The band is scheduled to perform for two major charity events geared at raising funds to benefit Jamaica. The first performance will take place on Saturday, November 12, 2011 in a, by invitation only, benefit for Chain of Hope in Jamaica. The second will take place at the American Friends of Jamaica annual gala on Thursday, November 17, 2011 in New York.
Richard Daley, bass player for the band remarks, "It is situations like these that make us happy we are in a position to help and bring attention to noteworthy causes. When we look at charities that we want to support, we have to look at home base first. All the band members are Jamaicans, so that's home for us. We all have our individual charities that we lend assistance to and that's just who we are. To be able to assist and be a part of something bigger than ourselves is important."
For over four years, Third World Band has supported the efforts of the charitable advancement of Chain of Hope (COH) - A surgical mission team that provides cost free open heart surgery to children in Jamaica, whose families cannot afford this very costly surgery otherwise. And to help to raise funds that will continue to fund the charity's work, the band will perform at a fundraising event this coming weekend. The band has teamed up with foundation in previous years to assist with fundraising efforts.
ABOUT CHAIN OF HOPE
Chain of Hope has been conducting surgical missions to Jamaica since 1997 to treat children and adolescents with complex heart problems. Following on from these treatment missions, Chain of Hope aimed to develop the local services by teaching and training on these missions as well as help donate vital equipment and develop infrastructure. In 2007 Chain of Hope Jamaica was launched, a registered charity in Jamaica with an office based at the local Children's Hospital, Kingston. The main aim of the charity is to support the establishment of a self-sustained pediatric cardiac program at Bustamante Hospital for Children, with an initial aim of enabling the local Jamaican team to perform surgeries in between visits from overseas teams.
Chain of Hope together with other cardiac partner organizations is training and mentoring the medics and nursing staff of Bustamante. In particular, Chain of Hope has sponsored the training of a pediatric cardiologist and pediatric cardiac anesthetist, two key personnel required in the journey towards creating a fully sustainable cardiac service in Jamaica. Linking with the Congenital Heart Institute of Florida, Caribbean Heart Menders and Gift of Life Jamaica and Rotary Jamaica, Chain of Hope is currently fundraising to build a new intensive care unit for Bustamante Hospital for Children which will double the number of intensive care beds for the whole country. A new cardiac theatre and a catheter laboratory will be made available to serve the children of Jamaica. For more information, visit, www.chainofhope.org.
Then on November 17, 2011, the band will perform at the The American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) 30th annual fundraising gala in New York City where Digicel Chairman and philanthropist Denis O'Brien will receive the 2011 International Humanitarian Award. The 30th annual New York gala is an opportunity for the diaspora community, supporters and friends with an interest in Jamaica to give back to Jamaicans in the areas of education, healthcare and economic development. "As a group, we are committed to help Jamaicans in need with tools and opportunities to help them improve their conditions and realize their fullest potential," said AFJ Executive Director Caron S. Chung.
AFJ Gala Chair Manuela Goren said, "Thanks to our supporters over the years, we are able to expand our vision and continue our work to give Jamaican kids a chance to be productive, enterprising adults."
ABOUT AMERICAN FRIENDS OF JAMAICA
Founded in 1982, the American Friends of Jamaica is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization built on the principles of service and philanthropy; and is established to render assistance in the areas of Education, Healthcare, and Economic Development. The AFJ works with a broad coalition of Jamaican organizations and stakeholders to bring about change in the lives of Jamaicans in need. Amongst other initiatives, our partners assist us to provide shelter to the homeless, or to send inner-city youth to camps where they learn life skills. For more information, visit www.theafj.org.
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