Star News Ayi Jihu

As Chinese Star Ayi Jihu is made International Goodwill Ambassador of FAAVM (Federal Association for the Advancement of Visible Minorities). The question is the next prominent black voice Chinese becomes relevant and does not seem so far fetched.

Hot on the heels of that appointment came the news that Ayi Jihu has also been appointed Special Envoy for S.E.E Sun Earth Energy a company that champions green energy solutions for the developing world as well as the developed world. Rumour also has it that a recent meeting of the Facebook Elite is about to announce her as a Facebook Ambassador.

Chinese Star - International Goodwill Ambassador for FAAVM and Sun Earth Energy Special Envoy Ayi Jihu

Ahead of the BBC China story set to hit the Screens, Airwaves and Worldwide web next week, We bring you the inside scoop on Ayi Jihu, FAAVM and the emergence of a worldwide champion for minorities. How did this happen? Why did this happen, and What does Ayi Jihu hope to achieve with her new found responsibilities? What does found member of FAAVM (Canadian Prime Minister Candidate Raphael Louis) expect from his new found charge? And what part does the tiny island of Bermuda have to play in all of this?

Ayi Jihu takes time out of her increasingly hectic schedule to answer some of these questions. Firstly she puts us in the picture as to how this all started and I believe you may find the source surprising. ‘Everything really started with Facebook Ambassador Andrew Williams Jnr. Apparently they (PAR12 an organisation that deals in global solutions for the world) had been looking for someone to reach out to a younger global audience on social, energy, green and charitable issues. So I guess you could say it all started on Facebook. They needed someone who could truly reach a global audience and that included Asia and China. The fact that I am Chinese and an entertainer together with my popularity all over the world and also my work in Macau (China) made me for them ‘The perfect choice’ Or that’s what I was told.

From talking to Ambassador Andrew Williams Jnr we came to see that we had much in common when it came to social issues. I’m Chinese but I am also minority Chinese and I find myself with a black Record company (Shlepp Records) working with other minorities. I have learned a lot from this experience and because of it I feel I understand the Black experience a little more. I also know that because of having me, Shlepp Records (Stevie Eagle E) have learned a lot about China and its people. My dream has always been to bring Chinese people out through music and get them not to feel so afraid about expressing themselves while getting the people of the West to see and understand China its people and culture more. My goals coincided with Shlepp and also with Ambassador Andrew Williams jnr. When Andrew Williams Jnr and I spoke he took my vision to another level and it all happened from there.

Raphel Louis Prime Minister Candidate and founder of FAAVM

FAAVM – United Nations Millennium Development Goals 2015 Campaign

Andrew introduced me to Raphel Louis founder and head of FAAVM and other members of the PAR 12 group including John Burke from S.E.E. All of a sudden I find myself in the company of Civil rights leaders, major business, NGO and humanitarian leaders from around the world all looking at me as one way to get their messages across to the youth of the world. All this at the time when I’m about to release my first official single in the UK.

Things took off from there. My first task is to bring awareness to the Domes for homes initiative. As the bad weather is set to hit Haiti and people in Chile suffer a massive earthquake these Domes provide part of the answer for many of these devastated homeless people. Some are made of special earthquake proof material and will provide shelter for the people of Haiti and Chile right away. Some of the Domes can be put together in a couple of hours and can also be used for schools, media centers, hospitals, whatever.

There are several companies out there that make Domes, some are easier to put up than others and have slightly different specifications, but what I love about being apart of FAAVM is that they are not caught up in looking for perfect solutions. They are looking for solutions. The Domes will need drainage, they will need to be delivered and put together also. If we can get one Dome in Haiti (depending on its size) even if it’s a bit over crowded it can be used to keep people out of the weather until we can get all the other bits in place. I believe that the everyday person like me can see the tangible practicality of the Domes and get behind FAAVM and myself in getting the funds to purchase as many as we can as quickly as we can.

