RAISE Story

'OUR MISSION'

Developing Communities to Overcome Poverty

In 2010, two missionaries working in Highgate, Jamaica, observed that despite years of traditional efforts to alleviate poverty in the region, including substantial investments, numerous short-term church mission visits, and the construction of nearly 300 homes, the people of Highgate continued to be impoverished, both materially and spiritually.

This observation prompted the missionaries to question the effectiveness of these efforts over the past two decades.

The conclusion reached was that Highgate lacked a sense of community—that indescribable feeling of belonging and interconnectedness among individuals who shared a common place, family, and friends, experiencing both joys and sorrows together.

Recognizing this critical need, RAISE International collaborated with local leaders to establish RAISE Jamaica Ltd. The organization’s primary focus is on developing a sustainable farming initiative on 190 acres of arable farmland. In contrast to the traditional model of delivering assistance, RAISE Jamaica Ltd. adopts a new approach centered around fostering a local, neighborhood identity that empowers individuals to shape their own future through their connection to the land, meaningful employment opportunities, shared recreational and spiritual activities, and interdependent support for their families, friends, and those who require assistance. RAISE International’s ultimate goal is to cultivate community and thereby combat poverty.

Through its initiatives, RAISE Jamaica Ltd. is successfully overcoming poverty in Highgate.