Teen hopes to be voice for peace

At just 17 years old, Camperdown High School sixth-form student Danielle Russell is taking a stand against school violence, launching the Voice for Peace campaign.

The campaign is aimed at promoting unity and reducing violence across schools.

"I am starting a peace movement using one of my talents, singing, ministering and public speaking to encourage other children to choose a different path," Russell said. She told THE STAR that the idea for the initiative was sparked by a fight at her school last year.

"I always wanted to do something about school violence, but I felt like I couldn't really do anything. Then last year there was a fight at my school between two girls, and the reason behind it was so small, so I had to try to do something," she said.

Beginning in February and leading up to the first Tuesday in March, which is recognised as Peace Day in Jamaica since 1996, Russell plans to visit schools across the island to promote peace. She said that the song she plans to perform was written by her and will be released at the start of the campaign.

"I want to go during devotion time, perform the song to encourage them, talk to them and let them understand how serious it is," she explained.

While passionate about advocacy and music, Russell is also focused on her future hope to become a computer engineer. Still, she has no intention of abandoning her calling as a gospel artiste.

"Even now, I minister through songs across churches and concerts," she said. Using that same approach, Russell hopes to inspire behavioural change among her peers through the campaign.

"I want to bring ministering into schools for peace. I want to go into these schools and have students create their own versions of the song I will perform, all to promote peace," she said, adding that the song is meant to bring awareness to school violence and encourage an end to it.

Though still in its early stages, Russell hopes to expand the initiative, creating safe spaces where students can express themselves and learn to resolve conflict.

"I see a lot of children on the streets, especially boys. I see violence happening in schools a lot. I want them to understand how violence can cause so much harm over something simple, and that we need to find solutions," she said.

She also recalled an incident at her school where a minor dispute escalated, resulting in a student being stabbed, which she says pushes her more to intervene.

"Four girls started a fight, one was stabbed in the neck, and again the reason for it was so small. So violence in school is happening still" she stressed.

While she would like to visit as many schools as possible, Russell said that time and resource constraints may limit her reach.

"I want to go to all schools, God willing, but especially the more violent ones. I'm also taking it to social media because that's where children are. They can participate by sharing their own encouragement for peace," she said.

Russell's father, Clayon Russell, said her passion for peace and music has been evident from an early age.

"This is how she has always been growing up. She loves to sing, just like her sister, but Danielle has always been a little peacemaker," he told THE STAR. Russell said several schools in the Corporate Area have already expressed support for the initiative.