VYBZ Entertainment gives back to Linden community

Jul 24, 2017 News

– donation to Centre for Special Needs Children,
– construction of bus shed

A spanking new bus shed costing approximately $500,000, inclusive of labor, was recently officially handed over to the Wisroc Community Development Group by representatives of VYBZ Entertainment and the Linden Mayor and Town council.
The facility represents a commitment taken by VYBZ – as franchise holders of the Linden Town Week for the past three years – to execute a community project as a way of giving back to the town.
Keeran Williams, a councillor attached to the Linden Mayor and town council thanked VYBZ Entertainment, pointing out that the municipality was always looking within the community for partners and stakeholders to assist in the developmental process of the town.
“We’ve recognized that it is something that we cannot do alone, we never intended to do alone, and so one of our important pillars is building relationships and partnerships and so we do look forward for continuous support and involvement from VYBZ Entertainment, or any other stakeholder or partner to work with us to provide various services to the Linden community.”
Williams, while assuring residents that the Municipality would do its part in maintaining the bus shed, encouraged residents to take ownership of the facility and to ensure that it is used for the purpose for which it was intended.
“We know that there a lot of things to be done, and this is by no means the destination of where the Linden Town Council and partners want to go, but it is a beautiful start, so we look forward to more projects being done with partners, and we are pleased to see that there are tangible benefits coming out of the Linden Town Week initiative.”
Deputy Mayor of Linden Wannika Arrindel applauded the gesture by VYBZ Entertainment, which she called a great initiative that would be beneficial especially for school children, who would now have somewhere to shelter from the elements.
She thanked the group, and said that the Municipality looks forward to its continued support.
Collis Gift, Chairman of the Wisroc CDC expressed gratitude on behalf of the residents of Wisroc and Block 22 for the facility and said that he was very happy that that location was chosen. “I am certain that this gift would be of great service to the community and persons will take great care of it.”

Officials from VYBZ Entertainment and Linden at the newly constructed bus shed

Another resident said that it was commendable that VYBZ Entertainment had lived up “to their end of the bargain” and was ‘delivering’ their community project, which was their commitment for Linden Town week 2016.”I must commend you guys for this initiative; and I do hope that the Linden Mayor and Town Council will continue to work with VYBZ Entertainment, to see a better future for Linden, not just for us, but our future generations. “
Winston Ceasar, chairman of VYBZ, who was on hand for the simple ceremony handed over the facility to chairman of the Wisroc CDC, Colin Gift.
Meanwhile the Linden Centre for Special Needs Children were on the receiving end of much needed assistance in the form of a generous monetary donation from the VYBZ group in collaboration with Baboolu Car Rentals.
Receiving the money on behalf of the Centre was President of the committee of management, Janice Gibson, who said that the contribution would go a long way towards maintenance works at the centre.
“They made a donation last year, so this is not the first. That first donation helped us to repair the flooring, so this time around we are doing another section of the building.”
Gibson expressed gratitude for the donation and said that she hoped that others would emulate the kind gesture.
Damuka Ngqando of VYBZ entertainment noted, “We’re making a donation towards the upkeep of the centre, because we think that it is money well spent. The children here are special needs children, and so we try our best, to make things a little better for them, so this year we decided to collaborate with Babloo Car Rentals because we know that this donation is for a just cause.”
Oslyn Adams of Babloo Car rentals said that after he was approached by President Janice Gibson, he decided to make a donation to the Centre.
Adams said that at the time he had also committed to further assisting the centre in its maintenance drive.
A non-governmental organization, the centre has over the years garnered support primarily through donations from various organizations both local and overseas, concerned citizens and assistance from the Ministry of Education.
The Centre’s curriculum includes language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, physical education and agriculture. Each subject caters for the special needs of the children. Sign language is also taught for the hearing impaired. Students have excelled both locally and regionally in athletics, swimming, and dance.
Twenty five students are currently on roll at the facility.