THANK YOU #3

THANK YOU#3

"No one who  achieves  success does  so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with  GRATITUDE" Alfred North Whitehead

"GRATITUDE is the sign of a noble soul" Aesop

We have launched  the  One One Cocoa  fundraising campaign  for a few weeks now  and we very happy with the progress because  you have been giving your "ONE,ONE COCOA" to help us ship and distribute  the toys and books YOU donated  to the children of rural Jamaica and we are grateful to you and we want to say THANK YOU, as you continue to donate to this cause and help us reach  our goal of $5000.

WE  WANT TO HONOR OUR  MONETARY DONORS.

• LILLIAN REDELL
• ANYA WILLIAMS
• MARIA AQUINO
• BETTY LYZET
• ANDRENE COOMBS
• RAQUEL NOWAK
• JUDITH CAMPBELL
• MARLA MCLEAN
• KEMAR& TRENA MILLER
• LENNOX POWELL
• CAMILLE GARRETSON
• ZALLERSTUDIOS,INC.
• MARGUARITE TOOHEY
• EMILY FILARDO 
• CHRISTINA LOPEZ
• MACK MCPHERSON
• PAULETTE MULLINGS-JOHN
• ANONYMOUS
• KAREN MILLER
• SUZANNE&ROBERT LAWSON
• ASHANI&KATRINA MILLER
• EGLON MILLER
• IVORINE MILLER
• SARAH &THOMAS PLUCK

             
                            "THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SELFLESS GIVING "

Jamaican Christmas Carols

Family,welcome to Jamaica Christmas vibes!!!! These songs bring back happy childhood...ENJOY!!!!

Jacob Miller& Ray I  -We wish you a  Merry Christmas (Dub style)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMPoWKyrDQk

Byron Lee& The Dragonaires Christmas Soca Party

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpJky1160fY&list=PL2IZ4HQzLoeOUMVqBpQXM26oep4JvOIp1&index=12

 Fab-Welcome Home For Christmas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a76G0FpHRRg&list=PL2IZ4HQzLoeOUMVqBpQXM26oep4JvOIp1


Christmas In The Sun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm12ZOOtF7E&list=PL2IZ4HQzLoeOUMVqBpQXM26oep4JvOIp1&index=8

Christmas In The Sun:
(Verse One)
Have you ever ever one day stop to realize
That for home is a tropical island paradise
ooooh there are problems, but we can solve them
But we have no problems with snow and ice

I have never had to ride in a one horse open sleigh
or watch Santa Claus and his reindeer fly away
No roasting chestnuts on an open fire
Roast corn or breadfruit or turkey for christmas dinner

(Chorus)
Down in Jamaica, there's hot sunny weather
and people are warm and friendly all the time
Now it's the christmas season and the fun can't done
so have a joyful irie christmas in the sun

(Verse Two)
Fur coats and mink don't mean a thing to me
Mistletoe, holly, ivy or a pair of ski's
I know 'bout Sowell and the red boy Setter
and John Cunook and Chattin' together, Oh Yes!

(Chorus)
(Verse Three)
So shine Jamaican sun this christmas day
to show them Christ the king is here to stay
In this our country, our land of beauty
and that will keep us all the way

There is sweet reggae music and carols everywhere
and sessions galore, make sure you get your share
Let's enjoy christmas, spread love and good cheer
But don't over-do it, leave some for next year, ohh ho!

(Chorus)(Repeat to end)

Jamaican Christmas Carol#1 - Santa Clause Do You Ever Come To The Ghetto

 This  song was released in 1982 by Jamaican singer Carlene Davis. The words are still relevant in Jamaica today. We thought we would share a classic Jamaican Christmas carol. There are a few more to come stay tuned:-)

Santa Claus (Do You Ever Come To The Ghetto) - Lyrics
Orginally song by - Carlene Davis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ITpUeqbJDw

Santa Claus, do you ever come to the ghetto
Santa Claus, do you ever wonder why we suffer so
Santa Claus, will you come to the ghetto
Santa Claus, we would like to see where your reindeers go.
All year long we've been beating down crime
How we hold on through those hard times
We aint gonna fight, we aint gonna fuss
But where are the presents that you brought for us.
Santa Claus, do you ever come to the ghetto
Santa Claus, do you ever wonder why we suffer so
Santa Claus, will you come to the ghetto
Santa Claus, we would like to see where your reindeers go.
We see you in the papers,
you're on TV giving the toys to some pickney
Wondering what's happening to poor people like we.
Is it because we no have no chimney?
Santa Claus, do you ever come to the ghetto
Santa Claus, do you ever wonder why we suffer so
Santa Claus, will you come to the ghetto
Santa Claus, we would like to see where your reindeers go.
We see you in the papers,
you're on TV giving the toys to some pickney
Wondering what's happening to poor people like we.
Is it because we no have no chimney?
Is because we nuh have big money
Santa Claus, do you ever come to the ghetto
Santa Claus, do you ever wonder why we suffer so
Santa Claus, will you come to the ghetto
Santa Claus, we would like to see where your reindeers go.
All year long we've been beating down crime
How we hold on through those hard times
We aint gonna fight, we aint gonna fuss
But where are the presents that you brought for us.
Santa Claus, do you ever come to the ghetto
Santa Claus, do you ever wonder why we suffer so
Santa Claus, will you come to the ghetto
Santa Claus, we would like to see where your reindeers go.

