100 smiles for Christmas

Gospel artiste Kezie Peters-Shah wants to make 100 children smile for Christmas 2017. She is using her music to make it happen.
Gospel artiste Kezie Peters-Shah wants to make 100 children smile for Christmas 2017. She is using her music to make it happen.

YVONNE WEBB

Gospel artiste Kezie Peters-Shah wants to make 100 children smile for Christmas 2017 and she is using her music to bring about this social change.

Her desire is to see 100 children wake up on Christmas morning with big smiles on their faces when they see what Santa would have brought for them.

The worship leader at the First Church of the Open Bible, San Fernando, Peters-Shah said her vision is really to adopt a home, so she can assist needy children with their homework while at the same time equip them with skills such as hairdressing and music.

“My degree is in music and my major is in voice. One thing I always wanted to do when I was younger was play an instrument. I had the desire to do it but my parents could not fund it. It has always been a passion of mine to help children who want to play an instrument or develop their singing ability but whose parents are not able to fund their dreams. Even though I cannot play an instrument, I don’t want other children to have that end result in their lives. This is the foundation, the step in the direction to help such children build the bigger dream.”

Although hampered by limited resources, the 33-year-old mom was determined not to let 2017 end without putting a part of her vision into motion. Turning to her creator for guidance, Peters-Shah said she was shown the way to use her 2013 album to achieve the goal.

Now, she is calling on others with similar passion to purchase her album, Music Over Me, for $100 to fund the project.

“I have a passion in my heart to make 100 children smile on Christmas morning and I am inviting you to partner with me. When you purchase an album, you are not giving away your money, you are getting something in return. I want to purchase good, interactive gifts which children can share with others. I want children to experience this,” Peters-Shah said.

Her journey began around age 11, while growing up at her La Brea home with now deceased parents Herbert Peters and Erica Webb-Peters, and younger siblings, Mervyn and Juelle. It was not uncommon to hear Peters-Shah filling the house at Lagoon Drive with praise and gospel music.

It took the support of late uncle, Gerard Webb and aunt Elizabeth Wiggins, to fund her vocal training. She later joined Youth Pulse group with which she sang for Prince Charles during his visit to Trinidad. Seven years ago she joined Gates Praise, which evolved from the Open Bible Church.

Through Gates Praise which has three albums to its credit, Peters-Shah has performed in the Caribbean, the United States and London. Her first album, Music Over Me, which has ten tracks, including five which she wrote and co-wrote, has also won two Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin awards.

For the Christmas project, Peters-Shah said sales have been good, but not great. She said she is partnering with psychologist Kervelle Durant Julien and her I Love Foundation to make the dream come through.

“I first thought about going to various homes and giving gifts to children, but people normally give to homes around Christmas time and a lot of underprivileged children in the communities are often forgotten.”

She wants to assist children in Ste Madeleine, La Brea and Point Fortin, ages four and under.

She said if people do not have money to purchase the album, they can still provide assistance to wrap and pack the gifts. People can donate toiletries, foodstuff and other items.

Albums are available at Maranatha Book Stores; Kimeds Saloon, Navet Road, San Fernando and Takida Joseph Make Up Saloon at 44 Luis Street, Woodbrook, and on on iTunes or via What’sApp at 467-0916.

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