Sean Paul donates $1.5m to support FFP Band Camp
Published:Monday | July 21, 2025 | 12:07 AM
International dancehall superstar Sean Paul continues to champion the power of music education by donating more than $1.5 million to Food For the Poor (FFP) Jamaica’s Band Camp initiative – a programme that offers musical training and life skills to youths from under-served communities.
The generous contribution from the Sean Paul Foundation will underwrite essential expenses that keep the Band Camp operational and inclusive. These include stipends for participants to cover transportation costs, daily lunches, janitorial support, stipends for facilitators and life skills coaches, new musical instruments, branded T-shirts and further strengthen the initiative. The donation marks another chapter in Sean Paul’s longstanding partnership with Food For the Poor Jamaica and his mission to amplify hope and opportunity for Jamaica’s most vulnerable.
Executive director of FFP Jamaica, William Massias, expressed deep appreciation for the artiste’s continued support.
“It’s such an awesome honour and privilege to be able to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Sean Paul Foundation for its generosity and support to Food For the Poor Jamaica, especially their kindness towards our Band Camp mission, as they have made a significant impact on the lives of those we serve. With the help of partners like Sean Paul and his team, our strategy is to support individuals who can in turn make meaningful contributions towards building self-sustaining communities,” said Massias
Sean Paul first supported the programme in 2022 through his foundation and has since become an advocate for its long-term impact. His message to past graduates has emphasised the importance of carrying Jamaica’s musical legacy forward.
“You know that our country has a diverse musical expression that has impacted the world, and you are the future of that. To every one of you who gets to keep your instruments, that is your weapon of being a reggae soldier right now,” said Sean Paul in an address delivered last year via his co-manager Steve Wilson.
Launched more than 13 years ago, FFP Band Camp has grown from a summer-only programme into a year-round support, offering training to more than 300 students in trumpet, drums, bass guitar, trombone, saxophone, clarinet and keyboards.
Several of these young musicians have returned as instructors or joined the in-house band, an ensemble born from the programme itself. Band Camp is conducted in two phases: Summer Band Camp (July-August) and a Saturday camp that runs from September through June. Beyond musician technique, students gain confidence, discipline, and leadership skills through mentorship and structured like skills sessions.
Among them is 18-year-old Daina Craig, a clarinettist whose experience at Band Camp helped her uncover a deeper passion.
“The expert instruction and guidance I received helped me to grow exponentially as a clarinettist … but what I didn’t anticipate was discovering a new passion for singing. Band Camp has developed my life in an extraordinary way. I’ve developed greater confidence, discipline, and artistry. I’m deeply grateful to our generous sponsors for investing in my artistic growth,” Craig said.