NCF thanks sponsors of Junior Masquerade Project

Corporate partnerships have been described as necessary for the execution of cultural programmes that target youth.

This as the National Cultural Foundation has expressed gratitude to Sandy Lane Charitable Trust and Abed’s for their contributions to its 2024 Junior Masquerade Project.

At the project’s launch, held recently at the Erdiston Special School, Chief Cultural Officer of the National Cultural Foundation Andrea Wells, thanked them for their financial support, describing it as “priceless.”

“It’s really shaping up to be an exciting year and we are thrilled to welcome our sponsors along for the experience,” she said.

Nekei Grant, Project Coordinator of the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust shared how the project aligned with the trust’s primary goal of leaving no child in need or behind.

She spoke to the charity’s long involvement in cultural projects like Junior Kadooment, where bands would come to them directly for sponsorship, but wanted to foray into a larger contribution on a national level.

So when the opportunity to assist the NCF, the organisation provided a generous donation towards the project and the Youth Volunteer Programme.

“Recognising the impact of both programmes and what they would have on our youth. And in celebrating the NCF’s 50 years and SLCT’s upcoming 20- year anniversary, I’m pleased to announce that we decided to ascertain title sponsorship for both categories for $50,000 Barbados dollars. We had to come together and do this for the children of Barbados.”

“We all have a role to play in the growth and the development of our nation’s children and these two programmes conceptualised by the NCF are a step in the right directiom.We look forward to hearing of your success and your achievements. We all stand here with one common goal: Improving the lives of Barbadian children,” She added.

Abed’s, who celebrate 60 years of business, are continuing their long-standing relationship with the NCF through their sponsorship.

“For 50 years we have been intrinsically linked with the NCF and Crop Over and we are delighted to be working with them again, supporting bands and designers and getting children involved,” said Nikita Abed-Chaplen, Brand Director of Abed’s.

She maintained the retailer’s support to preserving our cultural heritage through a donation of $20,000 and lending support in costume making, fabric selection, designing and decorating.

“I think there is no better way than this project to do that. And we couldn’t be prouder and happier to be a part of Crop Over 2024,” she added.

The Chief Cultural Officer thanked both project sponsors for their assistance throughout this year’s execution.

“What is to be commended also is that both of these corporate partners are on board from the culmination of the project. Not just for training but for the celebration at Junior Kadooment event,” Wells said.

She also praised them for uniting with the NCF under one common goal: keeping cultural traditions alive.

“All these young people who are interested in the arts, those who become interested in preserving our rich heritage, and those who love masquerade are given the support to learn these skills and to be a part of this journey. The involvement of our children, our nation’s future, is the most vital part of this exercise,” the NCF officer explained.

The Junior Masquerade Project aims to preserve the cultural tradition of costume-making and masquerading throughout various schools and community groups across the island.

It has now grown to involve 10 schools and two community groups since its beginning in 2002.

In the early years, the NCF project targeted four or so schools annually.

The following schools and community groups will be part of Saturday’s Junior Kadooment.: Eagle Hall Primary, Ellerton Primary, Wesley Hall Infants, Grantley Adams Memorial, Pinelands Creative Workshop, Selah Primary, Hindsbury Primary, Arthur Smith Primary, Haynesville Youth Club, Shirley Chisholm Primary, Roland Edwards Primary and Erdiston Special School. (PR/NCF)

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