Adjustment 1 and 2 and Kindergarten 2 sings, "Can You See Me"
TriniView.com Staff Article
Event Date: November 30, 2006
Posted: December 02, 2006
The Lady Hochoy Centres presented their Christmas Concert 2006 entitled "Our Gifts to Share" on Thursday 30th November, 2006, at the St. James Amphitheatre.
The venue was filled with parents, friends and relatives of the children who have varying levels of mental, learning and sometimes physical disabilities.
The children, with the assistance of their teachers, presented their talent to the audience who were quite happy to see them on stage having fun with their peers.
The Lady Hochoy Home was built to accommodate children with special needs and various learning and mental disabilities on March 20th 1961, by Lady Thelma Hochoy (widow of Sir Solomon Hochoy) with the assistance of dedicated professionals, corporate citizens and the government of Trinidad and Tobago.
Today, the Lady Hochoy Home falls under the patronage of the Trinidad and Tobago Association for Retarded Children which is a non-profit, nongovernmental organization managed by the Corpus Christi Carmelite Sisters. It provides a safe haven for the intellectually challenged and includes services such as residential care, special schooling and early intervention.
The Christmas Concert began with the National Anthem played by the Lady Hochoy Music Makers Steel Orchestra who played intermittently throughout the show. They were praised throughout the concert for their wonderful performances and their excellent selection of songs.
After the opening prayer by Sister Petronilla Joseph, Sister Bertill Dean informed the audience about the purpose of the gathering. She explained that the theme for this year's International Day of the Disabled was "E-accessibility" which is the accessibility to the internet and other forms of modern communication technologies. However, she told those present that the use of these technologies was not possible for most of these students, so instead they should celebrate information about "us" (children with disabilities) being spread and easily accessible to the public.
During the concert, there were several performances by kindergarten groups 1 and 2, intermediate groups 1 and 2, adjustment groups 1 and 2, prevocational groups, the vocational centre group, seniors groups 1 and 3 and others. All performances were memorable and included several dances, songs, choral speaking and a skit about the nativity.
Guest performers included local Parang group Mucho Tempo, H20 Phlo and Raymond Edwards who were all well received by the audience. Also, as in the case of H20 Phlo's performance, the children proved that they enjoyed these performances by singing along to the tunes and joining them on stage.
The show ended with a vote of thanks by Sister Claremarie who thanked all for their attendance and continued support.
Next year, the Lady Hochoy Centres promise to continue in this tradition and present more of the abilities of these children to their friends and families.
Lady Hochoy Centres 2006 Christmas Concert in pictures:
www.triniview.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=87399
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