New
Vision Children's Home
I. History
The dream of the
New Vision Children's Home became a reality in 1981, when Charles
and Ernestine Benson, Missionaries from the United States after working
in partnership with the management of Faith Home in Stony Hill St.
Andrew, felt it was time to pull out roots and replant themselves
in the beautiful hills of Colleyville, Manchester.
The impact was
soon felt in the lives of the children of the home and in the wider
community. Consequently, there are young people who were wards, who
are currently involved in different strata of society all over the
world. These includes Audrey Smith, a school teacher, Joy Williams
dental nurse, Carlton Dailey evangelist, Ricardo Robinson soldier
in the JDF, Paty-Gay Rohdes first aid and CPR instructor, Eldon Huges,
in British Army, Peter, driver for INDICOM, Brittany Francis who recently
complete her studies at the Bethlehem Moravian College, and Samantha
Mitchell who is a proud recipient of a scholarship granted by COJO
and is currently a second year student at the Bethlehem Moravian College.
About 12 years
ago, Mr. and Mrs. Benson returned to their homeland after which the
management of New Vision was taken over by local and subsequently
other foreign entities. The home is currently operated by the Assemblies
of God Churches in Jamaica. Mr. Charles Benson passed away on Friday
April 19th 2013.
New Vision is
currently governed by the following objectives:
- To provide
a home for needy children in a loving Christ-centered, disciplined
environment.
- To witness
the evidence of transformed lives through training, nurturing, and
mentoring.
- To raise up
a generation of productive citizens for the community, the nation,
and the church.
- Our Mission
statement is "Changing a life, one child at a time"
We endeavour to
partner with the Child Development Agency, family members, the community,
and all other stakeholders to make these dreams a reality.
II. The Children
In total there
are 20 children, 11 boys and 9 girls. However, the home has capacity
for 40 children.
The processes
and activities at New Vision to ensure that each child is developed
into a productive citizen include:
- The completing
of daily chores.
- The socialization
of children as they work and play together and establish bonds with
family members and members of the wider community.
- The provisions
and development of life skills, which include computer courses,
repairs and maintenance of equipment, farming which includes the
rearing of animals including chickens, pigs, goats and rabbits.
III. Challenges
Some of our challenges
include:
- The result
of the recent burglarizing of the home which result in the loss
of many valuable pieces of equipment, such as computers and tools
for our workshop.
- The need for
increase security measures.
- Needs relating
to the holistic development of each child.
- The need for
general maintenance and completion of well needed building, which
will housed a computer lab, class rooms, art and craft room and
a home economic center.
The children and
their wellbeing continue to be our number one priority as we work
together to contribute to the development of these precious lives
and the wider society.
IV. Medical
Clinic
For over twenty
eight years New Visions has been operating a fully equipped medical
clinic. This clinic caters for the medical needs of the many needy
people of the community. Drs. Mike Collins and Rich Montgomery have
been taking medical teams for the past 28 to attend to the health
needs of the community and the children and staff at New Vision.
