In their written request to visit with Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes, D Fun Crew, a social and entertainment committee at NIPDEC which each year hosts an Easter vacation camp for students of staff, expressed the sentiment that “many citizens go through a lifetime with either a glimpse of the President’s house as we pass by the Savannah or only see the President via the media. We wish for our children to have the experience etched in their memories, where they can say with pride that they have visited the President’s house and shook hands with the first female President of Trinidad and Tobago.”
The request was received during the transition period between President Carmona’s departure and President Weekes installation. Her Excellency, though extremely busy in this the first few weeks of her new role, acceded to the request because she noted that the children were already well into their preparations for the visit and to refuse at the last minute would have been ungracious.
And so it came to pass that on a beautiful sunny Friday in April, 25 children of varying ages and from different areas of the country paid a visit to Her Excellency, impressing her with their recitation skills and musical abilities.
After some of their group entertained Her Excellency with recitations and even a solo performance on the violin, the children were afforded the opportunity to introduce themselves, shake hands with the President and enjoy a one-on-one chat with Her Excellency after which they were treated to light refreshment.
Accompanying the children were D Fun Crew committee members Malisa Gilkes, Cavelle Joseph, Nayatha Stewart, Anisha Prince and Rachel Alfred.
