Video by: Good Eye Video
In response to the diabetes crisis in St. Lucia, Taj Weekes and TOCO created this public service announcement in partnership with Good Eye Video, to bring greater awareness to the rapidly rising rate of diabetes in St. Lucia. During the first week in November, International Diabetes Awareness month, TOCO will travel to St. Lucia to launch the "Sneakers Not Wheelchairs" campaign through TOCO HEALTH with donations of 2,700 blood glucose meters, testing strips and educational materials.
Currently, St. Lucia has the highest rate of diabetes per capita in the world and an average of two amputations per week on adults and children as young as two years old. With a population of only 160,000, the country is in dire need of outside intervention to staunch the rapidly rising rate of diabetes and diabetes-related illnesses, which is literally crippling the population.
]]>Interview by: Claudius Francis
Reggae artist Taj Weekes discusses his charity, They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO), and goals for a November 2009 mission trip to St. Lucia to continue in the fight against diabetes with "Straight Up" Radio 100 commentator Claudius Francis.
RHYTHM 95.5 FM ST. LUCIAInterview by: Andre Fontenelle
Andre Fontenelle, "The Redman," interviews Taj Weekes for Rhythm 95.5 FM St. Lucia in June 2009. They discuss Taj's efforts through his charity, They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO), to focus attention on the diabetes crisis in St. Lucia.
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DBS TELEVISION - ST. LUCIAReported by: Lisa Joseph
Taj Weekes paid a visit to the Bordelais Correctional Facility in St. Lucia where he presented soccer balls to the inmates through his charity, They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO).
The administration welcomed the donation noting that the footballs will go a long way in helping develop a tournament amongst inmates. Formerly, there was only one football being shared by the entire facility. Ms. Victoria Alcide, Assistant Custodial Director of the facility, indicated that the donations will allow the inmates to be engaged in the sport for lengthier periods.
Part of the vision is to establish a correctional officers team that can play against the inmates. Such activities are being considered as part of the rehabiliation plan for inmates. Weekes states, "I am really moved by the correctional facility thing because I think had these kids gotten some balls earlier, they probably would not have been here. They would have had something to keep them going in another way. We just hope that this can actually change some of their lives and hopefully they don't show up again."
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St. Lucian Roots Reggae Artist Taj Weekes and his band Adowa walked away with the award for "Best Reggae Album" for their sophomore release, DEIDEM, at the indie music industry’s Just Plain Folks Music Awards Ceremony in Nashville, TN on August 29th.
Taj Weekes and Adowa's critically acclaimed sophomore release, DEIDEM, garnered a win for "Best Reggae Album" at the independent music industry’s Just Plain Folks (JPF) Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee this past Saturday, August 29, 2009. The band brought down the house with a rousing performance of Angry Language during the awards ceremony, with fans jumping out of their seats at the close of the song. Angry Language and Little Fire, both songs from DEIDEM, were also nominated for "Best Reggae Song" at the awards. This win follows a 2007 JPF "Best Reggae Song" Award for Scream Out Mellow off their debut album, Hope & Doubt.
Just Plain Folks (JPF) is an organization of over 51,500 songwriters, recording artists, and music industry professionals and hosts the largest independent music awards in the world. Their members include Grammy, Emmy, Country Music and Academy Award winners. Each year, JPF screens more than 350,000 songs and over 25,000 albums in 70+ genres from 100 countries to honor the very best works of its members and the independent music community. Volunteer judges include industry professionals, peers and music fans.
The award comes after a brief summer tour of Mid-western cities including Chicago, Milwaukee, Cleveland and Kalamazoo. The band is currently in the studio recording their much-anticipated third album, A Waterlogged Soul Kitchen, set for release in early 2010.
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The Valparaiso University men’s soccer program is teaming up with St. Lucian reggae artist Taj Weekes and his children's charity, They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO), to help launch the "Sneakers Not Wheelchairs" campaign - a public health initiative that will target the diabetes crisis in St. Lucia. The Crusaders will conduct a fundraiser during the home opener at Brown Field on September 6th at 5:00 p.m. against nationally-ranked Michigan.
The "Sneakers Not Wheelchairs" campaign is a direct reference to the growing diabetes epidemic in St. Lucia, which owns the highest rate of diabetes per capita in the world and where there is reportedly an estimated two amputations per week due to diabetes-related illnesses. Many become shut-ins because they are wheelchair bound, so the "Sneakers not Wheelchairs" campaign encourages St. Lucians to get up, put on their sneakers and exercise rather than become part of this alarming statistic.
