Trinidad and Tobago Guardian Wand donates musical instruments to youth Published: Thursday, November 14, 2013 Akhara Kamla Persad Bissessar If overburdened children’s homes and youth development programmes cannot depend on the Government to help their cause, how will they survive? Answer: With generous private donations and the fund-raising efforts of charitable NGOs, such as the Women in Action for the Needy and Destitute (Wand). At... its 14th annual fund-raising luncheon at the Hyatt Regency, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, last Friday, Wand presented the Patna/River Estate/Diego Martin Police Youth Club and the Couva Children’s Home and Crisis Nursery (CCHCN) with donations to help fill some of their needs, specifically with the provision of music and computer equipment. Beverly John, chairman of the board of the children’s home, said an application requesting help was submitted to the Government since 2008, but to this day, after re-filing the forms in 2010, the home has received nothing. In an interview at the lavish luncheon, John said with Wand’s donation, the home now has the necessary funds to cover the cost of musical instruments for their youth development programme. “We are very happy for it [donation]. This development programme is something we have been trying to do for the last three years,” John said, adding the Wand’s angels were instrumental in making the programme a reality. The money will be used to purchase steelpans, flutes, saxophones, guitars, trumpets and keyboards. John made the connection between music and academics, and creating a sense of accomplishment for the children. “It also builds their sense of commitment to something and their understanding of team work.” CCHCN is a home for disadvantaged and abandoned children that was incorporated since 1999. John said the 20 children at the home were “just thrilled” to train with the instruments and were “very excited about music.” The other recipient was Duane O’Connor, the youth club leader with the youth club in Bagatelle, who said Wand donated 125 flutes for each of the group’s members. Ranging from ages five to 25, O’Connor said music was a tool that could be used to develop minds and create a productive alternative to crime and delinquency. He said Wand also helped furbish the group’s kitchen and outfitted its computer room. He also commented on the lack of assistance from the Government, saying the group typically relied on “donations and barbecues.” John lauded the generosity of the public, especially Couva residents and corporate entities. “People from the Couva environs bring grocery items all the time. Whenever we put a need out there, it is filled,” John said. Both recipients said they welcomed and appreciated Wand’s assistance. Wand treated its 550 donors to lunch, as well as song, Latin dance and a fashion show. House of Jaipur models strutted along the black catwalk, and one male model in particular managed to elicit some excited whooping from various cross-sections of the mostly female audience. Of the handful of men there, a guest and an employee at the hotel, Gregory Seepersad, said over the years he always wanted to attend and contribute to Wand’s cause. “It’s the first time I have been able to attend as a guest. I believe in their work and it’s great to see where their funds go. It’s a wonderful thing and they are really making a difference.” Public relations officer for Wand, Gloria Nelson said the turn-out was the best it had ever been. “There was not a spare seat,” she said during the fashion show, as she too cheered along with the rest of the women. When asked about the success of the luncheon, Nelson said: “Their contributions helped so many people.”
Posted on: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 13:06:43 +0000
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