CHENNAI: Capri Everitt is on a mission — to raise money for kids with songs. In a twist to Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days, she began her journey around the world last November after memorising 80 national anthems. The reason, according to the 11-year-old, is that not all children are exposed to contemporary pop hits, but they would know their national anthem. And this way, a sing-along session is almost always guaranteed. Gearing up to sing at her 39th stop so far in namma Chennai, this little one hasn’t lost her voice just yet.
Instead, she shares enthusiastically, “In media interviews all around the world in the 38 countries we have been to so far, I have said that the Indian national anthem is my favourite. I am so excited to actually get to sing it with kids in India this coming Sunday!” This will be at SOS Children’s Village International in Tambaram, as a part of her effort working alongside the charity that builds villages for orphaned and abandoned youngsters.
None of this would have taken shape if not for a book gifted to Capri by an aunt, titled Why The World Needs Your Kid, where she was touched after reading the stories of children who had less than her. This led to a discussion with her parents, who eventually put their jobs on hold and packed their bags to take the trip with her!
Documenting their journey is Capri’s 9-year-old brother Bowen, the author of Bowen’s Blog that can be viewed on aroundtheworldin80anthems.com Given that he is also a red belt in Jiu Jitsu and Karate — we hear he’s also heading security on this trip! If you’re wondering how Capri got over her stagefright, it turns out she has been singing, playing the piano and dancing since the age of five. But Capri said, “The greatest challenge is the different languages. You’ve got to make sure you pronounce everything correctly. It takes a lot of practice.”
If you would like to get involved, visit aroundtheworldin80anthems.com
By singing the national anthems of each country, Capri feels that she can use her voice to draw attention to the needs of children around the world who do not have a voice.
In Chennai on Sunday
Mission: To raise $1 million for SOS Children’s Villages International How: By singing 80 national anthems in 80 countries Languages: 41 Deadline: August