Who is, what is Project Book?

The main idea of Project Book is that disenfranchised youth in the Trenchtown area, and other economically stressed areas, have significant intellectual capital to share with the global community, that is denied space and respect by the same ideologies and prejudices that drove colonialism. This denial of the legitimacy of thought is a frequent occurrence for Trenchtown youth, even basic humanity is often denied or forgotten, in their experiences only a ten minute drive away.

The purpose and objective of Project Book is to intentionally create space in which youth at Operation Restoration can develop their thoughts and present them to the global community at large. This will be accomplished through lessons, discussion, practice in the arts, geography and a book summarizing all of this. The publication will include their art work, writings and thoughts about their social situation, and city. Through this book they will meet people around the world that might otherwise never encounter their thoughts or personalities. This book will also serve as a political statement and reminder, that too often people in areas of strife are discussed as statistics and concepts, without recognition of the simple fact that people are people. This happens in more economically developed countries, and even other parts of Jamaica. The other key component of the project is instead of being studied and written about by biased outside observers, students can offer their local input which is often ignored.
So the who, is students in Trenchtown, and hopefully students in other areas as the project gains support and resources down the road. The who is also anyone who cares and offers support, including all of you. The what is a thirst for social justice.