Former RuJohn Medical School scholarship recipients lend a hand

Over the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the work of many philanthropic organizations came to a halt as the world virtually shut down. However, the RuJohn Foundation continued to live up to its mission “To provide the necessary tools for education to the rural and inner-city schools of the United States and Jamaica” Stressing the importance of hard work and perseverance.

On August 15^th, 2022, the Foundation carried out a major initiative at Kingston College, Jamaica for over two hundred and fifty (250) students. With the help and support of Senior medical officer, Dr. Ray Fraser along with the several RuJohn scholars (Medical doctors) and their peers, the fair became a reality.

It is important to note that the RuJohn Foundation provided financial scholarships to many of these doctors to attend medical school.

Kudos to the doctors and nurses who worked assiduously to ensure having a medical fair. The active participants included Dr. Andriano Bailey, Dr. Jason Dawson, Dr Maurice Fisher, Dr. Venessa Green, Dr. Xavier McFarlane, and Dr. Jabari Morgan along with those who worked as nurses. The nurses were Britney Hay, Brieanna Reid, Jo-Ann Murphy, Tiana McDaniel (Medical Student), along with Leneka Rhoden, Jamar Tulloch and Seymour Harriot who were available to assist with the logistics during the day.

Dr. Randall Collins, Dr. Rohan Wilks and Professor Rainford Wilks all rolled up their sleeves which made task at hand seamless. These senior doctors readily provided the confidence and assurance to those who were executing their first health initiative for medical and screening assessments for so many students. It was indeed very pleasant to see students who were fully supported by the RuJohn Foundation during medical school now giving back by underpinning the RuJohn Initiative.

The Kingston College Old Boys turned out in their numbers to lead by example for such a worthy cause. This is an event that the Foundation intends to host annually as part of its calendar of initiatives.

In addition to the health initiative the Foundation also on August 15 ^th carried out a “Back to school” initiative wherein school supplies and school bags were given out to over 350 needy and deserving students from a number of schools across the corporate area. In these Days wherein charitable initiatives are being significantly reduced due to lack of funding and the impact of Covid -19 it was encouraging to see an organization brave the economic and health storm to continue to provide support for those in need.

The Foundation believes that by giving children the tools to succeed they will rise and overcome adversity creating a better Jamaica and a better world. Therefore, even though the physical doors of schools were closed, the Foundation ensured it stayed current and relevant in the lives of the students and families it serves.

In 2020 the Foundation carried out three (3) care packages initiative covering several schools across the corporate area. The packages contained needed food items along with PPEs as such the packages were extremely relevant and timely.

In 2021 the Foundation supported students and their families by conducting four (4) care package initiatives again covering several schools (Primary and secondary) across the Island.

2022 saw the Foundation continuing its trends of support as they collaborated with Operation Love to conduct two feeding of the homeless initiatives in downtown Kingston.

The RuJohn Foundation was established in 2003 by KC Old Boy Byron Bachelor and his wife Ingrid, a Wolmerian, in honor of Ruth and John Tulloch, Ingrid’s parents.

Byron attended KC during the 1970s and ran track in Class I specializing in the 400 meters.

Today the Foundation is headed by Byron and Ingrid’s children Andrew and Christina who are CEO and President respectively.