Annual Grand Dinner and Charity Show 2014
On Saturday 29th November, 2014, Gift For Life Foundation (GFLF) held its annual grand dinner and charity show at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya from 5.30 pm – 10.00 pm. Children from many homes were given the privilege to take the spotlight and display their hidden skills and talents to the general public. The dinner was well attended and there were at least 350 children stemming from the following homes:
- Angels On Earth Foundation Children’s Home, Lange Park
- Angel Michael Hostel For Youths, Egypt Extension, Enterprise
- Couva Children’s Home
- Ezekiel Children’s Home, Preysal
- Dar – Ul Aman Freeport Children’s Home, Freeport
- Florence Wesleyan Children’s Home, Chickland
- Margaret Kistow Children’s Home, Malabar, Arima
- Casa De Corazon (Heart Home), Sangre Grange
- Raffa Boys’ Children’s Home, Mt. Lambert
- Raffa Girls Children’s Home, Orange Grove
- Cyril Ross Home For Children, Tunapuna
- Holy Names Girls’ Training Centre, Port Of Spain
- Ferndean Children’s Home, Pt. Fortin
CountryMile Band led by Mr. Jeremy Charlerie, music teacher of St. Anthony College started the concert with a very inspirational prayer and song for the children. His band proceeded to entertain the enthusiastic children. Followed by CountryMile Band, International Vocalist – Mr. Gerard Placide took the spotlight. The children went wild and they were clinging on to him while singing along with him.
“For a child, the smallest things in life mean the world, so for a child to go on stage and hold a mike, was a lifetime experience. A child wants to know that his voice is heard and appreciated” said Mr. Vivik Ragoonanan, executive member of the foundation.
The featured address was delivered by Ms. Twinkle Raghunath, Medical student of The University of The West Indies and her sister – Sharrad Raghunath , Upper 6 student of Holy Faith Convent, Couva. They both pleaded to the audience the need to show love to children. They stated: “Good Samaritans like Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Helen Keller, and Audrey Hepburn stress the need to render selfless service. These saints dedicate their life to the service of the poor and needy. Mahatma Gandhi said “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”. They also stressed the need “to focus on noticing every child, even the less visible ones, believing that he/she is capable of growing into healthy teenagers and adults, and every adult should aim to provide opportunities for these innocent children who lack parental love and affection and to develop them into shining citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
Both Junior Miss Gift For Life Foundation ( Zireen Gulston – Angel Michael Hostel for Youths) and Senior Miss Gift For Life Foundation ( Delicia Lee- Couva Children’s Home) delivered 2 separate sentimental speech. “ As children from homes, we feel hurt when the public comes once or twice in an entire year to visit us. Why do you drop off stuff for us and leave so quickly, can’t you all stay and spend time with us? We are also your children…and we also have feelings..” Members from the audience became emotional when they heard what the girls had to say.
Mr. Ragoonanan did a powerpoint presentation capturing future projects of Gift For Life Foundation. He stressed on the theme of: sustainable development of Trinidad and Tobago and emphasized the need for a formal education. He showed clips of the proposed site for the Tuition Centre Gift For Life Foundation is constructing. “ Thousands of children who reside in orphanages will be exposed to personal tutors across the varied curriculum disciplines”
Mr. Sanjaya Siewnarine, youth arm representative expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all those who would have directly or indirectly assisted in the success of the charity dinner and concert. “We also hope to expand our work throughout the nation in the key areas of youth development, community cohesion, respect and understanding and promoting education” said Mr. Siewnarine.
Gift For Life Foundation looks forward to the continued support of the public in giving love to children. Please join Gift For Life Foundation for its annual motorcade on Christmas Day – Thursday 25th December 2014 or for the 2015 monthly events.
