These are the reasons why the Rastafari movement remain so poor, and as each of us gets older, if we do not have some kind of personal financial or other kinds of security, we suffer as elders for a cup of soup to nourish our organs, we suffer for food clothing and shelter, and there is no one to care for us. When Ras Negus became very anxious to go home to Ethiopia, we recieved a phone call from Jamaica concerning the issue. We were told that some Artist did provide enough money to buy the ticket for Ras Negus, but money was still needed for his queen,and there were other expenses to be faced, so that they could travel together, and he would therefore have some one beside him to care for him, considering that he is 90 years of age. There is no Ethiopian Embassy in Jamaica, and so we were asked to secure the Ethiopians visa for them, which we agree to do, and which we did after they sent us the documentations and the cost for securing it, since the Embassy collect a fee for issuing visas. When the visas were sent back to the house, it was joy unspeakable and full of glory.
We were then updated that they were still trying to raise money to get the Queen's ticket, but they had some pledges and promises. We then contacted the Nyabinghi house in Ethiopia, and spoke with Bongo Rocky concerning living conditions there, and he told us that Negus is very welcome there, but he being about v the same age as Negus more are less, he would not be able to assume total respnsibilty for his care and shelter, but right in the same vicinity where he is, Brother Baugh has a big house where he could live with his queen, as long as they are able to pay a small portion for rent, so that the regular expenses can be taken care of. That was when We decided to call upon the community, to make a contribution to this fund, considering, that there is a community of people who are living at Shashamane, and Ras Negus has just join them, therefore, we have to try our best to make improvements in that area, so that we can make life a little better, for our African patriots, who have made the greatest sacrifices, in their youthful days, so that many people who are now writing and talking about Rastafari today, are cable to do so. As I have said before, that there is a water tank, which is under construction, right there on the land, so that when the big rains fall it can be collected and stored, in that tank for the use of our people. There is also a female house which we have started, some building blacks are up on the foundation, but it had to stop, because of lack of funds. Negus is already in Shashamane, but the more people is on the land, the greater the need for civic and social amenities. From the information which we recieved, Negus arrived in Ethiopia with some money in is pocket to keep him going for a short while, but if we are to be realistic, we should also expect other Iyadren or elders, who will need to go to Ethiopia, therefore, we have to make sure that the civic and social amenities, be improved in order to accomodate the flow of our people, as they choose to go home to the motherland from day to day. When the community can find it prudent to make contributions to projects like these, and become a part of their own community improvement, this is a very good sign, that we are growing in unity and Nation building. It is good if some Artist can make contribution, but it does not reflect unity in the community, if we depend on only the Artist to contribute, we must all play our part in our community and make UNITY COME.
In closing I would just like to inform everyone that I have worked with Ras Negus and Bongo Rocky
in the struggle 40 years ago, in the early part of the struggle, they are both my contemporary we know one another very well. We must be able to build honorable bridges of trust, communication and solidarity, so that we can make life better, for our people and honor and respect each other.
Again I send many oceans of blessings and self determination to African people everywhere
ONE BLACK LOVE ONE BLACK HEART
Baba Ras Marcus
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