Lavonne Williams and Shad Bovell students of the Irving Wilson School Music programme, alongside their teacher Shantel Lynch accepting the donation of instruments from the Board of Zulu International, yesterday. From left: General Manager of Zulu International, Aundrea Wharton; Dwayne Smith; Sulieman Benn; Zulu’s charity coordinator, Shrimattee Ault; Alison Hinds; and Vibbian Fagan.
The Music Programme at the Irving Wilson School will continue to strive thanks to Zulu International.
Yesterday, the “Fun Band” showed its philanthropic spirit through the donation of a drum set, flute and trumpet to the Pine Plantation Road, St Michael School which provides special education instruction for the blind and visually impaired, deaf and hearing impaired as well as autistic.
Focused on giving back, part of the proceeds of the March 26th band launch went towards the purchase of the instruments.
“We really wanted to do something different this year and one of our committee members suggested assisting the Irving Wilson School…There are a lot of people who need help and as a society we tend to pigeonhole ourselves into a particular sector or particular area,” General Manager of Zulu International, Aundrea Wharton expressed.
“We are the ‘fun band’ and we wanted to be involved in a project that still help us to portray who we are, and still help us to bring out the charitable nature of the members of Zulu International.”
Wharton assured that the band’s efforts will continue, revealing that two more projects are being planned.
“We want persons signing up with our band to know we are going to have another two projects within our 2017 season, where persons can continue to donate to the effort and whatever comes in, we will match as an organisation.”
“Zulu International stands proud and ready to continue to contribute to this programme as much as we can,” he said.
Started in February 2015 with students from the Autistic Department, the music programme currently consists of 12 students – one student from the Deaf department, three students from the Blind and Visually-impaired department as well as eight from the Autistic department.
Shantel Lynch, teacher at the Irving Wilson School expressed her appreciation to Zulu International for the generous donation.
She recalled her interaction with the General Manager, who she said showed up at the school asking how Zulu International could assist. “I told him about the music programme and that we would like sponsorship for it. He asked if we had a list of what was needed and said he would work on it.”
“I don’t know the process of how Zulu International chose the Irving Wilson School but they are a God send because we were really seeking sponsorship and to just turn up at the school, no call, just turn up willing to assist was great,” she expressed.
After the presentation of instruments, the talented musicians of Irving Wilson had the opportunity to entertain the Board of Zulu International and in turn enjoyed a special performance from Soca Queen Alison Hinds, who also lauded their talent. (TL)