Tivoli Gardens Documentary - Hard Road To Travel - Public Housing in Jamaica

This a documentary made in the late 1960s perhaps by a fledgeling Jamaica Information Service (JIS). The film chronicles the history of the Tivoli Gardens public housing development. Edward Seaga the member of parliament for the constituency was a young sociologist who formulated a plan to develop the area that was once called Back-O-Wall. The area was the location of the city dump and a sprawling shanty town that was a breeding ground for crime.

[@4evahodlingdoge226]

Everybody dressed decently, well groomed and no false hair back in those days, can we please bring this style back.

[@TheRealJamaica]

There is no going back… but going forward we should love ourselves a lot more🙏

[@Thatgirlbreee]

Hair extensions and wigs have existed since ancient Egyptian days. It’s hilarious how people actually think these things all popped up recently 🤣

[@chrisper94]

Although this experiment devolved into a political garrison and a new "back a wall", I will give Mr. Seaga credit for dreaming of a better society. I am sure that some of the people of Tivoli have used the experiment to lift themselves out of poverty and into a better life. We must all continue to dream.

[@TheRealJamaica]

Well said👏🏽

[@carlenewilliams5467]

Many doctors lawyers footballers come from right there I know my cousins are doctors dentist nurse ❤just the crime amd voilence destroy down deh

[@winstonkeen7402]

How did this place turn out to be the mother of all garrisons ?

[@pure1239]

​@@winstonkeen7402becsuse that was the original intention . Look at the place now.

[@Bluntburnatr888]

@@winstonkeen7402ask again😂😂

[@annettashannon8077]

This documentary brought tears to my eyes. True community development and nation building. What a visionary Mr. Seaga was! I have new found respect for him. ONE LOVE🇯🇲

[@joli8166]

Oh don't leave out the part where he installed dons to force the community to vote for him and ship in guns, he built and destroyed it.

[@realdalgayle8004]

​@@joli8166 Interesting to say the least. I've always disliked Seaga, and thought he was just a puppet of the United States.i watched most of this documentary, and was about to comment on this great endeavor he undertook with tivale gardens,then I came across your comment, and I'm reminded of the reasons I never liked or trusted this man.this guy has a very big hand in crime ridden Jamaica 🇯🇲 that exist today.no doubt about that.

[@deidradahl2802]

@@realdalgayle8004 --True the USA helped him to undermined the Manley government because Maley wanted an equal life for Jamaicans. In 1980 over twenty cases of guns went missing from a ship in the middle of the ocean, used to kill hundreds of Jamaicans. The Eventide Home with than 100 old people were padlocked from the outside and set alight using petroleum jelly found only with the CIA, to blame the PNP government. Seaga built up HIS community, but Manley wanted that for the whole country. In 1976 the National housing Trust was instituted, , which housed thousands of Jamaica's poor. Tivoli gardens residents got their houses actually free, and was paying only about Ja$15 monthly, while others had to pay thousands. But it came with a price, the Dons rules Tivoli to this day

[@robertcamble3543]

Seaga also played a role in Jamaica music . He started w.i.r.l which turned to Dynamic Sounds after a fire . Late 50s . Then went into politics .

[@deidradahl2802]

@@robertcamble3543 That is for those who likes Reggae. The whole country NEEDED housing, medical care and jobs, to say the least

[@xinephoenix1688]

The man was a visionary. Respect

[@pure1239]

Sure he was a visionary for building the gunman factory . The people got tricked Most people living there are unable to read or write . Hard drugs has taken over the place and dont even mention them murdering themselves and others everyday.

[@buttyscott1]

The last time Seaga toured Tivoli, he said he wished he could tear it down ..Now the mother of all garrison

[@mikerobinson549]

I see decency and respect in this. I may have been around too. I was born at jubilee hospital in Denham Town. This is my born ground

[@megao28]

This documentary will help bring love and great change towards peace and honor to the beautiful land of Jamaica 🇯🇲 🙏🏾 ❤️ ✨️ I am a seed of greatness, and Tivoli's beauty will rebirth. "The rose that grew from concrete." IamOmegasWill ❤

[@andrewsergent574]

To God be the Glory great things He has done. Greatness is a Humanitarian bread. Jamaica the Land we love, thanks Mr Seaga and the ones who make it possible.

