Rosheuvel

There is a joy known only to a rare group of individuals that is such a precious and treasured feeling that it, in effect, sets them apart from everyone, especially those consumed with self and the race to acquire the material at the exclusion of sharing and/or even stopping to care about the welfare of others.

And while those individuals walk among their fellow man, theirs is not the air of triumph, but more of contentment and peace, that sets them apart. These individuals are not driven by the desire to measure up or for public acclaim, but more for the desire to effect meaningful change in the lives of those they encounter. Often they are known, sometimes they are faceless persons who prefer the comfort of anonymity. But in each case that rare individual is that very special person known by the moniker of philanthropist!

In times of great difficulty and change, it is the philanthropist who rises to the fore and by being his/her brother's keeper saves the day.

The philanthropist's true satisfaction comes from seeing his /her beneficiaries prosper and/or excel. Whether acting covertly or openly as a benefactor, it is this primary reason that motivates the continued giving. And while there are several of them, at this time we look at one in the person of Frank Rosheuvel, the general manager of the Hilton Kingston Jamaica hotel.

A Caribbean national by birth, Rosheuvel hails from Aruba, but spent his formative years in Holland, where he was later trained to become a respected and admired hotelier. Arriving in Kingston just over a decade or so ago, Rosheuvel has not only immersed himself in Jamaica and its culture, he has assumed the unofficial role of ambassador-at-large, always seeking to promote a positive energy of Jamaica, especially Kingston, on his various trips abroad.

Since moving here, Rosheuvel has not been content with standing idly by, he has actively involved himself in seeking to be his brother's keeper, in the truest altruistic mode, service to others, above and beyond the call of duty.

It was the desire to serve, and in a meaningful, possibly life-changing manner that led him to fully and comprehensively immerse himself into the Hilton chain's International K.I.D.S charity programme. With his staff at the hotel, he has become up-close and personal with the wanton neglect evident in some of the nation's basic schools.

To better facilitate a more conducive environment for learning, improve the physical surroundings and teaching aids, Rosheuvel first launched the hotel's K.I.D.S Charity Golf Tournament in 2001, the proceeds from which go entirely towards the building or rehabilitating existing basic schools and equipping them with modern facilities.

Since its launch, the programme has raised a total of $32 million! The funds raised were used to effect repairs or generally assist the following: The K.I.D.S Basic School, St Albans K.I.D.S Basic School, Ruby Madden K.I.D.S Basic School, St Paul's Basic School, The Marigold Child Care Centre, The Glenhope Place of Safety, Gladys Sheriff Basic School, The Mustard Seed Community, The Promise Learning Centre, St Christopher's School for the Deaf, The National Children's Home, The Ambrook Lane Possibility Programme, Jamaica AIDS Support and the Bustamante Hospital For Children.

fund-raising

In recent years, however, Rosheuvel and his team decided on making basic education its primary focus and so has shifted its fund-raising and assistance towards achieving this. Since 2005 the team has redoubled its effort to achieve this, which saw $3.5 million raised from its golf tournament for the K.I.D.S School, May Pen, Clarendon. And in May the St Tekle Haimanot K.I.D.S Basic School in Nine Miles, Bull Bay, becoming the latest beneficiary of the programme.

As news of their involvement spread, so does the demand for assistance and on September 24, in a charming press launch hosted atop the hotel's 18th floor restaurant, Rosheuvel and his team along with a number of supporting sponsors, unveiled their plans for this year's staging of the annual charity golf tournament. It will be hosted at its home, The Caymanas Golf and Country Club, with the hope of raising sufficient funds to continue in the tradition of assisting basic schools across Jamaica.

The tournament itself kicks off today and for the modest entrance fee of $7500. Participants/ contributors can join the long list of individuals and organisations who have, over the years, made it the success it has been. And with the fee including a shared cart as well as green - fees, tee gifts and the awards ceremony and prize-giving cocktail that evening at the hotel's poolside, you know we are talking not just value for money here, but partying for a most worthy cause.

Among those out for the launch, lending their support to the worthy cause were David Mais, of the Sports Development Foundation and Jamaica Golf Association; Heron Thompson; the charming Desne Matthews; Leon Beckford; Adrian St Louis; Tracey-Ann Menzies, public relations and marketing manager at Air Jamaica; Sandy McLeod of Wallenford Coffee Company; Angel Johnson, K.I.D.S Ambassador for May Pen K.I.D.S Basic School; Olando Hewitt, Steven Golding, member of the school's board; Sean Bennett; the lovely Sarah Couch; the hotel's K.I.D.S manager, Meisha Harris; plus a number of students from various schools with the amiable Claudette Kenlock as master of ceremonies

Kenlock

Golding