WHEN Trans-Guyana Airways’ flight BR-GAB deplaned at the airstrip with jolly ole’ Santa Claus and his entourage at approximately 14:30 hrs on Friday, it evoked great excitement among the children of Kamarang, in Region Seven.

Santa and his entourage were on a mission to bring cheer to more than 200 well deserving primary and nursery school children, and ‘tweenies’ as well, compliments of Trans-Guyana Airways.

Has anyone ever seen Santa in the cockpit of an aeroplane? Well, sure as day, this flight was piloted by none other than Santa himself; and he did a remarkable job of piloting the aircraft safely from Ogle to Kamarang and back.

Of course the weather was bad, and flight departure from Ogle initially had to be rescheduled by about three hours; but the weather relented, and Santa, who turned out to be Captain Connor Allen, jumped into the pilot’s seat, ably assisted by Chief Pilot Captain Andre Farinha, and took the aircraft on a pleasant and safe ‘one hop, non-stop’ jaunt to Kamarang and back.

Captain Connor Allen hails from Canada, “way up North, where the cold wind blows,” he says. Support staff for Santa’s mission was garnered from the Operations Department of Trans-Guyana Airways, with Evergreen Tours playing a key role as well.
And you should have seen Santa go! Not dashing through the snow, but darting through the clouds, bereft of reindeer but with a jolly crew on board, complete with bags and boxes piled high with gift items for every little boy and girl.

Waiting to welcome Santa and his crew at the airstrip were almost 300 eager persons, including parents who had accompanied their children.

Distribution of gifts was done at Barry Constantine’s Shop at the Kamarang Airstrip; and kids, under the supervision of teachers, lined up with faces aglow, eager to receive their highly-awaited gifts. Items included backpacks and other school items, toys, and goodies.

Chief Captain Andre Farinha, who coordinated this event, said the gesture was started last year. “We usually give yearly tidings of good cheer to the less fortunate,” said Captain Andre Farinha. “We are delighted to be able to bring cheer to the hearts of the children of this remote community of Kamarang.”

He said that, last Christmas, the airline considered decentralizing its ‘Christmas Cheer’ activity by taking it to Kamarang. “It was well received, and so we’ve come back bigger and stronger this year, and hope to make it an annual feature,” he said.
Written By Shirley Thomas