Errol Ritchie - President

On behalf of the Atlanta Jamaican Association, Inc. (AJA), I wish for you, your family and all people, a New Year that brings health, happiness and prosperity.  I thank you for your support over the years and look forward to your active participation as we strive to grow the organization and make it more relevant and meaningful for us all. To our beloved country of Jamaica, congratulations on your 50th anniversary of independence and may your leaders be blessed with health and the wisdom and knowledge necessary to move Jamaica and all its people, on the path of growth and prosperity.

2011 was a challenging year for many of us. The negative effects of the world recession were felt everywhere and in some instances, affected our lives in a negative way. Jobs were lost, homes were lost to foreclosure and our financial stability challenged. As we celebrate the holidays, we cannot avoid the reality of growing income inequality and a declining middle class. Many of us are looking to our community and government for solutions while we strive to maintain a sense of normalcy in our lives. Organizations like AJA are being asked to do more for those affected most by the poor economic conditions while it is becoming more difficult for AJA to obtain the required funding. Despite this gloomy picture, we remain confident that the resilience and tenacity of our people will take us through these tough times and strengthen our resolve to excel.

On December 29, 2011, Jamaica elected a new government that will take the country into 2012 - the year in which Jamaica celebrates its 50th anniversary of independence. We take this opportunity to congratulate Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and her party, on their victory. We join the many Jamaicans in the Diaspora who pledge support for the government and stand ready to contribute to the success of our country. We encourage the government to reach out to us for not just remittances but more importantly, for direct investment, intellectual input, technology transfer and our entrepreneurial drive. Together, we can make Jamaica great.

2012 is expected to be an eventful year for AJA and Jamaica, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the independence of Jamaica. AJA will be involved in events all year to celebrate this milestone in our history. We will lead the effort in some including the annual independence ball, and collaborate on others. The objective is to work with the Jamaica 50th - Atlanta Planning Committee, to generate large attendances for all of the events and in the process, showcase our Jamaican culture to the general community in Georgia and adjoining states. Our Cultural Committee has been very effective in promoting events that feature our culture and will play a leading role in the 2012 events.

Our athletes will also be competing in the 2012 Olympics and our expectations are high. Jamaica's dominance of the sprint races will be tested and we are confident that our team of athletes will make Jamaicans all over the world, very proud. We pray for their success and look forward to hearing Jamaica's national anthem and seeing the Jamaican flag raised on many occasions.

As we prepare for Jamaica's 50th, we will continue work on the many programs currently in progress. Our scholarship committee will partner with Tropical Sports Club as it has done in the past, to award scholarships to highly qualified students of Jamaican parentage. Your financial contribution is crucial in our ability to offer these scholarships and we urge you to volunteer your support.

Our drive to acquire a building to house our operations and activities will be pursued with a sense of urgency. Please visit our website to contribute to the building fund. We will continue our efforts to attract the younger generation to become members and actively participate in the programs of the association. We will also seek to work with other Caribbean organizations to influence matters affecting our community.

The work of the Family Relations Committee is ongoing. Our record of providing assistance to Jamaicans here and in Jamaica has attracted commendation from all quarters. As we have done over the years, we will help to feed the homeless in Atlanta, visit Jamaica to feed and interact with residents of infirmaries and homeless shelters, provide assistance to schools in Jamaica, assist bereaving families in Atlanta and provide help to those who call upon us for help. We undertake these efforts despite severe budgetary constraints and your contribution in the form of time and money helps tremendously.

I invite you to join us in our commitment to improve the lives of our people. Regardless of your background, you have skills and abilities that can help the organization grow and expand. AJA needs your participation and your efforts will be greatly appreciated. To our members, I ask that you remain active and explore how you can expand your role. Invite others to join AJA. If you are not a member of AJA, I invite you to join - visit our website (www.ajaatlanta.org) and complete the member application. The independence jubilee deserves the input of all Jamaicans.

God bless.