News

GRAND CAYMAN (GIS) – His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Martyn Roper toured the Sunrise Adult Training Centre (SRC) in West Bay on Thursday (12 September) and gave a “surprise performance”.

During the two-hour visit, instigated by the Governor’s Office, Mr. Roper met staff and clients and officially opened the facility’s state-of-the-art multi-media production studio. The studio was fully funded by Aall Foundation, one of SRC’s longest-standing supporters.

The Governor visited all programme areas accompanied by the Centre’s Director, Mrs. Kimberly Voaden; Programme Manager, Mr. Daniel John. As well as reviewing the centre’s functional academics, life skills and arts & crafts courses, he looked in on SRC’s Grow Group horticultural and poultry workshops, snack & lunch prep groups, occupational therapy and vocational training spaces.

Taking time to interact with staff and clients, the Governor’s studio ribbon-cutting ceremony followed its first-ever broadcast, in which he thanked staff for their hard work and dedication.

“Having interacted with the clients and staff and toured the grounds and the facility, I am very encouraged by the energy and vision behind SRC,” said the Governor.

“The centre’s senior management is clearly keen to further evolve and enhance its services to serve the needs of clients. I join it in commending the Aall Foundation for its generous donation and urge other private sector businesses to partner with public sector entities, like SRC, to improve services and inclusion for our most vulnerable citizens.”

The highpoints of Mr. Roper’s visit were when he and steel pan pioneer Earl LaPierre performed “Yellow Bird” and “Chariots of Fire,” in the studio and later in the center’s dayroom. The teacher and his most high profile student were accompanied by classical pianist and Cayman Arts Festival founder Glen Inanga on keyboard. The set, played for the centre’s clients, caregivers and staff, was the Governor’s third public pan performance (the first being during the Queen’s Birthday celebrations in June). A group photograph, concluded the tour.

Commenting on the visit, Mrs. Voaden said: “The Governor’s visit was a fantastic way to launch our 2019-2020 Training Year. His interest in our training programmes, and heartfelt engagement with our clients and staff, were wonderful to experience. We were honoured and delighted to have him share his musical talents on the steel pan, along with those of our special guests and look forward to his continued support of our work with our clients.”

Talking about the studio, the Director said: “Music gives voice to feelings, allows for the development of creativity, self-confidence, and self-expression, and even fosters communication in clients who are minimally or non-verbal. The studio functions as a quiet space, assists with transitions from one learning area/classroom to another, and will be used as a music therapy room. Our clients are very happy to have this amazing resource for their use.”

The recording studio and instruments will be used by clients interested in learning to play and sing or record spoken tracks/vlog posts. It will also offer training opportunities for clients showing an interest and aptitude in editing and producing tracks. With SRC becoming increasingly known for its annual concerts, the production studio allows for the expanded inclusion of a greater variety of clients, and guest performers in future stage and film productions. It is also likely that the studio will become a revenue source for the centre.

For more information about SRC, visit http://bit.ly/2kyKDmJ