Women’s Health Week May 4-8, 2026

We identified women’s health and economic empowerment as key priorities in the Jamaican Blue Mountains after finding that many local businesses are owned and operated by women. In response, we organized a Women’s Business Conference in Mavis Bank to connect, support, and educate female entrepreneurs in the community. Through this event, we provided resources, networking opportunities, and valuable health and business education at no cost to participants.

read on for all the details!

The trip to the Jamaican Blue Mountains was designed around community-centered health education, women’s empowerment, and sustainable outreach. Throughout the week, our team partnered with local leaders, schools, health centers, and women entrepreneurs to provide resources, education, and support in ways that could create lasting impact long after our visit ended.

Women’s Health Fair – Mavis Bank

Our first major event was the Women’s Health Fair in Mavis Bank, held at St. Michael’s Anglican Church and the Mavis Bank Health Centre. The fair focused on improving access to women’s health education and basic health resources in a community where these services can often be difficult to access consistently.

The health fair included educational stations on heart disease, diabetes, HIV/STI prevention, maternal and infant health, breast cancer awareness, menstrual health, and hygiene. Community members were able to receive blood pressure and glucose screenings, learn how to perform self-breast exams, access reproductive health information, and receive hygiene products such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, tampons, period panties, soap, and other necessities.

One of the most meaningful impacts of the event was creating an environment where women felt comfortable asking questions and discussing health concerns openly. The use of interactive stations, educational materials, and community conversations helped make health education more approachable and empowering. In addition to providing supplies, the fair encouraged preventative care and gave residents access to local health resources they could continue using after the event.

Women’s Business Conference

After spending time in the community, we recognized that many local businesses in the Blue Mountains were owned and operated by women. Because of this, we organized the Blue Mountain Sisterhood Women’s Business Conference to support female entrepreneurs and strengthen economic empowerment within the community.

The conference focused on networking, confidence-building, goal setting, and business growth. Sessions led by Jackie and Susan encouraged women to advocate for their work, build professional connections, and create intentional business goals. The event also provided journals, tote bags, networking opportunities, meals catered by a local women-owned business, and hands-on activities that encouraged collaboration and relationship-building.

The most impactful outcome of the conference was the creation of the Blue Mountain Sisterhood, a collective of local women business owners committed to continuing to meet regularly to support one another, share resources, and strengthen women-led businesses within their communities. Rather than creating a one-time event, the conference helped establish a sustainable network that can continue fostering mentorship, collaboration, and economic opportunity long after our team returned home.

Women’s Health Fair – Hagley Gap

Our second health fair took place in Hagley Gap, a more remote area higher in the Blue Mountains. Similar to the Mavis Bank event, the goal was to improve access to women’s health education and supplies while creating opportunities for preventative health screenings and conversations around wellness.

During this fair, we distributed condoms, tampons, period panties, hygiene kits, vitamins, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and baby supplies including blankets, books, and infant care items. Community members participated in blood pressure and blood sugar screenings and learned how to conduct self-breast exams at home.

The impact of the Hagley Gap fair was especially significant because of the area’s geographic isolation. Bringing resources directly into the community reduced barriers to access and allowed residents to receive health information and supplies without needing to travel long distances. It also created opportunities for conversations about preventative care and encouraged both women and men to become more proactive about their health.

School Visits and Youth Outreach

On the final day of the trip, we visited schools throughout Mavis Bank and Mt. Charles, including preschools, elementary schools, and the local high school. The purpose of these visits was to support students and educators while also providing health education and essential supplies.

At the schools, we donated toys, books, school supplies, foam mats, baby items, and educational materials that had been collected through community donations. We also hosted a small assembly for high school girls focused on menstrual health, sexual and reproductive health education, confidence, and self-care. Students received goodie bags containing menstrual products, hygiene items, lotion, lip balm, and other essentials.

These visits created an important opportunity to invest in younger generations while also helping reduce stigma around women’s health topics. Supporting schools with educational materials and supplies helped teachers and students alike, while the conversations with young women encouraged confidence, health awareness, and open dialogue surrounding topics that are not always discussed openly.

Overall, the trip combined health education, women’s empowerment, and community partnership to create both immediate and long-term impact throughout the Blue Mountains. By focusing on collaboration and sustainability, the experience became more than a service trip—it became an opportunity to build meaningful relationships and strengthen community-led support systems.