The Editor, Sir:

We have sent the following tribute to the founder and leader of the Missionaries of the Poor, Father Richard Ho Long:

Dear Father Ho Lung,

Congratulations on receiving The American Friends of Jamaica 2008 International Humanitarian of the Year Award. We were so very pleased that you could travel to Miami to receive this honour. As president of The American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ), I would also like to offer our thanks to you and to express our deep appreciation for the thoughtful and inspiring message you delivered on the occasion of our Fourth Annual Miami Gala.

We are grateful for your participation and are pleased that we had an opportunity to honour the work that you and The Missionaries of the Poor (MOP) do in Jamaica. While serving as the United States ambassador in Jamaica, I had ample opportunity to personally observe the profound devotion that you and the Brothers of MOP display in your daily work in some of Kingston's most depressed areas. Your energy, vision and leadership and the humble service of the Brothers is truly inspirational.

Thank you

AFJ would also like to thank you for being our partners in the 'Roofs of Love' project, wherein, following last year's disastrous Hurricane Dean, AFJ funding and MOP enterprise permitted massive repairs and rehousing for over 3,000 persons living in the Kingston ghettos.

We at AFJ recognise that the Missionaries of the Poor are extraordinarily special in the hearts of the nation, and especially of Jamaica's impoverished. We are confident that your delightful musical productions will once again capture spirits, inspire hope and provide joy to thousands.

Again, on behalf of The American Friends of Jamaica, we offer our congratulations and our thanks.

Sincerely,

SUE M. COBB

President,

American Friends of Jamaica