As critical discussions took place among delegates at the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, several businesses and organisations, including the Jamaica Kidney Kids Foundation (JKKF) and Junlyn Artz, also received increased support, inside the conference marketplace.
JKKF, a registered charity organisation helping to improve the lives of children diagnosed with kidney disease and Junlyn Artz, a handmade resin and lumber small craft business, occupied neighbouring booths, supported by the JN Group, inside the marketplace.
Founder of JKKF and paediatric nephrologist, Dr Maolynne Miller, said at the marketplace they were able to connect with people from overseas and locally who are interested in volunteering with the foundation or to help in whatever way they can.
“Our foundation started in 2012 and JN has been supporting us since 2013. They’ve been helping out whenever there is an acute need and this time one of our volunteers suggested that the conference would be a good opportunity for us to get overseas support and JN was kind enough to give us the space,” she said.
Pointing out the economic burden to care for children with kidney disease in Jamaica, Ms Miller said the foundation is grateful for all the support it can get to help to care for kids with the illness. She explained that over the years, the foundation has partnered with other organisations to procure consumables and medication for patients as well as provide hospitals, that look after children with kidney disease, with equipment to assist with their care. The foundation also has an education arm which deals with training and awareness around kidney disease.
“There are no specifics at this point in time but there are people wanting to invest in improving care so we need to now look to see how. We have all their contact details and will be following up on those commitments,” she shared.
For Junise Lynch, Owner of Junlyn Artz, the conference marketplace also opened doors for her small business, including to diaspora markets. The business sells handmade resin and local lumber craft items, an idea which Ms Lynch said she was able to scale with a JN Bank small business loan.
“The conference has been excellent. It’s been a great experience and I cannot be more thankful to JN for the opportunity to be here. I am pushing my business for more visibility because the idea is to grow,” she said.
Founded in 2017, Junlyn Artz has one physical store inside the recently opened artisan village in Falmouth, Trelawny. The owner said she has plans to expand the business beyond the port. Currently she stocks clocks, wall art, book markers, trinket boxes, trinket dishes, bottle openers, key rings, bracelets and magnets.
“I love what I do. I am not creating the wheel, it is something that has been done before but I took it and added my twist to it using local lumber and resources such as sand and coffee beans so it is just taking one concept and making it into mine,” she said.
“I want to be serving the tourism industry through my business. I want to be one of the artisans that is in every gift shop across the island. From the conference I’ve also made connections from persons in the diaspora that are saying ‘hey get your stuff in the agencies that can ship your things overseas’. They are receiving it well because it’s like taking back a piece of home because everything is local. That is the aim, and I am getting it done, slowly but surely,” she added.
Petal Hall, JN Group Sales Executive said the Group is pleased to have been able to support the Jamaica Kidney Kids Foundation and JunLyn Artz at the conference and provide them with an avenue to expand their networks.
“Our services at the JN Group extend beyond financing and our support here demonstrates our commitment to development. We want to see our people thrive and have access to the services that will support their growth. This conference provided a grand opportunity for these businesses to expand to diaspora markets and attract investors and the engagement will help them bolster their operations and grow,” she said.
