FIFTH-form students of Achievers Academy in Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara donated boxes of Christmas cheer to the patients of the Paediatric Ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), making Christmas bright for them last Friday.

Accompanied by proprietrix of the school, Mrs. Carol Ann Munro, at whose initiative the donations were made, the group brought items which included toys, books and crayons, pillow cases and coverlets proudly made by the students themselves.

Mrs Munro said the students were all upbeat and enthusiastic about the effort, and willingly pooled money and produced handicraft which they were excited to hand over to the children.

Commenting on the initiative, she said, “I think a whole lot of people get carried away with the fantasy that Christmas has to do with decorations and such attractions. But, for me, I think it’s an opportunity to give back, especially to those who are not able to celebrate and be with their families, for whatever reason.”

Achievers Academy has been in existence since September 2005, and Ms Munro says she is passionate about giving to the less fortunate. She said she has been making donations to deserving cases for the last four years.
Such activities include preparing and serving hot meals to vagrants around Bourda Market.
In order to inculcate in her students an attitude of sharing and caring, especially for the less fortunate, Ms Munro said, she came up with this idea of bringing the patients Christmas cheer.

She recalled that two years ago, two of her students had been admitted to the paediatric ward; one was the son of a teacher from Achievers Academy, who passed away last January. It was a traumatic experience, but it put the other students in a good position to empathize with the suffering of others who are ill and are hospitalized. That teacher has also been one of the key movers of the humanitarian initiative.

(Shirley Thomas)