 Walk Good & Much Love

LALA NGOXOLO MADIBA - Rest In Peace Mandela

"I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one's head pointed toward the sun, one's feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death"

 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela - South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.

I discover this man, this icon, this legend at the tender age of 8 years. He had  just  been release from prison and the television was on and the entire celebration was being recorded by my mother.She was transfixed in the moment and  everything  that was taking place; Paul Simon sang diamonds on the sole of her shoes, Miriam Makebah (Mama Africa ),sang  her famous Click Song, LadySmith Black Mambazo sang Homeless ,the Soweto choir sang among others and my mother danced. She was so ecstatic and I couldn't understand  what was happening that caused her such joy. As we danced, I asked and  she told me "...Mandela is free,he was imprisoned for almost 30 years and he is free, he is finally free and things are going to change in South Africa."

 I honestly never understood it, but in that moment I accepted her words as truth and I became connected to the words she spoke. I now realized I became connected to that moment through my mother. Although I didn't quite understand the magnitude of the situation I realized that people in other parts of the world where going through difficulties.

"

In my 8 year old mind I thought this man had to be someone remarkable to command this much attention so far away. I listened to any and everything that my parents would say about Mandela and I heard the words Apartheid, fighting, racism, blacks against whites, inequality, differences, challenges,history and to child eavesdropping on conversations those are a lot of fancy words:-)  As the years went by and I learned more about MANDELA,through his autobiographies,articles,numerous books and interviews, I realized that he was far from perfect but he represented the ultimate change.He is evidence that love does have the power to change and that forgiveness can be the greatest weapon given time and the ability to see beyond all the things that divide us and  instead focus on what may unite us.

I am humbled to have lived in his lifetime and it is evident that my sentiment is shared by countless others around the world.This man who revolutionized  the world had such a self-effacing demeanor about him that he recognized and accepted that he couldn't have done it alone.This man who had every reason to be vengeful chose forgiveness,he never forget where and what he came from and he never took anyone for granted along the way.  

 In  2000 he was interviewed by Oprah, he spoke sincerely about his elevated reputation.
"I wanted to be known as 'Mandela,'" he told Oprah. "I knew it was not the contribution of one individual which would bring about liberation and the peaceful transformation of the country. And my first task when I came out [of prison] was to destroy the myth that I was something other than an ordinary human being."
Though Mandela may have been seen as the face of the movement to bring about that peaceful transformation, he acknowledged his role with great humility. "Whatever position I occupied, it was the result of colleagues -- of my comrades in the movement -- who had decided in their wisdom to use me for the purpose of focusing the attention of the country and the international community on me," he said. "Not because I had any better virtues than themselves, but because this was their decision."

Thank you MADIBA for teaching not only through words but by being a living example!!!! 

LALA NGOXOLO MADIBA

P.S. (Those songs and the recording from the celebration would be replayed thousands of times in our  home until they oozed from my pour I still sing "Bring back  Nelson Mandela, bring him back come to Soweto, I want to see him walking hand in hand with Winnie Mandela..oh oh oh ..Bring back Nelson Mandela, bring him back come to Soweto, I want to see him walking down the streets of South Africa, tomorrow...." & "People think  I'm crazy cause I have diamonds on the soles of my shoes, well that's one way to ease those walking blues, diamonds on the soles of your shoes..)I attached YouTube links to a few of these songs. Please listen and share.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFQ1TSzdpRA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAhHGYrzj2M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg4Fp-A7IRw

Much Love &Walk Good

   

 

UPDATE#2 Our Partnership with JAMPACT!!!

