Producer Skatta Burrell Calls For More Public Figures To Assist Jamaica’s Youth
Music producer Cordell “Skatta” Burrell has called for more public figures, in entertainment and other spheres, to help in supporting and uplifting Jamaica’s youth.
Skatta made his statements following a visit he made to the often-volatile inner-city community of Rose Town in Kingston on Thursday, to give support to the Rose Town Foundation, a charitable organisation that operates there.
“Was a pleasure visiting the Rose Town Foundation for children yesterday. There’s so much We as public figures need to do to assist with the molding of the Youth coming up. Made a small donation of Soccer Balls & Jerseys and I only wish I could have done more,” Skatta wrote on a post of photos of himself with young footballers from the community.
“Effective change in our society starts with the Young and I hope to find time to continue to support these entities while imploring others to do the same. #werisebyliftingothers,” he added.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbxUjgVrBhl/
The Rose Town was a successful working community until around 1980, when it was particularly hard hit by political upheaval and widescale violence which divided residents, fragmented the community and resulted in abandonment and disinvestment and a “no-man’s land” at the centre of the community.
The community returned to a level of stability in the 1990s and begun to rebuild itself with the establishment of the Rose Town Benevolent Society, which was instrumental in the development of a community centre, library and sanitation centre.
In 2010, the Rose Town Foundation was established in to assist in creating opportunities for residents of the community through active participation in development programmes targeting the built environment, socio-economic status and public health.
Skatta was not the only musician giving support to a worthy cause this week though. Reggae Grammy nominee Jesse Royal too, was also out and about, and pledged his support for the Jamaica Special Olympics team, during a recent training session at Stadium East in Kingston.
According to the Small Axe, he had visited the training session in order ways in which he could be of service to the Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ), the governing body special sports in Jamaica.
“We are going to try to do what we can with what we have. I was already going to play a role and then I was made aware of the various accomplishments and the level of success that this programme has already garnered,” the 32 year old told The Jamaica Observer.
The Royally Speaking artist had marvelled at the accomplishments of the Jamaican team, which had been made without the same level of financing, structure, and equipment, to which special athletes in wealthier countries have access.
“There is already a great programme happening here, with inspired individuals and volunteers who are committed to these youths’ development. So all I’m trying to be right now is another member of the team,” he had explained.
The Maroon Town native said that he would be seeking additional support from his colleagues within Jamaica and outside, for the SOJ programme.
“We are going to ramp up awareness and garner the support that this top-level structure needs and deserves,” he said.
The special Olympics team at the 2022 United States Games in Florida which runs from June 5 to 12 this year.
The athletes will also be competing in the rescheduled Special Olympics World Winter Games and the World Summer Games which are both scheduled for 2023.
The Jamaicans are also expected to participate in the Unified Football Cup in Michigan, which is to be lend from July 31 to August 6.
The special athletes are also preparing to participate in the Special Olympics Caribbean Open Water Swim/Beach Games/Triathlon to be staged in Curacao later this year.