State Children to Play and Learn with Guardian Anjell

This Christmas, children across three state-run child care facilities will begin to enjoy gifts and treasured moments from the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen National Project, “The Guardian Anjell Play & Learn” initiated by Anjell Bryan, Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2014.

The Jamaica National Children’s Home, the St. John Bosco Boy’s Home and the SOS Children’s Home have been selected as the benefactors of the initiative introduced by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) some 10 years ago as part of the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Programme. Each year the Parish Queens and the National Queen from the Competition establishes community and national projects geared towards educational, child and youth development.

With the National Project launched on Tuesday, November 4 at the Guardian Life Head Office in New Kingston, the next phase is the collection of gift items which runs from November 4 to December 6, 2014. The second phase of the Project will occur in conjunction with Child’s Month and National Reading Week and will focus on acquiring donations of books and other reading materials. The collection period will be from March 2 to April 30, 2015.

Members of the public, corporate entities, state agencies, civic associations, churches, youth groups, schools and service clubs are invited to donate items to create gift packages suitable for females and males ages 0 to 18 years old. These items can include clothing, books, school supplies, toiletries, games, toys and non-perishable food. Persons can drop off donations at the JCDC Head Office, 3-5 Phoenix Avenue in Kingston or at any JCDC Parish Offices and Guardian Life Offices island wide. The children will receive the gifts in a fun and celebratory way, in the form of a Talent Showcase which aims to expose and hone talents in addition to building self-esteem.
 
The 2014 Miss Jamaica Festival Queen explained that although she represents the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew, she selected a child care facility in each county in order to have a more meaningful impact. “My years of volunteering at several children’s homes have exposed me to the fact that these institutions are always happy for the help of volunteers and for the contributions that will help to develop the lives of these children. My project, Guardian Anjell Play & Learn was inspired by my experiences and I have always been determined to do what I can to assist” Anjell explained.

The Festival Queen is imploring other private sector companies to support the efforts of the project and join current sponsors, Lasco MoneyGram and Guardian Life Limited which have not only donated financially but also pledged time and support.