Over 200 children in Maynards, St Peter were recently treated to lunch, gifts and entertainment with the launch of Kristmas on de Kourt.
The event’s main organiser, entrepreneur and community activist Kerry Skeete, said she always wanted to do something to give back and it was the perfect time.
“The event was inspired by me talking to kids and hearing them not having stuff and me as a single parent myself, I just wanted to help,” she said.
The mother of Kerriesha Skeete, the 16-year-old who was awarded nationally for bravery, said she sacrificed some of her income to put on the event.
“I started to take money from my own pay, to do a little hamper every week and then a friend told me I can ask for sponsorship. I said ‘let me try that’ and sponsors started to come on board. I got gifts for the kids and food free for everyone in the neighbourhood,” the community activist said.
It was an evening of pure smiles for Kristmas on de Kourt.
The event held in Maynards saw performances by o, Peter Cox, Sugarhee and deejay music provided by AON Sounds and Tank.
Committee member and businesswoman Kay Stuart said doing something for the people of the community was always a goal of hers.
When Barbados TODAY caught up with her, she was busy working to ensure all was set for the evening of fun.
“This is something that we wanted to do ever since and somehow it just happened this year and I am happy with the outcome and happy that the children are happy,” the owner of K And D Health Start said.
“This is an area we grew up in from small and I moved out – well Kerry is still here – but it is good to give back. We grew up poor and most of the time poor people are always the ones to give.”
A resident of the area for over two decades, Elsa Jackman, said she was happy the event was pulled off successfully.
“This is a very good event for the kids at this time of the year and I am proud to see that it turned out so well and they behaved very good. I love it this way,” a smiling Jackman said.
She said the north means everything to her: “I love it. I have no problems and we don’t really get problems unless people come in to give trouble. It’s a beautiful place to live. I love it out here.”
The event signals the rebirth of community spirit in Maynards, she added. “It’s very nice to see the community come back together and for everyone to enjoy themselves. I will hope that all the young people come together and don’t find themselves in no trouble, but once the parents teach them the right way we should be good,” Jackman said.
Skeete’s colleague Florenda Rollins came from Clapham, St Michael to share in the community spirit. She said she had no doubts about assisting when asked.
“When Kerry asked me if I would assist her in planning this, I jumped on board because as far as I’m concerned, they are still my people and we were doing something to give back to them. Kerry worked really hard,” she said.
Skeete also thanked Caramel Weir, Kadira Springer, Julian Arthur, Kwame Dowridge, Gregory Dan, Chong and Outabox, Milestone Bar and Restaurant and Brittany Payne for their support. (MR)
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