THE Georgetown Public Hospital on Tuesday evening brought added light, colour and glitz to the spirit of Christmas, with the lighting up of its amazing Christmas tree in its compound. Launched in 2014, this activity has become an annual feature that brings much life and joy, not only to patients of the institution whose spirits might be low, but to all those who have experienced and know the meaning and beauty of Christmas.
The fabulous and colourfully decorated evergreen stands about 20 feet tall and is centrally located in the hospital compound, between the Administrative Building and the Accident and Emergency Unit.
The switching on of the lights is the central feature of a well planned and executed programme, rolled out in an elegant setting and spiced with carols and rich steelpan music rendered by iconic pianist and steel panist, Ras Camo Williams.
The programme is organised by the GPHC’s Public Relations Department and other support staff, with sponsorship from the Guyana Lottery Company, which has been on board from the inception.
“Without the kind support of the Lottery Company, the programme would not have been the success it is,” said Public Relations Consultant, Mr. Vic Insanally, who noted that the initiative was the brainchild of Public Relations Officer, Ms Mitzy Campbell, who has a passion for helping and responding to the needs of the poor and needy.
Meanwhile, as the children were asked what, in their estimation, was synonymous with Christmas, there were answers such as toys, black-cake and ginger-beer, the Salvation Army’s Kettles in the streets, and, not least, “The GPHC’s Christmas tree!” Insanally urged the children and their parents to see the most important symbol of Christmas as being the birth of the Christ Child.
Each year, the programme is attended by patron, Ms. Tracy Lewis, General Manager of Guyana Lottery Company, and pediatric patients are brought out of the wards into the open air to experience the ambience and fascinating display of colours illuminating the Christmas tree, and to share in the fun and goodies specially prepared for them.
Better known to the children as ‘Auntie Tracy’, Ms. Lewis said she hoped that whenever they see the tree, it brings about a spirit of love, hope and peace. “At this time of the year, as you pass by, or when you look out of the window, you can pause just for a moment to think and remember what the reason for the season is,” she said.