The Domes can also be branded with the names or given a name (like a country home) so that people who helped purchase or make that Dome available know the name and location of the Dome and what it is being used for, who it is helping and if need be know the names of the families and people using it. Obviously this works the other way around with the people benefiting from the Domes knowing who helped them. Everything is happening real fast and I’m sure we may make a few mistakes along the way, but the main thing is we are doing something and we are doing it now. So that is is my first real mission.

When asked how she feels she will be viewed in her new roles Ayi Jihu replies.

I hope that people just see me for what I am, just like them a human being who wants to help other human beings. Whatever way they see me as long as I move them to positive action, make them stop and think about something, or even ask a question I’m happy.

We asked Ayi Jihu about S.E.E. (Sun Earth Energy), how that came about and what does she expect to achieve with them.

Sun Earth Energy came through the same sources. The Domes need to be heated etc also. Sun Earth Energy Ltd are a British company who specialize in Green energy solutions, solar power that sort of thing. It’s all a bit new to me but I’m learning fast. Like FAAVM they feel I can help them get their message across to everyday people worldwide. I’m no expert in all of this stuff, so If they can make me understand it then I feel the regular girl or guy in the street whatever country they are in will also understand it plus I can talk to the Chinese. What I do know is that China is doing a lot for Solar power and waste renewal and I would love the world to realise that. I know the Chinese people would love to help do even more we are a generous people. I think most people see China as just using most of the gas and oil. I was not able to meet in person with John Burke from Sun Earth Energy so Stevie Eagle E (Shlepp Entertainment Ltd) met with him on my behalf to accept the offer of Special Envoy.

Head of S.E.E. John Burke meets with Stevie Eagle E head of Shlepp Entertainment Ltd

It has emerged that Ayi Jihu will be going to Bermuda to amongst other things meet up with several of the members of PAR12 as well as the prominent social and Civil figures in March 2010. We asked her why Bermuda?

Bermuda is the key to a lot of what FAAVM and many of these organisations are trying to achieve in many ways. On the face of it Bermuda is a beautiful island full of extremely wealthy people and tourists. However the gap between those that have and those that don’t is huge and that has began to spark civil unrest in Bermuda. Bermuda is beginning to experience urban issues more akin to London or LA something which is new there and worrying. Bermuda is also a country that has strong links to Africa as well as the Caribbean while at the same time being run with ‘old money’ After doing the London Week of Peace show I wanted to do more to effect change in the youth but it’s hard for a Chinese artist in London. However Bermuda is small and they are experiencing the same problems and there we can help by working hopefully with the Government and the people. It’s small enough for us to try many of our ideas out and control things better. Some People in Bermuda believe it or not cannot afford homes to live in as they are too expensive now, therefore the Domes for homes will start there. By setting up a Dome village in Bermuda we can show the world how they work and how they can be used for communications hubs, homes, schools, even mini hospitals. We see Bermuda as the spiritual template for a dynamic grassroots approach that will resonate worldwide.

FAAVM and Ayi Jihu's international center is Bermuda

I’m going to Bermuda for several reasons including shooting the promo video for my debut UK single with the people of Bermuda against the backdrop of this beautiful historical island. People will be hearing a lot about Ayi Jihu and Bermuda in the future. In many ways It is my hope that I can do for Bermuda what I was able to do for Macau and that is make a people look at and learn about the country, I want to put it on the international map for the youth. I know if I am there doing my thing people will keep one eye on Bermuda and even if it’s only a few people in the beginning it will grow as time passes and we achieve more positive things there. It’s very hard to explain all the connections and reasons now, but I would just ask people to watch this space as all will be revealed over the next several months.

