KERRY ANN FUND ** send this message 4th Annual Scholarship Appeal to 5 or more Summer 2001 friends!!** Hi Folks-- Kerry Ann Fund has added 2 new Jamaican girls (Jessica and Delecia) as scholarship recipients for fall 2001. Added to the 4 active girls (Kerry Ann and Nadesha of Annotto Bay, Kaiwan (Negril) and Kayon (Brownstown), that's a total of 6 girls receiving support to attend school (the neediest receiving disproportionately higher levels of assistance). Jessica and Delecia (Little London Primary School, near Negril) were hand-picked by their principal as particularly worthy and needy students. Both did very well on their high school placement exam. Moving from primary to high school means added expense in Jamaica, and for these kids it will be tough. Her principal (Mrs.Brooks) noted that Delecia lives in a one-room house with several family members but scores at the top of her class. I met Jessica 2 years ago selling ginnep on the streets of Negril. Kaiwan also moves from primary to high school this fall, with its added financial burden. Kerry Ann graduates high school this June and will go to flight attendant school with Air Jamaica or attend local college. (Six years ago she was selling on the street like Jessica is now and for 3 years after her house burned down has also lived in a 1-room house.) My advice has been to get the best education she can, which might entail 2 years community college and 2 years at Univ. West Indies in Kingston. Obviously that will mean a not-inconsiderable expense. None of the girls have a father close by (in both senses). 100% of donations always goes directly to the girls as cash payments. For the 2 new girls, money will be sent to their principal, who will pay their fees and expenses. Actually I will be traveling to Jamaica in July-Aug. and should be able to pay Jessica's and Delecia's fees directly, as I will want to meet their mothers and new principals. Not to mention meeting Miss Delecia herself!! (Did you know that about 3 or 4 years ago a 13-year-old Jamaican girl from Kingston won the US national spelling bee, competing against students up to age 17!!) Kerry Ann Fund does not operate without expenses (I pay all from my pocket, with a big help from Bob & Les Carson while I've been in Vietnam and Taiwan). Sending money (via registered mail) to 4 girls, say 5 times each for a total of 20 times in a year, is $140. Telephoning adds up but I feel it is an essential component of this project to keep in touch with the girls, check on arrival of payments, ask about current needs and future plans, wish happy birthdays and merry christmases, check on summer plans, communicate/advise/be a friend in general. Of course I make my own personal contributions to Kerry Ann Fund. I will return Calif. after July 1, 2001 and travel to Jamaica after July 15, 2001. It will be convenient to receive your check by that time in order to hand carry funds to JA and pay school fees in timely fashion. Its OKAY to send money later, but your check must arrive before Sept. 15 as I will return to Taiwan. The girls will still get their money. REFERENCES: I will supply phone numbers of Kerry Ann and Nadesha's principal, Sister Chen, and Jessica and Delecia's principal, (Mrs. Brooks) upon request. (no, KAFund is not yet a registered nonprofit organization) Thanks for any help you can offer. It's so important! ****************** Send check payable to: David Cupples 1505 Secrest Santa Ana CA 92704 local phone 1-714-545-0812 davidcdusty@hotmail.com