TORONTO:

The Jamaican Diaspora Canada Foundation is hoping for support for an ambitious bond initiative to assist in reducing Jamaica’s foreign debt.

The group recently staged a fundraising concert at the Jamaican Canadian Association aimed at encouraging persons to purchase the overseas bonds in a bid to raise millions for the cause.

Phillip Mascoll gave an overview and appealed for support - urging his fellow expats to purchase a thousand dollar bond. He said the gesture would ‘in the long run free up the economy’, and help Jamaica ‘get out of the clutches of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’.

Mascoll pointed to countries like Israel, India, and China, whose diaspora he said were successful in such a bond venture.

He also encouraged his countrymen to get involved in the work and activities of the organization and look to attending the June 15 conference in Montego Bay.

Appeal

President Valarie Steel, made an appeal for persons to support the drive to purchase blood pressure machines for Jamaican hospitals.

She thanked the many groups and individuals who have donated money for the venture and singled out the Rev Dr. Audley James Senior pastor of Revivaltime Tabernacle, whose church provided $1,000 for the purchase of four blood pressure machine.

Spoken word poet Nadine Williams read from her lbook “Pen on Fire”, while Liberty Silver teamed up with Jimmy Reid, and Junior Whisper, to round out the evening’s entertainment.

A highlight of the evening was the performance of Ibadan, a local reggae band.
Music for dancing was provided by four popular Toronto discos. Logie’s International, DJ Funky, Henry’s Disco, and Sugar Bird International.