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Posted - Nov 18 2005 : 10:23:08 AM
Reggaeboyzsc.com's Discussion Forum.Posted by: Huntress [IP: LOGGED ] - 112 active posts. 11/18/2005 10:13:28 AM This post has been read 18 times
Jamaicans in Belgium want support
Friday, November 18, 2005
Dear Editor,
We would like to ask the Jamaican government what is the purpose of the Embassy of Jamaica here in Brussels, Belgium? Why are Jamaicans paying taxes to keep an embassy, if they don't want to promote our musical culture, which is our biggest marketing asset?
Is the embassy supposed to assist Jamaicans living in Belgium? If so, how? How and where can we find information regarding our concerns abroad?
In 1997 we moved from Montego Bay to West-Flanders in Belgium. Ambassador Douglas Saunders would have Jamaicans get together for Christmas or special Jamaican holidays, but since he was re-assigned to Jamaica, we have had little or no representation. On June 21 2005, the Jamaican government opened in Antwerp an Honorary Consul Office with honorary consul Mr Jacques Nyssen. But we don't know the purpose of the consulate. Can it assist Jamaicans setting up businesses in Belgium? Can it promote Jamaican goods and services?
The last seven years my husband, daughter and I along with the support of a few friends started "Red Alert vzw" (www.red-alert.tk) to organise and promote Jamaica, through giving dance, cooking, and poetry/documentary workshops in schools, youth, government and charity organisations. We have not had any support from anyone, not even from the embassy. On October 22, 2005 we had the fourth edition of the "national dancehall queen contest" which is one of the most popular Jamaican events in Belgium.
At the beginning of the year, we asked the embassy to assist us with getting the first prize - a trip to Jamaica for the winner - to represent Belgium in the international finals in Jamaica 2006, but again we were disappointed. This has left us in a very difficult situation, as the costs to organise events in Belgium are expensive. The winner is Montegonian Monique Elliott, living in Limburg, Belgium.
There are approximately 1,000 Jamaicans living in Belgium and many have no contact with the embassy and many feel alone. We don't find Jamaican products easily even though the market for our products is there, plus there is nothing in place to bring us together, and whenever suggestions are made to the embassy they seem to be ignored, especially with regard to reggae and dance culture. We live and work among the Flemish people and we know the interest for Jamaican culture is growing. So why don't we get any support?
We are still seeking assistance for the trip to Jamaica for the winner of dancehall queen contest 2005. This was publicised on Belgium's national music television Jim-TV. How can you assist us (Red Alert) with bringing affordable Jamaican products, culture groups to the Belgian markets? Can the Embassy of Jamaica assist us in forming a Jamaican community, which we all are longing for?
Raphaelita Irving
President of Red Alert vzw
raphaelita_irving@hotmail.com
If your vision is for 1 year - plant rice. If your vision is for 10 years - plant trees. If your vision is for 100 years - educate children.
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