Beenie Man Donates To Students At His Alma Mater, Pembroke Hall High School
King of the Dancehall Beenie Man, through his Beenie Man Foundation, is making a difference in the lives of several students at his alma mater, Pembroke Hall High School in Kingston. The foundation recently issued book and school fee vouchers to 70 students at the institution.
In a video posted to his official Instagram page on Wednesday, Beenie Man, accompanied by some of his children, a granddaughter, and his fiancé Camille, is seen interacting with students and staff of the school, which he said played a vital role in him becoming an internationally acclaimed artist.
The caption for the Instagram post reads, “Empowering the next generation! @beeniemanfdnja generously donated school fees and vouchers for 70 students at Pembroke Hall High School. We are investing in the future and ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed! 📚#SupportOurYouth #educationmatters #kingstonbookshop.”
Reminiscing on his days as a student, Beenie Man shared, “Mi start do music from mi a four (years old) because mi did stamma, mi couldn’t talk so mi just sing everything. Mi used to sing mi reading books and everytime dem call mi up fi read, the whole classroom was like this (proceeds to beat the desk) because dem know what ago happen. Mi ago deejay the reading because mi cyah talk and from mi start sing mi nuh stop and this is how I can have this conversation with you all.”
The Grammy-winning artist disclosed that his favorite classes were home room, where he was encouraged to be himself, and music, where he honed his skills.
“Upstairs here was our classroom and that’s where all the magic happened. That’s where we start do music from there we go to the music room,” he said, highlighting the special place Pembroke Hall High holds in his heart.
Beenie also revealed that he called upon the skills of several students at the school when he needed a choir to collaborate on his single, “Give Peace A Chance.” He recalled, “I remember when I wanted to sing the song Give Peace A Chance, I came here to Pembroke Hall and find a choir. That song is with me and Pembroke Hall.”
He highlighted plans to make similar stops at Tarrant and Penwood high schools, stating, “This is Pembroke Hall High School and I’m a past student of this school and this is a everytime back-to-school thing a true we nuh document certain things because we nuh do it for the fame.”
The Romie deejay is the latest among a host of entertainers who gave back to students at the start of the new school term. His foundation was officially launched in July 2018 with Beenie Man’s daughter, Ikyra Davis, and his son Moses Davis Jr, among the board of directors and Beenie Man as chairman.