—Sophia/Lamaha Park children
THE Sunday Chronicle’s recent initiative in highlighting the plight of less fortunate children in a column of our Christmas Day publication, titled: “Spare them a thought this Christmas”, yielded some positive response for several children in parts of Sophia and South Georgetown. Coming out of that initiative, a few civic-minded persons pooled resources to help brighten the children’s Christmas. The result was that the children not only had a “Christmas” party, but received gifts of brand new clothing, lighting the spark of ecstasy in their little innocent hearts, and ultimately putting the spring of hope back into their steps.
The party was held on December 30 at the home of Sister Joy Grant-Stewart, a virtual mother to many children of the Sophia/Lamaha Park embankment, where she is also familiarly known as ‘Grannie’.
The major donor was Mr. Hermon Bholaisingh, Managing Director of Hermon and Sons Tailoring Establishment of Lombard Street, who, in a personal capacity, donated 25 suites of church clothing (long-sleeved shirts with matching trousers) for boys aged five to eleven years. He also donated money for food for the party.    
Pandit Suresh Sugrim of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir of USA donated a quantity of sleep wear and play wear for girls aged 2 to 10 years. 
The gifts were received and handed over to the deserving cases by Chronicle’s Shirley Thomas, author of the Christmas Day feature, “Spare them a Thought this Christmas.”
Additionally, staff of the Chronicle’s Editorial Department teamed up with other civic-minded persons to provide meals and other delicacies for the party, and for the preparation of their gift bags.
Among the donors were:    Narine Dass Grocery; A&D Nanan Grocery;  R. Bansraj Grocery; Mangru’s and Shirley Rowley’s – all of Stabroek Market; Laverne Bishop and Sister Joy Grant-Stewart; Jennifer Nestor, who voluntarily catered and provided a venue for the kids party, which was held at Lamaha Park on the ‘Fifth Day of Christmas’. 
Heart-warming though the initiative was, it was even more touching to see the reaction of the children themselves.
Although it was raining fairly heavily, the children were determined that nothing should spoil their fun. And so the minute they learnt that a party was being hosted for them, little boys aged between 7 and 10 years took charge. Bubbling with energy and enthusiasm, they immediately mobilized themselves, borrowed a tarpaulin and setting about cutting bamboo with which they constructed a tent.

Samples of the clothing which were donated for the children

It turned out that the children were very capable, able and willing to help themselves; and they worked cooperatively as a team.
By mid-afternoon the tent was up, and by 16:30hrs the party was ready to begin. There was a large turnout, and equally lots to eat and drink. Some mothers came along and assisted in distributing gifts.  At the end of the party, everyone left happily clutching a gift bag.

Appreciation
The children and their parents would like to extend appreciation to Mr. Hermon Bholaisingh and Pandit Suresh Sugrim for their gifts of clothing, and to all others without whose contribution the party could not have been a reality.

Some of the children at their Christmas Party at Lamaha Park