Dancehall star Macka Diamond holds one of the infants in the care of the National Children's Home at Maxfield Park.








Artistes have pledged to give back to the less fortunate in a big way. Splash, on Tuesday, was invited by charity organiser, Zip Jock Rose, to the National Children's Home at Maxfield Park in order to witness the artistes interacting with the children. Though several entertainers were scheduled to attend, only Macka Diamond showed up. Despite this, they promised to support the cause in cash.

Rose tells Splash that Elephant Man has pledged $100,000, while Vybz Kartel and Macka Diamond each pledged $60,000. Cultural harbinger Taurus Riley has offered an undisclosed sum.

But the Zip jock is not satisfied with the few local celebrities that have signed on, and is adamant that more needs to be done. She plans on enlisting bigger acts like Bounty Killa, Beenie Man and Sean Paul.
Rose's eagerness to help is crystal clear, as she explains her rationale for encouraging artistes to give back.

"Just before moving to Jamaica, I went to church in New York and my bishop told me I needed to do something meaningful with my life once I moved here. He said you need to give back. After being in Jamaica for a while and becoming familiar with Maxfield Children's Home, I was laying in my bed one night and it's like God said to me, you need to do this". Continuing, she added, "I want everybody to give back, but I know a lot of people within the entertainment industry have the means to do so and haven't, so this is where I started."

Led to a hostel for babies, it is disheartening to see the amount of children left behind by parents to be taken care of by the state.
Macka explains of her charitable donation, "It's great to know we can show some love". Looking at orphan Daniel in her hands, then looking back at us, she continued, "Look how him sweet, I was really thinking of adopting a little girl (to complement her six-year-old son), but him mek mi wha change mi mind".

Carla Edie, acting childcare manager, applauded the artiste's help saying, "with all the negative things that have been happening in our society, this is a good move to assist children in state care".
Artistes are not the only ones who can help, you can make a difference too. Coupons can be purchased at MegaMart for much-needed medicines for the kids.

In the meantime, ZipFM will be producing ongoing public service addresses (PSAs) encouraging artistes and the masses to pledge money. Also look out for a day concert, which as Rose says, "is all in aid of benefiting the children and the home".