[@paulhenry2859]

I remember those days when I was little boy from denham town I use to love and visit my cousins and friends in tivoli and love going to the library and then after watching the drum corp practicing when Paul Dushing was the drum major

[@andrenefinn704]

Where in Denham Town? I lived in a Tenament Yard on Wellington Street. I too Loved to visit Tivoli. I remember visiting the Center where they held various activities.

[@paulhenry2859]

@@andrenefinn704 Dumfries street at the corner of wellington Street next door denham town centre

[@andrenefinn704]

@@paulhenry2859 OMG, I knew a childhood friend named Paul. Have an awesome day!!

[@paulhenry2859]

@@andrenefinn704 it might be me lol or my cousin Paul from Wellington street he lives in the big yard on wellington Street

[@djgenius626]

Sounds awesome

[@monickporter262]

An amazing initiative to restore hope in individuals needing to experience a different kind of life has now returned to what it was prior. I will continue to pray to see a transformation in this historical community 😢🙏🏾

[@mcx1991]

When "Back a wall" was transformed into Tivoli Garden the only thing it didn't have was a fire station. it was a good initiative, however we all see how it turn out....

[@jessiey31wayne90]

Very impressive I didn't know all this, the leaders then did well and truly we can see that

[@andreamayhew1504]

I really enjoyed watching this video, it gave me a lot of insight into the history of Kingston and politics around that time.

[@roxannebryan7456]

The politicians today should take a page from his book!

[@devertonpasley4942]

As to what respects? Can you specify?

[@richardporter154]

I remember growing up hearing about Tivoli Gardens and imagined this place being like the wild Wild West. The very first time I walked through the community after becoming a student at Tivoli Gardens Comprehensive I couldn’t believe my eyes,was this the place that people feared, that upon entering would be instant torture and death. I walked through that community five days a week, I ate at PWD,I had lunch in the community and not once did I have any need to worry or fear. Now is a total different time, the area is plagued with violence and truly lives up to it’s moniker “Mother of all garrisons”.

[@TheRealJamaica]

History lesson…BTW, PWD is no more, those were the days🙂

[@chantalwright9772]

I saw a video of someone touring Tivoli Gardens recently and was shocked because it was not what I had formed in my mind from what I heard. This is why it is always good to check things out for ourselves because people will lead us astray with their bias opinions.

[@TheRealJamaica]

Jamaica can be dangerous… Tivoli has gotten some bad press but there are many marginal communities in Jamaica are very similar.

[@TheRealJamaica]

@nevinreid311 😂😂😂

[@jamdum2290]

Same, I used to attend Denham town secondary. I was a part of the track and netball team, used to trained at Tivoli high school play ground..Sometimes I am alone at the bus stop waiting on the Spanish town bus after training with no fear. How does time change 😢

[@carlenewilliams5467]

Big up to west kg born and part grow seaga was about education amd improvement in his division,born right kph live right beside Denham tow station my mada move to Oxford Street I love my growing up there but that 70s election did a toll in west kg,am really happy my mom was one othe smart parents back then who took us away from the crime and voilence, 😢it was too much nah forget weh me come from.thank you for this reminiscing ❤if politics didn't step in oxford st would've look like tivoli gardens that was his plan and the next party won and that idea was shelve😢in the 80's they did build a couple buildings in rema and surroundings Though seaga was well love by tg that is why he never lose that seat ever.

