Giving Roots

#101 Nesta's Rock - Jamaica Musical Theatre Company

arts + culture + heritage . kingston, jamaica 

Nesta's Rock is an original musical production inspired by the childhood of Robert Nesta Marley and follows a young boy, Ness, who is growing up in Kingston with many big hopes and dreams. Nesta’s big dreams are met with some ridicule from his friends and he soon after finds himself on a magical journey, transported to the whimsical farming village of Nine Mile. Nesta discovers himself and his inner strength through music and in so doing helps an entire town (Kingston Town) of people discover their own power to overcome the difficulties they face; a true legacy of Bob Marley and his music. The production will also see the remake of popular Bob Marley tracks, such as Trench Town Rock, Redemption Song, Could You Be Loved and others.

#99 The Lil Ragamuffin Summer Camp - Zebi Williams

youth + arts + entrepreneurship. blue mountains, jamaica 

This initiative is an arts & entrepreneurship summer camp located on a Blue Mountain Coffee farm inJamaica. Founded by Zebi Williams when she was 18 years old - the camp has had over 25 international volunteers and 125 youth from the local community. The colunteers teach skill training workshops to the youth, help them to develop a stronger sense of self and give guidance on how to take control of ones  economic future.

#98 Homeless Children - Ann Marie Richards 

homeless + youth + community. clarendon, jamaica 

Annmarie Richards is a Jamaican woman who has raised 32 children, but not before she came from a broken home, in a struggling community herself. She experienced first-hand what it feels like to be a forgotten victim of Jamaica's painful economic situation. She has since devoted her life to finding homeless children, raising them as her own, and giving them new opportunities. It's her goal to take children off the streets and integrate them into school systems, giving them a foundation to build a wonderful life.Annmarie has helped numerous people turn their lives around. She has provided a home to women stuck in prostitution circles, drug addicts, and others. 

#97 Coral Propogation Project - Oracabessa Foundation 

environmental protection + community . st. mary, jamaica 

The Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary is a joint project between the Oracabessa Foundation and the St. Mary Fishermen's Cooperative. One of the major projects is the coral replanting initiative that began in 2012. This year the efforts to restore the state of the reef celebrated a major milestone of planting 2,000 pieces of coral.  The work being done  improves the health of the reef , contributes to the habitat for fish and also provides skills training  and employment to local spear fishermen as coral gardeners. 

#96 Jamaican Mommies 

women + parenting . islandwide, jamaica 

The initiative is a support network for Jamaican mothers living in the island and diaspora. 

#95 Veronica Campbell Brown Foundation 

education + girls. islandwide, jamaica 

The foundation was created by Olympic champion  Veronica Campbell Brown for high school girls in desperate need of resources. Currently, the scholarship  covers school fees, transportation and lunch.

#94 Jamaican Caves Organisation

environment . islandwide, jamaica 

The organisation is dedicated to the discovery, exploration, and preservation of the caves and karst of Jamaica. 

#93 Music Unites Jamaica Foundation

music + culture + arts. islandwide, jamaica 

The foundation's mission is to develop the ‘Kingston Philharmonic Orchestra & Grand Chorus of Jamaica’, in honour of Samuel Felsted, the first documented composer in Jamaica. 

#92 The Drawing Room Project 

arts + culture. islandwide, jamaica 

The project was founded in 2007, out of a desire to draw persons together and engage them in a series of creative conversations through workshops, productions and exhibits.The objective is to contribute to better society through introspective art, by creating collaborations with industry experts who will provide mentorship and exposure for talented  emerging and mid-career Jamaicans artists.

#91  Jamaica Hardanga Trust (hardanga: hand-sewn embroidery)

culture + skills . st. mary, jamaica 

The Trust is committed to preserving the traditional fine art of Hardanga, through the production of the finest and most exquisite handmade embroidered clothing and houseware products. Currently, the group of 24 women are between t 20-65 years old.

Hardanga housewares are not known to be produced by any other group or entity anywhere else in the Caribbean or this region. Hardanga is a dying traditional art form which has been preserved by this group for over 30 years. Their unique work has been gifted to Royalty and graces the State Houses of Governor Generals and Prime Ministers

#90 The Step Centre 

children with special needs. disabilities. kingston, jamaica 

The institution was founded by parents in 1993. They believed that their children who developed differently had the right to education. The right of children with disabilities to take part in social interaction with other children and to be given specialized help to reach his/her full potential. The Centre is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team including teachers, physiotherapist, speech and occupational therapists and teaching assistants.

#89 For Jamaica 

orphanages . islandwide, jamaica 

The mission of the inititiative is to provide adequate bedding -- new bed frames, bunks, cribs and mattresses -- for residents in orphanages and places of safety throughout Jamaica.

#88 Reggae Revival 

arts + culture + community . islandwide, jamaica 

Reggae Revival is a cultural movement of rising consciousness originating in Jamaica. It is an explosion of artistic expressions with music at the forefront, gradually influencing the mentality of the present generation toward positivity, Afrocentric spirituality and self-determination all over the world.

Contributors & Supporters of the movement include Dutty Bookman, Sabriya Simon. Taj Francis, Damian Marley , Protoje & more.

#87 Portland Rehab Management Centre 

homeless + skills training . portland, jamaica 

The aims of the initiative are to: 1. To meet the basic needs of the homeless persons in Portland; for shelter, food, clothing and medical care. 2. To deliver a Day Time Rehabilitation Program to empower our clients with social and independent living skills and opportunities. 3. Reduce the number of homeless and socially displaced persons in Portland.

#86 Hanover Charities 

education + healthcare . hanover, jamaica 

The funding of this mission provides the following for the communities in Hanover   :

Programs that feed school children, the elderly and indigent Facilities, clinics, institutions and projects that provide health care School feeding programs Organizations that promote positive values and education for children Promising students in need of financial aid through the Morris-Watkins Memorial Scholarship

#85 The Re-Ward Foundation

arts + culture + historical preservation. kingston, jamaica 

The Re-Ward Project is a movement striving to reignite appreciation and preservation of the famous Ward Theatre. The theatre  has been a Jamaican landmark since 1912.