Winsome Benjamin performs at Christmas Cabaret, held at Hope United Church, Old Hope Road last Saturday.

There was a combination of horn and voice on either side of the break from Dwight Richards and Everton Pessoa respectively, Desi Jones, Dale Brown and Christopher McDonald providing the music throughout Saturday evening's concert. In the second segment of the concert at Hope United Church, Hope Road, St Andrew, Winsome Benjamin stood tall in knee-high black boots to deliver her True Love and Montana rocked the house with a succession of uptempo dance tunes, including All Night Long.

Fund-raiser

But it was the students of the Genesis Academy, clad uniformly in white T-Shirts and jeans who MC Fae Ellington called upon most often. There was a handbell and recorder number and song among their performances for the substantial audience, which cheered them on enthusiastically. And with good cause, for the concert was the genesis of an exodus, an initial fund-raiser for the school for children who are intellectually challenged or have learning disabilities, to move to a larger facility.

Donna Lowe, chairperson of the Genesis Academy, told The Gleaner that the school is currently at 22 Barbican Road, St Andrew, and they have been leased a larger premises at 38 South Camp Road by the government. The move is scheduled for July.

It will be Genesis' third or fourth move since they started out with five children five years ago. There are now 50 students, aged 12 to 21, some with Down Syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy.

Support

Lowe said "we are asking all of corporate Jamaica to assist us in any way possible", while thanking Digicel and former CEO David Hall for consistent support. "Digicel is behind us all the way," Lowe said. "We are trying to get more of that kind of support."

There has been support from members of the public, as Lowe said "we actually have some volunteer teachers who teach computer classes and art and craft."

More fund-raisers are planned for next year and the Genesis Academy welcomes any assistance it can get. Its goal is $30 million.

Saturday's concert ended with a round of Christmas carols, the Genesis students joining a number of their teachers, Benjamin and the band in Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Joy to the World and Feliz Navidad, the students' joy in the music obvious.

As was their camaraderie, as there were hugs among the white T-Shirt and jeans clad figures all around, at the end.

Children of Genesis Academy perform at Christmas Cabaret, at Hope United Church, Old Hope Road last Saturday. - Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer