‘Tremendous thanks’

Buju Banton was honoured on Wednesday by boys from the Manchester-based Mount Olivet Boys’ Home and Sunbeam Children’s Home in St Catherine. The wards lauded the iconic musician for his investment and contribution. Both childcare facilities are sponsored by Banton’s Buju Banton Foundation, which since its establishment in 2019, has been dedicated to providing essential resources and empowerment for at-risk boys.

With Father’s Day days away, residents of the home paid him a surprise visit at Gargamel Music Inc. They came bearing gifts for their musical icon. Mount Olivet Boys’ Home presented Banton with a framed portrait of himself. While Sunbeam Children’s Home presented the entertainer with two large pottery vases created by the boys. They also handed over eggs from the Layers Project that Banton gifted Sunbean and large Julie mangoes from their farm.

Banton was overjoyed and amazed by the gifts. “I am so humbled, surprised, and happy for your heartfelt gesture. I have helped a lot of people. Sometimes we forget good deeds. But you boys remember me and have chosen to surprise and honour me for Father’s Day. Wow! I thank you all so very much. Blessings!” he said.

A group of five participated in a game of football with the legendary musician after which Banton, Rosemary Duncan, director of the Buju Banton Foundation, and the wards cut a large vanilla cake iced with the words ‘Big Thank You’.

The heads at both facilities thanked Banton for his benevolence. “Because of the goodness of the Buju Banton Foundation towards the Mount Olivet Boys’ Home — providing endless resources, assorted new shoes (two-three pairs for each resident); school stationery for all the wards; collaborating with Kanye West and Audio Mack for computers and chairs to facilitate online learning and musical equipment for the facility — Mount Olivet Boys’ Home is beyond thankful to you, the great Buju Banton and the Buju Banton Foundation. The boys drew you a portrait and signed it as a symbol of their love and appreciation. Happy Father’s Day!” said Patrick Newman, director at Mount Olivet Boys’ Home.

Desmond Whitely, an administrator at Sunbeam Children’s Home, said the singer’s contribution to Sunbean is the largest by any individual. “Buju Banton has single-handedly done more for Sunbeam Children’s Home than any other individual, investing $3 million in the egg layers project for the facility - a project which is, thus far, highly successful. We do not have enough eggs to sell. It is a viable and sustainable venture, yielding much-needed funds and resources for the operation of Sunbeam Children’s Home,” Whitely said.

He also thanked Banton profusely, not just for his contributions, but that of others through the foundation. “We thank you for empowerment workshops for wards and for partnering with Kanye West to gift laptops for each member of staff and resident at the home. Mark Myrie, to say we are thankful is an understatement. We feel truly blessed that you chose Sunbeam Children’s Home. The boys love you so much. They speak about you all the time. They sing your songs daily. Tremendous thanks for your kindness, support, and generosity,” he said.