Members of staff of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) brought holiday cheer to the tiny tots of the Port Royal Basic School on Thursday, December 7, 2006.

The children, ranging in age from 3-5 years spent the morning at the Fort Charles heritage site located near to the school, enjoying the cool outdoors, music, food and entertainment. Like a Pied Piper, staff member Richard Henry led the children in dance and they in turn showed him a thing or two about some of the latest dance moves. A passing helicopter only added to the excitement as they paused to acknowledge its presence and mimic the sound it made.

The children were treated to cake, sandwiches and ice-cream and all left with their little loot bags filled with an assortment of gifts and candies that caused their little eyes to light up. The treat was organized by Manger Human Resources Maurice Lewin and his team.

Retired principal Kathleen Paisley, acting principal Lavern Thompson and teacher Tanya Goldson who accompanied the children, lauded the JNHT’s effort in putting on the treat. Ms. Paisley, who had to retire because of an illness, noted that the event was a good gesture from the organisation. She pointed to the fact that the children were having a wonderful time.

Executive Director of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust could not take her eyes off the brilliant smile of this toddler of the Port Royal Basic School as she handed her a gift bag at a Christmas treat put on by the JNHT for children of the school at its Fort Charles heritage site on Thursday, December 7, 2006.
Executive Director of the JNHT Laleta Davis Mattis, having three little ones of her own, was busy cutting cake, handing out presents and chatting up a storm with the toddlers. She proudly noted that she was once a kindergarten teacher and those were some of her most fulfilling days.
She explained that Port Royal is one of six heritage districts in the island and it was a pleasure for the organisation to put on the treat especially in a community whose preservation is important to Jamaica’s heritage. She noted that the citizens of Port Royal directly and indirectly protect the heritage sites in the community and this is just one way of saying thank you.

President of the school’s PTA Ms Rona Wade, who also works as a tour guide at Fort Charles welcomed the JNHT’s involvement in the community. She noted that this is a small step towards greater involvement in the community.

Human Resource Manager of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) shares the cake cutting with the tiny tots of Port Royal Basic School who were being hosted for a Christmas treat by the JNHT on December 7, 2006 at Fort Charles.
For further information contact:
Andrea Braham
Jamaica National Heritage Trust
922-1287-8/922-3990