[@deidradahl2802]

When a government is in charge of a nation, they must run that country for all the people, not just their own constituencies. Edward Seaga did well for his communities, but remember it backfired when the Dons started to disrespect him. He named the dons on national tv, for the soldiers to arrest I do not remember the details in full

[@nyakwarObat]

Gullible folk missed their was a hidden agenda and still haven't figured it out yet. Unbelievable

[@soniadrummond2169]

People looked fine natural beauty, it is sad i can see big from then to know, please bring back that first Lovex

[@ashebermulugata9]

As much as I am opposed to the politics of Mr. Seaga I admired the development of " bakka wall" into the Community of TG. Sad to see it evolved into the garrison of garrisons.

[@TheRealJamaica]

Not many can be as honest as you 👏🏽

[@oneK_876_31]

You must be mindful of the role of propaganda and how it specifically impacted Mr. Seaga. How much of what we have learnt to accept about Mr. Seaga is true? How much is propaganda?

[@deuangerman]

Were you a PNP man?

[@oneilclarke8494]

The plan is legendary but over time, the evolution of that community became a disaster.

[@nyakwarObat]

Because there was a hidden agenda. Simple really

[@DwayneBryan]

I'm 10 mins in this flim and I'm very confused how this concept didn't work out for Tiloli Garden! Because this idea is gold! What happened!?

[@TheRealJamaica]

You have a valid question, however, I am not going to attempt an answer.😀 Some research into the politics of time and the urban blight in Kingston should shed some light. Thanks for watching and for the comment/ question. Perhaps if you watch the whole thing you might get some insights.

[@DwayneBryan]

@@TheRealJamaica lol I watched the entire thing. I take it u get this question alot hence ur hesitation to answer.

[@TheRealJamaica]

Yes, I get that question sometimes but that’s not the reason why I’m not answering. The answer may not be to the liking of everyone so I leave it to you to do some research and figure it out😀

[@DwayneBryan]

@@TheRealJamaica gotcha. I would like to hear your point of view though if that's okay

[@TheRealJamaica]

This video is about Seaga’s arch rival’s constituency. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6CpdWZoqqiepM0 Bear in mind that public housing in Jamaica is usually linked to political loyalty, at least in the 20th century. That is the real problem.

[@soniadrummond2169]

Beautiful video, please bring back ❤ that first Love

[@stacyvibes2749]

Thank you for this great piece of history. Sadly anytime something is an "experiment" or a "project" created for poor black people, it's usually becomes a problem, why? Well because it starts off like a well oiled machine, being cultivated and cared for by it's donors and inhabitants. Until something goes wrong and the people get depressed and anxious and the donors disappear, then the machine gets rusty and can't move anymore and everyone suffers.

[@TheRealJamaica]

Wow..profound

[@sismaryofbethany3854]

The curses we are under. Read Deuteronomy 28. We are the chosen children of God, who strayed from his laws and are blinded to who we are and that our God requires our obedience. So we get the curses v 15-68 instead of the blessings v 1-14. Nothing will work for us except complete obedience to the God of Israel.

[@philliplyn2692]

Loving this one thanks for sharing very information blessed love to all knowledge is power hopefully everyone pays attention keep up the good work 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@TheRealJamaica]

Bless 🙏

[@michaelcousinsjr.5760]

This is the same method used in the United States...every ghetto was once a shining new "housing projects "

[@TheRealJamaica]

There is a lot of truth to that, but remember that was the model for public housing at the time. The model has proven to be unsustainable. We can’t blame Seaga for that, my feeling is that he was following the paradigm of the period. If you watch my public housing video on McIntire Villa the architect said Manley had a different view of public housing which involved low rise rather than multi story dwellings. Both McIntire Villa and the owner occupied bungalows in Tivoli have been well maintained to this day.

[@nyakwarObat]

@therealjamaica..No disrespect but you sound gullible. You seem adamant in Championing seaga. So easily bought with a bit of money and shiny things even now. This was just a new system of slavery masquerading as redemption and seaga was the guy appointed to administer the proceedings. Do not be naive

[@nerdknowledgeunlimited6023]

Exactly what I should've added in my post. If the party that took over in 1972 had followed suit. Jamaica would be a first world country today.

