NCB Foundation grants $11.1m in support to 45 J’cans in need

For Bridgette Small, the simple act of leaving her bed had been out of reach for far too long. Paralysed by illness and without a functioning wheelchair, she had missed school moments with her child and the rhythms of everyday life.

Small was one of 45 Jamaicans who received support through NCB Foundation’s Grant a Wish programme at a recent handover ceremony at The Atrium in Kingston.

“I developed a condition that left me paralysed and wheelchair-bound,” Small said, her voice steady but emotional. “Due to financial difficulties, I could not repair my current wheelchair. One side of it is damaged; the brakes are not working; the wheels keep falling off, and so I submitted my wish.”

The initiative delivered approximately $11.1 million in direct support this year, addressing needs ranging from shelter and urgent medical care to education and income-generating opportunities.

Also among the beneficiaries was Clinton Christie, a 72-year-old widower and former tradesman, now seeking to transition from physically demanding plumbing work to small-scale poultry farming.

With support to build a chicken coop, he is now positioned to pursue a more sustainable source of income, while continuing to support his family, including his youngest daughter, who is currently at university.

“I have myself, my two grandchildren, and my last daughter to finish university, and so I would like to start something that can help me contribute to our success,” Christie shared.

Chair of NCB Foundation Thalia Lyn said the programme’s strength lies in its ability to respond at the right moment with meaningful, practical support.

“Real impact is personal,” Lyn said. “Grant a Wish is about meeting people where they are at critical turning points in their lives and stepping in with support that helps them move forward. It is not about handouts, but about giving people a hand when it matters most.”

Launched in December 2025 in western Jamaica, following the impact of Hurricane Melissa, the programme invited Jamaicans to share their needs through an on-site wishing wall, revealing both disaster-related challenges and everyday hardships.

In January, two families in St Elizabeth who lost their homes during Hurricane Melissa began their recovery, with new houses rebuilt in partnership with Food For The Poor Jamaica.

Over the years, Grant a Wish has become a defining part of N.C.B. Foundation’s community investment approach, delivering direct, targeted support to individuals and families across the island.