The vision to extend the Buxton-Friendship Health Centre was etched and given flight by a group of persons who had already formed themselves into an organisation named Jay Bee Medical Services International Inc (JBMSI).
The visionary and brainchild of this project is Genevieve Bathersfield-Adams, who garnered around her partners in action to forge and execute the planned gigantic task ahead.
The term “Project Buxton” was coined to lay emphasis on the plurality of tasks for Buxton that were planned, foremost of which was the rehabilitation of Buxton-Friendship Health Centre. JBMSI quickly elected a Board of Directors with positions assigned to individuals whose part and contributions as partners in action were critical to the success of the project. The Board consisted of the following: Chief Executive Officer Genevieve Bathersfield-Adams, President Verbena Reed, Vice-Presidents Eutol Griffith Gibbons and Patrick Bathersfield, Chief Financial Officer George B. Abrams, Secretary Jacqueline McPhee, Treasurer Abike McPherson, Clinical Director Lorraine Watson-Newton, Health & Education Patsy Clinton, Senior Consultant Bernadette Hermonstyne, Director of Technical Operation Michael Benons, Public Relations Officers Andrew Barker, Alwyn Hope and Paulette Charles, Operation Staff Peter Bathersfield, Cosbert McPherson and Glendon McPherson, Support Staff Renee Adams and Superintendent Adwin Jacobs, Medical Advisory Board Dr Hugh Holder, Dr Miriam Michael, Dr Elena Tilly and Dr Leslie Carter.

One important aspect of the names making up the Board is that many of them are not Buxtonians, and even a few are not Guyanese; but even more important is their willingness to serve on a Board that was committed to improving the health of the people of Buxton-Friendship and surrounding villages and communities.
This commitment revealed itself when, on April 22, 2004, JBMSI organised its first official visit into Buxton-Friendship to assess the needs and treat patients. The following press release was made available to Guyana newspapers:
April 22, 2004 – Jay Bee Medical Services International, Inc., a US-based organisation that has responded to the needs of the people of Buxton and surrounding villages, made it first visit into Buxton to assess the needs and treat patients. The USA-based team has committed to revitalising the Buxton Medical Clinic this year and has long-term plans to providing medical care to the area. The group that arrived comprised 12 members. The medical team, headed by Dr Elena Tilly, Assistant Chief of Trauma unit, Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia; and accompanying her were members of Jay Bee Medical Services International, Inc  – Genevieve Adams, Eutol Gibbons, Lorriane Newton, Verbena Reed and volunteer LaRuby May. The medical team worked with Dr Carter and his staff and was able to treat approximately 100 adult patients and 138 children from six local schools.
Eighty-five patients were screened and given reading glasses. Health screenings which consisted of blood pressure checks, glucose and cholesterol monitoring and counselling were done on over 150 patients. Safe-sex counselling was done and more than 1,500 condoms were distributed with HIV/AIDS literature on this visit.
Three patients were referred to Public Hospital Georgetown for immediate care and one trauma victim was treated at the Clinic for a stab wound. During this visit, the need for dental, optical and hearing services were identified and added to the list of specialty services to be offered in the future.
The second team of JBMSI comprised members responsible for the renovation of the clinic. The team consisted of Cosbert McPherson, Glendon McPherson, George Abrams and Andrew Barker. With the help of local volunteers from Buxton and Georgetown, the team was able to restore running water, repair electrical problems and do general work needed at the clinic, while finalising the plans for renovation. The group will be returning at the end of May to continue offering medical services and start renovation at the clinic.
Project Buxton forged ahead with an architectural plan designed by the Senior Engineer of the project, Michael Benons, assisted by Cosbert McPherson and Glendon McPherson. The estimated cost of the renovation ranged from US$89,000 to US$100,000. A ground-breaking ceremony was held on June 2, 2004, and this event set in motion months of planning. Several representatives of the government, major opposition party and JBMSI were present at this event.
Expanding the ground floor and adding a second floor to the front building, the new clinic includes emergency room, minor operating room, dental clinic, ophthalmology room, library, classroom, kitchen, paediatric office, examination rooms, housing for visiting physicians and nurses The upper level houses, a library, four bedrooms, kitchenette, two classrooms, a workroom, one bathroom.
The then estimated cost of the renovation was US$89,000 – US$100,000.

Fund-raising

A project of this magnitude needed to be well-funded. Money was contributed in large amounts, by Board members. Two Black and White balls were held, as well as some smaller fund-raising parties. Many creative ways were discovered to raise funds. The organisation was in no way timid in its attempts to seek financial assistance for its goal. JBMSI became articled in 2004, and obtained tax-exempt status under Federal code 501 c(3) on April, 27, 2005. With this new tool, the organisation was able to extend its fund-raising efforts to businesses and individuals. This gave these donors the advantage of deducting their contributions from their income tax returns.
We, however, must not lose sight of the tremendous challenges faced by JBMSI during construction/renovation. During this time, the village was experiencing an upheaval that, among other things, tarnished its name. This made fundraising efforts more difficult. Construction work slowed as funds to maintain the project schedule dried up.
At this juncture, then Regional Health Officer Dr Leslie Carter, approached Chairman of Region Four, Mr. Corlette, for financial assistance to complete the health centre. I also met with the chairman separately. Requested financial statements, income tax returns and other supporting documents showing that JBMSI had laid out more than US$70,000 on the project were transmitted to the chairman’s office.
The first injection of funds from the Region was $6M -$7M. This turned out to be inadequate for completion of the project. Thus, another $3M was successfully requested by Dr Carter and this did the job.
The Buxton-Friendship Health Centre is not yet fully operational. JBMSI stands ready to deliver equipment and furniture. Electricity, proper security and water supply are among the problems to be resolved. There are, however, ongoing efforts to have these problems fixed before the commencement of celebrations to mark the 170th anniversary of the Purchase of Buxton July – August, 2010.”

Other projects

Not losing sight of its main goal, JBMSI undertook a few more endeavors, such as repainting the interior of the Guyana Embassy in Washington, DC, and refurbishing the office with decorations and new pieces of furniture.
Distribution of food and other items to those affected by the flood in Guyana, early 2005. A few board members travelled to Guyana to aid in this cause.
Sponsorship of an annual feeding programme for the elderly in Buxton-Friendship and Annandale, for the last six years. This programme managed by George Abrams, the group’s CEO, continues to grow in size and stature. In January of this year, 325 persons were treated to a delightful meal and each of them provided with a cash gift of 2,000.
Supplying toys to children confined at the Public Hospital Georgetown and others residing
at Buxton, Ituni, Soesdyke, Linden, East Bank Demerara and Berbice communities. Genevieve Bathersfield-Adams’ “Toys for Tots” programme spanned the length and breadth of Guyana from 2006 to 2009. Some children residing in other countries also benefited from this programme.
Our motto: “When we help others, we help ourselves.”