The Gillian Whylie Scholarship Fund (GWSF) will host its inaugural International Cultural Cabaret on Saturday, March 2, 2019, at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica. The Cabaret is planned as a wonderful evening for patrons to enjoy international culture alongside local artistes. There will be dancing from Cuba’s Hahrmony, music from Jamaica’s Fab 5, comedy by Trinidad and Tobago’s Errol Fabien, and many more. The show will begin at 7:00 p.m., but there will be a pre-show at 6:00 p.m. featuring cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, and raffle.
The International Cultural Cabaret is raising funds to support the education of promising, yet financially challenged, students in Jamaica pursuing studies in Modern Languages. The Cabaret is expected to appear annually on Jamaica’s entertainment calendar and expand to include artistes from around the world. Tickets and information about future cabarets will be available on the Gillian Whylie Scholarship Fund’s website in December.
“She dedicated her life to educating others in modern languages,” said Dr. Donna M. Lewis Lee, Gillian Whylie’s sister. “Let us continue her legacy of educating and training, through the Gillian Whylie Scholarship Fund.”
Gillian Whylie was a business owner, educator, dancer, and the founding Secretary of the Jamaica Association in Switzerland. She was born in Falmouth, Trelawny, Jamaicaon November 10, 1963. Gillian lived in France for fourteen years and introduced the Jamaican folk dances of kumina, dinky-mini, and bruckins to fascinated Europeans. When Gillian returned to Jamaica, she taught French at Alpha Girls Academy at the upper level of the school and was fully involved in events in the diplomatic community on the island. She was elected President of Alliance Française de la Jamaïque, the international organization that aims to promote French language and culture around the world. Gillian went on to establish her translating company, You are Write Editing and Translation Limited, which worked with international organizations. On August 30, 2017 at age 53, Gillian tragically passed away after a brief illness.The Gillian Whylie Scholarship Fund (GWSF) was established shortly after.
The Gillian Whylie Scholarship Fund (GWSF) is a duly registered, charity organization established to promote the education and vocational training of Jamaican students with special emphasis on students pursing studies in Modern Languages. The Fund is meant to continue the legacy of Gillian Whylie, who lived her life in support of advancing the learning and use of modern languages.
For more information on the Gillian Whylie Scholarship Fund, please visit www.gwfund.org.