[@stacychin6008]

God is love ❤️ love my people one love ❤️

[@user-tc2fc4pm6o]

And then after all this tivoli gardans turn out bad and in to a ghetto under the watchful eve of bruse golding smh look how beautiful Tivoli garden was back then

[@andrenefinn704]

I remembered Jamal, now kids are bragging about being Dunce.

[@TheRealJamaica]

That’s hilarious 😂

[@bennettstephenson9090]

were you a student their?

[@andrenefinn704]

Not sure if You're being sarcastic. No, I was not a student there. I was a kid volunteer; I escorted my grandaunt who wanted to learn how to read. While there, I helped others. Most of whom were elders. We lived Walking distance from the location, so it was a no-brainer.

[@TheRealJamaica]

@@andrenefinn704 It’s sad that the recent history of Jamaica is not known to the younger generations. Jamaica has emerged from such a bad place during colonial times and has achieved so much. It would be worth while to pause and appreciate how much progress has been made over the last 70 years.

[@JustisHype]

@@bennettstephenson9090 😂

[@pamelacampbell7314]

Wow wow so it can be done Jamaica can be uplifted

[@kingjbo680]

This is fascinating. I guess 1972 had something to do with what happened there after.

[@TheRealJamaica]

I think so too🤔

[@mamajenskitchen1880]

And hopefully none of those youngsters end up as gunmen and waste their life’s all in the name of loyalty to politics and greediness 😢

[@adriiko]

This is shocking to watch knowing what Tivoli Gardens is now. How did it go from such a promising new development to one of the most precarious areas of the city ?

[@TheRealJamaica]

To be clear, this is propaganda film that was produced by the government of the day which developed Tivoli Gardens. It is worthwhile researching the history of the place. I will say no more.😉

[@andrenefinn704]

No Where throughout the world is the same. I moved from Kingston in 1981; I migrated to Washington DC. Once known as " Chocolate City and The Murder Capital" in the 80s. DC is now 50 percent White people; Homes in DC now value 1 Million or more. However, once again, the rise of violence resulting in Murders has started. Every day something is going on.

[@Grogu-485]

Bad minded PNP happened that is the downfall of Tivoli

[@JustisHype]

@@Grogu-485 😂😂 People die from lack of knowledge

[@Rasheens-Story]

They got the most help and didn't take care of it

[@jamdum2290]

Papa Eddie. The man wasn't for no handout. He created vision and jobs for his people. RIP

[@AnthonyEvelyn]

Lee Kwan Yu saw our master plan and run wid it. We on the other hand burned our original copy of the master pan.

[@TheRealJamaica]

Not sure that story is correct @AnthonyEvelyn. Lots of Jamaicans said that about the Singaporean icon. If you look at the development choices that both countries made you won’t see many similarities. It’s true that Singapore pursued a manufacturing model but they also evolved into services. They placed a far greater emphasis on education than we did/do and their civil services were/are staffed by their best and brightest. One key takeaway is that Singapore was not a classical democracy, Lee was a benevolent dictator of sorts, that’s how he and his inner circle could achieve the phenomenal growth and development. That model had its disadvantages as well. Check it out.

[@AnthonyEvelyn]

@@TheRealJamaica The man himself said he came here in 1967 and was shown what the govt at the time was doing and planned to do, some ideas he took with him back to Singapore which was just a transshipment port with a big shanty town behind the huge wharfs. He came back in 1975 to see how we were progressing and was disappointed. LKY's opposite member was a eloquent speaking loquacious and verbose populist, luckily for Singapore he didn't come to power.

[@4evahodlingdoge226]

@@AnthonyEvelyn He definitely didn't copy the democratic socialism Manley implemented which destroyed our country.

[@MITVIZ]

Jamaica was really on the right path

[@jessiey31wayne90]

I see the current pm holness trying but not hard enough!.today I saw pics of a social housing beneficiary who was crying and I was moved,I do hope his initiatives can reach thousands more!

