Almost 700 children

from six primary schools in the Corporate Area and Clarendon got an immersion into

environmentally friendly practices with methods to cut down and eliminate

waste, in the fun-filled setting of the J.

Wray & Nephew Foundation (JWNF) ‘

As a mark of encouragement for sustainable

behaviour, five plants were presented to each institution and each student also

received seeds to take home, to inculcate habits treating with long term growth

and the importance of trees and plants protecting and preserving the

environment.

Of course, there were the usual fun elements such

as bounce-about, ferris wheel, mechanical bull, rock climbing and other rides all

around the cordoned greenery, which was designed with message boards to impart

sustainable environmental practices to our children.

Reinforcing those messages were exercises in

art and face painting, and even the way in which containers for disposables

were labelled, that encouraged recycling.

That environmental practice would reap big rewards for children who got deep inside their thinking cap to share five different ways to use an empty plastic water bottle, with Zoeya Scott of Balmagie Primary and Romaine McLean of Race Course Primary in Clarendon each winning a brand new bicycle, at the culmination of activities.

This would have added to a package that included a recyclable shopping bag and plant seeds, which had already been shelled out to the nearly 700 bunch of joyous children, who went wild over the gift-bearing Santa, clad in the traditional red and white yuletide garb.

The treat, which has witnessed a vast swelling

from the school communities within JWN’s Spanish Town Road, New Yarmouth and

Appleton Estate properties within the past five years, is in keeping with the

JWN Foundation’s commitment to support our communities through purposeful

interventions, providing exposure and varied experiences for our nation’s youth

and increasing the role of our staff volunteers in giving back to communities

in the areas that JWN operate.

“This year, the J. Wray and Nephew Foundation decided to put a new spin on our Christmas Treat by hosting an event focused on promoting sustainability. For the past three years, we have focused on positive messages and affirmations under the heading ‘Fun-spiration’. This year, we chose to focus on ‘A Sustainable Christmas’ as part of our mandate to educate our children on being good citizens by imparting solid environmental practices in an interactive and engaging manner that encourages forward-thinking,” said Clement ‘Jimmy’ Lawrence, Chairman of the JWN Foundation.

Sangieanna Reid Prince, Principal of Seaview Gardens Primary,

which has participated in the treat for five years, expressed gratitude to the

JWN Foundation.

“The treat has been inspirational as it provides exposure and

is an incentive for students. They are always excited and look forward to

interacting with other students from other schools, along with the J. Wray and

Nephew Foundation team who serve as positive role models,” said Reid Prince.

Since 2016, JWN Foundation has hosted and

supported Christmas Treats in Kingston, St Elizabeth and Clarendon valued at

close to fifteen million Jamaican dollars.