'Friends of the Edna Manley Clinic' launched

THE Friends of the Edna Manley Clinic, comprising a "core team" of individuals from Grants Pen where the clinic is located and the Acadia and Barbican communities, as well as representatives of corporate organisations, was launched last Tuesday, at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston.

Guest speaker and Minister of Information, Senator Maxine Henry-Wilson, said for founder of the clinic, the late Edna Manley, "community was not only a physical focus. It meant caring, sharing, co-operation, collaborating, conflict management and resolution."

According to Senator Henry-Wilson, "Today, we must beg the forgiveness of Edna Manley for having, in many ways, betrayed her vision. Grants Pen has become the antithesis of community. This location has become synonymous with conflict." The restoration of the clinic, she said, represents "a second chance to make it a focus of the community. Here "community" must be returned to its real meaning."

In her address, chairperson of the team and president of Development Options Limited, Ms. Maureen Webber, said initially, the Friends will "focus on ensuring that necessary refurbishing is undertaken and that critical drugs and equipment are available." She added, however, that the group's objective is to reach "beyond this narrow perception of what support groups like this should do."

Other speakers included Member of Parliament for the area, Delroy Chuck, community leader Mr. Phillip Williams, as well as Manley family representative, Dr. Douglas Manley.

Work at the clinic begins tomorrow, with the repairing of the clinic's roof and landscaping. A budget of approximately $1 million is required to complete the roof. Pledges for financial support and material totalling $200,000 were received from a number of organisations.

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