Mr. Anjoun Armaly the chairman of the Junkanoo Promotions shared his experience and motives of birthing this exceptional idea. Here’s his story:
As we go about our lives on a daily basis, we hear reports of criminal activities soaring, whether it be from the local news, print media, or word of mouth. Crime today is becoming ever so common in our once peaceful nation. We are being plagued with rogue elements that wreak havoc on our communities. Last year there were a record number of murders committed, mainly because of the lack of conflict resolution. Most of these incidents could have been avoided because our young men and women rushed to violence instead of finding more peaceful ways in which to resolve their problems. That’s why today we are saying, ‘Lets Celebrate Life – Rush for Peace.’
‘Rush for Peace,’ will be a week of events culminating with a junkanoo showcase slated for this upcoming Labor Day Holiday weekend. The object of this event is to not only stimulate the economy of Grand Bahama but also to promote peace, love & unity within our nation and on our island, while also showcasing some of the Bahamas top junkanoo groups. The featured groups will be The Saxons and Valley Boys out of Nassau, and the Swingers and Majestic Crusaders from Freeport. While all of that is good, we know that this can only be accomplished through the power of the Almighty, without God none of this would be possible. So we are beginning the festivities with an awe inspiring church service, and not forgetting the reason for this event, our youths, a youth march and rally is slated for the afternoon.
Purpose- I didn’t quite understand all of it until last week. When this idea of doing something to positively affect the community came about, I spoke to some other young people like myself, and they were excited about the possibilities and far reaching effects it can have on the community and therefore a committee was formed.
After which, it was my task to seek a church to host this event. The choice was easy, being a member of Kingdom Worship Centre Int’l. I came one and spoke to Pastor. I sat in his office, and gave him my ideas on what I wanted to do. Pastor listened attentively, but was giving me what I thought was a blank stare. When I was finish. Pastor said he had a dream. In that dream he saw a lot of colors. Here I am talking about using Junkanoo as a tool to effect change. Purpose.
Further along, I spoke to Bishop Arnold Pinder, President of the Grand Bahama Christian Counsel. We had several meetings planned collectively with other persons but for one reason or the other, those meetings never materialized. When we did meet it was more private. Bishop Pinder listened, and then said the Christian Counsel was planning an event very similar, the exact day, and the same location. Purpose.
By that time the plans were in full gear and we were streaming along. We had and still have a lot of obstacles, and one day last week I made up my mind to pack it in, call it a lost, throw in the towel. The costs and frustration was just too much on me. Yes I believe and in so doing I committed myself financially to do this community event but I was still troubled.
Last week Tuesday as I got dressed to run some errands I questioned myself and my passion for this event. I walked out of the house with the intention of pulling the plug. I got inside my vehicle and it would not start. I got a floor mat out, went underneath and began banging on the fuel tank. While doing that my phone rang. I answered. It was one of my coworkers; one whom I have much respect for, one of whom I often seek advice. She said “hey Ammy (as she called me), how are you?”
I said “I’m fine Mags what’s up?”
“Good. I just called to encourage you.” She replied.
I got up from under my vehicle and asked her. “What did you just say to me?’
“I just called to encourage you and let you know everything will work out.” She replied. I couldn’t control myself, I just cried on the phone. That confirmed my purpose. This is bigger than me. This will change the lives of people in this community of Grand Bahama.
We must realize that these young people of today will be our future leaders of tomorrow. What kind of Bahamas would we like to see? We should be disciplining our children for wrong or bad behavior, but instead we lavish them with expensive gifts. We should be taking our children to church to learn peace, love and unity. But instead we hope Religious Studies are taught in schools. We should be inquiring about what they are up to or how their day went? But instead we allow them to spend hours on the computer, Facebook or Farmville rather than helping them with homework or life’s lessons.
Stop telling our kids don’t do this and that and start showing them a positive alternative!
As kids, we separate the boys from the girls and doom our young men to a life of frustration and insecurity and not even realize it. We buy our daughters dolls, kitchen sets and clothes. What is that? We teach them how to nurture, they play teach the baby, be mummy, they excel. When they hurt we love them up and tell them everything will be ok. Our Young men? We buy them construction trucks, cars and guns. We tell them stay outside and play with their friends and when they hurt we tell them boys suppose to be tuff. Now they grow up with no direction, frustrated not knowing how to control their emotions, quick to pull a gun or a knife and we throw our hands in the air and cry out ‘my god what are we coming to? We never taught them. They don’t know. Never be to busy to listen to them. To you what they say may seem insignificant, but to them they feel comfort in knowing they can share something with you. Stop preaching to them. Start teaching them.
Our vision is to create a positive environment of change which will impact our future.
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