Word Sound Power Collective

Family, I need your help and support. As you may know, today we launch the video for my latest single "Fiyahman." The video was shot on location at Mama Fyah’s tabernacle in Portland, Jamaica, and was blessed with an opening and closing from Mama Fyah herself.

On July 1st, Hurricane Beryl, a devastating storm, severely impacted the Caribbean, causing loss of life, injury, and widespread destruction to the infrastructure. The Nyabingi Centre was not spared. To address this, we aim to raise $2,350 for the repairs and rebuilding of the damaged dwellings, grounds, and tabernacle. Mama Fyah’s tabernacle is situated right on the coastline of Jamaica, the lack of geographical protection subsequently heightened the impact of the hurricane. The fundraising will be allocated by Word Sound Power Collective, a 501c3 non-profit organization based in the United States. Their mission is to organize and mobilize the community and other like-minded peoples to provide support to Rastafari Elders, at home and abroad. Upholding the creed is central to their mission, and they have a proven track record of transparent fundraising and philanthropy for the past eighteen years.

The Nyabingi Tabernacle, lovingly managed by the elder matriarch of the faith, Mama Fyah, in Portland, Jamaica, is a spiritual haven and cornerstone for the RasTafari family. For years, Mama Fyah has been a beacon of light, providing community support and a rallying ground for all significant dates in the RasTafari calendar, offering a safe, warm, and welcoming environment for men, women, children, and families to chant ises (praises). Throughout the years, Mama Fyah and her family have maintained an open-door policy for all nations and ages to seek spiritual upliftment and practical support by way of food, clothes, and shelter.

As many of you are aware, my family and I have relocated to Jamaica in recent years. An integral part of us being able to function as a family is having somewhere I feel safe and comfortable to bring my children to chant Nyahbingi on the important dates in the RasTafari calendar. Mama Fyah and her family have become friends of my family, and consequently, when Kibir La Amlak and I were shooting the video for "Fiyahman," she welcomed us with open arms to shoot the video at the tabernacle and also opened the Ises we filmed with a blessing.

We have launched this GoFundMe campaign to rally everyone together. Your support will help rebuild and sustain the Nyabingi Centre, ensuring it continues to be a source of life, light, and love for all who seek it.

Peace and Love, Natty

Word Sound Power Collective is raising money to build Rastafari Elder, Ancient Bongo Cecil, a new home.

Ancient Bongo Cecil is 87 years old. He was born in the Parish of St Elizabeth Jamaica and accepted the Rastafari livity in his early 30’s. In 1957 Bongo Cecil came to Montego Bay to seek employment and rented a half room at a place known as Rocky Point in the Community of Granville. The weekly rent was five shilling. The Incient was a resident in Granville from 1957 to 1960. He was working outside the parish of St James doing sugar cane harvesting, land clearing, wood chopping, pit digging, field plowing and any work that demanded physical strength. After 4 years living in Granville, Bongo Cecil gave up the half room and returned to his hometown of St Elizabeth to seek employment using the machete pickaxe and fork in his community and adjoining parishes.

After many years, Bongo Cecil returned to Granville St James and took up residence in the kitchen on the Pitfour Nyah Binghi Grounds which was the only place available. He didn't have a room or bed, just three slabs of hardwood that he used as seat during the day. He used the general fireplace in the kitchen for cooking.

After a few years, Bongo Cecil was offered a sleeping space in the Nyah Binghi office on the property. Unfortunately, he got injured when pushing a wheel borrow of debris and was hospitalized at the Cornwall Regional Hospital. After he was sent home from the hospital the Ancient was not able to continue living in the office.

With the approval of the Property Manager and Ancient Bongo Isaac with the charitable contribution of Word Sound Power Collective (WSPC) a small room was built that shared 2 sides of the man quarters on the Nyah Binghi grounds. The room did not have an independent roof and was enclosed under the roof of the building. Ancient Bongo Cecil has been living in this temporary structure for seven years.

The Granville United Providence Society offered a parcel of land and Word Sound Power Collective agreed to begin fundraising to build Ancient Bongo Cecil a permanent home.

You can make a difference by donating today to Word Sound Power Collective.

The Word Sound Power Collective's mission as a non-profit organization is to organize and mobilize the Rastafari community and other like-minded people to provide support to Rastafari Elders at home and abroad. This support includes providing basic needs like food, clothes and shelter as well as needs of a medical nature. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the hungry be fed, the naked clothed, the sick nourished, the aged protected and the infants cared for.