[@TheRealJamaica]

Public housing is a tricky issue, there is the question of who should benefit and when. There is no question that Jamaica has a housing crisis. More people would be served, however, if government were to provide land and infrastructure instead of trying to construct finished houses for a few. There is a long forgotten tradition in Jamaica of community members cooperating to build homes for each other. In addition to serving far more people with the available resources, a community self help approach would build cohesion and a sense of responsibility. Both of which are sorely needed. Thanks so much for commenting.

[@jessiey31wayne90]

@@TheRealJamaica valid point indeed and I do agree with you!

[@courtneymark7948]

How was it funded. Looks like a great deal of money.

[@AngeliaMcfarlane-rf4yq]

HELL on earth I use to spend holidays there with my aunt she was the spiritual mother for Eddie Seaga at Ebenezer Zionist church and one of the first tenant who moved in on Keith Avenue

[@TheRealJamaica]

What does “hell on earth” mean?

[@Ranksbanks248]

This is a very true story.

[@lifeisgood8640]

Love this vedio everyone innocent

[@Grogu-485]

The best Prime Minister and MP in Jamaica's History.

[@TheRealJamaica]

Spent a year documenting his last political campaign... he was an extraordinary man

[@charlesjames1464]

The best until, Andrew Holness.

[@04foreverinvincible69]

Is Micheal Manley

[@shawnrichards1393]

This was one member of parliament who spent taxpayer money on the people and not only himself

[@TheRealJamaica]

Seaga was never accused of enriching himself, current politicians did not learn that lesson

[@Sayiiddawa]

One of the toughest political garrisons

[@marciarobinson8200]

The word of God says the poor will be poorer and the rich shall be richer still

[@Stoneclaypaste]

Now i see and know for sure andrew is the worst prime minister thus far

[@djgenius626]

When Jamaica was nice

[@TheRealJamaica]

Less violence but more poverty…go figure 😂

[@4evahodlingdoge226]

@@TheRealJamaica Shows you that poverty isn't the only cause of crime and violence.

[@islandsurveyor]

Before being named Jamaica Information Service it was called API. I can't recall what those initials meant

[@TheRealJamaica]

Actually it was originally JIS then the PNP changed it to API (Agency for Public Information) and Seaga promptly changed it back to JIS in 1980 when he came to power.😂😂😂

[@rylisland]

Good history lesson. It would be interesting to see what has transpired over the years from this documentary and see what it’s like now. Was the experiment sustained.

[@TheRealJamaica]

That would be interesting rylisland. As you may be aware the Tivoli experiment was not without controversy. A comprehensive look at Western Kingston a half century later would be instructive.

[@davidscott3726]

Noooo,became the mother garrison

[@Josh-wf7de]

The experiment worked. The turning point was when the USA got involved in Jamaicans politics and wanted a particular leader to win. To do so they facilitated the import of gun and then came dons. That election was the bloodiest in jamaica's history. We are still baring the harsh fruit of that political involvement. The US saw a communist tendency. Weather that was so or not they decided to nip it at the bud....Jamaica has never been the same and Tivoli is the largest garrison in Jamaica

[@TheRealJamaica]

@@Josh-wf7de There is an interesting study/book (can’t recall the name) that looked at gun violence in the area from the 1940s. The area was fraught with problems way before independence.

[@39Missmel]

Wow this is amazing, how and who destroyed this Garden and why this was such a good thing for the community????

[@utah245]

When did evil step in????!!!

[@TheRealJamaica]

1494!

[@Christopher1964agm.comch-fb7nk]

It step in 19 80 when jlp and the pnp started fighting for vote and start giving guns to the youth

[@solomonbeckford1885]

The people should be hopeful?

[@jmartin4204]

what year was this documentary made I am guessing the late sixties early seventies but exactly when in that time . Great channel this is and a great documentary . Many I know did not like Seaga said the worse PM Jamaica ever had but I liked him and I could vote in Jamaica JLP all the way , and hope they win the next elections .

