PROPOSAL FOR RASTAFARI
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Mission/Vision
Statement
The Rastafari Social
Development Program is an initiative which will enable Rastafari
globally, to live up to the Creed to its fullness, whereas: the hungry
be feed, the naked clothed, the sick nourished, the aged protected and
the infants care for. Thus, assuring a solid foundation for the unity of
the Rastafari nation.
Rastafari Social
Development Program (R.S.D.P.)
Rastafari on a global
scale is composed of over 3,000,000 men, women and children which
amounts to a population over that of Jamaica. Rastafari worldwide must
develop strategies on a regional level to bring forth a census (Ras
Nathaniel census initiative) in order to structure a social program
towards nationhood.
Several Rastafari members
of the faith in Jamaica and abroad are initiating a social program.
Where Rastafarians men, women and children can have medical/dental care,
retirement benefits and working capital; in order to operate efficiently
a Rastafari Global Secretariat.
The social program is in
essence, a social security program similar to those of any developed
nation on Earth. However, R.S.D.P. will be established through a
financial institution which is specialize in social development,
retirement savings and investments.
Therefore, all
contributions will be deposited directly into a medical/dental care,
working capital and retirement savings account. This strategy allows
Rastafari to open a window of transparency to all Rastafari members.
Where each members can receive a month statement of their contribution
and that of the Rastafari Global Secretariat financial operations.
Each individual
contribution will be in accordance to their income. Where an individual
saving plan can be prepared, to meet their financial situation. It is
our intent to implement the R.S.D.P. through a fund raising drive
(television -TVJ and radio-ton - IRIE FM, newspapers - OBSERVER and
magazines - all Rastafari Public Magazines) and the internet; which will
be the initial contribution to the R.S.D.P. This initial contribution
will be use to initiate the immediate retirement payment plan for the
over 700 elders of Rastafari globally. The minimum payment should be
$500 USD = 32000 JD.
In addition, the fund
raiser goal is two folded. 1. To implement the retirement plan for the
Rastafari Elders and 2. For the beautification of Nyahbinghi grounds of
Scott Pass and Pit Four and Bobo Hill (completion of the women and men
quarters, women and men restrooms, security booths, offices/libraries
and landscaping of the grounds and roads). These grounds are utilized by
Rastafarians in Jamaica, and abroad and visitors (students, scholars and
others) during the Nyahbinghi Celebrations. These grounds are legacies
of the Rastafari Faith and must be preserved for the future generations.
Moreover, these grounds must stand forever as heritages and symbols of
the ancient African tradition in the diaspora.
We the Rastafari Family
globally know that our Elders and us has been discriminated, physically
and mentally abused, marginalized and denied our rights to worship in
our ancestral African tradition - since the birth of the Rastafari
Faith.
These basic human rights
that were denied to our Elders and still continue in this 21st Century,
especially in Jamaica and the world over; must be eradicated by the
efforts of the Rastafari Family globally. We must advocate to all
governments and all social institutions which in the past and now
continue to violate Rastafari human rights for compensation.
"No person is
able to understand and solve one's own problem better than one's self.
Let Us set our goals
high; let Us demand more of Ourselves than We believe We possess.
In Our efforts to
improve the standard of life of Our people and flesh out the bones of
Our independence, We count on the assistance and support of others.
But this alone will not suffice and alone, will only perpetuate
Africa's dependence…
We have passed the
point where prayerful pleading serves any purpose other than to debase
those thereby abdicate any responsibility or power to influence
events.
We cannot depend
always on others."
H.I.M Emperor Haile
Selassie I on Self Help
First, we must start this
process be making individual contribution thru the proposed R.S.D.P. The
coordinators of this proposal will be presenting several financial
institutions for your approval. Upon the approval of the collective, we
will market the fund raiser drive and provide means to individual to
plan their saving program.