TOCO is a U.S.-based not-for-profit organization founded by St. Lucian reggae artist Taj Weekes and is dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged, at-risk and orphaned children in the Caribbean through sport, enrichment, educational and wellness programs. TOCO HEALTH targets the diabetes crisis in St. Lucia which can only be described as epidemic.
During Diabetes Awareness Month in November, TOCO will bring blood glucose meters, test strips, educational and nutritional materials and several volunteer doctors to St. Lucia for a health fair and Annual Fun Walk to promote health and exercise in St. Lucia and encourage St. Lucians to opt for "Sneakers not Wheelchairs." The goal of the "Sneakers not Wheelchairs" campaign is to raise awareness of this epidemic by getting kids to play soccer, eat right, and eventually eliminate diabetes in St. Lucia permanently.
The Valparaiso men's soccer program first became involved with TOCO early in the 2008 season when it received an e-mail from the organization asking for donations of used soccer equipment. At the same time, head coach Mike Avery had recently returned from a trip to the Caribbean, where he had witnessed first-hand many of the conditions that TOCO was created to help fight. The Crusader players and coaches decided to support TOCO by sending the organization some of its older equipment, forming a partnership that has grown over the past year.
"We are very excited to team up with Taj Weekes and TOCO to support the wonderful 'Sneakers not Wheelchairs' initiative," said Avery. "Soccer and music are two of the most powerful change agents in the world, and it is exciting for our little soccer team to play a small role in bringing TOCO's vision into reality. I hope many people in the Valparaiso community will come out to support us against a good Michigan team next Sunday, but will also take the chance to help TOCO make a lasting difference in people's lives."
The fundraiser at the home opener will help TOCO purchase supplies for November's mission trip. The program is waiving the standard admission charge for the game against the Wolverines, and will instead be taking cash and check donations to help purchase new medical supplies to help provide resources to the population affected with diabetes. Fans may also bring any new, packaged medical supplies, as well as gently used soccer equipment, that they wish to donate to the cause. The Crusaders will continue to accept any donations throughout the season as well as they continue their partnership with TOCO into the 2009 season and beyond.
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What started as an informal way to recognize the best member submissions has grown into the largest Music Awards program in the world! JPF screens more than 350,000 songs and over 25,000 albums in 70+ genres from 100 Countries to honor the very best works of its members. Volunteer judges include industry professionals, peers and music fans. The sole criteria for judging is "Does it move you?" JPF Founder Brian Austin Whitney felt the music made by the "other 98%" of the music world, often ignored by the mainstream televised music awards shows, deserved its own recognition. Previous winners and nominees have included famous Grammy, Oscar, Emmy and Tony winners — even some Rock and Roll Hall of Famers.
Taj Weekes and Adowa received the following nominations:
The 2009 JPF Awards will take place in "music city" itself - Nashville, Tennessee - on August 29, 2009. Award Sponsors include CD Baby, Disc Makers, Our Stage and Taxi, the world's leading independent A&R vehicle.
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Taj Weekes and Adowa, July 22, 8:30 PM
Taj Weekes is a superb roots reggae artist from the small Caribbean island of St. Lucia who formed his group Adowa in New York City and has since released two critically acclaimed albums; Hope and Doubt and Deidem. Weekes sings assuredly and soulfully for the voiceless and the oppressed and has become a true cultural ambassador for the Caribbean. A poet and humanitarian steeped in Rastafari, Taj Weekes is a positive force whose nonprofit, They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO) has gained international attention for its work with disadvantaged children.
The Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago
(773) 728-6000 or visit www.oldtownschool.org
Old Town School of Folk Music Announces World Music Wednesdays Schedule for Summer 2009
Excerpt - World Music Wednesdays replaces the previous format of Old Town School of Folk Music's Peña, Afrofolk, and World Music Series by presenting music of all of these genres in each three-month series. The series will run all year round. This series will present music, dance and culture of Africa, Europe, Asia, The Middle East and The Americas.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009, 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Taj Weekes and Adowa (St. Lucia)
Taj Weekes is a superb roots reggae artist from the small Caribbean island of St. Lucia who formed his group Adowa in New York City and has since released two critically acclaimed albums; Hope and Doubt and Deidem. Weekes sings assuredly and soulfully for the voiceless and the oppressed and has become a true cultural ambassador for the Caribbean. A poet and humanitarian steeped in Rastafari, Taj Weekes is a positive force whose nonprofit, They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO) has gained international attention for its work with disadvantaged children.
The Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago
(773) 728-6000 or visit www.oldtownschool.org