Manifesto Jamaica thanks Canada

The parent organisation of Manifesto Jamaica has been helping the organisation find its footing in the island.

Though still in its infancy, Manifesto Jamaica has already made a bit more than just baby steps.

Though the non-governmental organisation has been empowering youth for less than a year now, it is already blazing a positive trail of arts development in a number of communities including August Town, Belvedere, and the Three Miles Development Area, thanks mostly to the North American nation.

Community impact

"Our community impact initiatives have graciously been sponsored by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives," said Kareece Lawrence, one of Manifesto Jamaica's directors.

"None of the community building and empowerment initiatives we have done so far would be effective without their support, for which we are extremely thankful," she said.

Manifesto Jamaica has found it difficult going. Comprising mostly youth under 30 years old, acquiring sponsorship locally has been hard.

After countless pitches to corporate and government entities, they have very few sponsorship dollars to show for their effort.

In a good position

Ironically, the buzz that the group has been generating in the same circles, and most certainly in the media landscape, indicates that the organisation is in a good position to make a truly positive impact on Jamaican society.

"We completely overstand the challenges created by the present economic climate," said Lawrence. "Compared to developed nations like Canada, there is not as much funding to go around, especially when it comes on to start-ups with no track record to show. We had to learn that quickly and accelerate the process of building our own track record," she added.

From October 14-17, the Manifesto Jamaica Festival of ART'ical Empowerment will take place at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. That effort is being aided by the Social Development Commission.