The St Benedict’s Day Nursery and Children’s Home in Georgetown recently opened a new playground facility catering to the athletic and outdoor play needs of the children who attend the institution.

In April, 2015, the Muslim Student Association (MSA) of the Trinity School of{{more}} Medicine, located at Ratho Mill, handed over a sum of EC$5,000 to the Day Nursery and Children’s Home in Georgetown. President of MSA, fourth term student Ahmed Aldais disclosed that his organization’s aim is to embrace the community in which they live while studying, and thought it quite a unique opportunity to give support to the charity.

St Benedict’s Sr Nyra-Anne Pajotte praised the efforts of MSA: “We feel extremely privileged to receive such help,” she said.

She stated that at the Day Nursery and Children’s Home, there are always needs.

“There are always needs, and sometimes I have to tax my brain to find donors. This time, it was not so. Trinity came in and willingly offered to assist.”

Treasurer of MSA, fourth term student Rana Chaar explained that with St Vincent and the Grenadines being their home for two years, the members of her organization felt the desire to “give back to the community.”

“We looked around for a charity to support and found St Benedict,” she said.

Enquiries made to ascertain the manner in which MSA could give assistance unveiled the need for the playground. As far as realizing the funds, Chaar said that the organization started by holding a dinner on the Trinity campus compound. It catered to students and faculty.

“After the first event, we were able to raise about half of the total sum required, and so afterwards we continued doing the event and were able to come up with the entire figure.”

According to Sr Nyra-Anne, the facility has come at a perfect time. One of the children in her charge at the Children’s Home, Aneisha Sutherland, is headed to the upcoming 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in the Vincentian contingent of athletes. The event is carded for Los Angeles, California, July 25 to August 2. She said that Aneisha has used the area as a practice ground before, but now it is so well organized that she can do exercises and longer laps, thereby accomplishing more practice. She does much of her practising in Kingstown with the other members of the squad who are preparing for the Games. The other children will also benefit beyond simply play.

“Without the playground so properly structured, we would not have been able to deploy our children in such an orderly manner. It actually helps them to understand order,” Sr Nyra-Anne said.

The Day Nursery section of St Benedict’s hosts a total of 50 children who attend the institution on a daily basis and the orphanage, which is home to 13 children. The MSA said it remains happy to have assisted and they are currently making arrangements to give further support to the St Benedict’s Day Nursery and Children’s Home.