Help Jamaica! e.V.

HELP Jamaica! teams up with a comic hero!

// February 8th, 2010 // No Comments » // News

Dread & Alive Comic Book Series by San Francisco based Nicholas Da Silva creator of the first Jamaican Superhero/Comic book series is supporting and teaming up with HELP Jamaica!

The Dread & Alive comic series just started with the release (digital and print version) of Issue #1 on February 6th 2010. The fascinating story is placed around the Maroons in cockpit Country, Jamaica and its hero is up to fight the evils of Babylon! Please check it out @ the Dread & Alive website!

‘Nik’ Da Silva not only setup a very generous distribution deal where HELP Jamaica! is getting 30% (!) of all digital sales and 10% of all print sales of Issue #1.

From all other following issues of the series (print and digital sales) HELP Jamaica! will be getting 10%!

Print Version: $4.99 (.49¢ for HELP Jamaica!)
Digital Version: .99¢ (.09¢ for HELP Jamaica!)

But the cooperation is not only based on financial support alone…. (check this out!)

‘Nik’ Da Silva will be trying to put us (Birte Timm and Hilmar Keding) inside the story. The main character of the story ‘Drew Mcintosh’ will be supporting HELP Jamaica! and the idea is, that somehow we will be appearing as drawn characters and meeting him in the future story…. to help to push the awareness for our works worldwide!
Well that is something that I never thought would happen’ to my life – I am looking forward to see myself as a cartoon character. Big things a gwaan!

Please feel free to spread the news, or even better purchase a copy of Dread & Alive and HELP Jamaica!

Please read on for an introduction about the Dread & Alive story and its Jamaican Superhero from the Maroon Tribe: Drew Mcintosh.

Dread & Alive

The Dread & Alive series follows Eco-warrior, Drew McIntosh, as he fights against the forces of babylon (illegal smugglers, human traffickers, illegal loggers, etc.)Drew McIntosh is the roaring lion, protector of the animal world to which all humans belong.

On the small island of Jamaica, in the heart of the Cockpit Country, there once lived in isolation, a tribe of free-spirited people. Feared and respected for their intricate systems of guerilla warfare and their rebellious independence, the Jamaican Maroons resisted all those who tried to tame them and bring them into submission. They lived off the land and nurtured their culture among their young. Through years of the threat of enslavement and elimination, the Jamaican Maroons developed an inherent distrust of outsiders – with one exception…

Dread & Alive Introduction:

I was seven years old when I first journeyed to the rain forest of Jamaica, unaware of what lurked inside this unforgiving paradise known as the Cockpit Country. A strange and virtually uninhabited place, this was the home of the Jamaican Maroons, a tribe of free-spirited people, feared yet respected for their rebellious independence. Under the leadership of Cudjoe, their wise and benevolent chief, they lived in isolation and resisted all those who tried to tame them and bring them into submission.

My father, Philip McIntosh, was a direct descendant of this misunderstood tribe. An anthropologist by trade, he was a determined man with many righteous causes including the preservation of cultural identity. So when he was summoned by Cudjoe to come to the village of Accompong, he readily accepted the invitation.

My mother, Maria McIntosh, saw it as an opportunity to come closer to her roots. For me, it would be another move, just as when I left my birthplace of Kingston to live in Montego Bay, or MoBay as the Islanders called it. For the next eight years, the Cockpit Country would become my home away from home.

From a distance, I watched my parents as they work fervently with the Jamaican Maroons to help preserve their culture and to replete their resources. And as time progressed, I too became a part of this unique society. Under the watchful eye of Cudjoe, I learned the ways of the Jamaican Maroons. I became familiar with the trackless rain forest. I learned how to live off the land, how to hunt and fish and, most importantly, how to defend myself from any outside threats. I guess you could say the only thing that separated me from the other youths was my physical appearance; my thick, natty dreadlocks.

But when I was chosen by Cudjoe to be the protector of a rare amulet said to give invincible powers, as fulfillment of a prophecy, I never expected that this talisman would bring so much trauma to my life. From the tragic death of my father and the near fatal confrontation with ShadowCatcher, the village Obeah Man, to the constant struggle to control the untamed savagery that lurks inside me, I’ve come to an understanding that the amulet has changed my life forever. My destiny has been foretold.

Now as an adult and without the presence of my father, I treasure my friendship with Cudjoe, as would a student to his teacher. And as I don the amulet, I keep in mind my vow to my father: To continue his work in preserving and protecting this beautiful planet and the rights of its inhabitants. To Cudjoe: to use my knowledge and training for the good of mankind and to protect the amulet from ShadowCatcher. And to myself: to use my strength and abilities to make the world a better place for all; a world of future, a world of love, a world of paradise!

My name is Drew McIntosh and I am the Roaring Lion, protector of the animal world, to which all humans belong.

