Musical Mission | Peace initiative boss targets youth
Published:Monday | September 24, 2018 | 12:00 AMAkeem Masters/Gleaner Writer
With a mission of turning teenagers and upcoming artistes who would sing about guns away from a life of crime, Eugene Pitter created the Just for Peace Initiative (JFPI) in Spanish Town 11 years ago.
Pitter, who told The Gleaner that more than 100 artistes have joined the movement since it started, says he would walk through the volatile areas of the old capital in a bid to reach out to young men, most of who were exposed to crime.
"I hardly drive in a vehicle once I am in Spanish Town. I am a street person, and people will come up to me, especially mothers who will come to me and say, 'Look here, I see you do a mentorship programme, can you mentor him?'" he told The Gleaner.
"I went into the different communities such as De La Vega City, March Pen Road, Rivoli, and St John's Road, and spoke to them about peace, love and unity," he added.
Through collaboration with a number of individuals and organisations, he says JFPI helps to nurture the musical talents of these aspiring artiste.
"We give them a place to rehearse, so if they have a show coming up, they can practise, and if they have an interview, we teach them how to conduct themselves during the interview," he explained.
POSITIVE FEEDBACK
At 60, he says a number of persons are surprised when they find out what he is doing.
"Nuff people shock, dem say, 'How yu doing this and so much other elderly man like yu just deh inna rum bar and a drink beer?'" he said.
Last Thursday, Pitter was awarded by the Universal Peace Federation for his outstanding work.
He said that while he was at the function, persons were still trying to get him to assist their children.
"I met a lady whose older son was killed, and she brought another son who was attending Papine High School and has nine CXC subjects because she wanted me to mentor him," he said.
With well-known members such as Shaka Pow, Short Boss and Nuhbrakes, he says that the participants cannot sing violent lyrics once they join or they will be expelled.
But he explains that it is not just about music as they help individuals with other aspects of their lives.
He says that there is also a home (at an undisclosed location) where the youths can stay if they have nowhere to live or can't go home.
"If a particular artiste having problem in their community, maybe their lives have been threatened, we take them out and put dem there," he said.
To fund the programme, he says, a number of individuals make donations anonymously. The programme targets youths ages 16 to 25 years old.