By James Kokulo Fasuekoi|The JNB Foundation Communication Director

On January 1st, New Year’s Day, the JNB Foundation of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai hosted a kids’ holiday party here, in Rehab, Paynesville, during which more than a thousand Liberian children, many of them Rehab residents received stuffed animals and also a beg of goodies, each as a gift. 

The hosting of such event, according to JNB Foundation’s Deputy Executive Director Henry Saah Flanpor, “is a tradition that has been repeated every year, since the founding.” This New Year’s celebration was the eighth. The program, originally planned for only two hours lasted over three hours. 

To add more fun to the event the foundation staged dance and singing competition among kid’s peer groups, allowing most kids present to openly demonstrate their talents before the audience. 

Nine-year-old Albertha Harris took 2nd Place while six-year-old Samanta Y. Tokpa emerged as the main winner. Both kids received special gifts in addition to a small purse each for standing out and winning the competitions.  

A few of the kids however, appeared shied initially, unable to dance nor sing, eventually dropping out of the race. 

But still, as in the words of the charity’s Executive Director Hon. Jackson K. George Jr., he declared as “winners” all of the children who came and participated in this event.

Hon. George introduced the event telling the children “This is the president’s foundation, and that he [President Boakai] didn’t forget about you people[kids].” He assured that this event will be even bigger next year. 

The program took place in the foundation’s front yard and was graced by the JNB Foundation’s Board Chairman Rev. David Saa Fatorma, Jr. and Mrs. Ellena K. George who’s currently visiting Liberia on family related matters. 

Mrs. George thanked the kids for coming out and participating in the event.