Next Charity Dance in favour of HELP Jamaica!

// January 17th, 2010 // No Comments » // News

At February 13th 2010 the Roots Ashanti Soundsystem Crew is organizing a Charity Dance at Club Römer in Bremen, Germany. The February edition of the event series called ‘Reggae Nights’ is dedicated to fundraise money for HELP Jamaica! The money made at the door (Adm. 5,- EUR) will be completely donated towards HELP Jamaica!

Sounds / Selectors of the night are: Roots Ashanti Sound alongside Hille (Soundquake Sound)

If you live nearby Bremen, make it a date, come with all your friends and party with us for a good cause!

Di Ting Sell Off!!

// December 19th, 2009 // No Comments » // News

We are very happy to announce that the limited edition of 250 copies of our Charity Calendar 2010 sold faster than we ever expected!

Thanks to each and everybody who purchased their copy(s), supported HELP Jamaica! and made the calendar project a huge success!! We will be definitely working on a second edition for 2011 – and we do promise to print a larger amount of calendars next year!

YOUR VERY LAST CHANCE!

Here is a last chance for all of you who couldn’t purchase a copy due to the fast selling – we will give out the last 5 Calendars for the first 5 people who apply for a HELP Jamaica! sustaining membership!

Log on to: http://www.helpjamaica.org/support/membership/ and download the ‘Sustaining Membership Application’ complete it and send it back to us.

The first 5 new ‘Sustaining Members’ will receive a free ‘2010 Charity Calendar’.

As soon as the 5 Calendars are gone we will post it on www.helpjamaica.org and let you know. So don’t hesitate too long and make sure you don’t let this chance to get your hands on the very last copies and do something good the same way pass by!

Have a blessed Christmas Season
The HELP Jamaica! Team

Upcoming Charity Events for HELP Jamaica!

// December 14th, 2009 // No Comments » // News

The Christmas Season is just about to start and everybody is looking forward to the holidays… don’t we!? To start the celebration proper and in the right spirit we would like to point towards two more Charity Dances coming up in support of HELP Jamaica

First comes the officially ‘Actions No Words’ Event on Saturday the 19th of December in Münster, Germany, organised by Volkanikman and his ‘Action No Words’ Team together with the Reggae Ambassador Crew. The money fundraised with this dance will be divided 50/50 and donated to the ‘Action No Words’ Project as well as to HELP Jamaica!

Big respect and thanks to the ‘Action No Words’ Team for the continuous support!! Yuh Large!
Line Up: Dr. Volkanikman (Berlin) Oneness Movement (Essen) Dreadeye (Dresden) Sun Fire Soundsystem (Hückeswagen)

On Friday the 25th of December there is a next promising event: The Run Di Riddim X-Mas Special Charity Dance in Freiburg to be held at Klub Kamikaze in Freiburg!

The Line Up features the upcoming roots & culture artists Nature live from Kingston Jamaica! Nature has a very versatile and clean voice and great song writing abilities. Blessed with such a talent he is definitely going to make his way in the international reggae scene, so watch out for Nature in the future. Or better check him out in Freiburg on the 25th of December alongside Conqueraw Sound and the Ruff Song Movement and Dr. Chalice.

Thanks to the Ruff Song Movement for the organsiation of the charity event for HELP Jamaica. Nuff Respect!

If you live nearby Münster or Freiburg make sure you attend these events and party for the good cause and support HELP Jamaica! the same way!

Have a blessed season !

Party ’till da morning….

// December 10th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // News

The charity dance last weekend in Tragwein (AT) organized by Good Vibration Sound was a huge success. The dance which featured Good Vibration Sound the ruling Sound of Austria alongside Irie Sensation & Sensi Sound was ram and full of vibes with patrons partying until the early morning!

Good Vibration Sound was able to donate 1000,- EUR(!) after party. The money was already transferred to our bank account!

HELP Jamaica! wish to say Big Up and thanks for this  great support! Nuff respect to all participating Soundsystems, everybody who lend a helping hand to make this event happen and of course all the patrons who attended the dance and partied for the good cause!

If you read this and are saying to yourself: ‘Hey I could do the same and organize a charity party with my sound’, don’t hesitate to send us a mail to: info@helpjamaica.org and get in touch.
We are going to provide you with Infoflyers, Infoboards, a Banner for the stage as well as press texts and everything else you need. Sounds and Promoters… link up!

The HELP Jamaica! charity calendar 2010

// November 6th, 2009 // 4 Comments » // News

Christmas soon come…. Get your perfect Christmas gift right here – give out the calendar to somebody as a present and make a donation towards HELP Jamaica! the same way!

Only 12,50 € plus shipping – We ship worldwide!

Click -here- to enter our online-shop.

