Jamaican Self-Help – Empowering People, Building Community

Jamaican Self-Help (JSH) is a non-governmental, registered charitable organization based in Peterborough, Ontario founded in 1978 by John & Rosemary Ganley, two teachers from Peterborough. In its beginnings, JSH was a volunteer based organization that worked with a Jamaican musical

JSH is currently working to help improve the living circumstances of Jamaican people by fostering self-sustaining programs such as literacy, skills training, community development, and institutional strengthening. Our Jamaican partners inspire us — they are the reason we do what

There are many ways you can get involved! You can attend or host an event, volunteer your time or make a donation. JSH is a welcoming and inclusive organization and we truly appreciate any contribution you can make. To find out

We’ve seen many successes over the years thanks to Jamaican Self-Help — and especially with our music programme and our dance programme... We have seen our children singing, and we have seen the manifestation of their happiness as they participate in the music programme funded by JSH. This is the first time the students have been able to play with instruments in over 15 years! This is a major achievement. So thank you, Jamaican Self-Help!

Estella Forrester St. Annie's Teacher

2017 Ganley Lecture – Jamaica Then & Now: An Activist Reflects
March 5, 2017
Read More »
Project Monitoring Trip – January 2017
January 23, 2017
Looking over the walls of St. Anne’s primary school at the neighbourhood where the children live and the joyful faces of the children at St. Anne’s performing one of their favourite songs. Read More »
JSH Ottawa Event: October 21
October 5, 2016
The JSH Ottawa Committee is pleased to host An Evening of Music and Reading on October 21st. For more information, email info@jshcanada.org or call the JSH Ottawa Committee directly at (613) 843-1762Read More »