BIG DAY FOR STATE CARE CHILDREN

Over 800 children in state care treated to Digicel Foundation Share a Smile Christmas Treat

Over 800 children in state care were all smiles as they gathered at the Lady Musgrave Field in Kingston to enjoy a fulfilled day at the Digicel Foundation annual Christmas Treat dubbed ‘Share a Smile this Christmas’. From 10:00 am to 4:00 pm children enjoyed a host of exciting games and activities including  Wii and Xbox games like Dance Revolution, Olympic sporting zone activities like football, racing and hoop tossing, plus a number of other fun activities ranging from candy making, donkey cart rides, maypole games and karaoke- a big hit with the children. And for the children who preferred quieter moments, they got a chance to interact with the animals in the petting zoo. With the Foundation’s focus on special needs, the day’s activities were planned to ensure that children who are differently-abled could also enjoy activities and create lasting memories of a Jamaican Christmas. To add to all the fun and excitement, each child left the treat with an age-appropriate gift, including hand crafted jewellery made by students at the Genesis Academy. The children had a variety of fun snacks and meals and refreshments from a myriad of catering suppliers and sponsors through the day, also special arrangement for children with specific dietary requirements were also taken into consideration. “Digicel pulls out all the stops,” said Audrey Budhi, Director of Children and Family Programmes for the Child Development Agency (CDA). “They are not afraid to take even the challenged kids. Then there is that personal touch, with the involvement of the Digicel volunteers, both staff and executives. Sometimes there are almost as many volunteers as children.” Mrs. Budhai also highlighted the Foundation’s involvement in special needs noting the $800,000.00 they have committed to providing feeding tubes for those in state care with cerebral palsy. “The children feel the excitement,” continued Mrs. Budhi. “They look forward to going to this event and it is always a “big” thing for them. Among the features that stand out for me is the way the Foundation team members are so considerate of our needs.” Some of the homes that the children are from are: Some of the homes are: Maxfield Park Children’s Home and Alpha Boys’ Home in Kingston; SOS Children’s Village in Stony Hill, St. Andrew; Mount Olive in Manchester; Anderson Place of Safety and St. Monica’s Home in Clarendon and Yadel Home for Girls in St. Catherine. “Christmas is a very special time and we wanted each child to feel appreciated” noted Samantha Chantrelle, Executive Director of the Digicel Foundation. “Our over 100 volunteers had fun here today and we were happy to see the smiles on the faces of the children as they enjoyed each activity.” Samantha Chantrelle also thanked this year’s sponsors Pepsi Jamaica, Codfield Manufacturing, CB Chicken, National Bakery, Crazy Jim, GraceKennedy, CPJ, Lasco and Even to Event, plus Amino Blackwood Meeks and Jana Bent in the Reading Area