By: Esther Rathnam

If there ever was a word to describe our current generation, the word would be “Selfish”. Indeed, we live in a horribly selfish world today. Everyone lives for himself and works for himself. The one thing that seems to be on everyone’s mind is Money. Money is definitely something that runs the world, sadly today; people are only absorbed in chasing after it. The word generosity has lost its meaning since it is almost non-existent. And in this time of recession, more than ever, each one is fending for them selves. Brotherhood is at its minimum today. In such a world as ours, we need to treasure organizations such as “Save the Children”.

Save the Children is a global organization that was founded in UK in 1919 and has been in existence since then. This organization has utilized monitory funds, human resources, time etc in helping build a better future for the most unfortunate kids around the globe. The organization has invested much in the welfare of little ones all over the world to ensure that these children have a brighter future. The organization aims to offer a better future by providing the children with better education, health care and economic opportunities. From its existence, Save the Children has been an organization that has challenged various individuals to dedicate themselves for the betterment of humanity. Today, Save the Children has its own national offices in over 28 countries. Indeed, they are growing widely.

Save the Children is an organization that really deserves our attention, time and other resources. Here is an organization striving for the betterment of little kids. It is encouraging to know that in a world like ours, there are still tons of people engaged in working for non-profit organizations. This organization has made a difference in the lives of many children around the world. While Save the Children is a famous organization, it has still managed to stay true to its aim. It has also stretched its hands to reach out to countries struck by major disasters when in need. Save the Children is definitely an organization that is worth our funds, help and time. It has invested much and deserves our investment.

If you have a heart or you want to do your part for humanity, feel free to visit the Save the Children site. This organization allows you to contribute in different ways. Go ahead and take a look at the different areas you can contribute to and be sure to do so. Let us work hand in hand with this organization to make our world a better place for innocent little ones. Folks, we are among the lucky ones, let us not enjoy it selfishly, we share this planet with billions of other people and a very high majority of them are unfortunate. It honestly is up to us to help the unfortunate. If not time, let us contribute our hard earned money to this organization as they work round the clock and round the globe for a better future for kids worldwide.

By: Samantha Zavala

It is something special to find someone who is passionate about what they do. Someone who is unashamed to speak about life. Someone who perseveres to reach their goal. This person is Jade Harrell.

Jade comes from Middleburg, Florida. When I spoke with her, she reminisced about her country upbringing and loving every minute of it. Jade had said that she did grow up in a strict household and certain values were to be maintained. She was raised in church and always was singing in the church choir. Going to church was a major routine in Jade’s life. Church kept her grounded and would prepare her for her present music career.

As a teenager, Jade had been teased on a consistent basis. She attended a predominantly black school where there was a certain status quo. Jade was not a part of the status quo. According to her peers, she acted “white.” It also didn’t help that she was a frequent churchgoer and had a relationship with God. She was and still is a firm believer in abstinence, which just seemed to fan the flame. She was an outsider for sure. One of the names that she was called on a frequent basis was “Sister Mary.” Jade was a reject. It was from these experiences that Jade drew her inspiration from for her album Class Reject. Jade was a reject because of her Christian beliefs.

“Life is a classroom,” says Jade.

She explains that as Christians, we are like class rejects because we are rejected by the world. We uphold a higher standard and that is what separates us from the rest of the world. So being a reject is not a bad thing. It is actually good in this connotation.
I had also asked Jade if she had any other aspirations other than singing when she was younger.

“I always knew that I was going to be a recording artist,” she said.

She described how even though she knew she was destined to sing, she would have to be forced to do it. Fear would come over her. But she still did it. She knew that God have given her a talent and that it was her calling for her life. There was a Scripture that always came to mind when she would have difficulties in this particular area. It was Philippians 1:6, which tells us that God has begun a good work in us and that we will carry it to completion. That was her driving force to continue on.

As far as her musical influences, she had many. They ranged from Mary Mary and Kirk Franklin, to country legends like Johnny Cash and Rascal Flatts. There was a wide variety of music that she was exposed to that she came to love, with the exception of heavy metal. And the various styles that these artists are known for are some of the same styles that are present on her album. Jade has expressed that she has multiple interests in various types of music, so that would also be said of her albums. She may feel like doing a country album one day, or she may decide to do an R&B album. Wide audience appeal is one of the goals of her music. Reinventing her music allows for a widespread appreciation of good music and she feels if you meet people where they are at, they too will also have a greater appreciation of the music and the message. So Jade has created her own genre, in a sense, which is “Individual.”

This has not come easy for her though. The Christian music industry has its challenges too. Performing at the GMA’s almost made her reconsider her career. And she said that she has often had people ask her if she is a Christian artist because of the sound of her music. Some people think she is mainstream or that she is a secular artist.

“The lyrics are what make a song secular or Christian, not the music behind it,” explains Jade.
And she makes an important point. A lot of Christians think that secular music is the sound, when it is actually the lyrics. Mainstream artists get more radio play and don’t have to fight so hard. But mainstream artists are also told what to do and to make sacrifices that may go against what they want to do. And that is something that Jade refuses to do. Sure, it would be easier to go mainstream, but Jade has a message that she wants to get out to the world. And God has given her the means to do it. That is what one of the songs on her album talks about. The song is Unseen, and it talks about the alternatives and the compromises that we may choose to see if the grass is really greener on the other side. Jade wants to reach millions of people but wants to do it through the means of a Christian artist because she doesn’t want to compromise the call on her life.

Another thing that I asked of Jade was to sum up her character in one word.

After thinking for a moment, she said, “Water.”

And I was intrigued. She chose water because she said that during this time in her life she has found that she is able to adapt whenever she needs to. There were many times that she could have given up when things didn’t go her way. There were family hardships that took her by surprise. But she chose to adapt instead. Even in a hectic life, she has been able to keep a balance and stay focused on the things that truly matter.

Jade will soon start work on another album. I was curious to know how to keep up with her and what she is doing. Jade says that fans can keep up with her via MySpace, Twitter, Facebook, and at revolutionart.us. Be watching because Jade is on the move.