Overseas-based Guyanese brings Christmas cheer to McDoom

Dec 21, 2014 News

As Christmas inches closer, hundreds of little boys and girls rushed to get a glimpse of good ole’ Saint Nicholas and his little helpers yesterday. It’s the season of goodwill and Santa, as he is called, stopped by a house in McDoom, East Bank Demerara.
By 14:00 hours yesterday, overseas-based Guyanese Karen Jackman opened her home to scores of children anxious to get a real taste of the season. In Jackman’s home, the children found treats, gifts and an array of splendid delights.

Karen Jackman and her friend Santa (Bernadette Bowen) flocked by the anxious children.

Perhaps it was the wide variety of goodies that Jackman, her family and friends made available or the presence of Santa and his friend the Clown, but the activity sparked great excitement among the young ones.
The laughter and cries of joy of children could be heard from afar as they welcomed Santa Claus who distributed toys and other goodies to each child. The sparkle was evident in their eyes.
Saint Nick brought gifts and party bags filled with treats for them all and none was left wanting; not even the adults. Saint Nick wished each child a jolly good Christmas.
When Kaieteur News arrived on the scene, more than 300 children had already been treated to goodies. Speaking with Kaieteur News, the group of overseas-based Guyanese was heartened by the turnout.
Jackman said it was her hope that the Christmas spirit would capture other overseas-based Guyanese. She hoped they would be encouraged to join in the philanthropic activity and spread cheer to various communities across Guyana.
Jackman, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) living in Jamaica, Queens, New York, said that she collaborated with her husband Orelli McCurdy and her friends, including Bernadette Bowen who played Santa. Bowen also came from New York.
The overseas-based Guyanese said, “We got a lot of help from South Pole Store, my sister Randalie Clarke, Campton Bowen, Marcel Roberts, Patricia Smith and the friends that came to cook and help prepare for the party.”
“We’re hoping to do this again next year. I have done it before but this is the first time I’m going so grandiose,” a cheerful Jackman said.
“We’re looking to do this annually and if I could get my Guyanese counterparts to do the same thing as me it would be good. The idea is to come and give back to the kids.”
Bowen told Kaieteur News, “I haven’t been to Guyana in fifteen years and it’s such a joy and a privilege to be here and join with Karen to bring joy to the children at Christmas time.”
Jackman and her troopers also got help in pulling off the event from villagers and friends. The Christmas party also provided each child with a sumptuous meal. Each child was given US$1.
The objective of the outreach was to expose children to the festivity of the Christmas season.