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Rapidfire Kidz Foundation launches with charity dinner

Reshma Ragoonath
Published: 
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Rapidfire Kidz Foundation president Kevin Ratiram, left, and Arima Mayor Ghassan Youseph, right, look on as former West Indies cricketer Darren Ganga presents the shirt to San Fernando Mayor Dr Navi Muradali. The auction raised $12,500 for the foundation. Photos: Rishi Ragoonath

 

Rapidfire Kidz Foundation was a dream of San Fernando attorney Kevin Ratiram’s for a number of years. On July 15 that dream became a reality at a gala charity dinner at Paria Suites, La Romaine, where the Rapidfire Kidz Foundation was formally launched. Foundation president Ratiram said: “The Almighty spoke to me. For over a year this existed in my head. It was vision. At the commencement of this year I set one resolution.” Ratiram said he always wanted to form an organisation that would make a positive impact on society. He said his vision for the foundation is to inspire T&T to develop a culture of charity-giving, where “each of us regards ourselves as our brothers’ keeper, that we may one day rise up to become a compassionate people, in order that peace, serenity, and happiness shall prevail over this land.” He said he was overwhelmed by the show of support he received for the charity dinner to launch the foundation. The tickets cost $500 and were sold out. In addition, a Dutch auction for a framed autographed Daren Ganga t-shirt, with bidders San Fernando Mayor Dr Navi Muradali and Arima Mayor Ghassan Youseph brought in $12,000. Muradali left the event with the shirt in hand. “We raised $104,000 profit,” Ratiram declared.
 
 
He said the Foundation has planned several projects, including field trips, educational tours and Christmas treats for needy children. “We are doing nothing new. There are numerous organisations that already do that. But my vision for this foundation is bigger than just toys and fieldtrips.” Referring to the foundation’s motto, Fuel Your Heart, he asked: “What does this mean? Well, to me, it refers to a feeling of fulfilment that overcomes you when you know that you’ve done God's work.” Ratiram said he was inspired by Machel Montano & Benjai’s song, Amnesty. Master of ceremonies, comedienne Nikki Crobsy, used the opportunity to poke some fun at the guest of honor, President George Maxwell Richards. “He not going anywhere. We have plenty fete to go,” she quipped, in reference to his term in office nearing its end. Vocalists Raymond Ramnarine and General Imran entertained the audience with a medley of East Indian songs. Ramnarine also delivered a soulful rendition of his song, Angel in Heaven, which was dedicated to Sean Luke Lumfai, who was murdered in Orange Field in 2006.
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