After a decade of organizing and hosting an annual concert “Caribbean Dreams”, Narine Sookram was highly praised for many years of assistance to newcomers to Canada and for his long-standing cultural leadership within the Canadian-Caribbean community.
He showcased new and upcoming talent and to promote pride in youths growing up within the Canadian-Caribbean community.
Some of these new talents have since gone on to perform professionally; all have gained from Narine’s efforts to celebrate diversity and to break down barriers between people from all walks of life. These annual concerts have also attracted participants from elsewhere in Canada and the U.S.
In addition to his very hands-on efforts in organising every aspect of “Caribbean Dreams” concerts, Sookram has showcased many young, local talents through his weekly radio show, “Caribbean Spice” on 100.3 Sound FM Radio, Radio Waterloo. He has hosted this community radio show for many years, to share West Indian and local Caribbean music and culture with listeners.
He has also promoted many grassroots community initiatives or events on-air. Performers, listeners and even local businesses have gained from Sookram’s personal efforts to bring everyone together in supporting each other.
Sookram devotes countless hours of his time to teaching English as a second language to newcomers, helping them with homework or with having their certifications evaluated by Canadian standards.
His generous voluntary efforts have assisted others to obtain or to keep employment in a challenging economy, in turn allowing those individuals to support themselves and their families and to feel welcome within their new community. Sookram’s volunteer work stretches back to his youth in Guyana, where he created a youth group at age 14, to enable Guyanese youth to learn and grow in supporting their community.
Charity
He continues his volunteer involvement with Guyana today, as the founder of Active Vision Charity Association, which provides books and school supplies to Guyanese youths.
Sookram has been an outstanding role model to newcomers to Canada and his community. He is a very deserving recipient of the Waterloo Award.
The Waterloo Award is the city of Waterloo’s highest civic honour and is given to someone with considerable difference in Waterloo, and possibly beyond, without thought of personal or financial gain.
Waterloo Award recipients receive an artist-crafted pin and recognition from the mayor at a televised city council meeting in the fall. Their names are inscribed on plaques that hang in council chambers as a lasting recognition of their contributions.
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