Nashauna Drummond, Lifestyle Coordinator

Effe Malcolm is an excellent example of what it means to serve your community.

On October 20, outstanding Jamaicans will be recognised for their contributions to Jamaica, land we love. In the coming weeks, the 'Flair Magazine' will be highlighting some of those outstanding Jamaicans who will be receiving national honours.

From the veranda of her modest home, she has an uninterrupted view of the institution she's served tirelessly for more than 40 years.

"Holmwood is a part of me because of my children and my husband," said a cheery Effe Malcolm. Her late husband, Sydney, and three of her seven children are past students of this sprint factory in the cool hills of Christiana, Manchester.

Over the years, the 79-year-old has served in various positions on the school board and has sponsored the education of several students. On October 20, she will receive a national award for her years of community service which goes well beyond Holmwood Technical High School.

'Miss Effe', as she is popularly called, has always been involved in volunteerism, a trait she learned growing up with her grandmother in the neighbouring community of Spaldings, Clarendon.

She recalled, while speaking with Flair, that her grandmother was always involved in the church, and so, it was only natural for her to do the same. She later became a member of 4-H clubs and other service organisations.

Awards received

Perched comfortably on the arm of her sofa, she faced a wall covered with family photos and plaques she had received over the years. Kiwanis, Rotary, Young Women's Christian Association, several from Holmwood and dozens more packed away, as there's no space left on the wall. In the centre of it all is the International Volunteer of the Year Award for the parish of Manchester which she received in 2001.

She's no stranger to awards, but Miss Effe's years of service have been given without even a thought of getting anything in return.

"God blesses me so much every day," she told Flair. She recalled the day she received the call that she would be receiving a national honour. "When I got the call, I said, 'Me? I think you have the wrong person'. My best honour is God's honour," she chuckled.

Volunteering her service

Miss Effe, who will turn 80 in December, said that since she has given up some of her volunteering duties, her days have become boring. In 2001, she had to give up most of her community service after her husband was involved in a paralysing motor-vehicle accident. They were married for 54 years before his death in March 2007. She is still a member of Friends of Percy Junior Hospital, in Spaldings, and of some committees at her church. She noted that she knows the entire history of the hospital as her father once worked for Percy Junior before he donated the land for the hospital. Miss Effe can also draw the family tree of many families in the area.

Memory impeccable

The eldest of 13 children, her wrinkles are the only thing that reveal her age. Her high-pitched voice never quivers and her long- term memory is impeccable. She remembers her childhood days attending Spaldings Elementary (now Spaldings Primary). "As a child, we didn't have a nightlife. But I remember the sports day and cinema nights; we could go to that but you had to have an adult with you."

Miss Effe was also a dancer in her youth. "I liked dancing. I used to say, even when I am bent, I would still love to be dancing," she joked. And that she did. Prior to her husband's accident, they would occasionally put on some music and waltz around the house.

As a brief shower of rain tapered off and the notorious fog of Manchester started to engulf everything, Miss Effe's slim figure was barely visible as she stood on her veranda and waved the Flair team goodbye.

Effe Malcolm, who will be receiving a national award for community service on October 20, points to a family picture at her home in Christiana, Manchester. - photos by Robert Lalah/Assistant Editor - Feature