–Happy, crazy days ‘N’ fun galore

By Neil Primus
THE weather is chaotic: Searing heat, unpredictable rainfall, super breezes and some perfect weather days.It’s a favourite time of the year for all children: The July/August holidays. It’s a chance for them to put down the books and have some crazy fun. They deserve the two whole months of school ‘let-out’.

There is a loud buzz of gleeful sounds; the children are playing.
Although we in Guyana are not as fortunate as the developed countries that are able to provide a range of facilities for their children, we still manage to have awesome fun.

St. Petersburg, Florida for example, has 19 recreational facilities, nine swimming pools, 78 playgrounds, two nature preserves and more than 160 parks.

Despite all this, the children there would still be unable to have as much fun as those here at home.

HEARTWARMING

Here are some snapshots of diverse but beautiful holiday stories that I guarantee would melt even the hardest of hearts:

Ten-year-old SHAMAYNE YHAP lives in Albouystown and attends the Ketley Primary School.

“At school, I am now entering Grade Five. My best subjects are Math, Language, Social Studies and Science. So far, my pass percentage has been between 72%-78%.

“I received a trophy in Grade Three for Best Academic Performance. I would like to become a teacher. I also love going to church.”

She says she is enjoying the holidays. “I attended Vacation Bible Studies (VBS), went to Madewini Creek for an outing Sunday last; played with my friends; and did occasional revision.

“Some of my friends, like Shellon, Stefan, Kevin, Tiara and Kellyann, visit me, and we play lots of games, like ‘School’; I am the teacher. We also play ‘Hide-and-seek’, ‘Ketcha’ and ‘Hop-scotch’. Sometimes we just run around the yard like crazy.

“When I am not playing in the yard, I am busy doing ‘Make-up’ with my cousin’s make-up kit. I have fun using lipstick, mascara, eye liner, eye pencil and foundation.

“I love dressing up with my friends; I invite them over, and we dress up. Then we play ‘Models’. When we model, I would always be Miss Philippines.”

But it’s not always fun and games for little Shamayne, as she has to help take care of her ailing grandfather.

“My grandpa’s name is Godfrey Yhap; he’s blind and has a stroke. I help to feed him and give him medication every day. I also keep his company. He usually tells me all kinds of Nancy stories.”

HIGH-ENERGY

SHELLON DAVIS is an energetic 11-year-old who also attends Ketley Primary. “I love to play ‘Hop-scotch’, ‘Kickies’ and ‘Football’ with my brothers, sister and friends. I also love playing with babies, going to the market and going shopping. Whenever the kids in school get my teacher angry, I would go and buy her a chocolate to help cheer her up.”

Since the holidays began, she’s already attended two VBS (Vacation Bible School) programmes, and the Albouystown Cell Group. “I enjoy watching TV,” Shellon said. “Whenever we watch ‘Jamaican Mafia’, we go into the yard and reenact it. Playing in the rain is also fun for me. I love Gospel, Gaza music and dancing.

“Sometimes I go to parties and enter dance challenges; I have even won prizes with my dancing.”

MYA KAYLA BAKSH attends the West Ruimveldt Primary School. This bubbly nine-year-old loves craft. She often finds herself busy cutting out paper shapes. Mya also loves watching cartoons, teenage movies and ‘Lifetime’ movies.

“I attend Faith Tabernacle Church. My mother tells me to keep reading, and I do. My cousin, Shemayne, teaches me Math and Phonics. My cousin, my friends and I play ‘Happy-Birthday’ games. Each one of us gets a chance to be the birthday child. We use ‘Corn Curl’ bags as our party bags; into these we put little snacks and goodies. We sing, dance and have a lot of fun.

“When I grow up, I want to be a singer and write my own music.”

GAMES GALORE
“My name is TIFINA BARKER, and I live in Albouystown. I attend the St. Pius Primary School. For my July/August vacation, I played with my cousins, went to the movies, and played all sorts of games.

“My uncle took me to Fun City, and I had a wonderful time there. I love my teacher; her name is ‘Teacher Sonia’.

“I love Mathematics, Science and English. When I grow up, I want to be a teacher and teach little children.

“During the holidays, I go to Saturday Club; I also go to church. I went to Kids Zone with my grandmother. I do drama and dance in school.”

SAVANA BARKER is seven years old. For the July/August holidays, she’s visited the National Library and read many books; books like ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Sponge Bob’. “When I am at home, I play with my cousins. We play ‘1,2,3 Red Light’, ‘Statue’ and ‘Ketcha’.

“My mother took me to Giftland, and I also went to Fun City. My aunt visits me and takes me for walks. She also buys me snacks.”

FUN THINGS
DEQUANE PETERS is a quiet 13-year-old. He attends the North Georgetown Secondary School. His favourite subject is Science; he wants to be a scientist.

Dequane has taken part in two Spelling Bee competitions, one while he was in Grade Six at St Pius Primary School, where he placed first, and the other at North Georgetown Secondary where he placed second.

