Brothers look to bring positive change to Denham Town

Horane Fuller and Cleon Redwood are brothers who grew up in Denham Town with a desire for change.

After decades of dreaming about creating a place for people to enjoy good food and good vibes, with a little 'uptown' style, the brothers are now constructing a bar and grill in the community.

"Yuh si dis now, is a dream from a tender age because everybody wah si change, but yuh see the thing is change start wid we so we affi do sumi fi wi community fi bring back hope to Denham Town," said Fuller.

The west Kingston community has been under a zone of special operations (ZOSO) for more than three years, battling high rates of crime and violence. The brothers intend to bring positive views to the community as well as to show youth that there are better ways to succeed apart from violence.

"Yuh see when we really siddung and look pan it wi seh wi wah bring light to di community, sumpn different fi show dem yuh nuh afi duh certain things fi survive," said Redwood.

Created employment

The construction of the business has already created employment for residents. They employ about six workers from the community each day as they try to put the finishing touches on the space to make it eye-catching. They are installing shelves, laying tiles and sanding cupboards. The brothers will be creating employment for at least five individuals when the business is completed in August.

Residents are also excited about the opening of the spot. One resident, who gave his name as Bigga, says it has already helped to uplift the community because there are not many activities or businesses with the 'uptown' vibes. Fuller also says that the business has also been getting a lot of attention even from other parts of Jamaica.

"People really tek on to it. It's more like a race now, who a guh buy di first drink, who a guh buy the first plate a food. Everybody excited fi see it, people a seh it come een like foreign," Fuller said. There are plans to have a delivery component to the business, taking orders from persons in the Corporate Area. The brothers intend to primarily use persons from the community for those services as well.

They are also looking to host football and netball competitions to intensify the spirit of unity. They said that competitors from other communities have already agreed to take part.