Years ago when Jamaica was part of England, the Queen established a place in every parish to house those who had no where else to live. Regardless of your views on English control of the island, the British were years ahead of their time in their approach to care for the indigent. Jamaica was one of those colonies that benefited from the foresight.

Today, St. Mary Poor House has elderly, young, handicapped and mentally challenged Jamaicans living there. It’s unlike an American nursing home in that residents are free to come and go if they can. Most, however, stay until they die as it is a safe haven; a place where they are cared for and loved.

ACE adopted these wonderful Jamaicans many years ago when ACE Executive Director Marla Fitzwater was visiting someone at a hospital next door. She made a wrong turn and accidentally ended up in the infirmary driveway.

“Out of curiosity I got out and went inside. What I saw was a bit unlike my normal living environment,” says Marla. “The men were in one dorm and the women another. They all had single beds and it reminded me of an army barracks. While the conditions were not the best, within minutes I knew this was the place for me. It was filled with people who were so excited to see me. Even though they had never met me, their eyes were filled with glee and their smiles proved they enjoyed having a “visitor,” probably one of the first they had seen in a very long time.”

Marla took her reception as an invitation to come back. She brings friends, music, crayons, lotions and even nail polish. “What woman doesn’t like to have her nails looking nice?” asks Marla.

Fast forward almost 8 years and the infirmary is Marla’s favorite place to go in Jamaica and likely one of the most memorable places groups visit while at ACE. Our friends from America have helped give the place a face lift, with brightly colored murals on some of the walls and fresh coats of paint on the others. This year ACE gave everyone at the infirmary a big birthday party with cake and ice cream. It was a special day for the party givers and receivers!

We’ve also taken some big steps to bring these wonderful friends better nutrition and health. ACE staff and volunteers stop by at least twice a week, with cool water, fresh squeezed fruit juice and fruits like papaya (good for their digestion,) chilled watermelon, or pineapple. Most of the residents at the infirmary don’t have a lot of teeth, so we have to keep the fruit soft. They love it!! It’s cold and easy to taste.

Infirmary visits tend to be the most challenging and yet the most rewarding part of a mission trip experience.  You need to find out for yourself.  Take a look at some pictures from our visit to the sea....

When the next team comes down, we’re packing the wagon again and heading out to visit our friends at the infirmary. 

Won’t you come with us to St. Mary’s Poor House? The residents are as rich in spirit as they are rich in love. The residents may be feeble in health, but are strong in faith that we visitors will keep coming back to nourish their minds, bodies and souls!