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In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, reggae songbird Sevana is turning compassion into action, working with a team of local and international partners to bring sustained relief to her home parish of Westmoreland.
“I have collaborated with Donisha Penderghast, head of Humanity Ova Vanity and Adrian McDonald, activist and photo journalist, to support long-term aid and coordination of international teams like Healing Horizons to help the citizens of Westmoreland, specifically Petersfield [and] Savanna-la-Mar, through to Bath,” said Sevana, who coined her stage name after Westmoreland’s capital, Savanna-la-Mar.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28 and devastated western Jamaica. Sevana shared that her relief efforts will be sustained ones.
“There will be ongoing aid trucks with water, food and building materials. We are working with a group that will be sponsoring 40 children under the age of two years old until December. We will be facilitating the set-up of a tent clinic with 15 international nurses to provide assistance to the [Savanna-la-mar] Hospital,” she shared, adding that the aim of the initiative is to “rebuild in a more sustainable way”.
Humanity Ova Vanity has launched a GoFundMe to support their efforts. To date, they have raised US$7,798 of a US$90,000 goal through 88 donors. The link to donate is https://gofund.me/dec873c34. Drop off locations for donations are also located in St Andrew at the Bob Marley Museum, Itopia Life and True Self Centre.
Sevana, who is slated to perform at the second staging of the Grenada Caribbean Music Festival (GCMF) on Saturday, will be joined by Mortimer and Grammy-nominated reggae artiste Protoje, who is set to headline the festival. It will take place at the scenic waterfront venue, The Lawn at Port Louis in St George’s, Grenada.
Presented by ORA Caribbean, the festival promises a stellar line-up of artistes.
Sevana, who will be performing in Grenada for the first time, said she is looking forward to the experience and will be pouring her heart and soul into her performance to deliver a strong set. “It will be my first time in Grenada and I am truly looking forward to immersing myself in the experience, from my performance to connecting with the people, enjoying the food and learning about the culture”, she said.
According to the festival organisers, this year’s GCMF will be an unforgettable celebration of Caribbean culture and sound. In addition to the Jamaican performers, the line-up includes some of Grenada’s best musical talent, including Sakinah, Khole Baldeo, V’ghn, Boyzie, Dash, Terra D Governor, Dred Lion, Wuss Ways and Tallpree. One of soca’s greats, Kevin Lyttle, known internationally for his crossover hit Turn Me On, will add a touch of nostalgia to the night’s mix.
In its second year, the festival is expected to welcome more than 3,500 attendees.
“Last year laid the foundation and this year is about elevation,” said festival organisers ORA Caribbean in a release. “Grenada is rich with talent and creativity, and the Grenada Caribbean Music Festival is our way of celebrating that spirit while creating a home for Caribbean artistry to flourish. We are excited to welcome the Jamaican performers to the GCMF stage as we celebrate the diversity of our Caribbean music landscape and showcase our exceptional talent to the world. We look forward to welcoming music lovers from across the region and the world to Grenada, not only to experience the festival but to also enjoy the beauty and vibrant culture of the Spice Island,” the organisers added.
The festival gates open at 4 p.m. and the experience continues until 12:30 a.m.
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