Taj Weekes Press Coverage

EcoFactory Supports TOCO

Taj Weekes — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:27:25 +0000

ECOFACTORY

They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO) is a U.S.-based not-for-profit organization founded by St. Lucian 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.

"I had the personal pleasure of meeting Mr. Weekes at an event in Orlando. I was very impressed with his compassionate words of wisdom and encourage people to check out his website to learn more about TOCO."

--Gabe LeBlanc (editor)

TOCO Hands Over Testers

Taj Weekes — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 07:40:58 +0000

HTS CHANNEL 4 ST. LUCIA

Article by: Lovely St. Aimee

Medical officials through the generous donation of one non-profit organisation are now more equipped to help improve the quality of life of diabetes patients. The Victoria Hospital over the weekend received thousands of diabetes testers from TOCO (They Often Cry Outreach). Jackie Cherubin Weekes, says TOCO founder, Taj Weekes, made a commitment to support efforts to curb the onslaught of the disease when he journeyed to the island in support of The Wave "Walk and Burn Fun Walk."

Dr. Ayo Adesanya thanked TOCO for the gesture which he says will go a long way in empowering persons living with diabetes to take a measure of control in managing the disease. He says with the necessary equipment to monitor their condition, they could dramatically reduce the rate of diabetic complications. St. Lucia currently has the highest rate of diabetes per capita.

TOCO in St. Lucia

Taj Weekes — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:22:03 +0000

CARIBBEAN HOT 105.3 FM

They Often Cry Outreach founded and headed by Taj Weekes, St. Lucian born musician and humanitarian is doing it again! TOCO joins with The Wave Radio Station in a walk titled "Walk & Burn" alongside LIME, HTS, and the St. Lucia Diabetic & Hypertensive Association and many other sponsors to spread awareness in St. Lucia of Diabetes of which St. Lucia has the highest rate per capita in the world. This past June, through the TOCO SOCCER Programme, the organization distributed 500 soccer balls and 600 uniforms to the Ministry of Education and underserved communities in St. Lucia, supporting the efforts of local soccer coaches to encourage youth to participate in healthy exercise in response to the nation’s greatest health crisis... Diabetes. TOCO is diligently working to bring greater awareness to this health care crisis within St. Lucia as well as in the United States, where the majority of funding originates.

The month of November, International Diabetes Awareness month, TOCO is here in St. Lucia with donations of 2,700 blood glucose meters, testing strips and educational material to distribute throughout the island to support the ongoing work of the St. Lucia Diabetes and Hypertensive Association. Joining Taj Weekes on this mission trip are volunteer filmmakers, who recently created a Public Service Announcement with Taj Weekes for St. Lucia and will be filming a documentary about the diabetes crisis in St. Lucia. TOCO is a New York based non-profit charity that focuses on serving underprivileged children in the Caribbean through sports, health and enrichment programs. Taj Weekes founded TOCO in 2006 after being named Goodwill Ambassador by the International Consortium of Caribbean Professionals and endorsed by the World Association of Former United Nations Interns and Fellows, Inc. in 2007 for his philanthropic efforts in the Caribbean.

Lucian Men Answer the Call

Taj Weekes — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:10:00 +0000

ST. LUCIA STAR

Scene from Saturday’s Men’s Health Fair organized by the St. Lucia Diabetes & Hypertensive Assoc.

The Men's Health Fair organized by the St. Lucia Diabetes and Hypertensive Association on Saturday at the Derek Walcott Square has been hailed a success.

Executive Director, George Eugene, says that the Association was pleased with the turnout of men especially in light of the frequent downpours which threatened the cancellation of the event. Scores of men and curious onlookers seized the opportunity to check their blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol while others had eye examinations, sampled healthy foods and even participated in the exercise displays conducted by fitness instructor, Pett Norville.

Saturday was observed as "World Diabetes Day" and the Association spared no effort in driving home the reality that Diabetes is the number one killer of especially men in the region. Brochures, leaflets and a new Ex Tempo jingle all formed part of the education efforts.

In keeping with its mandate to provide quality care to Diabetics, the Association also made a presentation of new crutches to George Lovence, a 10 year client of the Association who was diagnosed 15 years ago at age 29. The former electrical apprentice had his leg amputated just below the knee at the tender age of 34 and expressed his willingness to assist with the education campaign, having lost his older brother and father to Diabetes.

Founder of the children's charitable organization "TOCO" (They Often Cry Outreach) and international reggae sensation, Taj Weekes, expressed his delight with the efforts of the Association and urged more St. Lucians to join in the fight against diabetes.

"This is serious. We are losing so many so young. With children now being diagnosed with diabetes, the task is very clear. We have to take control of our lives and develop a more conscious and positive attitude towards health and health care. We owe it to ourselves and our youth."

Weekes is on island with a video production team who volunteered their services to compile a documentary on Diabetes in St. Lucia. TOCO has also made available, over 2000 testers for free distribution.

Meanwhile, the President of the St. Lucia Diabetes and Hypertensive Association, Cuthbert
St. Juste, pledged continued support for the Diabetes education campaign and urged St. Lucians to render assistance to the Association.

St. Juste says that despite limited financial and human resources, the Association continues to provide many critical services to Diabetics and others. He was full of praise for the many agencies and corporate entities who partnered with the Association to make the Men’s Health Fair a reality. The Association will host its annual "Walk for Diabetes" event on November 29 as activities for Diabetes Month come to a close.

St. Lucian Reggae Star to "Walk and Burn"

Taj Weekes — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 07:55:05 +0000

ST. LUCIA STAR

Taj Weekes, the founder of TOCO, has lent his support to the Wave’s walk this Sunday.

Saint Lucian born international Reggae artiste Taj Weekes and TOCO will join the Wave 94.5 in their walk this Sunday. The walk dubbed "Walk and Burn" which is the brainchild of the Wave family will begin at 6am at the station’s headquarters, American Drywall Building, Vide Bouteille and end at Pigeon Island.

TOCO (They Often Cry Outreach) was founded and is headed by Taj Weekes, as a New York-based non-profit charity that focuses on serving underprivileged children in the Caribbean through sports, health and enrichment programs.

The Wave 94.5 along with TOCO, will be sponsoring one hundred Saint Lucian children to be a part of Sunday’s walk.

"The idea is that we will be sensitizing these young persons about living healthy and educating them about diabetes, so that they can go back to their schools and serve as ambassadors spreading those messages," country manager Sue Monplaisir of the Wave says.

At the end of the walk there will be a number of fitness challenges supported by Sportivo gym as well as free diabetes testing through the Saint Lucia Diabetic and Hypertension Association. TOCO will be donating 2,700 blood glucose meters, testing strips and educational material to distribute on the day of the walk and throughout the month of November.

Sunday’s "Walk and Burn" is being supported by a number of sponsors including LIME, Sportivo Gym, Renwick and Company, Sandals Resorts, Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa, Bascho, Subway, Blue Water and Touch Therapy.

The event which is expected to mix fun with fitness will feature music by 1 Audio Inco along the route. At the end of the walk participants will be given breakfast, water and rehydrating drinks and there will be gifts and prizes for deserving individuals at the end of the day.

On Parenting - Part 6 of the Taj Weekes Interview Series

Taj Weekes — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:30:46 +0000

DBS TELEVISION ST. LUCIA

Interview by: Lisa Joseph

Lisa Joseph of DBS Television St. Lucia interviews Taj Weekes for a six-part video series on subjects ranging from growing up in St. Lucia to his musical influences, his thoughts on the music industry to his efforts through his charity, They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO). Tune in daily for the next installment.

"On Parenting" - Part 6 of 6