MORE than 200 children accompanied by adults and parents were feted on Saturday at the fourth annual Christmas party and Christmas tree light-up held on Fort Island, Essequibo River.

The event was hosted by Community Health Worker, Pretty Debideen, her family, and donor partners.

Among the attractions were Santa Claus and Mrs Claus, who were there to spread Christmas cheer and to distribute toys to the excited children.

There were also Santa helpers and volunteers who came together to ensure that the children had an enjoyable time with lots of food, drinks and goodies available.

The Christmas party started just after lunch. The children who came out in their numbers were ferried from St. Lawrence, Morashee, Baboon Hole, Upper, Lower Bonasika, Bonasika Mission, Quarter Benabo, Bendroff, Hubu, Namless, Caria Caria and other riverine villages via boat to  Fort Island.

Debideen told this publication that a lot of effort went into ensuring that the children had something to take home for the holidays.

She added that this was her way of giving back to society and it is a family tradition that was started a few years ago by herself and children.

Debideen reported that some of the donors who contributed to the event included Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill; Mike West, owner of Medina Restaurant; Mike Gibson, David Mahmalji and others.

She expressed her gratitude for the support, noting that family, friends and others also contributed to the success of the event. She emphasised that she was happy to be able to spread cheer in keeping with the spirit of the Christmas season.

A solid meal of fried rice with chicken, dhal puri with chicken curry, rice, duck curry, beef curry and boil and fried channa were served as lunch, along with a goodie bag, each containing festive cakes, candies and beverages. Toys were later distributed.

At 18:00hrs, the Christmas tree was lit.

Meanwhile, Mahmalji told the Guyana Chronicle that he first came to Guyana in 1989 to manage Hunt Oil company and fell in love with the country.

While here, he met and married a Guyanese woman and later made Guyana his second home.

He added that this year, he took some time out to visit Fort Island because he wanted to be involved in the spreading of joy and cheer to the children, who reside in riverine areas.

He is a retiree and has made it his mission to give back to society.

“Aside from contributing to the event, I am really happy to be here to spend time with the people, especially the children, the future generation, and 35 years ago, I went on a similar event at Santa Mission with some friends to deliver good cheer to the people there,” he said.

Meanwhile, a group of boys were observed happily playing with their toys following the distribution exercise.

Adita Wahid, Samuel Joseph and Delroy Wong said this was their first time at the event and they were enjoying it.

Somaria Singh, Veda Evans and Angelina Harry were also having a good time.

Annette Singh from Upper Bonasika Creek told the Guyana Chronicle that she brought three children from the community with her. She explained that they will be hosting a similar event at the El Shaddai Church.

Singh said that they would be hosting 30 children from the riverine areas and toys will be distributed to them as well.

She was one of the many volunteers who contributed to the success of the event.