IT WAS ‘De Shock’, a poetry narration by Jamacy Hinds of Sanvoort  Primary and ‘Tragedy in Haiti’ sung by Joel Rose of St Aloysius Primary, that caused the previously unresponsive crowd to spring to their feet at Port Mourant Community  Centre Ground, also in Berbice, when the curtains came down on the Regional Children’s Costume Competition last Friday.
The two, who secured first place in the 10 to 12 years old Dramatic Poetry and Calypso categories, are expected to compete with their counterparts in the finals today and tomorrow at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown.
Jamacy, dressed as an educator, demonstrated, to the gathering, how the teachers were planning to spend the expected six per cent increase on their uniform allowance, much to the pleasure of the instructors present and they even chanted ‘ true, true’ to every line.
The poem said: “Dem gang up in the corners, can’t wait for the 5 per cent or six thousand dollars uniform allowance. Some planned to double the allowance. If you hear dem conversation. Pencil heels shoes, suits with a difference, chair set from COURTS and when dem collect the pay slip, dem smile like a morning star, but, on looking closer dem eyeball bulge out like dem see a ghost, as was one per cent dem get on the raise.”
When the petite eleven-year-old was through, the audience went wild.
Minutes later, ten-year-old Joel, who looked half his age, took the stage and dealt with the tragedy which struck the CARICOM member State, Haiti.
Looking at his television as he delivered the emotional piece about his experience whilst watching the scenes on screen, Joel sang: “Me had to brace me self  when me watch the TV, tragedy hit the land of Haiti, children a cry, mama a beg ,O Lord, take this rock off me leg. Listen Guyanese, me begging you please, let’s come together and go down on our knees and beg God to give the sufferers a ease.
The spectators, who braved the midday sunlight, joined in the now popular chorus, which was first sung at the Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) preliminaries, at Albion Sports Complex, a week before.
Other notable performers were from Savannah Park Nursery school, whose teachers were extremely resourceful in creating their uniform from the evergreen garlands used to decorate doors and windows at Christmas.
This group of little girls, highlighted the benefits of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
Participation in the contest was at a high level from schools between Crabwood Creek, Corentyne to Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice, according to the Coordinator, Ms. Jewel Warde.
She said there was keen rivalry amongst the fifty artistes who competed in the categories of physical and costume display, calypso and dance.
Warde expressed gratitude to the parents, who assisted the preparations and challenged the schools to better mobilise for the future.
She announced that the participants will be taking part in the Children’s Road March scheduled for February 26.
That procession will culminate at Esplanade Ground, New Amsterdam.