Preview all the wonderful photos and nicely designed pages and make sure you save your copy of this limited edition high-quality calendar (250 copies only!)

Put Jamaica in sight! Be reminded on the beautiful island everyday by some exceptional photos displaying the many facets of Jamaica. Great shots from eight parishes – different countryside, Kingston, charismatic people, promising school kids, fishermen, churches and more photos from international photographers.

14 pages offset-printed. The calendars are carefully single welded to ensure secure shipment!

Big Up Who Fi Big Up!

The making of our first charity-calendar was a very positive experience – everybody we asked to be involved in producing the calendar immediately and generously agreed to support the worthy cause. All photographers who provided their photos, as well as the graphic designer, worked for free and offered their photo-material and time voluntarily. The HELP Jamaica! 2010 Charity Calendar would not have been possible without the generous encouragement and support of all these people! Thanks a lot and big up yourself!

International Charity Dance in Austria

// November 5th, 2009 // No Comments » // News

The Good Vibration Sound Crew is organising a Charity Dance in support of HELP Jamaica!  At the 4th of December 2009 in Tragwein, AT Soundsystems like: Irie Sensation, Sensi Sound and of course Austria’s No. 1 Good Vibration will mash up Club Malaria for the good cause. If you live nearby come and enjoy this high-class entertainment and party with your friends, supporting something good the same time. The money earned with this dance will be donated to HELP Jamaica!  We will use the money to establish our first Education Centre in Kingston, Jamaica!

Adm. 5,- € before 11pm / 7,- € after

for more infos about the dance please check:
Good Vibration Sound
Charity Dance MySpace

Education For A Change – HELP Jamaica! 2.0

// September 26th, 2009 // No Comments » // News

Help Establish Library Projects in Jamaica! (HELP Jamaica!) is pleased to announce the launch of its redesigned website: http://www.helpjamaica.org.

The website has been redesigned and updated to provide easier site navigation and to incorporate database technology to automate cross-linkages between related content.

HELP Jamaica! has a new logo and web banners (download) and the site a completely new look and feel. For users this means more up to date content and it is now divided into five main areas:

* Why (all facts and details about the cause)
* Projects (everything about current and past projects)
* Activities & Events (our current and past activities and events)
* How to support (information for you on how to get involved)
* Organisation (details you would like to know about HELP Jamaica!)

Why dont you subscribe to our newsletter, found on the top right sidebar, to receive any new information we publish.

The team of HELP Jamaica!

Usain ‘Lightning’ Bolt & HELP Jamaica!

// September 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // News

We used the opportunity to meet Usain Bolt and the Jamaican National Sprint Team during the World Championships in Berlin 2009. The HELP Jamaica! team introduced the goals and aims of the organisation to Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell, both were very intrested to hear about it and encouraged us to ‘keep up the good work’.

Did you know that Usain Bolt is not only the world fastest man on the racing track but also the fastest DJ alive on the CD-Turntables…

At the Puma organised closing event of the World Championships Bolt never hesitated to play a 2 hour(!) set of current Dancehall hits and his favourite tunes for the large massive at Berlins YAAM Club. Bolt and his colleagues of the National Sprint Team had total fun on stage celebrating their won medals and the world records performing the latest dancing moves from Kingston – craziness inside YAAM!

Preview: The HELP Jamaica! Charity Festival in Osnabrück /GER

// July 22nd, 2009 // No Comments » // News

The BasementSound e.V. located in Osnabrück (GER) is organising a Charity Festival in support of HELP Jamaica! e.V.

At the 15th of August 2009 the place to be is the Schlossgarten in front of the Uni-Keller Club in Osnabrück.

The afternoon will feature performances by Ganjaman, Black Dillinger (Jamaica), Joggo (Surinam), Mighty Tolga, Mandingo (Denmark), Jahrome, FireBlack (Jamaica), Chin Ciller Clan, King Juli and Linguisten and one surprise act, soon to be confirmed! All backed by live Bands!

In addition to the reggae, dancehall, rap & ska music, there will be information available about the work of HELP Jamaica!, a percussion workshop, an african-theatre , dance performances, face-painting for the kids and Jamaican BBQ on sale as well as the original Jamaican ‘Red Stripe’ beer for the grown ups!

The aftershow party will be held inside the Uni Keller Club – and we are proud to announce that Puma from the mighty LP-International Sound (Brooklyn, NY) will be mashing up the venue as well as the Trigga Happy Crew, Selecta Hille from Soundquake Sound, and the local ambassadors from Basement Sound.
Party until the moring light!….

If you live nearby, make it a date – come enjoy the live shows, party with your friends until the early morning and do something good the same way. The funds raised at these event will be used to establish our first HELP Jamaica!-operated Reading Centre in Kingston.

Similar to the ‘Charity Month’ all artists and soundsystems are playing for free!