Episode 156: Kelly Mahfood on Bringing Vital Care through a Health Fair in Mount Prospect, Jamaica (April 9, 2025)

In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Kelly Mahfood on the June 21, 2025, Mount Prospect Health Fair in Jamaica.Please make your donations via GoFundMe athttps://www.gofundme.com/f/health-fair-aid-for-mount-prospect/or by contributing to the Amazon registry athttps://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/1J0LU97WCB38GFrom Kelly Mahfood:I’m organizing a health fair in the Mount Prospect and Mount Airy districts of St. Andrews, Jamaica, nestled high in the Blue Mountains. This rural area is home to a resilient but underserved community that faces immense challenges accessing healthcare.The roads are in poor condition, with some becoming impassable during rainstorms or washed away entirely in bad weather. There is no public transportation, and the journey to the nearest clinic or hospital is long and difficult, especially for the elderly and those with limited mobility. Many residents are left stranded, unable to access basic healthcare services.Four years ago, I reconnected with my maternal side of the family, whom I hadn’t seen since first grade. Spending time in Mount Prospect every year since, I’ve seen firsthand the struggles the community endures. This experience inspired me to take action.The health fair aims to bring much-needed medical screening services directly to the people of Mount Prospect and surrounding areas. With your support, we plan to provide:Blood pressure and blood sugar screeningsVision and dental screenings Mental Health education and screeningWellness resourcesDashboard of medical offices nearbyYour donations will go toward purchasing medical and other supplies needed to make this health fair a success, Shipping, Customs, and delivery fees and arranging transportation for those in hard-to-reach areas. Every dollar raised will bring us closer to bridging the gap in healthcare access for this community.Mount Prospect has become more than just a place for me to visit family—it’s a community that feels like home. Let’s come together to support the people who need it most and make this health fair a success.Thank you for helping us bring hope and health to Mount Prospect and it’s surrounding communities.