Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter
BARNETT - PHOTO BY PETER DEAN RICKARDS
"VOLUNTARISM IS not I," believes Vuraldo Barnett, the executive director of RAGE (Revolutionary Artistic Global Expression). Describing himself as a social entrepreneur, he regards himself as part of a newer more self-reliant generation, working not volunteering, to transform his community of South St. Andrew.
His family yard/office at 1 Benbow Street, Admiral Town, where he was born and raised, stands out physically as one of the few two-storey buildings in the area. But more importantly, he believes his work is an example for other youths in his community.
"My career chose me; it was out of my experience and environment growing up in an inner-city tenement yard. There were only five in my family and yet my mother cooked for twice that number. Growing up the way I have has always been about sharing," said Barnett, who received a United Nations (UN) internship in 2001 in recognition for his efforts.
Inner-city youth, believes the 30-year-old, "have a rage against society and circumstances that can be channelled away from violence and into positive and income-earning activities." What started as a "personal coping mechanism and philosophy" in 1997 has grown into an organisation that produces regular events for local youths and also sells its services to outside organisations.
SERIES OF WORKSHOPS
Most recently, RAGE conducted, on behalf of local Member of Parliament Dr. Omar Davies, a series of workshops in South St. Andrew to form a constituency peace congress. The workshops, which The Gleaner attended, saw residents from South St. Andrew cross area boundaries, to share experiences on the constituency's problems and potential.
"We have the local knowledge and we have proven our ability to mobilise within our community and cross the dividing battle lines. It is difficult to come into an inner-city community and conduct work, be it academic research, political or non-governmental activities," said Mr. Barnett.
He lists RAGE's services as workshops, community mobilisation, project design and management, social and political marketing, events planning and coordination; and consultancy services in youth development, capacity and institutional building and inner-city development.
RAGE is a registered business and Mr. Barnett aims, in the last quarter of the year, to open a RAGE hair salon on the ground floor of their building, to be operated by his sister Tameka Sturridge, who is a trained hairdresser. "This is all in keeping with RAGE's belief that we need to generate income. We exist for social transformation but we are business-minded and can make a profit."
KEY EVENTS
But RAGE's key events within South St. Andrew, such as concerts and peace camps, all with the goal of building skills and creating "institutionalised peace". "What we do is to reach out to the youth and give them activities and show them, yes you can develop marketable skills and give them real alternatives and ways to avoid violence.
"We need to bring about a transformation in our communities, away from dependency," continued Mr. Barnett. "By proving that we can be self-reliant and not always rely on donors, politicians, pastors or entertainers. We have a great resource in the inner city in terms of our people, which we can use ourselves."
Contact: 967-3857 or 439-3234; ragejamaica@yahoo.co.uk
