UTech, Ja Students hosts Fun Day, Wellness Fair for Children in Need

Student Nurse Sasha-Kay Randall pictured seated with a child in her lap

Photo credit: Ornella Taylor

Residents of the Strathmore Gardens Children’s home, located in Spanish Town were treated to a Fun Day and Wellness Fair last Friday, July 15, 2016. The event was hosted by a group of students from the University of Technology, Jamaica currently completing the module Management of Meetings and Events.

Happy and Healthy Kids

The Students who were required to plan and execute an event as part of their course work, decided to host a Fun Day and Wellness Fair at Strathmore, after finding out that they had difficulties catering for all 47 of the children living at the home. Throughout the day, the Children took part in fun and games which included a Treasure Hunt, Face Painting, and what has become a staple at all kids events, a bounce about. The Health and Wellness portion of the event saw the children receive free Dental Screening and Cleaning from Dental Nurse Charming Mills and her team, who also ensured the children were taught good oral care. Registered Nurse Keona Wallace-Thomas with assistance from Student Nurses from UTech, Ja also checked their vital signs to ensure that there were no complications and their bodies were functioning as they should.

Children pictured seating while being instructed by young ladies from the  students group  

Photo credit: Ornella Taylor

Invited Speakers

Guest presenters were also brought in, with Ms. Tifania Vassell, an aspiring Forensic Psychologist hosting a session on conflict resolution, while Attorney-At-Law Ms. Anne Marie Bishop spoke to the Children about their Rights as a child. Dr. Geoffery Walcott, a Psychiatrist also held a session for a group of eight children specially selected by the home for intervention. Donations of food, clothes, toiletries among other items raised from sponsors as well as personal contributions from the Students were accepted on behalf of the Home by Ms. Marcia Tucker who oversees the day to day operation.   

Donations being sorted to give to the home

Photo credit: Ornella Taylor

By the time the showers came, the day had been well spent, and though the rain did cause the team to veto plans to show a movie, the bright eyed and smiling faces of the children would have told them that they had indeed enjoyed their company, and were truly appreciative of the good they had done.

UTech, Ja Student Group pictured above with the children

Photo credit: Ornella Taylor

Sponsors for the Strathmore Gardens Fun Day and Wellness Fair were Grace Kennedy, Wisynco Group, Captain’s Bakery, Web Design Pro Ja, Sinco Restaurant, Xtreme Design, CB Chicken, Subway and Frazer’s Content Basic School.

Rowen A. Johnson

Public Relations Officer

rowen_johnson@yahoo.com