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week ending october 6, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
TCCF celebrates 13 years of service to sick Caribbean kids
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From left: TCCF’s treasurer Harry Bridgemohan, president Jay Brijpaul along with Vanita Ganesh, Andrew Hilton and Javier Cedano, all of The BrijTeam making a contribution of $10,000 to TCCF
he Caribbean C h i l d r e n Foundation (TCCF) is currently celebrating 13 years of helping critically ill Caribbean children to get life-saving and lifealtering medical help, and to mark the occasion, a special event was held Saturday at the Empire Banquet Hall in Toronto. After mixing, mingling and enjoying a very tasty island-hopping style dinner buffet, TCCF’s president Jay Brijpaul, updated the packed banquet hall on the Foundation’s fund-raising activities and gave a brief history of TCCF, from its humble beginnings to its present status of being one of the most successful Caribbean charities,
dedicated to helping the less fortunate children of the region. Later in the evening, his real estate organization, The Brij Team REMAX west, also presented a check of Cdn$10,000 to TCCF. ‘Jay,’ as he is popularly known, reiterated that all of the funds collected go directly to the charity. There is no administration fee. Since TCCF started in 2000, it has helped over 55 children get the care they need. During this time, the organisation has raised and paid out over Cdn$1 million towards the cause. Although their primary healthcare partner is the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children, in the past, they have worked with a number of hospi-
tals in Toronto, the USA and even Trinidad and Tobago, to get children to the care they require. While she could not be present, the Premier of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne, extended on behalf of the government of Ontario, warm greetings to everyone who attend the 13th Anniversary Angel Gala. She took the opportunity too to express thanks to the evening’s generous sponsors and donors and, indicated her admiration for the team of devoted volunteers, who work tirelessly to help critically ill children in the Englishspeaking Caribbean get medical treatment in Canada. In his address to the gathering, Director of SickKids International
and Interim Director of the International Patient Program Raymond D. King, said SickKids was very enthusiastic about working in collaboration with TCCF for the advancement of children’s health in the Caribbean. Children from countries such as Trinidad
and Tobago, Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados and Antigua have received specialized treatment in various medical specialties such as general surgery, orthopedics, urology, cardiology, ETN and plastic surgery. Also addressing the guests were the Honourable Jean Augustine PC, CMFairness Commissioner of Ontario, Denise Herrera-Jackson, CEO of the Festival Management Committee and producer of the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival and the Annual Gala to which TCCF is the beneficiary of this year’s fundraising. They both expressed their pride in being associated with TCCF and pledged their continued support for the selfless organization. In her presentation, vice president of TCCF
Jankie Dolaram, who is also the hospital liaison, thanked all supporters of the charity and conveyed the gratitude of the recipients, who have been helped over the years. Additionally, the Consuls General from Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago were present. After the formalities, the guests were treated to a spectacular performance of flamenco dancing staged by the Compania Carmen Romero with a live show that included dance, cantes, and flamenco guitarists. The rest of the evening included the presentations of various certificates of appreciation, door prizes and raffle. The evening ended early in the morning with the guests dancing to music by DJ Arjune and D.A.G.
TCCF’s vice president Jankie Dolaram, president Jay Brijpaul and K Persaud of MCPD making a generous donation to TCCF
Guyanese movie ‘Brown Sugar too Bitter For Me’ mesmerises Toronto principal actors Shivraj and Olarte, transported them in time and place to a sugar plantation in Guyana. The stellar performance of Shivraj as ‘Ram’, the maudlin cane cutter and his optimistic wife ‘Leela’, played by Olarte, held the audience mesmerized, as they took them on an unbelievable emotional
journey. The audience laughed, cried, and reflected, as they watched this remarkable film of sacrifice, devotion, and suffering. The movie was such a revealing and awesome experience that a member of the audience, perhaps filled with nostalgic memories of life on a sugar plantation, re-
torted that “the movie touched my soul”. ‘Brown Sugar too Bitter For Me’ presents storytelling at its finest and was complimented by the music of Terry Gajraj, Anant Hansraj, Nadeer Bacchus, and Princess Anisa. For the West Indian diaspora, this movie bridges the past with the future and will never be forgotten.
Promoter Vashti Doorga, Meena Nandalall, lead actor and director Mahadeo Shivraj and popular bhajan/ghazal singer Bash Nandalall at the Canadian premiere of ‘Brown Sugar too Bitter For Me’ Sunday evening.
O
n Sunday evening, the people of Toronto were treated to an amazing cinematic experience as the Guyanese movie ‘Brown Sugar too Bitter For Me’ held its premiere performance in Canada at The AMC Theater on Interchange way. D o o r g a
Entertainment, headed by Vashtie Doorga, presented the movie to viewers, who were spellbound by the presentation. The theater was decorated with sugar cane stalks set to the theme of a sugar plantation on which the movie was based. In attendance were lead actor and produc-
er/director Mahadeo Shivraj, Executive producer George Subhraj, lead actress Radhika Olarte, and writer and creator of the ‘Brown Sugar too Bitter For Me’, Somnauth Narine. The movie theater was packed to capacity and the audience were held entranced, as the
Lead actress Radhika Olarte, producer George Subhraj and writer/creator Somnauth Narine. (Photos contributed)