[@TheRealJamaica]

Thanks @jmartin4204. I found this documentary in my archives, it was given to me about 20 years ago for use in a UWI production about public housing in Jamaica. I assume it was a JIS production and was most likely done in the late 60s. I am not sure about the exact production date. Seaga was a visionary but not without controversy, I had the honor of working for him in a professional capacity for about a year, he was an interesting and erudite man.

[@jmartin4204]

@@TheRealJamaica Thank you for this , this was Tivoli Gardens in its hey day sadly in recent decades not like this anymore . It was a beautiful layout , I was around in that time I was older would live there . I passed through Tivoli Gardens over the on visit to Jamaica from the UK sadly its hey day was gone . What did PM Seaga make of his once flourishing project going into decline over the years and did he know Christopher Coke .

[@TheRealJamaica]

@@jmartin4204 I can’t say what his thoughts were, however, when I filmed him touring the area one Christmas he knew many people by name. That was remarkable!

[@soniadrummond2169]

Beautifully dressed babies sweet 💕

[@user-tc2fc4pm6o]

They even cut out the part in the song and said seaga name there vewing him as there god smh you cant do that thats why Tivoli is like that

[@rasjunie]

This whole Garden thang is American Government u can find these same Garden inna Los Angeles....Nickerson Garden Avalon Garden etc....

[@TheRealJamaica]

I believe you’re right. The Tivoli Gardens model was taken from the US.

[@oneilclarke8494]

A swear this scene 26:15 is completely staged...🤣. I also like the part about 2 man police team having nothing to do and that people walk about freely day and night without fear, yet, burglar bars (grille) are seen on the flats.

[@TheRealJamaica]

Lol you are correct it was a staged scene but that is common in films like this. Bear in mind this is a propaganda or PR film for the Government of the time. Thanks for watching!👍

[@oneilclarke8494]

@@TheRealJamaica You're welcome, it was a pleasure.

[@richardporter154]

If memory serves me correct that so called Police post or police station was shut down after one of it’s enforcers went inside dismissed the two I.S.C.F that were working and removed a man that ran inside for protection. He was thereafter neutralized.

[@buttyscott1]

Farce is a farce

[@oneK_876_31]

Based on what was said at the end, this was recorded 10 years after its development. Do you really think that if so much effort was placed in people's personal development, they would have to have been closely policed? The question I have is what happened in the 70's? Was it enhanced or systematically destroyed?

[@margaretkirkland8965]

Tivoli was a tribute to eddie seaga lebanese jewish heritage

[@mamajenskitchen1880]

What happened .

[@TheRealJamaica]

Jamaica happened

[@nerdknowledgeunlimited6023]

I wish that this was copied nationwide. I don't think that Seaga was given enough credit for what he did for Western Kingston and what he wanted to do for Jamaica. His government needed at least 20 years to make a significant transformation to Jamaica. Many Jamaicans are impatient. They thought that the country wasn't moving at their speed which is the reason they voted out the JLP.

[@TheRealJamaica]

Good point, however, when one is suffering patients is not a virtue. The rhythm of Jamaican democracy is two terms. Seaga did what he could in the time he had, other leaders should have taken up the challenge of providing public housing for the poor…and in fairness some did🙏

[@dwaynesmith6278]

When did all this change!! I will say politics..cuz Tivoli now is a Dump!!! Wudn live dh so prfr go ochi

[@TheRealJamaica]

Many ask this question. Remember this is a propaganda film made for the architect of Tivoli! You are right about the effects of politics that and many other communities in Jamaica. Thanks for the comment, please subscribe

[@yfox646]

When I watch this all I can think is ( what went wrong )....jah jah

[@andrenefinn704]

You're comparing 60 and 70s to today's society with Social Media that has a huge impact worldwide

[@joli8166]

The same man who built it destroyed it.

[@TheRealJamaica]

Wow, profound!🤔

[@Grogu-485]

PNP destroyed it

[@04foreverinvincible69]

Bingo

[@devertonpasley4942]

Stop the blame people. No need for that..