Meet the Jamaican Team
At International Samaritan Jamaica, we believe that real transformation begins with trusted local leadership. Our team is deeply rooted in the communities we serve and brings unmatched dedication, expertise, and empathy to their work. As part of the International Samaritan global network, we work closely with teams across 7 countries to address poverty through education, wellness, and opportunity.
Meet our global team
Jamaican Leadership and Program Team
Dr. Sonja M. Robinson – Program Director, Jamaica
Dr. Robinson is a seasoned educator, consultant, and workforce development expert with a Ph.D. from Penn State University. Her work is rooted in equity, transformation, and hope. She has led educational reform and workforce development initiatives across the Caribbean and North America.
“We don’t just educate—we uplift entire families and communities.”
Renée A. Dwyer – Acting Program Coordinator, Jamaica
Renée brings over a decade of leadership in retail operations, training, and community-facing management. With a background in hospitality and an upcoming postgraduate diploma in HR Management from MIND, she excels at building strong teams, managing complex projects, and delivering exceptional results. Known for her people-centered leadership, she now leads program coordination efforts across education, mental health, and scholar support initiatives.
“Success is built through service, structure, and the courage to try again.”
Tavian Jones – Project Coordinator
Tavian is an innovative young leader with experience in sustainable farming and youth development. He oversees the Hydroponics and Environmental Stewardship Program and supports the implementation of Learn, Serve, Grow partnerships.
Cassem Barker – Alumni Coordinator
A Samaritan Scholar and current Mico University College student, Cassem is a passionate mentor and advocate for academic success. He supports scholar tracking, alumni engagement, and training initiatives.
Monique Brisco - Project Assistant
Monique brings over 9 years of experience in youth and community engagement. She plays a key role in logistics, events, and direct scholar services.
“Every child matters. Every child deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated.”
Marjorie Beckford – Accountant
Marjorie manages budgeting, reporting, and financial oversight for the Jamaica office. She brings a wealth of administrative experience and is a Certified Professional Secretary.
Scholar Interns
As part of our commitment to experiential learning and scholar empowerment, we are proud to engage outstanding students as interns. These scholar interns play an integral role in supporting our programs while developing their professional skills.
Akon - Intern
Akon is a dedicated scholar pursuing his studies at Portmore Community College. He supports our team with tutoring coordination, administrative projects, and fieldwork documentation. Akon brings curiosity, leadership, and a strong work ethic to every task.
“This internship is helping me grow as a leader and prepare for my career.”
Toriann – Intern
Toriann is a passionate and detail-oriented student at Portmore Community College. Her role as an intern includes support in scholar engagement, event planning, and communication. Toriann is known for her creativity, reliability, and compassion.
Global Connection
Our Jamaican team is one of seven in-country teams that form part of the International Samaritan global family, working in Central America, Jamaica, and East Africa. Together, we serve communities in and around garbage dump to break the cycle of poverty through education, health, housing, and employment.