…hopes her son, Odinga Lumumba, will carry it on when she is no longer there
EIGHTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Elaine Mc Neal of Friendship Village, East Coast Demerara, takes delight in hosting a children’s Christmas party every year and Saturday’s celebration made 16 years since she has been doing this. “Today’s my happiest day. If I don’t do it, I don’t feel good,” Mrs. Mc Neal, mother of Presidential Advisor Odinga Lumumba, told reporters at her home yesterday.
“I am delighted to be given this opportunity to celebrate my children’s party,” she said.
She returned to Guyana 27 years ago from the United States, she said she wanted to do something for the children in her community.
It turns out that the kids eagerly await the celebration as they often turn up at Mrs. Mc Neal’s home from the beginning of December to ask when the party will be.
Mrs. Mc Neal usually caters for 300 children, to whom she present gifts, toys and bags with goodies. Lots to eat, music and merry-go-round also form part of the package offered to the children.
Children from her community, along with those from nearby Buxton, Vigilance and Annandale, are also welcome at the party.
Mrs. Mc Neal said she is deeply grateful to President Bharrat Jagdeo, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) and to Federal Management Systems for their contribution of toys for the children and she is hoping that they will make similar contributions in the years ahead.
She said her wish is that her only son, Odinga, would follow in her steps and continue to hold the party each year, even when she is no longer there.