“I get lots of help from my mother, who is Senior Mistress at the Rama Krishna Primary School.

“I spent my holidays doing lots of fun things. I played cricket and football in the street with my friends, and went to church to learn the Word of God.

“I also played video games, and helped to do work at home. My 13th birthday was on July 21; my mother took me to ‘H.J.Water-World’ as a surprise. She prepared delicious food and beverages; we had ‘Cook-up’ and ‘Baked Chicken with Macaroni’. It was a day of fun. My birthday was wonderful, and I really want to go back to ‘Water-World’.

“I am grateful to my mum, dad and all my family. And especially to God, for creating the day.”

GIVING BACK

AYODELE ROACH is an intelligent 17-year-old who has recently written ten subjects at the CSEC examination. “My birthday was on July 12, and I celebrated it during the holidays. It was spent quietly at home with my mother and sister.

“I visited my grandma for the holidays, and played football and cricket on the road with my friends there.

“I have been praying for my results; when they are published, I will apply to enter Sixth Form at Bishops High so that I can study law. I want to become a lawyer, and later maybe a politician. When I have a successful law practice, I would like to help children from ghetto areas like Albouystown, Tiger Bay and Sophia. This would allow me to give back to society. “Many people encouraged me with my studies, even though they didn’t know me. During the holidays, I helped my smaller sister with her studies; this gave me a lot of joy to know that I helped someone.

“For the remainder of the holidays, I will go shopping with my mom to buy school clothes for me and my sister. I also want to go back to my grandmother so that I can enjoy some more cricket and football. I don’t want to waste this opportunity, because, when I get back to school, I won’t have time to play.”

Little TYRESE BOOKER decided that he would not be left out, so he presented himself for an interview. He is only three years old, and attends Nursery School. Tyrese loves to play cricket, ride his bicycle and play on his scooter. He declared that he loves attending church with his grandma. When he’s not outside, he can be found colouring in his colouring book. He enjoys going driving with his daddy, Isaiah. Because of his personality, his teacher, friends and family call him ‘Travis Chase’.

ENERGETIC AND SMART

Nine-year-old ANTONIO SINGH is energetic and smart. He attends Mae’s Annex and wants to become a pilot, because he loves planes. Antonio lives with his extended family on Dennis Street, Pattensen.

“I spent my August holidays playing games, watching TV and visiting friends. I played football at Everest Cricket Club, cricket in the National Park, and table tennis by my friend, Eric.

“I visited my friend, and he visited me. When I went to visit him, we played video games on his ‘Tablet’ and on his dad’s cell- phone. I usually download games for us to play. We like wrestling, sports, guns and racing. Before school re-opens, I want to visit the USA, and go to see my Aunt Fazie who lives in Venezuela.

“At home, I play games with my brother, Aisaac; sister, Alyssa; and cousins Navindra and Sunil. I visited my Uncle Buddy, who lives nearby, and Aunty Desiree who lives next door. When the shop is closed, we watch movies. I like shark movies, shooting movies and Indian movies.”

Antonio sports a four-inch scar on his right hand, compliments of his brother, Aisaac. During the 30 minutes I spent doing the interview with Antonio, Aisaac interrupted us several times. He wrestled and harassed Antonio, and took time out to shave two large clumps of hair from his own head, leaving him with gouges he would find difficult to explain. He almost rendered me deaf, and anyone else in close proximity. After a hectic bout of running, screaming and overturning empty drink cases, he was forcibly ejected; Guyanese style.

‘HIDE-AND-SEEK’

“My name is JOSHUA ANTHONY DASS, and I am seven years old. I attend the J.E Burnham Primary School, and live in William Street Kitty. When I grow up, I would like to become a teacher. I like Math, Grammar and Science. During the holidays, I play with my cousins; we play ‘Sky-high’ and ‘Hide-and-Seek’. I also play with my sister, Maryanna, and have fun on my skateboard.

“For the holidays, I visited family in Linden; I also went to the market and did shopping with my mom. Every weekend I visit my great-grandmother, ‘Sister Nesha’, and we go to church. Hopefully, I will get to go back to Linden before school reopens.”

ADRIAN RAMKISSOON attends Sophia Primary School; he is ten years old. He lives in ‘B’ Field Sophia. He disclosed that he loves Mathematics and Language. During the July/August holidays, he played ‘Freeze- and-melt’ and ‘Hide-and-seek’.

“I love to play video games and climb trees; I often go fishing with my father. I really enjoy fishing. For the remainder of my holidays, I want to go fishing, swimming and play cricket on the beach.”

Well, July has slipped by almost unnoticed, and August is quickly passing. The proof of a well-spent holidays is the contagious laughter and beaming faces of the children. It is the single greatest period for many of them, a period when they can enjoy lots of excitement and home-grown entertainment. Florida may have plenty of facilities, but it’s the fun factor that counts; you can’t beat GT with that.
Here, in the ‘Land of Many Waters’, the July/August vacation is a time of fun galore.