Kishin Samtani reads a document while his wife Shobu looks on, minutes before they were honoured at the Roman Catholic Chancery in Montego Bay, St James.
WESTERN BUREAU:
When businessman Kishin Samtani and his wife Shobu were asked to join the directors of the Good Shepherd Foundation for a drink, they had no idea that a quiet thank-you affair had been planned.
On Thursday, July 23, the in-bond merchant and his wife, a humble Indian couple residing in the upscale Leader Avenue community in Montego Bay, were honoured for having hosted the annual launch of the Bishop's Human Resource Development Drive at their home for the past seven consecutive years, totally free of charge.
Raising funds
It is a function where members of the business and religious communities and other persons gather between mid or late June each year to pledge their support in cash or kind and to raise much-needed funds to run the Good Shepherd Foundation - a charitable organisation that operates at least eight facilities in St Ann, Trelawny, St James and Westmoreland.
Chairman of the function, Baldwin Powell, read a letter to the Samtanis on behalf of the foundation directors of the Florida chapter: "We are aware of your commitment to the work of the foundation and applaud you for your loyalty and sincerity," the letter said.
Founder and patron of the foundation, Roman Catholic Bishop of Montego Bay Charles Dufour, said he was thankful to the Samtanis for having extended such tremendous level of hospitality when it was needed most.
"I have no idea what you had planned, but we do thank you. We are blessed and we are grateful. We enjoy hosting the event and we hope to host it a few more years until you get tired of us," Kishin told the gathering.
Founder and patron of the Good Shepherd Foundation, Bishop of Montego Bay Charles Dufour (second left), presents businessman Kishin Samtani (right) and his wife Shobu with a special award on Thursday, July 23. Looking on is Petra-Ann Williamson, a director of the foundation - Photos by Noel Thompson