• Category

  • Content Type

Advertisement

Organizations Brightens Christmas for Children’s Homes

December 22, 2007

The Full Story

As has become customary over the years, residents and staff at some of the country’s children’s homes and places of safety are being treated to goodies by philanthropic individuals and organizations, in keeping with the spirit of the Yuletide season.
The activities, some of which commenced as early as November, are expected to continue until the end of this month. These, in a number of cases, have been complemented by activities organized by the administrations of the institutions for children and staff. The homes are primarily governed by legislative provisions overseen by the Child Development Agency (CDA).
Administrator of the Salvation Army Nest Children’s Home on Mannings Hill Road – Major Sheila Boothe tells JIS News that their youngsters have been hosted at a number of activities by several individuals and organizations. These include treats by Prime Minister, Bruce Golding at his Vale Royale residence, and South African High Commissioner to Jamaica, Faith Radebe at her office. Major Boothe says Mrs. Radebe threw in a “little extra” by visiting the home, bearing gifts for the young ones.
Additionally, Major Boothe says there were treats and visits from students of Ardenne and St. Andrew High schools, Wolmer’s Boys School, and the Christian organization, Church Women United. She informs that the home will stage its own festivities on Christmas Eve, on the premises, and is grateful for the support forthcoming. She makes special mention of restaurants, KFC and Pizza Hut, organizations which she described as unwavering in their contributions throughout the year.
Meanwhile, Superintendent of the Jamaica Christian Boys Home on Oxford Road, Fannie Knight says the youngsters there have also benefited greatly from the benevolence of several individuals, organization, and institutions.
“They (the organizations) include Campion College, Ardenne High, and Island Grill, who have come in, organized parties and brought gifts for the young men,” Mrs. Knight outlines. She added that the boys were also expecting to be hosted at a treat by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade on Friday (December 21). They will also be treated to breakfast on Christmas Day by students of Kingston College, and will be taken on a trip to St. Thomas by the institution’s staff.
Mrs. Knight is quick to point out that the boys have also been playing their part to spread the spirit of the season. “They performed by singing at functions staged by Globe Insurance Company, and the Jamaica Producers Group, where they were presented with gifts,” she informs.
“All in all, save for two days, we have pretty much been entertained and engaged for all of December. The boys and ourselves have been having a good Christmas,” Mrs. Knight says.
Youngsters at the S.O.S Children’s Villages in Stony Hill, St. Andrew, and Barrett Town, St. James have also been enjoying their share of Yuletide goodies. A spokesperson for the Stony Hill Village said persons and organizations instrumental in brightening the season for the holidays include were Prime Minister Golding; the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston; Jamaica/US Friends; Proxy Parents; King Weston Youth Group; Latin American Women’s Club, and Deliverance Centre Church of God in Brandon Hill.
Village Director at S.O.S Barrett Town, Floyd Hitchman, says the institution will be staging its annual party and an educational and recreational trip to St. Thomas for the children and staff.
“We also had visits, treats and gifts for the children from representatives of the National Youth Service (NYS) Montego Bay office, Cornwall College Spanish Club, as well as several local philanthropists,” he discloses.
Assistant Manager of the Blossom Gardens Children’s Home in Montego Bay, Shadine Barnes says the institution staged a party for the children and would be organizing a dinner for the staff. These activities, she points out, are in addition to kind gestures from individuals and organizations throughout the Montego Bay community.
She added that the children will also play their part in spreading the goodwill of Christmas by performing in song at the King’s Chapel United Pentecostal Church in Montego Bay on Sunday (December 23).
Representatives of the Marigold Child Care Centre and Alpha Boys’ Home also said their youngsters have been enjoying treats and gifts from various individuals and organizations.

Last Updated: December 22, 2007

Skip to content