Angel Rose
Michael Folkes showed me that no matter how bad my past was, I have the power to make my life better; and I have. Thank you.
Samoya Henry, Student, Mount Waddy Primary School, Friendship, JamaicaFirst of all, I want to tell the Melbourne and Michael Folkes Foundation thanks for everything they have done. It means to me that I am going to be a good person and be respectful to everyone around me. It also encourages me to be a hardworking, caring and honest person. I will excel in my school work, my relationship with God and allow my true potential to shine. I believe in myself that anything is possible. I will be respectful to my mother and father so that my days can be long on this earth.
Sustenance Farming
As a child Michael Folkes worked on his grandfather's farm. Melbourne Folkes used the produce to feed his extended family and sold surplus to the local college.
As farming is clearly important in Friendship, and in remembrance of his grandfather, Michael wishes to continue and develop this tradition with the Foundation's Sustenance Farming Initiative.
Involving local people and students this initiative will be a community-wide project initially providing produce to local colleges, hotels and restaurants in Phase One. With the Foundation's support it is intended that with greater scale, equipment and organization the Farming Initiative will extend to international exports.
The proceeds from this program will fund the Foundation's educational and humanitarian long-term efforts, thereby creating self-sustainability instead of relying solely on financial donations.