CHILDREN from the Arawak Amerindian Village of Santa Mission were yesterday treated to their Christmas Party by the Roraima Group of Companies at Arrow Point Resort on the Demerara River. Arrangements were made for the excited and well-behaved children to be transported from Santa Mission to Arrow Point by a speed boat around 10:00 hrs at which time the party began.
The presence of Santa Claus has always been a highlight of the programme and on previous occasions, he made grand entrances to the resort including landing from a helicopter and arriving on a mountain bike.
Yesterday, Santa Claus approached on a kayak, a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat while the children eagerly awaited him.

Before the children arrived at the resort, Santa Claus was whisked away in the kayak a short distance out of the sight of everyone. The intention was to hide himself so that he could surprise the children once they arrived.
Upon arriving, Chief Executive Officer of Roraima Group of Companies Gerry Gouveia asked the children to search the resort to see if they could find Santa. After they were unsuccessful at finding him, the children gathered to the front of the resort and shouted for him. It was then that he approached, paddling the kayak.
The children began singing Christmas songs to welcome Santa. Some of the children began screaming at the sight of Santa but others gathered around him and took photos with him.
After receiving their presents from Santa, the children played games and were treated to food, drinks, and ice cream. Some of them even had the opportunity to paint their faces while others enjoyed paddling a boat.
Meanwhile, Gouveia told the media that this was the 16 annual party, and because Arrow Point is in the Santa Aratak Reservation, the resort has always had a special relationship with the community.
He explained that it is from Santa Mission that Arrow Point gets its staff and craft, adding that the Christmas party has become a “real tradition of the community.”
“What is interesting for me is that I have seen these children grow up; so some of the children that used to attend these parties are now bringing their children,” he said.
Gouveia said a number of corporate businesses helped to fund the party.
According to him, his company’s expansion plans include building a hotel at the airport, a banquet hall in the City, and adding more planes to his fleet.