The power of music to unify and inspire is undisputed and a group of at-risk youth from inner-city Kingston neighbourhoods is learning this firsthand. As one told the Gleaner recently: “It has helped me in numerous ways. The orchestra is a community of different instruments, I have to literally try and live in harmony with the persons playing the music. It gives a symbolism of what the real world is like. We have to live in harmony with everybody.”

Fellow Cuso volunteer Karen is currently working with the National Youth Orchestra of Jamaica, the group in which this youth plays. The NYOJ is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that identifies at-risk youth to participate in practices and concerts and become a member of the band. The NYOJ is affiliated with the Edna Manley College of Art as many of the music teachers come from there.

Like many NGOs here, the NYOJ operates on very little funding. It recently received 20 music stands donated by the Canadian Women’s Club of Jamaica. The students do not pay for the lessons and receive a snack during practice. They also come from all over the city, often taking several buses to the downtown practice space.

The NYOJ is currently raising funds for a trip to Canada, the Canada Dream Tour, they are calling it. If you want to donate to this very worthy cause, check out their indiegogo campaign here. Here is more about the Dream Tour:

The NYOJ is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that uses free classical music education as a tool to inspire, empower and enhance the lives of at-risk Jamaican youths.

In August, the NYOJ was invited by the Jamaican High Commissioner to travel to Canada and play for Jamaican Independence Day Celebrations in Canada’s Capital, Ottawa.

So after rigorous auditions, twenty-five NYOJ students have been chosen to make Jamaicans proud by touring Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto, Canada in August 2014.

This tour will inspire, motivate and infuse hope into the lives of so many at-risk Jamaican youth, many of whom have never left the Island. It will be a life-changing experience by exposing the students to new possibilities, allowing them to learn the discipline and pride that come with an international tour and create memories that will last a lifetime.

What We Need

In order to get to Canada for our ‘Dream Tour’ we need to cover all of the expenses for 25 students and 5 instructors to get to Canada including airfare, visas, insurance, etc., etc.

Once we get to Canada, the Friends of the NYOJ Foundation will be covering all of our expenses.

Airfare alone from Kingston to Ottawa is around $613 USD during the dates that we are required to travel. The cost of airfare, visas and insurance for one student to get to Canada is around $850 USD.

In total, we need to raise $25,000 USD in order to make our Dream a reality and get to Canada for the tour.

So…we need your help! By donating to the ‘Canada Dream Tour’ you will have a direct and lasting impact on the life of one, or more Jamaican youth from Kingston.