Two hundred and four wards of the State from 10 children’s homes received a special treat last month as special guests at an exclusive showing of the Disney film Mufasa: The Lion King.

The showing on December 20, 2024 at Carib 5 in Cross Roads, St Andrew, was organised by United Way of Jamaica in partnership with title sponsor CIBC Caribbean and supported by Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI), Grace Foods, Unicomer (Courts Jamaica), and the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA).

The children also enjoyed a lively appearance by the Grace mascot and received gift bags filled with treats, courtesy of Grace Foods.

“This movie night represents more than just entertainment; it’s a chance to uplift and empower these children, showing them they are valued and supported by their community. We thank our sponsors and partners for helping us make this vision a reality,” a news release from the title sponsors’ publicists quotes United Way of Jamaica CEO Taneisha Stoney-Dryden.

She also expressed gratitude to all partners who made the event possible.

Nigel Holness, managing director of CIBC Caribbean, highlighted the event’s significance in fostering inspiration and faith.

Reflecting on the movie’s central themes, he said: “The story of Mufasa teaches us the importance of resilience, leadership, and the power of unity. It also reminds us that with God’s help you can achieve anything you set your mind to. We are honoured to support this initiative, bringing hope and joy to these children while sharing such meaningful lessons.”

Unicomer (Courts Jamaica) and WLI were instrumental in creating a festive atmosphere, with Unicomer contributing additional support, including toaster ovens and irons to ensure every child felt celebrated.

The CPFSA ensured the seamless coordination of transportation and supervision for the children.