Santa brings cheer to Cyril Ross children

SANTA CLAUSE arrived at Springer Lane Tunapuna in a fire truck, much to the delight of the children of the Cyril Ross Home, who had gathered for the annual Christmas party held in their honour by Tunapuna resident Gilda Samlal.

Samlal, who has been hosting the annual children’s party for the last four years, is attached to a non-profit organisation called the Alexandrina Yale Foundation Incorporated of New York, which was established in 1992 to assist people suffering from HIV/AIDS. Although the party got off to a late start because of the heavy showers, the children had a great time. When Santa arrived at around 5.30 pm, the children got the opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap to deliver their Christmas wish list to him personally. Although not allowed to take pictures of the children, Newsday could tell that they really enjoyed the annual treat.

Samlal told Newsday that she hosts the party every year to bring some Christmas cheer and joy to the young residents of the home. In addition to the children’s party, 21 people were presented with tokens of appreciation for their contribution to the work that Samlal and the organisation have been involved in for the last ten years. She explained that she first became involved with the Alexandrina Foundation in 1997, after finding out that her twin brother had been diagnosed with HIV. He subsequently died and this fuelled Samlal’s drive to continue her work with the Foundation. Samlal pointed out  that the Foundation has spearheaded several other projects, in addition to assisting people with HIV/AIDS. She explained that the Foundation has assisted people suffering with cancer and kidney ailments. She said the Foundation, which is based in Brooklyn, New York and is run by Trinidadians living in New York, opened its doors in Trinidad in 1999, after seeing the plight of people suffering with the dreaded disease.

According to Samlal, at that time there was not much support available for HIV/AIDS sufferers in this country, and so, with the assistance of the Lions Club of San Fernando, the Foundation established a branch here. Samlal explained that although she is no longer permanently involved with the Foundation, she assists whenever her help is needed. With regards to the 20 people selected to receive tokens of appreciation, Samlal explained that a number of people and organisations have assisted her with the job, and she thought it was necessary to let them know that she appreciated their input. The 21 recipients were Newsday News Editor John Babb, Muriel Douglas, Ann-Marie Ryce, Cherylynn Ottley, Rapport, Errol Fabien, Kenson Neptune, Sandra Des Vignes-Millington, Dr Everst Nosa, the Caura Hospital, PoS Lions Club, LaParkan, Trinidad Express, Wayne Modest, Morel Peters, Mable Andrews, Martin Boodoosingh, Una Garcia, Camilla Dick, Councillor Alvin Narine and Brother Noble Khan.