Government ministers and local celebrities helped to create smiles on the faces of children from 70 homes across Jamaica. Last Saturday, over 700 children between the ages of five and 14 were hosted to a grand Christmas treat at the Digicel Christmas Village at the company’s property on 38-42 Lady Musgrave Road from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

The initiative was developed with the support of the Child Development Agency (CDA), who consulted with Digicel on the selection of the children’s homes to attend the treat and assisted with shuttling the children into Kingston from their respective homes across Jamaica.

Mark Linehan, CEO of Digicel Jamaica commented that, “Digicel is today demonstrating the true philosophy of corporate social responsibility and the spirit of Christmas by giving back to these children who are Wards of the State from 70 children’s homes across Jamaica. Over the years we have worked with communities that are surrounded by dire needs and challenges, and this is therefore another way in which Digicel is giving back to our communities, and in particular, to children in society that are less fortunate”.

CEO of the CDA, Alison Anderson expressed that the Christmas treat is an important agent of socialisation for the children and the CDA is very happy that the Digicel group is continuing its relationship with these children. “This treat will also give the children a psychological boost as it shows that they are not forgotten especially in this yuletide season.”

Joining over 50 Digicel staff volunteers to create smiles and a memorable day for the children were prime minister, Bruce Golding; leader of the opposition, Portia Simpson-Miller, Senator Basil Waite; opposition spokesman for Transport, Robert Pickersgill; Olympic and World Champion winner Shelly-Ann Fraser — who all took time out to visit with the children during the treat.

The over 700 children were treated to face-painting, photos with Santa Claus, games with Elmo as well as Mr Chicken — courtesy of Jamaica Broilers, bounce-a-bouts, slides, giraffe and crocodile bounce-house, merry-go-round, ferris wheel, trampoline, game arcade, track and field activities, storytelling by Jamaican folklorist Amina Blackwood Meeks and entertainment by D’Angel and DJ QQ.