The Indian Action Committee (IAC) brought some much needed cheer to hundreds of children on a cool Sunday afternoon at the Wales Community Centre Ground, West Bank Demerara (WBD). The children and their parents were greeted to the pulsating sounds of Christmas classics as each child was given a meal and a bottle of soft drink.
Their eagerness overflowed with expressions of great exuberance as Santa Claus traveled the distance to Wales bearing gifts which was accompanied by a party bag of snacks. There was also a random draw where Ronaldo Jacobs was the fortunate child to have his name selected as the winner. Walking away with an oversized white teddy bear, Jacobs struggled somewhat to carry off his prize but this did not deter the sheer excitement that rested upon his face. His mother remarked that the teddy bear will fit right into the family’s Christmas decorations.
Executive member of the IAC and media personnel Neaz Subhan told INews that Wales was selected due to the impact the community would have faced from the closure of the sugar Estate which provided much sustenance for the area.
“Wales had to be the place for us to come given the fact that the Estate has been closed and people have been laid off and we feel that being with the children, bringing some kind of cheer to them, we are hoping that in some way can be able to put a smile to their faces at least for this season,” Subhan told INews.
The event has been held over 10 years and the executive member observed that the IAC seeks out communities it considers vulnerable to support.
“The IAC will continue to do things like these by going across the country to areas to work with our friends and partners who came on board and helped us get some of the items and toys and we are very grateful for their contributions,” he noted
It was noted that Sunday’s event exceeded expectation by about 100 children. The IAC was established in 2003.
