have given exemplary and dedicated service will be honoured on Sunday, April 23 by the Organization for International Development Inc (OID) at its annual spring luncheon, the marquee fundraiser for the body. The event to be held at the Greentree Country Club, New Rochelle, NewYork, is being held under the theme‘33 years of HOPE’. The three are Heather Tucker, who will receive the OID Volunteer Service Award; Garnet Spence for Community Service; and Dr. Roy Streete, the current chair of the body whose vision for the marginalised and those living in under-served communities in his native Jamaica, has taken on global significance. Streete, a career dental surgeon in the Bronx, NY, and a one-time diaspora representative, will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, for unwavering service in 33 years. In 1990 Dr Streete, and a group of individuals founded (OID), Inc, with the goal of improving the quality of life for the under-privileged populations around the world. OID is now a multidisciplinary, multifaceted, non-political, not-for-profit organisation, registered with the IRS as a 501©3 entity, which makes all donations tax deductible as per applicable law. Since then, OID has expanded its services to countries beyond Jamaica to include Brazil, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Carriacou and Petit Martinique, St. Vincent (Bequia, Canouan) and The Grenadines, St. Lucia, India, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, South Africa and The United States. Much-needed services in the areas of paediatrics, gynaecology, medicine, dentistry, ophthalmology, physical therapy and social services have been provided. HAVING NO FRILLS “I am delighted for the cadre of volunteers who, over the years, have bought into the motto of the organisation, Helping Others to Help Themselves,” offered Dr Streete, who is described as soft-spoken and having no frills. In January 2023, OID led a medical mission in Jamaica with a team of about 50 volunteers who provided dental care to 702 patients, medical care to 732 people; performed 127 pap smears; prescribed 191 reading glasses; and prescribed and dispensed 967 medications. In partnership with Montefiore Medical Centre, the cardiacsurgical team performed 10 surgeries in collaboration with Northwell Health. The obstetrics surgical team performed uterine fibroid surgeries on eight patients, all at The University Hospital of the West Indies in St Andrew, Jamaica. OID is not limited to medicine and healthcare. It sponsors vocational programmes, rebuild homes, funds academically talented students, and helps communities with building of libraries and health centres. OID is working with Northern Caribbean University to acquire a mobile mammography van to address the cancer-screening needs of women in Jamaica. OIDmember, Dr. Michelle James, said all proceeds will benefit on-going work in Jamaica and the planned medical mission to the southern region of Africa, next year. A limited number of tickets are still available from members of the organisation. THREE DECADES OF HOPE The mobile medical van donated to OID by the Vincent HoSang Family Foundation. Organization for International Development (OID) Inc to fete volunteers at spring luncheon Dr. Roy Streete (right, foreground) and a teamof volunteer medical professionals in Jamaica earlier this year. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Heather Tucker, RN, MSN THE MONTHLY GLEANER | APRIL 17 - MAY 23, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS
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