Darryl “Farmer Nappy” Henry was so overwhelmed by emotion yesterday after performing for differently-abled children that he has decided to start a foundation to help them.
Farmer Nappy performed during the annual PowerGen’s Special Children Fun Day at Syne Village in Penal in which 36 schools participated.
After his 40-minute performance which included his hit song “Big People Party” Farmer Nappy was bombarded by children anxious to get close to him.
However, when Farmer Nappy hugged Princess Barrow, a member of the National Centre for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) who is confined to a wheelchair, he broke down in tears.
Farmer Nappy, who placed second in this year’s Road March, said he did not know his music was so well loved and appreciated.
“I felt more appreciated singing for them than singing in a normal Carnival party or a concert. We, as artistes do not be around them to perform for them, and these artistes don’t know how much they love our music,” he said.
Farmer Nappy, who also placed third in this year’s Groovy Soca Monarch competition, said when he was told that Barrow, 20, wanted to take a picture with him and he saw her for the first time, “it was like a new dawn”.
He said: “These children appreciate me so much it made me break down and I couldn’t help it. She was squeezing me and I couldn’t stop holding her.”
Barrow and Farmer Nappy hugged for at least ten minutes before letting go.
To kick off his foundation, Farmer Nappy said he will be donating the first $10,000 and he called for support from companies and other artistes.
Farmer Nappy, who is from Siparia, said: “I don’t have $1 million or $3 million to start this foundation but if sponsors come in, we could start off a foundation for them (the differently-abled). If I have to put the last cent that I have, I will, but to make it greater, we need support.
“I don’t want people to think I doing this for fame. This is not about fame. When I go away, I could go shopping for them, do things for them, take them to the movies and go to schools and sit down with them.” Henry said he was usually a jovial person but admitted he can also be emotional.
“If someone do you something and you are my friend, I will start to cry, too,” he said.
