THE WIFE of Britain’s Prince Edward got a glimpse into the world of children with disabilities when she visited two Barbadian schools yesterday.
Students of the Ann Hill School greeted her with the Michael Jackson hit Heal The World, which she described as a “wonderful performance”.
At the neighbouring Irving Wilson School, several students performed to Mighty Gabby’s popular Emmerton, using sign language.
The Irving Wilson School caters to children with hearing and visual impairments. The Ann Hill School has children with a range of learning disabilities, among them physical and emotional challenges.
Corey Hunte, a former Ann Hill student said to have autism, played the keyboards and sang along with the students in the Heal The World rendition.
The Countess of Wessex later chatted with Hunte, hearing of his love of music and his commitment to the school and its students.
She also chatted with students Nicole Harewood and Desiree Brathwaite, the headgirl, about the baskets they were making and how long it would take to complete them.
She had a close look at the earring-making of Davey Sandy and Sherise Roach.
During the 90-minute tour, the Countess of Wessex chatted with the principals of both schools – Emelda Bell of the Ann Hill School and Wendy Blackman of the Irving Wilson School.
At both schools she received a gift from the children – a picture of students and staff at Irving Wilson, and a gift basket containing a leather purse, a necklace and ceramic wind chimes from the Ann Hill School.
The tour party included British High Commissioner Victoria Dean and local education officer Kaye Sargeant. (TY)
