I.R.A.S.C.O.M.
Project title: Zion Gates Multi-media Cultural Resources Library and Research Centre
Beneficiaries: Rastafari Youths of Guyana and the members of the entire Guyanese society
Estimated budget:
Funding requested:
Amount of Books needed: 1000
Names and Designation of contact persons:
Ras Ashkar
Project Manager
IRASCOM
E-mail- irascom@yahoo.com or lijethio@yahoo.com
Problems to be addressed:
· The problems to be addressed by this project is the lack of information for the youths attracted to the Rastafari Way of life to allow them to have a wholly developed rather than a loop sided personality.
· The unavailability of information for members of the public who are studying the Rastafari Movement for personal or for academic purposes.
· The lack of genuine cultural tolerance and open-mindedness in the Guyanese society.
Project justification:
The lack of such facilities has greatly contributed to the negative image the society has of the Rastafari Man and Woman. Because no such facility exists to which people can go for the requisite knowledge and information, they tend to accept the misguided definition of the Rasta that is peddled by the society. Because of this we have a breakdown of social cohesion and cultural tolerance. According to Haile Selassie I, “Knowledge paves the way to love and love in its turn fosters understanding which leads ones along the path of great common achievements.”
On the other hand youths who are attracted to the cultural way of life are by and large misinformed and tend to lean upon their own misinterpretation of the movement and therefore get caught up in activities that are greatly at variance with the tenets of the movement.
Project description:
Goal: The goal of this project is to transform through the availability of information the lives of the Rastafari Youths and to enhance the relationship between the Rastafari Youth and the Society at large.
Scope: Though special emphasis will be placed on and efforts directed towards attracting our youths, the scope of the project will be wide enough to include all who are interested in the movement of Rastafari.
Project management: The over-all management of the project will be the responsibility of a special committee selected by the IRASCOM Representative in Guyana.
Expected Results: The results of this collaborative activity will build on and expand socio-cultural relationships. It will inform ongoing and future cultural and other programs of the local Rastafari Community and the society at large. It will assist in increasing public awareness of the Rastafari culture and our role in society. It will also stimulate widespread discussions of the Rastafari movement and our contribution to the cultural identity and open-mindedness.
Monitoring and reporting: In order to ensure that funds from participating donors are used efficiently to achieve the stated objectives, the secretary of this project will provide contributing donors with a final accounting statement. These records will be accessible to a legally recognized auditor. All documents generated as outputs will be made available to donors.
Books donated so far (updated 16th December 2005)