Barbados Today

Residents of the Jorris Dunnah Senior Citizens Home were treated to a taste of Trinidad and Tobago’s culture last week, brought to them by a folk group from the twin-island republic in Barbados for the 13th Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESA XIII).

Malick Folk Performers sang and danced for, and brought joy to, the faces of their elderly audience last Friday.

Some of the residents even showed they still had some moves, as they danced along with the Trinidadian group.

Malick’s public relations officer, Candice Hughes Bengochea said the group welcomed the opportunity.

“First and foremost, we wanted to give back to the community, so we brought packages for everyone in the home. We are really and truly grateful to be here in Barbados,” she said.

Pinelands Creative Workshop, which hosted Malick Folk Performers while they were in the island, was instrumental in getting them to visit the home. Chief executive officer Rodney Grant said his organization had a relationship with the group dating back to 1988.

“Since then, it was just the beginning of a long-lasting relationship between us and the Malick Folk Performers. We felt that we could not bring Malick to Barbados and not at least bring them into the community. The group also made the request that they wanted to do something in the community,” he said.

“And this was the perfect opportunity, because these elderly are not as mobile as the young people, and therefore this was a good opportunity to bring a part of CARIFESTA to them,” Grant said.

Also in attendance was chairman of the National Assistance Board, Senator Dr David Durant who joined the seniors in showing their appreciation of the Trinidad group with vigorous applause.