Charity farm needs help to keep feeding elderly
(CNS): Police Constable Fabian O’Çonnor who has with the help of major donor Chris Johnson been running a community charity farm in Bodden Town since 2021 said that the non-profit is in need of support to keep giving fresh vegetables and fruit to the elderly and others residents in need. Following a recent donation of over $3000 from the office of the auditor general O’Connor appealled for more support as he said the facility is constantly in need of donations in kind or cash to keep going.
The farm started over three years ago when PC O’Connor felt there was a need to grow and supply fresh
produce to the underprivileged, particularly older people, in Cayman at no cost. He identified a suitable
location and met the owner Barbara Jackson who agreed a tenancy agreement for five years on a
derelict building and an acre of fertile land.
With the support of several business people, the farm was established as a charity and it relies heavily on donations in cash and kind to keep operational. The land is fully farmed and future plans include rearing chickens and goats. “I enjoy helping the community and thank the people and businesses that have supported the work of the farm so far,” O’Connor said as he thanked the OAG for their donation.
Chris Johnson a retired forensic accountant and audit expert who has been a major financial backer of the project said the farm will be having its biggest event of the year on Boxing Day when the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman hosts a party for Cayman’s older people and gives each of them a box of vegetables and fruit to take away.
“During the year our produce has helped many older people not only on Grand Cayman but also in Cayman Brac and for the first time, Little Cayman as well,” he said.
The OAG staff raised $3100 for the farm as part of the team’s celebrations to mark the office’s 40th anniversary celebrations. Sue Winspear, the Auditor General said she was struck by the benefits this farm offers by simply growing a variety of vegetables and fruits and giving these away free to older people in our community who really benefit from them.
“The time, effort and energy Fabian and Chris give to this endeavor is truly admirable and is all for the benefit of others. Our donation, whilst relatively small, will make a big difference in keeping the farm going,” she said.
To make a donation email: cdj@cjacayman.com
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Category: Local News
I take this opportunity to thank our supporters including The Rotary Club of Grand Cayman for their recent donation. However the article really reflects the contribution to local society by the Auditor General and her department who each year raise money for charity. Her leadership within the confines of government auditing is unprecedented. In my opinion this position is one of the most arduous on the island and I do know a few things about that subject. Her planned departure next year will be felt and her shoes will be difficult to fill.
I agree with you about Ms Winspear, Mr Johnson. I knew all the Auditors General back to Nick Treen well and she has outperformed all of them and done it with a quiet professionalism and lack of personal publicity seeking that marred the efforts of two of these, decent enough auditors though they were. We shall miss her.
Hope Mrs Winspear comes back as Governor one day..
Deputy Governor would be better for her to actually do the things we need.
Keep up the good work Fabian and Chris!
You would think that the company that is getting paid $9M to do the fitout would at least make a donation…Greed runs this country…
??? Please explain. More details needed as this doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense.
Chris please throw your hat in the political arena and stop the madness this current government is committing us and the next generation to which is debt and more debt
He cant. Not a multi generational Caymanian, so banned from running no matter how good hearted he is and how much he has Cayman interests at heart. Whereas someone with convictions for selling drugs, or beating women, not so much of a problem apparently.
That’s why our laws have to be changed to allow Status Holders the right to run for office. We’ve got too many incompetent politicians in office that given a qualified foreign born Caymanian the right to run for office, makes perfectly good sense…too bad good senses are in short supply these days.
A prerequisite, some would say!
No, 8:45, he’s not a generational Caymanian and he’s only been here for, er, erm, about 60 years and what has he done for the place unlike all those others in Parliament like, er, John John?
lol! Nice one @1:06.
Don’t think he can run. Would be interesting to say the least!
Sad that we can’t have Chris represent us. He came here when Cayman was still Cayman and fell in love, he hasn’t looked back since.
He’s been here longer than I’ve been alive and has a true love of his home, yet we won’t allow him to contribute some of that vast amount of experience and knowledge stored away in his head.
‘Chris Johnson a retired forensic accountant and audit expert…’
Exactly what is needed in CIG, these ‘thieves’ would have been gone long time ago and Cayman would be in a much better situation and reputation!
Well Done to those involved, lots of hard work to get that going.
This exactly is the sort of local endeavor that government should be supporting, not burning money on fireworks.
there is room for both….but plenty of scope to cut other cig and civil service waste
Tell that to the Port Authority… $57,000 for fireworks..???
How much cash did Mac, then JuJu give Jamaica… and for what benefit to cayman…wotes..?
Maybe their children should be feeding them instead.
5.58…Easier to stand around and let expat volunteers deliver food to their aged parents .
Most children love and support their parents. Sperm donors who were never for one day involved in their children’s lives or gave one red cent to the mother to help feed them, clothe them, or pay school fees are not always loved by the sperm they donated 60+ years ago.
…yet government spends 9 MILLION DOLLARS, on an office fit out.
This place is royally screwed with the Administration of Clowns running this Circus.