“It Takes a Village Community Enrichment Programme” is the title of a new collaboration between the Ministry of Education and several community-based organisations which have teamed up to organise fun and education activities for kids.

Recently, around 30 volunteers from the Sunrise Community Church got together to give the kids of George Town Primary (GTP)’s  afterschool programme- run by the George Town Sports Club – a great day out at Tiki Beach.

There was football on the beach, swimming in the sea, and a bouncy castle too – although sadly it wasn’t in use because of the rain.

The rain didn’t dampen anyone’s sense of fun though. The children loved playing football with former international soccer star Lee Ramoon who is presently a member of the George Town Sports Club

Sunrise Community Church member, Terri Howard, expressed thanks to the many different individuals and companies who had helped make the event such a success, including Cayman’s very own international supermodel, Selita Ebanks, who is also helping provide funds for the group.

“Our generous sponsors are Tiki Beach with the use of their facility, food and drinks; It’s Your Party, for providing gifts and a jumping castle and Heston Distributors for snacks and candy,” Ms Howard said.

“I really want these children to appreciate the good things in life and to be able to come out and play on the beach and have fun,” Ms Howard said.

Karl Ashmore, Sales and Marketing, Tiki Beach said:

“When Terri Howard approached me, I jumped at the opportunity of helping the foundation and the children of the Cayman Islands.

Mr. Ashmore added that Tiki Beach were committed to supporting such community-strengthening activities in the future. “That’s why we have a motto: ‘Tiki beach – it’s so much more than a beach, it’s a lifestyle’”, he said.

The George Town Primary afterschool programme is where kids from the school can meet, both before and after school, to join in lots of fun activities like doing puzzles, playing football, table-tennis and other games, as well as getting up to date with their homework and reading skills. It has been run by members of George Town Sports Club, but recently members from the Sunrise Community Church have been volunteering their time to help the kids too.

Although George Town is the first primary school to benefit from the Community Enrichment programme, there are plans from the Ministry of Education to extend the programme to many other primary schools all over the Cayman Islands, the Department of Education’s Michael Myles said.