First Lady joins President’s College students at senior citizens’ party 

Georgetown, Guyana – (December 13, 2016) First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, today, joined students and teachers of the President’s College to spread Christmas cheer at the school’s Annual Senior Citizens Christmas party, hosted at the Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD) campus.

Students, teachers and the group of 50 senior citizens, who hailed from surrounding communities including Golden Grove, Ann’s Grove, Belfield, Haslington, Nabacalis and Melanie Damishana, welcomed the First Lady.  Speaking in the College’s Dining and Multipurpose hall, where the party was held, she said that the Christmas season is her favourite time of the year and that she is pleased to be celebrating a part of the “season of joy” with the nation’s senior citizens.

Hailing the school’s hosting of the party, the First Lady spoke of the importance of giving at this time of year even as Guyanese enjoy Guyanese traditions of cleaning, cooking and decorating with Christmas lights. “For us in Guyana, Christmas is a special season. It is the time when we look forward to getting our families together… So when we celebrate Christmas, we have the things like the children and their presents and [other] things, but the true meaning is that giving and sharing,” she said.

Ms. Carlyn Canterbury, Head Teacher at the College, said that it has hosted this party for senior citizens during the last week of school in December since 1990. The College aims to recognise and celebrate the contributions made and service rendered by senior citizens, primarily those who hail from the villages located from Ann’s Grove to Melanie Damishana to the College.

“On behalf of the Board of Governors, on behalf of the staff and students and parents of President’s College family, I welcome you this

afternoon… We want you to know that we value you. We want you to know that we value the contributions [that] you would have made to this community…and by extension, to this nation and today, we want to serve you. We want to entertain you. We want to rally around you so that you will understand our appreciation for you,” she said.

In an invited comment, Mrs. Janet Edwards, of Haslington was excited to be in the company of the First Lady. “I’m feeling very happy to know that the First Lady is with me because I have never seen her face –to-face and I’m seeing her face-to-face now so I feel nice about that,” she said. Mrs. Doris Inverary-Glasgow of Nabacalis, ECD was also pleased at the First Lady’s attendance. “I’m feeling very proud about it. Very, very proud and, you know, there are more like me who would like to know that Mrs. Granger is here with us this afternoon. Ms. Norma Isaacs, of Belfield, ECD said that this is the third time that she has attended the annual Christmas party and that it is always an enjoyable event. “I’m feeling good. I feel happy and nice,” she said.

Senior students Ms. Lois Anthony and Mr. Kimaul Abel co-chaired the programme, which included a dance performed by student, Ms. Kirsten Griffith to the song “Mary, did you know?” and a musical medley performed by two other students; Mr. Elroy Angus and Mr. Max Dunn. Administrative Manager and veteran educator at the institution, Mr. Ron Chichester brought “Words of tidings”.