Golty is finally home

Popular Seychellois reggae artist Golty Farabeau, who moved to the UK about 20 years ago, is reaching out to his fans and supporters back home to help him raise the funds he needs to return to Seychelles.

Farabeau, 62, has been diagnosed with terminal progressive kidney cancer. Late last month, with the help of his friend Linda Smith, he set up a GoFundMe to cover his travel expenses, medical care, and to ensure he can spend his remaining days in his homeland.

During a Facebook live session on Sunday night, Farabeau shared, “Since I can no longer breathe properly and need assistance from a tube, I feel like I don’t have much time left.”

He told his followers that he would need around SCR 2 million (about $149,288) to make it back to Seychelles.

By midday on Monday, the initial GoFundMe campaign had raised £8,576, surpassing its original goal of £6,000. However, Farabeau said this still wouldn’t be enough to cover all his flight and other expenses.

“I have friends in Seychelles who have reached out to the authorities for help, but the process takes time, and that’s something I just don’t have right now,” he explained.

Known for his hits like “An Avan” (“Let’s Move Forward”) and “Larout I Long” (“The Road is Long”), Farabeau reflected, “Despite all the challenges I’ve faced in life, nothing prepared me for this fight. As the disease progresses, my strength is fading, and I know my time is running out.”

Farabeau, who’s been a singer, composer, and musician for years, moved to the UK in 2003 to advance his music career. He performed with two bands—Jahmadou and the Red Head Band. Jahmadou mainly played soul, funk, and blues, while the Red Head Band focused more on reggae.

“More than anything,” he said, “I want to recover in the place I’ve always called home—Seychelles. Being surrounded by my family’s love and the familiar sounds of the ocean would mean the world to me.”

By J.R