I see the work that I’m doing with FAAVM and PAR12 as part of what I do as an artist. I grew up with Michael Jackson and I am a big fan of Angelina Jolie and these mega stars had a far busier schedule than I have and found the time to do all the humanitarian and charity work that they did. So I do not feel it will change anything for me. I see it as part as my job as an artist and my obligation as a human being. Plus I am not by any means alone I have a massive infrastructure behind me. I have the support of some of the greatest minds out there and people and organisations like Donna J Bennett from Partnership for peace A woman that has been at the forefront of major peace events and initiatives for almost 40 years. Let’s not forget the whole Facebook Ambassador team, The experts at FAAVM also. I will also be working with James Womack from Strictly Entertainment in the USA along with Shlepp Entertainment Ltd in the UK, Cynthia Lee from Myoho films, Balla Sekou Fara-Bey and Bermudan artist Dagga in Bermuda, South African business man Brendon Merrick who is a White Zulu warrior and the whole AJ Action team the list goes on and on. These are a wonderful, dynamic group of people from all over the world and they are all supporting and backing up my efforts, So I am by no means alone here. I am part of something truly massive and global and the scale of it sometimes even frightens me. Some of the future projects are so huge like the world game of peace event which has over 40 countries involved including I’m proud to say China. I’m not sure what part I will be playing in all of that, but I hope to be quite involved in it and perhaps perform as I did at the London Week of Peace.

Ayi Jihu made history by becoming the first Chinese artist to perform at the London Week of Peace live concert in Trafalgar Square. The show was beamed live to a worldwide audience and Ayi Jihu stunned the watching crowd with a show that fused R&B, Hip Hop and opera along with Contemporary and Street Dance using kids from all over the world.

Doing shows like the London Week of Peace show, performing all over China in Massive, Casinos and clubs and shooting shows like Asianstar24 and Diva Diaries have all prepared me for what is happening now. I did not realize it at the time, that I was learning, but now I feel more prepared for what is about to happen over the next several months. I’m young and have a lot still to learn, but I am not afraid. The eyes of the world will soon be upon us.

Well from what I understand we have only a few weeks to get these domes into Bermuda and set them up so the world can see them in action. We have an island called Higgs Island in Bermuda that has been kindly given to us to set up our first Dome Village. I have been told the Island is been probably going to be renamed AJ island which happens to also be my initials so that will be cool. However once we get the delivered and set up we can start rolling. It’s going to be a lot of work and we will need the help of people to get this up and running. My job is to make people aware of what’s going on and help to raise funds for the Domes and look at Bermuda. At the same time I am preparing for a show in Belgium on March 13th and my debut single release. So it’s all go, go go right now.

Finally we asked Ayi Jihu what can people do who wish to get involved, help or donate to any of the things she is involved with?

Well right now we are in the process of clarifying what we are going to need volunteers, donations and expertise I’m sure but we need to make it very clear to people exactly what and how. I would like as many people as possible to join the FAAVM facebook group which will keep them updated on all things like the day of peace, Domes for homes and all the other things going on. We are also going to be talking to business to help donate some of the things we need. It’s a great opportunity for business in Bermuda and worldwide to get involved in a global project that will give them great and positive PR and help people. I would like people more than anything as they go through their everyday lives to take a moment in the day to think about those around the globe who are struggling or less better off than they are. With the economy so bad people in the West are feeling the pinch and this tends to make charity money dry up. I just hope people don’t suffer from Charity overload and keep giving, keep helping and keep asking questions to stop certain things from happening over and over again. I also hope to see my people emerge as one of the most generous nations our there.

I am hoping that people see me for what I am, nothing special, just a small girl from a small village in China doing her best with what she has and follow suite. This has already turned out to be a very exciting year for me and with the release of my single in June and all of this it seems it could be a truly life changing year. But whatever happens I want my fans and friends to know that I will remain the same Ayi Jihu and I will always try to help people.

Ayi Jihu prepares to release her debut UK single Sad Sweet Dreamer in June 2010

Ayi jihu’s first Album Try Me is available on Itunes and Amazon now. Ayi Jihu’s debut UK single release is due out in June 2010.

watch BBC interview here.

Coming Soon 27th Sept 2010 Ayi Jihu – Sad Sweet Dreamer
Debut single from Ayi Jihu. To buy this track with SMS, 
users should text TRACK SWEET to 80818 (Texts 
cost £1, which includes operator revenue share. UK only)

www.Sadsweetdreamer.com