Famous cricketer Dwayne Bravo has expressed his concern about the rise in crime, saying: “It is painful to see what Trinidad and Tobago is becoming.”
Speaking at the launch of his DJ Bravo 47 All White charity event on Tuesday night at the Queen’s Hall Garden Theatre, St Ann’s, he said: “Growing up, T&T wasn’t like that. We were able to do everything with our friends and not have to worry about running and hiding from gunfire.”
The annual event, which was forced to cease due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will take place on Friday, September 16 and this year will benefit the Credo Foundation for Justice, a transitional institution for boys.
Bravo also expressed concern about child abandonment, missing girls, gun violence, lack of job opportunities and lack of sports infrastructure, and said citizens must work together to make the country a better place.
“We have a responsibility to help and lift each other up. Let’s take ownership of our country, develop communities, take care of each other, be kind and raise more champions,” he said.
The DJ Bravo 47 event was a vision that Bravo had and executed six years ago, using money from his own pocket.
He is delighted to see that, since then, a number of sponsors have come on board, and is looking forward to embracing even more this year.
Bravo said he had the opportunity to visit the Credo Foundation at its base in Nelson Street, Port of Spain, last week with 47 media liaison and events manager Krystal Joseph, even before talking to his 47 team – that he wanted to help the house.
“It was sad and inspiring at the same time,” he said of the visit.
“When you see what these kids go through. Some are suffering from trauma.”
He said at the time of his visit, Credo’s psychiatric social worker and attorney Rhondamay Chin Slick was unaware the home would be foreclosed on.
“I still had to bring it to the team (47 events). “I just said ‘we’ll take care of the kids.’
The team consists of Bravo’s friend and fellow cricketer Kieron Pollard, Joseph and investors David Blanc and Adrian Chandler.
Bravo is well aware that his charity event is one of the most anticipated in the local social calendar, even saying it’s one of the “best parties” held every year, but he didn’t want supporters to forget its purpose.
“He puts food on the table of those in need and sends children to school,” he said.
Chin Slick, who was present at the launch, told Express that she was “extremely grateful for DJ Bravo’s gesture of donating the proceeds of this event to us. It will go a long way in providing developmental programs for boys.”
While he preferred to keep the guest list close to his chest, the former West Indies cricket captain said patrons can expect to see and party with some of their favorite cricketers and be entertained by some of the DJs – the best of this country.
Tickets for the DJ Bravo 47 All White charity event go on sale from today.
