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The Reunion Primary School in Choiseul will soon have a brand new music facility estimated at approximately EC$151,000 through the Caribbean Development Bank and the Government of Saint Lucia.
This project is being administered by the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF) via the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF).
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was recently signed between the Reunion Primary School’s Music Committee and the SSDF to formalize funding for the music facility.
It is the hope of the Ministry of Equity that this initiative will boost students’ capabilities and increase their interest in the subject area of music.
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Former Social Transformation Officer and now member of the School’s Music Committee – Mc Arthur Phillips, says the MOU will bring a number of initiatives to fruition. “One of the things it will do is to teach kids between the ages of 8-16 how to play an instrument of their choice. We are looking at guitars, drums, keyboards and also to do some vocal training. That represents the first part of the project. The second part is to go into music production, teaching young people, not only those attending our music program, but kids in Choiseul generally, to write and produce music.”
Quite passionate about the role music plays in empowering young people, Minister for Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment, Hon. Joachim Henry spoke of the critical link in how music can inspire and enrich the talents and ignite the imaginations of students in the community.
“I believe our children can demonstrate their greatness, they can demonstrate their humanity. Music is an art that’s so powerful, I love it, I love all instruments, and I’d ask the children to try all of the instruments that they can, and that they are never too old to learn. Move from the guitar, try the wind instruments, try the saxophone, get onto the violin, play the drums, make yourself complete. ” noted Honorable Henry.
Parliamentary Representative for Choiseul/Saltibus Hon. Bradley Felix, commended the efforts of the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), which provides support to deprived communities via social interventions that improve health, education, economic access and the like. “The Basic Needs Trust Fund, as the name says, is really a program that does not look at the politics of our country. They recognize when a genuine request has been made and they come forward. Because it really is a basic need, whether it is water as Mr. Antoine said, or it is the music program, it is very important and we should not underestimate that.”
SSDF Deputy Project Manager, Brandon Antoine pointed out the team’s efforts in getting the project to implementation mode.
Residents of Choiseul and environs, he noted, were about to realize the first fruits of that labor.
SOURCE: Ministry of Equity, Social Justice & Empowerment
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