CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana
Monday, 15 December 2025:
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat has continued its tradition of bringing festive cheer to children and young people living outside traditional home environments through its annual toy drive.
The initiative followed a collection drive at the Secretariat, where staff members were encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys or make monetary contributions toward purchasing gifts.
On Tuesday, 10 December, members of the Committee delivered gifts, books, and games to two orphanages and two care centres for children and vulnerable juveniles under the care of the Government of Guyana.
House Parents, Matrons, and Teachers of the Guyana Red Cross Society Children’s Convalescent Home; Sophia Care Centre; Plum Park Sophia Children and Family Centre; and the St. John Bosco Orphanage expressed gratitude to CARICOM Secretariat’s staff on behalf of the children in their care.
“We try to provide a home away from home, and your gift certainly helps us to do that,” Home Services Supervisor of the Sophia Care Centre, Ms Chabela Lord said. She noted that House Parents usually wrap the gifts and place them under the Christmas tree for a grand opening on Christmas morning.
Since 2013, the Secretariat has coordinated fundraising events to support orphanages, invited children from the Sophia Care Centre to participate in the CARICOM Staff Talent Celebration, and organized skill-building workshops, including animation training in collaboration with the Guyana Animation Network (GAN). Secretariat pensioners are also included in ongoing events and outreach efforts.
