Inclement weather could not dampen the atmosphere of fun and excitement at the Mount Olivet Boys' Home in Manchester recently as the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) staff joined the residents for a day of sports and games.

The event dubbed: ‘Health and Fitness Day’ was part of the agency’s outreach to the home, which it adopted in 2009.

Sounds of cheering and laughter permeated the air, as the boys and the JIS team, who were divided into four houses – Red, Blue, Green and Yellow, showed off their athletic prowess in various sporting activities including several races and tug-o’-war contests.

Though the Red House came out on top, there were no losers on the day, as the only important element of the games was having fun and sharing with each other.

Earlier in the day, the boys and staff at the home benefitted from a short presentation on healthy sexual practices by representatives from the Clarendon STI/ HIV/AIDS Prevention Unit. The presenters were Targeting Interventions Officer, Tateisha Smith; and Community Peer Educator, Twania Williams.

The boys also received gits from the Yohan Blake- YB Afraid Foundation, which has partnered with the JIS in adopting the home.

Chairman of the JIS Mount Olivet Boys’ Home Committee, Joan Gayle, expressed thanks to those involved saying “we are grateful to the Clarendon Health Department for making themselves available, and thank you also to the Yohan Blake- YB Afraid Foundation. Though they were unable to come, they sent their gifts for the boys."

Miss Gayle said the JIS is hoping to make the sports day an annual event, with each year being “bigger and better."

Sponsors included W.B. Trophies, Maxfield Easter Bun, MegaMart Wholesale Club, Coldfield Manufacturers Limited, Supreme Outdoor Advertising, Juici Patties, and chef for the day, Ms. Forbes. 

 

By Christine Ade-Gold