Beaches brings back smiles to west Kingston youths

Beaches Boscobel is helping to bring the smiles back to the faces of over 150 youngsters from west Kingston who have been affected by the recent events in their communities.

Students from Denham Town and St Alban’s Primary schools spent fun-filled days at the resort as part of four trips to the resort for children from the embattled inner-city area.

“I had a magnificent time!” gushed a beaming Jolene Williams, head girl at Denham Town Primary. “This trip has been something special. I had a great time at the Pirates Island Water Park. It’s been really fun meeting the Sesame Street characters and taking pictures with them. When I go back to school I am going to tell my classmates how wonderful Beaches Boscobel is, and tell them to try and get a chance to come here.”

Claudette Ferguson, a teacher at Denham Town Primary, described the experience as wonderful and therapeutic for the students who hardly get a chance to go on trips outside the west Kingston community.

“Today these children saw what life is like in other areas outside their community. They also got a chance to interact with others. I am sure when they go back they will feel less traumatised,” Ferguson said.

In rap sessions with managers at the resort, students outlined their career goals. These included diverse professions ranging from doctors, lawyers, teachers, soldiers, policemen and entrepreneurs.

Delighted

Beaches Boscobel General Manager Howard Spittle commented: “The Beaches Boscobel team is delighted to welcome the children from west Kingston. What better way to put aside memories of any bad experiences they may have had than with great memories of their time spent with Elmo and friends.”

Following their arrival at the resort, the children were treated to a special entertainment package by a number of Sesame Street characters who danced and socialised with the gleeful youngsters.

Elmo was a huge favourite with all the children and posed for photographs with the kids, adult and teachers.

“I had so much fun. It was a very nice day. I got to hug Elmo, go on the waterslides and eat a lot of food. The staff at Beaches Boscobel were so friendly and we want to say thanks for a special day,” said Pauline, a 15-year-old Tivoli resident.

“Elmo was the best, really great!” said an ecstatic 12-year-old Trevor. “I hugged him and took pictures.”

The youngsters were especially attracted to the Pirates Island Water Park and X-Box Centre and thoroughly enjoyed the kid-friendly atmosphere at the resort.
The smiles and delighted looks on the faces of the youngsters were also particularly pleasing to the Beaches Boscobel staff who organised games and events for them.

According to the resort’s hotel manager, Caroline Cousins, “We were thrilled to welcome the groups. We thought about their arrival and identified a select, memorable, fun programme that would appeal across the age groups.

Fast friends

“Our team members and managers made fast friends with the children, who encouraged us with open hearts and big smiles. Everyone had a blast and these are days that the kids will treasure, just as we will.”

This month’s fun days follow hot on the heels of a group from Tivoli Gardens who visited Beaches Boscobel last month. The Tivoli children’s trip was organised by the Ministry of National Security’s Citizens Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) and the Ministry of Education which worked with the Sandals Foundation to facilitate the session.

Angella Harris, CSJP community action officer, who accompanied the Tivoli group, said: “The children had a wonderful time. For most of them it was an incredible experience that they will cherish. What we are trying to do is to put a smile back on their faces. Taking them to Beaches Boscobel is a further step in the right direction.”