–as Lamaha Park throws children’s Christmas party

THE spirit of cooperation and collaboration seems very present in the community of Lamaha Park, East La Penitence and such attributes have not escaped the notice of eminent personalities in the wider community. It’s a classic example of social cohesion at work, residents contend.
One week after celebrating the handing over of a gift of community signs and street numbers by Social Work students of the University of Guyana, the community has occasion to celebrate yet again.

This time around it was the lighting up of a Christmas tree, followed by a children’s Christmas party and distribution of gifts to about 200 children, compliments of the Mayor of Georgetown, Ms. Patricia Chase-Green and Minister of Citizenship, Mr Winston Felix, who partnered with the residents of the community to successfully host the activities last Sunday.

Her Worship and Minister Felix, in addition to helping provide the resources, personally attended the function, while Mayor Green performed the role of Mr. Santa Claus, distributing the toys to the children.
The initiative of the construction and lighting up of the huge community Christmas tree was that of Mrs. Jennifer Charles and her son, Aluko, who together operate a welding shop in the community.

Using their personal resources, mother and son designed the huge tree which was set up at the junction outside of their premises on Church Street, Lamaha Park. It was altogether self-funded by Mrs. Charles who, throughout the years has been known for her community-mindedness and generosity towards community initiatives, never turning down a request to be of service for any community cause.

This time around, as plans were being set in train to host the community’s second lighting up, President of the Lamaha Park Community Development Council, Pastor Marcia Marcus intervened, suggesting that in addition to having the light-up, a Children’s Party could be held and toys distributed to the children of Lamaha Park and its environs. This suggestion having received the nod of the Community Council’s executives, it was further discussed with Mayor Green as well as Minister Felix, who resides just outside Lamaha Park.
Minister Felix just recently responded favourably to a request to meet with the residents of the community and strategise an approach to dealing with criminal activities in the community. That meeting was held at the Lamaha Park Church of Christ and was a huge success.

Attending the meeting with him were former Deputy Divisional Commander of ‘A’ Division, Superintendent Azore and two other senior ranks who listened to the problems being faced by the residents and so were placed in a very good position to respond to criminal activities in the community appropriately and in a timely fashion.

Residents were heartened that all promises made were honoured and that a good relationship was set up with the community. As a result, there has been a marked reduction of criminal activities in the community and citizens now know what is required of them if they are to meaningfully play their part in crime reduction. A few weeks later, Supt. Azore personally responded to reports of an armed robbery at a shop in the community and was virtually among the first responders to arrive on the scene.

The residents of Lamaha Park would like to record their profound appreciation to Mayor Chase-Green for her contribution to the Christmas activity and Minister Winston Felix and Mr. Azore for their dedicated and timely intervention in matters pertaining to crime.