KINGSTON, JAMAICA - Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment (URGE), the charity organization sponsored by Ziggy Marley, recently donated musical instruments to two schools attended by the members of the Grammy winning band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers.

Students at the Bull Bay All Age School were delighted with their gifts as was evident when they joined former Tuff Gong International staff member Brother Herald Hart for a rendition of ‘None A Jah Jah Children Nuh Cry.’ Three classrooms at the school were damaged by fire and Stephanie Marley, who made the presentation, has made a commitment to give some assistance with the repairs. She is appealing to other past students to contact the school and join the rebuilding team.

Students from Melrose Primary and Junior High were presented with their instruments while participating in the reputed ‘Making of Music’ tour of Tuff Gong International facilities, including the world famous recording studio where they sang and recorded their rendition of the founder, Bob Marley’s hit song ‘One Love.’

Please click here to see pictures.

Big thanks to Great Shape! Inc. and Event Networks for their generous gifts of time and materials to the Chepstowe Basic School, Port Antonio, Jamaica.

In a recent visit, SuperKids volunteers from Great Shape! Inc. delivered bags to children in need, along with reading books and a curriculum and resources to teach reading, computer literacy, sports, art and music.

Event Networks donated 270 computer bags to U.R.G.E. for this program.

Chepstowe is one of many schools assisted by Great Shape! Inc.. Here's some more information about this group:

"Great Shape! Inc. has been serving and partnering with the people of Jamaica since 1988 – we blossomed from the passion of three women in Oregon into an international organization that aids 25,000+ Jamaicans each year. We facilitate three humanitarian projects in Jamaica: 1000 Smiles (world’s largest, international humanitarian dental program), SuperKids (literacy empowerment project) and iCare (vision project). We send 300 volunteers to Negril, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay each fall to provide better vision, improve literacy, and offer life-changing dental procedures."

Please click here for a blog entry about the visit from one of the volunteers.

To see a gallery of images from the visit, Please click here

"YEAAAAAAAAAAAH!

I am happy to share with you some pictures from Jamaica.

Remember a few months ago......or maybe it was a year.

Aahhhh it doesn't matter, we mentioned proceeds from the sale of Family Time were going to benefit a school in Jamaica.

Well, here is your money at work. This is Chepstowe Basic School, Port Antonio, Jamaica.

It's a small start, but it's just the beginning. There is my big sister Sharon, (she's in the yellow shirt and the red, gold and green cap) she's organizing the installation of the play sets you have helped us to donate to the kids at Chepstowe.

Doesn't it feel wonderful to help.

Look how green and luscious Port Antonio is. Jamaica is beautiful. Take me, take me to Jamaica now : )

The next thing we are working on is a new classroom which we will start early next year. I'll send you pics when we are done. Until then my friends, love.

oh! The ladies you see in the pictures are the teachers. The lady in pink is the principal. They are great people.

All right, just take good care of yourself. We'll talk later. Cool."

Ziggy's charity, U.R.G.E., sponsored on Friday, October 23, 2009 a health fair at the Cedella Booker Basic School, in Nine Mile, St. Ann.

Dr. Mayssa Sultan, acupuncturist and Advocacy Program Manager for the American Pain Foundation and Dr. Walter Coppernath from the Kaiser Sunset Family Practice Residency Programme in California headed a team of dentist, nurses and doctors, who, along with Jamaican Dr. Carlton Fraser, administered free medical care to members of the community. The medical team was assisted by Tuff Gong International employees.

Additionally, the mobile mammogram unit of the Jamaica Cancer Society provided its service, as did a team of optometrists who screened and distributed adult reading glasses.

Other sponsors included the BM Nine Mile Tours Limited, as well as the Nine Mile Charitable Foundation.

Please click here to see a gallery of images from the clinic

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment (URGE) recently donated funds to the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) for its Schools' Environment Programme. On September 25, 2009, a cheque was presented to the chief executive officer of JET, Diana McCaulay.

The presentation took place at the Legend Café on the grounds of the Bob Marley Museum. Ziggy Marley's daughter, Zuri, handed over the cheque, signaling an investment in the future of her own generation.

The Schools' Environment Programme, now in its 13th year, is working to implement garbage management and greening activities in approximately 100 schools. Teacher training workshops are also conducted for approximately 300 schools across the island.

URGE has been assisting the JET since 1996.

URGE is run by Ziggy Marley who donates US$1 from each of his concert ticket sales towards the organization's activities. Ziggy is the first son of the Hon. Robert Nesta Marley, O.M.

Event Networks has donated several hundred lap top bags to Ziggy's charity, U.R.G.E.

These bags will be among other items U.R.G.E. will distribute this Christmas to those in need.

Many thanks to Event Networks for their donation!

Back in 2005, U.R.G.E. began financial aid to Robert Gordon, a straight "A" student at Richmond Preparatory School in Kingston, Jamaica.

Robert recently graduated with top marks, will be attending Campion College AND was granted a full government scholarship!

Well done Robert! Congratulations and all the best in your continued education!

Tuff Gong was pleased to welcome Ziggy Marley and his family to Jamaica for the holidays. During their visit, Ziggy through his charitable foundation URGE (Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment) sponsored a holiday treat, distributed shoes, clothing and much needed school items to the children in the community of Nine Mile, St. Ann. In 2008 a multi court facility was built at the Nine Mile community playfield that was co-sponsored by URGE, the Sports Development Foundation and Golden Sands Foundation.

Click image for more photos

Mary's Child Children's Home in Kingston, was also visited by Mrs. Orly Marley and family who fed and presented personalized gifts of robes, adult and children clothing to its residents.

URGE is the recipient of $1.00 for every ticket sold at Ziggy Marley concerts. He is currently on a two week tour of Australia and New Zealand.