Digicel, West Indies cricketers embrace Special Needs School

Wednesday afternoon at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, it was joyous moment for nine year-old Jayda Gilkes as she heard the ‘Happy Birthday’ song snag by members of the West Indies Cricket team and classmates of the Gifted Hands Special Needs School.

The memory was made possible since Digicel hosted the school and cricketers for a book reading and interaction session which brought bright smiles to both the pupils and the cricketers.
Digicel’s Communication Manager, Vidya Sanichara said that the activity is part of the company’s continuous effort to give back to society.
Sanichara felt that the players taking time out from their busy schedule show that the game is not everything and it means a lot that that they [players] can give their precious time to the children since it means the world to them [children] and it would remain with them for the rest of their lives.
Further, Sanichara disclosed that her company will continue to be actively involved with the school, helping in any way possible.
West Indies Cricket team Media Manager Phillip Spooner told the gathering that the activity is one that the players do regularly and that they look forward to it considering that many of the players themselves have children.
Meanwhile, Pastor Simon Harris, who is a parent of one of the pupils, felt more initiatives of this nature should be taken by more persons as it can do wonders for the children. Harris’ contention is that the more these children have the interactions, the more it helps to build their confidence which can only auger well for their lives.
The School is located on Parade Street Kingston in the former School of the Nations Compound and caters for wide range of pupils who have special needs.