2008 Woodie Awards
Pans of Praise raises money for church in Trinidad
By: Megan Bradberry
Issue date: 1/31/07 Section: News
Megan Bradberry
Staff Writer
As you are walking along Main Street in downtown Greenville, suddenly you hear the catchy rhythm of the steel drums. No, you aren't daydreaming of a vacation somewhere on a tropical island. You are listening to Pans of Praise.
Pans of Praise is a group of students ages 15 to 20 from Trinidad who sacrifice time spent at home, with friends and family to travel around the United States performing.
Ken Babwah began the group five years ago with one main goal in mind- fund raising to purchase land for a church in Trinidad. Trinidad is a country that is stricken with poverty and has a high cost of living.
"You will pay $15 for a gallon of gas in American dollars. It is $200,000 for an acre of property, at least," said Babwah. "Since the price of land is so high, we need money for the land. We can't do anything without a piece of land."
With 1.4 million people, many of them homeless, the country needs help. Students are from broken homes forced out to live a life on the street. They need to know hope is out there.
"One good church can help thousands of people," said Babwah.
The students that Babwah travels with are trained both musically and phonetically. Pans of Praise spends a majority of their time traveling around the United States.
"No one gives as much as the United States," said Babwah. "To go somewhere, you must have contacts. We have contacts in the United States."
Babwah encourages students to become involved and help with the mission.
"Our ultimate goal is to get students and missionaries to create awareness of Trinidad and come to the country on a regular basis," said Babwah. College students interested in becoming involved with this mission project can participate in training classes.
Becoming involved is easy. Babwah can be contacted on their Web site. He simply needs to know what wants to be done (such as teach, build, work with children, etc.), what participants are trained in and how many are interested. The organization helps to make the arrangements for the trips.
Staff Writer
As you are walking along Main Street in downtown Greenville, suddenly you hear the catchy rhythm of the steel drums. No, you aren't daydreaming of a vacation somewhere on a tropical island. You are listening to Pans of Praise.
Pans of Praise is a group of students ages 15 to 20 from Trinidad who sacrifice time spent at home, with friends and family to travel around the United States performing.
Ken Babwah began the group five years ago with one main goal in mind- fund raising to purchase land for a church in Trinidad. Trinidad is a country that is stricken with poverty and has a high cost of living.
"You will pay $15 for a gallon of gas in American dollars. It is $200,000 for an acre of property, at least," said Babwah. "Since the price of land is so high, we need money for the land. We can't do anything without a piece of land."
With 1.4 million people, many of them homeless, the country needs help. Students are from broken homes forced out to live a life on the street. They need to know hope is out there.
"One good church can help thousands of people," said Babwah.
The students that Babwah travels with are trained both musically and phonetically. Pans of Praise spends a majority of their time traveling around the United States.
"No one gives as much as the United States," said Babwah. "To go somewhere, you must have contacts. We have contacts in the United States."
Babwah encourages students to become involved and help with the mission.
"Our ultimate goal is to get students and missionaries to create awareness of Trinidad and come to the country on a regular basis," said Babwah. College students interested in becoming involved with this mission project can participate in training classes.
Becoming involved is easy. Babwah can be contacted on their Web site. He simply needs to know what wants to be done (such as teach, build, work with children, etc.), what participants are trained in and how many are interested. The organization helps to make the arrangements for the trips.
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