Unity Primary students bring Christmas cheer to Sav Paediatric Ward

A group of grade six students of the Unity Primary School in Strathbogie, Westmoreland, brought Christmas cheer to young patients at the Paediatric Ward at the Savanna-La-Mar hospital recently through the Geri-Care Christmas Giftbox initiative, the brainchild of student, Geri-Ann Miller.

This is the third year Miller has enlisted the support of her peers in visiting the ward during the Yuletide season to extend a hand of kindness to patients. The last two years, she was joined by students and teachers from the Loving Care Christian Academy, where she was previously enrolled.

This year, students of the Unity Primary School and their parents, as well as a teacher, contributed items and cash to the cause. The students who participated in the initiative packed shoe boxes with an assortment of toys and other gift items, which were presented to the children.

On the day of the event, the young patients were also entertained through musical items and dub poetry.

Christmas songs such as Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas were played by Miller and Nori-Ann Harvey, and stories were also read to them. Jamaica Cultural Development Commission gold medallist, Mario Walker, kept everyone on the ward, including visitors, spellbound by his dub poetry titled Listen, which evoked laughter and admiration from staff, students, visitors, and the children.

According to Geri-Ann, she decided to undertake the initiative to bring happiness to the children on the ward at this time of the year.

"I want children in the hospital to be happy during the festive season," she said. "I started Geri-Care Christmas Giftbox because I like sharing gifts with others. It also gives you a chance to show who you really are."

Another student, Nori-Ann Harvey, who was among the students who shared with the children, said she was elated.

"I felt happy to give the children gifts and also sad for their conditions. I know that God will bless us for sure."

Other students who participated in the exercise were Christen Phillips and Chrisann Rutherford.