Dear Editor,

Reggae music has always been a very special music. It is a music which combines body and soul and makes you dance, smile, think and fight.

Reggae is powerful and reaches beyond all borders with its message of love, unity and respect. These messages remind us that we are, or should be, all brothers and sisters, no matter our differences.

Once more, through music and commitment, Stand up for Jamaica (SUFJ), a human rights non-government organisation, got strength and support for its projects from the global reggae community.

Rototom Sunsplash Reggae Festival, the largest reggae event in the world, this year invited SUFJ to take part in a talk at the festival which looked at crime and violence. Through that engagement, the festival organisers have decided to provide financial support to our projects, especially the ones which target minors and relate to the education of inmates. Big them up!

International reggae artiste Alborosie came to visit the prisons and learnt about rehabilitation activities. Alborosie donated materials to support the band room and the music project.

In Italy a special event took place in Savona, where a reggae night saw the participation of various artistes who performed at a fund-raising event for SUFJ.

United we stand, and we can work to build hopes for the future. Music is a magic instrument, and we thank the reggae world for honouring its message and for being an integral part of our rehabilitation work in Jamaica’s correctional facilities.

Music will continue to be a relevant medium for sharing positive messages that help to educate people to fight for peace and create a more just society.

Carla Gullotta

Executive director

Stand Up for Jamaica

sufjmedia2@gmail.com