Busy brings joy to St Ann children

When Busy Signal returned to his alma mater, Brown's Town High School, on Saturday, February 7, it was more than a courtesy call -- it was a full-circle moment charged with emotion, gratitude and purpose.

Hosting a special treat under his Building Unity Sustainability Youth Empowerment (B.U.S.Y) Global Initiative, the dancehall star left St Ann beaming.

The emotional highlight came when former teachers rushed to embrace their former student. Veteran educator Barbara Simms Waite, fighting illness but determined to attend, beamed with pride.

"Busy has made us proud," she said. "I am proud of him and what he has done for the community, proud about him coming back into Brown's Town, St Ann, to do this for the people. May God continue to bless him."

For Busy Signal, whose given name is Reanno Devon Gordon, the schoolyard stirred memories of a younger boy growing up in the parish, dreaming big while being guided by a tight-knit community. Known globally for hits such as One More Night, Come Over and Stay So, the artiste partnered with American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ), the Sanmerna Foundation and KFC to deliver support to students and families impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

"All of the children here, it's like I'm looking at myself. I'm looking at a reflection of myself. I see myself in all of them," he told THE STAR.

"This is my community. They helped to raise me. They helped to nurture me. Back then [when I was growing up], the community could raise people, so I appreciate all the love, all the lessons, all the education from those times," Busy Signal added.

He explained that the B.U.S.Y Global Initiative focuses on humanitarian work wherever help is needed, often far from the spotlight.

"We do what we can to people and for people all over the world in a positive way [and] in whichever way we can. It's a whole lot. It's humanitarian work giving back. It's just giving, but most of my giving is off camera," he said.

Fresh from flying in for Bob Marley's birthday celebrations, the dancehall superstar said the day's effort was just one visible piece of ongoing work with AFJ, KFC and the wider TURF team.

Asked about his career, the artiste teased new music, heavy touring and an upcoming collaboration with the Jamaica Tourist Board.

"Big up the JTB. They're doing a whole bunch of stuff representing the country and the new anthem of Jamaica. I want to big up the Most High for giving me the talent to represent. There's a lot of stuff going on. A lot of music, a lot of touring," he said.

AFJ Executive Director Caron Chung echoed the sentiment, praising the power of collaboration.

"We are pleased to be here today to be supporting him and his community where he was born," she said.

"We know that we go further when we come together and collaborate, we impact more people, so today is important for us to come into this community where people can use these kinds of supplies and really make a difference," Chung added.