Last Sunday the media were given the royal treatment when Salybia Nature Resort & Spa opened its doors for an all-day Media & Corporate Appreciation Day.
Located on the island’s North-Eastern coast, washed by the Atlantic Ocean, on a picture-perfect day, media personnel were treated to welcome cocktails, a sumptuous lunch, lessons in scuba diving, spa treatment and live entertainment. Of course access to the resort’s premium bars was unlimited.
Upon arrival guests were formally welcomed by resort chairman Ronald Boynes and general manager Roger Boynes, his brother. There were also short addresses by Minister of Sport and Sangre Grande/Toco MP Rupert Griffith and chef Louis Callahan who seemed proud to showcase morsels from his Christmas buffet and hors d’oeuvre menus.
Soaking in the sunny weather and cordial ambience members of the media wiled the day away mixing with each other, sharing the spa treatment and playing some exciting and vociferous rounds of All Fours. In the latter, the noisiest players were Sharon Pitt, John Gill and Steve Khan.
The media were also taken on a tour of the property, including its new villas which can accommodate 18 guests and its Superior De Luxe suites. Plans for the Salybia Christmas Village, a project by the Sangre Grande Community Development Foundation, to be held in collaboration with the villages from Matelot to Matura, were also revealed. Free to the public, activities at the village range from the Christmas-style lighting of the streets of Salybia village; the lighting of the Christmas tree and opening of a creche at Salybia Government Primary School; the hosting of the North East Coast Children’s Christmas Treat at the school; a children’s play area; and, live entertainment at the resort.
After a day of pampering most media folk fell asleep on the shuttle, safely driven by red band maxi driver Dennis, back to Port-of-Spain during the two-hour-long return trip.
Playing mas with a purpose
Playing mas for charity could very well be the catch phrase of Carnival band Wee International (WI). Based on Cornelio Street, Woodbrook, this band is just six years old and has donated much of its spoils to various deserving charities. WI doesn’t just donate funds but actually pairs with charities, involving its members to join in on the road. WI’s tag line is Play Mas with a Purpose.
Bandleader Ricky Davidson explained: “We started the band in 2008 after the closure of Poison in 2006. We wanted to make people feel like family so we came up with the name ‘Wee’ and, because it was planned to expand worldwide, ‘International’ was affixed to our name as well.
“After four years of begging and pleading with our revellers to wear costumes both days I had this innovative idea to make Carnival Monday an educational day letting the spectators and world know, that even though we are having relentless fun in Trinidad on these two days we are aware of the ills that affect the world. We decided to do something for charity in the same breath, killing two birds with one stone. So, ‘play mas with a purpose’ was born.”
Davidson continued: “In 2011 (our fourth year), Jisselle ‘Wassie’ Joseph, on our team at the time said ‘let’s do cancer.’ So, Wee went to the Cancer Society of T&T and got the approval to dedicate one day of mas to them.
We paired with them so it was Pink Monday, an awareness of breast cancer. Wee had the Testing Mobile Unit come to the camp and did free screening on a day during the season. All our revellers were given pink T-shirts and pink hats to wear on Carnival Monday, it was spectacular. Ironically, Wee had more people playing mas on Monday than on the Tuesday. A female mas player told me ‘ah rather give charity meh money than you’. It was the perfect Carnival Monday and, all profits made from Monday mas went to the society.”
Davidson continued: “The next year (2012) Wee decided to play Blue Monday, to raise the awareness of human trafficking and modern day slavery. Wee went to Rainbow Rescue Home, spoke to a Mrs Wilson, got the necessary approval and did a fantastic Blue Monday with 1,600 people hitting the streets in blue. Again, the proceeds from profits went to the home.”
In 2013, with the success of the preceding two year, WI hit the streets with Purple Monday, making a statement for violence against women, children and men. Davidson said: “We paired with Families in Action that year and attracted 1,800 people. All in purple they had much fun. We had another great turnout and perfect day in 2014 when we did Red Monday, our awareness presentation for HIV/Aids, this time partnering with the Cyril Ross Home for Children, an institution for children with HIV/Aids. With every woman in red dresses and hats, and men in red T-shirts and hats, it was a sea of red; 2,000 masqueraders in red.”
Next year, WI is presenting Fireworks and its Monday presentation is themed Multicolour Monday, aimed at raising the awareness of autism. Davidson said: “If there is no Ebola and Carnival goes on we anticipate 3,000 people this time.
“Wee are the first mas band ever to do this type of educational venture and contribute to charity in the process. Wee are also the first band to stream our band launch live via Internet for the world to see, something we started in 2009. Thanks to God, a good management team and a very hard-working committee, Wee International is a success story.”
Davidson said WI is already planning for Carnival 2016.
