Special needs children get Christmas surprise
IT MIGHT as well be Christmas Day for more than 200 special needs children who were fêted by the Sanmerna Foundation in conjunction with the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) at the Half-Way Tree Transportation Centre yesterday.
Gifts and food apart, they were treated to a feast of musical delights from the Pembroke Hall High School Band, which was a big hit with many of the children, who danced and sang along.
Viris Clarke-Ellis, president of the Sanmerna Foundation, said that the company latched on to the idea after they were approached by employees of the JUTC, daily providers of specialised transportation for members of the public with disabilities.
HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY
“We were approached about being a sponsor of the event, and there was no way that we could have said no to the idea. It gave birth to what we are witnessing here,” Clarke-Ellis said.
“It was the perfect way for the foundation to give love to a segment of our society, many of whom are often ignored. And as you witnessed here, they fully
enjoyed the moment of fun and music,” she said.
The children were from 10 institutions, including Hope Valley Experimental, Genesis Academy, and the Danny Williams School for the Deaf. The Maxfield Park Children’s Home will also receive from the foundation this Christmas.
“This is more than simply our corporate responsibility. It is our
human and national responsibility to our children. The treat is a way to say that we appreciate the families of our country, and we provide through funding and scholarships a way out for many,” Clarke-Ellis said.
The idea for the event began with a mere discussion between two JUTC employees, Stephanie Joseph and Anita AtkinsonDeans, who said that they saw
the need to offer some merriment to children with disabilities this season.
“We just felt it important to share this Christmas season with them. It was a burning desire we shared, and we are happy about its outcome,” Atkinson-Deans said.
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