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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/rita-marley-public-speaking-winner.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3285" /><figcaption>Jamaica College (JC) student Fabian Morris (centre) accepts a cheque and trophy from Rosemary Duncan, Manager of the Rita Marley Foundation (right) and judge Dr. Kadamawe Knife as the winner of the 5th annual Public Speaking Competition (Photo contributed, Facebook)</figcaption></figure>
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<p>Rita Marley has graced countless stages around the world, bringing joy with her melodic voice on a rich, musical journey spanning more than 50 years.</p>
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<p>Rita, however, is also on another mission, seeking
to enrich the lives of youths, elderly and vulnerable women.</p>
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<p>Through the Rita Marley Foundation, the Reggae
matriarch has extended her hands in philanthropic work – helping many
individuals over the years in various ways.</p>
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<p>Each year, the foundation, led by manager Rosemary
Duncan, organises two competitions to hone the skills of high school students,
while assisting the top students to satisfy whatever needs they have with
monetary prizes.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/rita-marley-public-speaking-winner-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3288" /><figcaption>Fabian Morris, a 6th form JC student in his element during his presentation for the Public Speaking Competition in February (Photo contributed, Facebook)</figcaption></figure>
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<p>The poster event is the Public Speaking Competition, held annually in February in celebration of the birthday of reggae superstar Bob Marley, who was Rita’s husband before he died of cancer in 1981.</p>
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<p>“In the Public Speaking Competition, we really
want to develop articulate speech among the youths, because that is important,
but yet still it is one of the greatest fears among adults and young people
alike,” Duncan explained.</p>
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<p>The foundation also has an Essay Competition,
which is used to enhance the writing communications skills of high school
students. This usually runs from April and closes in the summer.</p>
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<p>This year the Rita Marley Foundation introduced
the inaugural Song Writing Competition. </p>
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<p>The event was commissioned by Rita herself to
harness song-writing skillset by high school students; the foundation’s latest
competition is expected to be held annually.</p>
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<p>According to Duncan, Rita felt that enough focus
was not being paid to the craft, although, the best songwriters in the world
are paid well for their work.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/rita-marley-buzz-demo.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3289" /><figcaption>Rita Marley, at an undisclosed location in Africa (Photo contributed, Facebook)</figcaption></figure>
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<p>“It is important to write clean music, music that
will transcend generation and time, music that both babies and adults could
listen to and that is what we want to develop, and we think it is important to
start with the youths,” Duncan further remarked.</p>
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<p>Besides the competitions, the foundation also does
work at Mary’s Child, a catholic facility that caters to pregnant teens and
teenage mothers without a permanent home.</p>
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<p>Recently, the foundation also started a music education programme for basic school children in inner-city communities. With renowned musician Grub Cooper and Simone Kenney, the children are taught about notes, percussion, and the piano.</p>
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