JAMPACT Steps Up Its School Supply Efforts to Jamaica with New Partnership and Stronger Volunteer Relationships

We are well into the school year and students and teachers of Jamaica Impact, Inc. (JAMPACT's) adopted beneficiary schools couldn't be more excited and thankful. Thanks to the efforts and generous donations of JAMPACT's sponsors, partners, members and community support, they are well equipped with supplies for the 2013-2014 school year. On Saturday August 14th a team of JAMPACT members and volunteers gathered at Trans-Continental Express Shippers in Queens, New York for the packing of hundreds of donated school supplies and toys collected during JAMPACT's Annual School Supply and Toy Drive which runs from May to August. This year, JAMPACT partnered with the RKM Foundation based in New Jersey and their collective effort grossed ten (10) barrels and four (4) boxes of donated supplies. The dedicated volunteers included a team from Credit Suisse, a financial institution in New York, who meticulously sorted and packed the supplies while sipping "Grace Coconut Water" and other refreshments donated by Grace Foods. 

Type captiCredit Suisse volunteer Darren Malcolm sorting supplies while JAMPACT's Fundraising Chair, Akelia Lawrence-Maitland inventories supplies.on text here.

Education Committee Chair Tassie Scarlett sorting supplies for packing.

After months of collecting donations from a multitude of donors in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, and New Jersey, JAMPACT is pleased to have been able to provide school supplies to over two hundred children in its adopted basic schools in Kingst

Volunteers from Credit Suisse with JAMPACT members Angella Golding and Georgia McCarthy packing supplies.

on, Jamaica; Coles, Crescent Road, St. Steven's, and Maxfield Park Children's Home Basic School. "Parents and children really appreciate the help throughout the years; the quality of productsis excellent" says Principal Vassell-Grant of Crescent Road Basic School. In addition to these schools, JAMPACT also provided assistance to five other schools; Islington Basic School in St. Elizabeth, Bottom Leinster Basic School in St. Mary, Nightingale Grove Primary School in St. Elizabeth, Lucea Primary and Esher Primary Schools benefitting an additional two hundred and fifty plus students. The supplies were distributed during JAMPACT's annual membership service trip September 11to16, 2013 where thirteen students also received scholarship through JAMPACT's Sponsor-A-Child's Tuition Program.

Ms. Scarlett handing out supplies at St. Steven's Basic School, with Principal Ms. Fyffe assisting in the foreground.	Scholarship recipients at Coles Basic School
Education Committee Chair Tassie Scarlett distributing school supplies at Crescent Road Basic School during September 2013 Service Trip.	Pallet of Computers and Printers to be distributed.

According to Education Committee Chair Tassie Scarlett, "JAMPACT continues to extend assistance to schools that are not in our Adopt-A-School Program. In addition to the school supplies they already received, we will also be donating computers and printers to our adopted schools as well as to three (3) schools in the Parish of St. Thomas, and Glad Tidings Early Childhood Development Center in Spanish Town. Last year JAMPACT was able to donate five (5) computers to Ebenezer Primary School for their computer lab where previously they had only one and it was in need of repair. The impact there has been amazing." The school reported that 'The children are excited, and want to go to the lab to learn new and exciting things. The attitude of the students has changed, especially the disruptive boys who get quiet and settled when they are in the computer lab.'

Ms. Scarlett went on to say "The success of our annual School Supplies and Toy Drive initiative would not have been possible without the commitment and continued support of our members and supporters. This year, apart from our partnership with RKM Foundation, we were fortunate and appreciative to have had the support of Joe and Jenny Campbell who collected four barrels of school supplies at their annual family and friends BBQ in New Jersey and donated the supplies to JAMPACT for our drive! We are grateful to our sponsors; shipping partner Trans-Continental Express Shippers who along with a generous shipping discount, also provided storage and safe delivery." Other sponsors of the drive included Sam's Caribbean Marketplace in West Hempstead, New York who hosted the launch of the 2013 drive, as well as contributed other in-kind donations. We salute the work of JAMPACT and all its volunteers and donors, and the education committee members for their diligence and commitment in organizing the drive. The combined efforts have made this year's annual School Supply and Toy Drive another huge success. The generosity and willingness of all our supporters have helped JAMPACT fulfill our mission of ensuring that the children of our beloved homeland, Jamaica, are equipped with the necessary tools they need to learn and succeed during their early childhood years. To learn more about this initiative and other work with JAMPACT adopted basic schools please contact Tassie Scarlett at education@jampact.org.

Flat screen computers donated to Ebenezer Primary School in Manchester. Rosemarie Dawkins, Mathematics teacher at Ebenezer supervises her students in the computer lab. - Photo by Dave Lindo, The Gleaner	Members of JAMPACT at 2013 School Supply Launch at Sam's Caribbean Marketplace. Long Island. Back row center Andrew Morris of Sam's, right, Dale Todd, JAMPACT's president.
Donor at School Supply Launch at Sam's Caribbean Marketplace, West Hempstead, Long Island.	Gloria Messam, JAMPACT's VP, & Andrew Morris (Rt.) of Sam's Caribbean Marketplace chooses raffle winner at launch.