Jamaicans stand together at telethon

Social distancing didn’t get in the way of Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica standing together on Sunday. For some persons across the world encased in lockdown, ‘Telethon Jamaica, Together We Stand’, the six-hour live event staged on Easter Sunday, April 12, resurrected some good vibes while raising money for a worthy cause. Entertainers came out strong as they gave freely of their talent in assisting to raise funds for supplies for front-line workers caught up in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Uplifting songs and body-rocking dances were interspersed with pleas from celebrities, corporate persons, and a few politicians, who all passionately urged viewers to donate to the cause. Spearheaded by an alliance of global diaspora organisations, with the endorsement of the Government of Jamaica, the telethon’s patron is Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange. For Minister Grange, the event was “great”.

In a brief appearance on set, she stated, “Today is great. This speaks volumes to the commitment that our artistes and Jamaicans have to Jamaica and the world.” She commended all those who developed the idea, including Ambassador Audrey Marks, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith, and also singled out some of those who fully embraced the journey. “We reached out (to the artistes), and the response was overwhelming. The entire Marley family is on board, [as well as] Sting, Shaggy, DJ Khaled, TVJ and CVM, Sharon Burke,” Grange listed before adding that various entities were using their online platforms to host the event, among them VP Records, Tuff Gong, and Downsound Records. She explained that the money raised will go into a dedicated fund solely to purchase personal protective gear for healthcare workers. She said that a charity for this purpose will be registered.

“Never before has the world seen what we are seeing now. The coronavirus has taken control of every country, but with resilience, we will overcome. Let’s stand together. Our music has penetrated the four corners, and today, we praise, we sing, we celebrate, we empathise, all the emotions you can think of. We stand together. We are reaching out to show the world that we care and that we are saying one love, one heart, one people,” she said.

Holness, too, had a message. To those Jamaicans in the diaspora, he said, “Keep faith; keep heart. The Government is working overtime in bringing you back home.” His other message was simple and to the point, “Tan a yuh yaad.”

EARLY STAGE

Guiding the early proceedings were Oliver Samuels and Dahlia Harris. Oliver, in his own inimitable style, did not mince words when asking for support. “God bless oonu. We thank onnu, we thank oonu. Send it in wagga wagga, we want it!” he urged.

Patricia ‘Miss Pat’ Chin, CEO of VP Records; Tina Matalon; William Mahfood; Leader of the Opposition Peter Phillips; Health Minister Christopher Tufton; and Marcia Forbes, representing United Way, all appeared in video pledging their support for ‘Telethon Jamaica, Together We Stand’.

Among the artistes who performed were early acts Carlene Davis, Freddie McGregor, Wayne Marshall, who came out with quiet strength and, by the comments online, evoked pleasant memories with his rendition of the national song for schools, I Pledge My Heart Forever. Kevin Downswell, Rhoda Isabella, Candy Isaacs, Runkus, Panic, Garnett Silk Jr, Rondell Positive, Richie Stephens, Gyptian, OMI, Chronic Law and Ras-I all performed live. Naomi ‘Paradise Plum’ Cowan doubled as host and performer; Ashe thrilled with a lively song-and-dance jam session to a medley of Bob Marley songs, including Could You Be Loved, Jammin’, Iron Like Lion In Zion, and Lively Up Yourself; Richie Spice sang the theme song; and Lila Iké performed from her living room.

Koffee, actor Leon Robinson, Alkaline, Spice, Sean Paul, Shaggy, and Damian Marley did PSAs. Marley’s prelude was the Lord’s Prayer, and his exhortation included, “If you are not able to donate cash, then give prayers; they are always needed.”

Holness committed US$3,000 and Minister of Finance Nigel Clarke US$2,000 through their respective foundations.