Children gifted underwater adventure

Beyond the traditional toys and treats, 30 residents of the Nightingale Children’s Village received a memorable underwater adventure this festive season.

The experience on Saturday was made possible through an outreach initiative by the We Gatherin’ Secretariat, in partnership with the Atlantis Submarine and the St Michael Parish Organising Committee (POC).

Deputy Chairperson of the St Michael We Gatherin’ POC, Alicia Payne-Hurley, said the initiative was about creating a meaningful experience for the children, not just providing seasonal gifts.

“We wanted to take the children from the Nightingale Children’s Village on a trip to the submarine as part of a Christmas initiative. We are giving them a day on the submarine; we are also giving them lunch, and then as a part of an ongoing partnership, later on we are looking at giving them a donation of gifts,” she said.

Payne-Hurley noted that the gifts would be practical and needs-based rather than novelty items.

“It will be gifts that they need, because they have gotten a lot of what they want, so that is why ours are coming after Christmas, so there is a continuous understanding that it’s not just a one-off thing.”

Saturday’s outing included eight guardians from the village, and organisers expressed gratitude to the Atlantis Submarine for offering the experience at no cost.

While they had hoped to accommodate up to 40 children, some were unable to participate due to the submarine’s minimum height requirement of three feet.

Acknowledging the disappointment, Payne-Hurley said, “Unfortunately, we had to break a few hearts, we will have to wait until the others grow a little bit more, and then we will see how we can make it up to them.”

She said the initiative reflected a wider commitment within the parish to support those who may be less fortunate.  (STT)