NCU ALUMNI CHAPTER CAYMAN (ACKy)

The free-of-charge benefit concert is in aid of persons impacted by Co

The first annual Cayman Islands Good Samaritan benefit concert to aid families across the Cayman Islands adversely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic takes place on Saturday, September 26, 2020, at 7:30 pm, at Kings Seventh-day Adventist Church, located on Walkers Road. 

     The donations gathered at the charge-free benefit concert, organised by the Northern Caribbean Alumni Association Cayman Chapter (NCU ACKy), will be applied to community-wide needs, regardless of affiliations.

     Performers at the concert will include well known artistes such as the Williams Quintet, Michele T, J-Prophet, Sebert Bramwell, Quincy Brown, Shantoya Garwood, and the ACKy Folk Choir.

     While offering the community at large some relaxation in this evening of drama and music, the event offers an opportunity for any member of the public to share a little with others whose livelihoods have been adversely impacted by the pandemic. Attendees are invited to bring a generous offering in lieu of a door charge and any food items they may wish to contribute.

     Interested members of the public or companies are invited to contribute also by contacting the Good Samaritan Pantry, c/o shirlenehenriques@gmail.com, 325-9917.  Mrs. Shirlene Henriques, retired Health Services Authority administrator, a former director of Community Services for the Adventist Church and a former member of the National Hurricane Response Committee, continues to be active in services to the whole community.

     A registration form, which will also be available at the event, is available at NCUKyAlumni@gmail.com, or by contacting Mrs. Henriques.

     Arrangements for the benefit concert are led by Mrs. Georgia Isaacs, the organisation’s VP for Social and Cultural Affairs, who said: “The Cayman Islands have been very fortunate to have been thus far spared some of the harsher health impacts of the COVID-19 virus; nevertheless, many of our neighbours across the Cayman Islands are struggling through the pandemic’s financial consequences.

     “This concert seeks to remind each of us that ‘CaymanKind’ is about helping our neighbours. It is about lifting each other up in times of hardship,” Mrs. Isaacs added. “In this way, we are offering everyone an opportunity to be a good Samaritan—come out and show your love, generosity, and spirit of neighbourliness.”

Meanwhile, Mrs. Henriques encourages the public to register: “If you are struggling, register so we can help” and to attend the concert:

“Whoever you are, and whatever your concerns, whether for some form of aid, encouragement, or social engagement, let's come together and celebrate, sing, laugh and lift each other up.”

The Kings Church venue, located next to Cayman Academy on Walkers Road, is among the largest churches on Grand Cayman.

The concert celebrates the sixth anniversary of the Cayman Chapter, whose aim is to contribute to the improvement of life in the Cayman Islands while supporting the role of the Northern Caribbean University, Jamaica. As part of the anniversary celebrations, a service will be held on Saturday morning (September 26th) with special guest speaker Dr. Lincoln Edwards, president of NCU, who will deliver his message via Zoom at a service beginning 10:40 am.

Currently there are two students enrolled at NCU, one pursuing a degree in social work and the other in the field of education, both on sponsorships arranged by the Cayman Chapter. A third scholarship is being considered for another Caymanian commencing January 2021. Any qualifying person, regardless of religious affiliations, may apply for scholarships by the Cayman Chapter to attend NCU.

In a separate initiative, the Chapter recently collected donations totalling US$10,000 towards scholarships administered by the NCU Federation alumni chapters worldwide. That will go towards funding scholarships for returning NCU students impacted financially by the pandemic.

The university is owned and operated by the Adventist Church in the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos. Membership in the local alumni association is open not only to alumni but also to anyone, regardless of religious affiliations, who wishes to be involved in the chapter’s activities.