Candy scramble.

Truly a celebration.

These were the only words that could be used to describe the birthday party that U.S. volunteers with New Horizons Guyana, threw for seven children at Joshua House Children Centre, who had birthdays recently.

Carlisa Benn, 13; Ken Peters, 13; Nicholas Khan, 9; Julia Evans, 7; Denise Roberts, 5; and five-year-old twins, Maria and Marian Bovell; revelled in the celebration that placed them at the centre of things for the day.

House Father Mr. Clifford Accra explained that ordinarily birthdays at the home were simple affairs.

“Sometimes we would have a celebration and sometimes we would just sing ‘Happy Birthday’ for the children, but it is simple,” he said.

‘Have some cake’, the U.S. volunteer gestures as he helps the children.

But yesterday’s treat was “definitely something of a celebration,” for which he was glad, for the children’s sake.

After locking them out of the mess hall at the home, the U.S. volunteers proceeded to transform the space to look more ‘ready’ for a party.

Everything from streamers to balloons, party hats, soft drinks, sweets and of course, cakes, made the event a festive affair.

Once the party began the U.S. team and the children played ‘Pin the tail on the donkey’.

Only, in this case it was pin the nose on the clown and the horn on the unicorn, as well as, pin the tail on the donkey.

The fact that most of the children missed their mark by a mile did not much matter as they were visibly having fun and enjoying themselves.

This volunteer entertains one of the children to both their delight.

Next up was the piñata which took a bashing from all seven birthday children before it spilled the goodies it held.

That caused a mad dash for the candy that was strewn everywhere and even the smallest made sure that they got in on the fun.

As a reward for their exertions the children were treated to cake and drinks.

Three cakes, a ‘Dora the Explorer’, a ‘Spiderman’, and a ‘Spongebob’, though admired, were eaten quickly as the next thing on the agenda was presents.

Members of the U.S. team each sponsored a child and took the responsibility of getting a birthday present.

The faces of all the children lit up as if they were privileged to an early Christmas, or even better.

All in all the children enjoyed themselves, as did the volunteers, who were clearly enamored by the innocence that is the hallmark of children.