One of the most poignant television images broadcast the first day that Haiti awoke to its wrecked landscape was that of a choir, standing in the rubble of their crumpled church, singing with joy and praise—such is the power of music to heal and uplift even the most damaged spirit. NET

Tapping into that power this week is a Caribbean telecom company, Digicel, which funded the production of a new song to help increase both awareness of and funding for Haiti’s earthquake victims.

Digicel, which has a large presence in Haiti, announced this week its collaboration with international reggae artist, Shaggy, and renowned producer, Christopher Birch, to write and produce a song, “Rise Again.”

“As part of the Digicel Haiti Relief Fund,” said Digicel Group CEO, Colm Delves, ”we wanted to collaborate with international artists to produce a song that would support the people of Haiti who lost so much as a result of the earthquake. People across the world can purchase Rise Again and all proceeds will go directly to the relief efforts in Haiti.”

The Digicel Haiti Relief Fund has donated US$5 million to non-governmental agencies in Haiti to support the relief efforts and more than US$500,000 has been raised by Digicel customers across the Caribbean and Central America through a text and voice donation line. Digicel also gave each of its two million customers US$5 in free credit.

“Rise Again,” the lyrics written in less than a day and the rhythm produced within five days, has attracted artists from throughout the Caribbean—Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, and Haiti—to join the production, including Sean Paul, Sean Kingston, Alison Hinds, Shontelle Layne, Edwin Yearwood,, David Rudder, Kees Dieffenthaller, Destra Garcia; Tessanne Chin, Etana; and Haitian artist, Belo.

“Rise Again is for the people of Haiti,” said Jamaican reggae artist Shaggy.

“It is to show them that we are here for them, and that we will support them each step of the way as they begin rebuilding their lives, which were shattered by the earthquake. I am very proud of this song and the collaboration with Digicel.”

A US cable entertainment, EITV, broadcast a preview of the song on its ENews program this week, and more than 60 video messages of support were recorded by notables such as Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world, President Martinelli of Panama; West Indies legend, Sir Garfield Sobers; and many more.