Dancehall star Beenie Man Beenie to help raise $15 million for Alpha Boys School

From left: Sister Shirley Chung, principal of Alpha Boys School, Beenie Man and Richard Josephs, president of the Rotary Club of Kingston, before they went on the school tour. - Hasani Walters

"Let's do it for the Alpha boys!" is his mission and Beenie Man is the man on the mission as he tries to accomplish one of his aspirations.



Yesterday, The Doctor toured the Alpha Boys School, 26 South Camp Road, Kingston, prior to the May 21 fund-raising concert titled, 'Let's Do It For the Alpha Boys, Beenie Man and Friends in Concert' which is to be held at the National Indoor Sports Centre.

The project is being led by the Rotary Club of Kingston with support from Beenie Man and Friends. The Jamaica Social Investment Fund is to provide a major part of the concert's funding as they will be covering approximately half of the project's cost.

Funds raised from the concert will be used to refurbish the school's physical structure which include areas such as the dormitory, sporting facilities, kitchen and bathroom, as well as an upgrade of music equipment and the agricultural programme, which will aid in making the school self-sufficient.
Speaking with the star while on the tour, Beenie Man said: "Well, it's a project that I always wanted to do by myself, but then mi have too much things suh mi caan tek on too much things pon mi head. So when sister decide seh alright, she a go ahead wid it and the Rotary Club of Kingston now decide seh alright, suh wi a go deal wid it properly. Suh wi come together and decide seh alright if I can be a part of it, it woulda be a great thing, but if all a my friends could be a part of it, it would be greater."

Although he is the only confirmed act, Beenie Man said he hopes to bring together several artistes to perform on the show, among them Beres Hammond, Bounty Killer, Agent Sasco and Mavado.
"Mi know no man nah guh refuse fi do nutten for Alpha Boys School," said Beenie.

He said the financial goal of the concert is at least $15 million and urged all to stand behind the worthy cause.
Beenie Man along with Richard Josephs, president of The Rotary Club of Kingston, sister Shirley Chung, principal of Alpha Boy's School and Kempton Lewis, former Alpha boy and leader of the Omega Element Band, went on a tour of the institution yesterday.

They visited areas such as the printery, bindery, tailoring, farm, woodwork, dormitory, basketball court, football field, bathroom, kitchen and dining room as they gave Beenie Man an overview of their refurbishing plans.