Children in the small village of Mafeking, Mayaro, were treated to toys and snacks on Christmas Day when Santa Claus visited the area after lunch on a pick-up van. Kristel Boodoo, spokesman for Ramdeen Trace and Friends, the organisation staging the exercise, said the treat was planned only a few weeks ago when she and other residents said it was about time that someone brought some cheer into the hearts of the youngsters in the area.
She said they have been forgotten for far too long and praised several organisations who came forward to assist. Boodoo said even though what they got was small, it went a long way. "I am particularly glad that when we approached persons in Central Trinidad such as P and V Marketing, Mayor Orlando Nagessar and the National Energy Corporation, they did not turn us away because we were from a tiny village in Mayaro. They smiled and contributed and told us it was for the children.
"Our heart pours out to the people of Central Trinidad for making the children of Mafeking smile on Christmas Day," Boodoo said. Other sponsors of the Mafeking treat for children include Republic Bank Mayaro, Preeti's Pooja Store, B Ramkisoon Hardware, The Balroop Family, Hazarie Ramdeen, Harrilal Transport, S&S Persad Supermarket, Winston Panchoo, JR&D Mohammed, Ming's Chinese Restaurant and Brian Francis.