‘Poor Country Boy’ Wesrok gives back to his home town
WHEN REGGAE recording artiste Wesrok realised that his home town community of Swamp Lane in Bog Walk, St Catherine, was feeling the economic pressures of the COVID19 pandemic, he stepped up to make a difference.
Wesrok donated tablets and school supplies to Bibleway Basic School, which he has adopted, to help ease the various challenges wrought by the global pandemic.
“I wanted to help residents feeling the economic pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. I am just thankful that I could have provided some relief for parents who have kids to send back to school soon,” the artiste, whose real name is Percival Buddan, said.
CHILD POVERTY
Wesrok, who recently released the single, Poor Country Boy, grew up in crippling poverty in Swamp Lane, so he is familiar with the challenges in the community.“I lived in poverty for years, so being able to give back to my home town is always an amazing feeling,” the past student of Dinthill High School said.
He personally handed out over 30 care packages that includes tablets, school bags, books, pens, pencils and of course, masks, essential in the COVID-19 era and has pledged to assist the school to fix a leaking roof, and provide a perimeter fencing.
“I have set up a Wesrok Community Relief Foundation
to assist the social needs of the community, which has no recreational area or space for the residents. So I have empowered residents to mobilise a team of people to clear a portion of land to set up a recreation centre,” he said.
Wesrok is no stranger to philantrophy, having received the Prime Minister’s Award for Community Development in 2013.
MARK IN MUSIC
The singer is destined to make his mark in the music industry and utilise his ability to paint narratives that depict rural Jamaica.
He made his debut with Looking Back in June, which he self-produced on his 360 Global Entertainment imprint. The song, which has an accompanying music video, is available on all digital platforms.
Wesrok has also released a gospel single, Do You Love My Jesus, and a Christmas song, titled I Want to Go Home.
“This song celebrates family and unity during Christmas because no matter what the circumstances are, we all need to embrace the place where we consider home this festive season,” he said.
Jamaicans are concerned about this year’s Christmas celebrations as they will be subjected to a 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day as the Government takes steps to prevent a rise in COVID19 infections during the holiday period.
“We just have to be festive while staying safe in masks, observing the protocols and practising social distancing over the holiday season,” he said.
Wesrok, a former superintendent of police in the Jamaica Constabulary Force, holds a masters degree in national security and strategic studies..