LOVE AT CHRISTMAS FOUNDATION'S FAIR AT GOLDEN GROVE ESTATE

Just last Saturday the 21st of December the Love at Christmas Foundation hosted the Christmas Fair for underprivileged children at the Golden Grove Estate in St. Philip. Over 60 children, some accompanied by their parents, and some youngsters of the Special Olympics group enjoyed themselves immensely as several volunteers assisted from around 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. The children loved the two clowns and Annie the Clown had a great rapport with the audience throughout the whole day. The male clown doubled as a very jolly Santa Claus and with his beautiful elves made sure each child under 12 received a gift at the closing of the fun-filled afternoon. All this time I had a smile, as did all of the other volunteers, as we were very happy to see the youth in the jumping tents, hitting the piñata, running, playing games with “Mr. Clown”, dancing, eating, drinking mauby, sorrel, fruit punch, and soft drinks, and for twenty minutes listening attentively to the Bethel Methodist Chimers playing melodious Xmas songs.

Love at Christmas Foundation, a registered charity, was founded in 2009 by Mr. Denis Warner to reach out to those less fortunate. The name was given by Mr. Alph Padmore who said that cheer and joy can be spread not only at Christmas time but throughout the year. Mr. Warner named the Christmas Programme “Remember Me”.  He also wrote its theme song and did the vocals.  The first show was held in December 2009 at Solidarity House with the help from corporate Barbados.  In 2010 the foundation teamed up with Ms. Santia Bradshaw and Mr. Tony Hoyas at the Plantation Garden Theatre, and in 2011 it hosted the Niamh Stoute Concert since she was suffering from neuroblastoma cancer.  The concert was held at the Queens Park Steel Shed and raised over $20,000. 

Kudos to Denis Warner, President, Heather Bridgeman, Vice President,Public Relations, all those who are part of their team,

and persons and companies who contributed to a most enjoyable Fair!

Unity Greetings good peoples!

Dates
Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 through January 1st.

History
Established by Maulana Karenga in 1966, Kwanzaa is a holiday that honors African heritage and celebrates family, community, and culture. It takes its name from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza," which in Swahili means "first fruits." 
Kwanzaa's origin lies in the 1960s civil rights and Black Freedom movements, and is a way of commemorating the African heritage of black Americans whose ethnic history was stripped away by the slave trade. Swahili is the most widely spoken African language, and was thus chosen as the language of Kwanzaa's principles.

According to Karenga, "Kwanzaa was created to reaffirm and restore our rootedness in African culture." It is a cultural rather than religious holiday, and can be celebrated regardless of a person's faith tradition.

"First fruits" celebrations date back to ancient Egypt and Nubia, and commemorate the harvest.

Colors
The colors black, red, and green are part of Kwanzaa celebrations due to their special significance. Black represents the people, red is for the blood uniting all those with African ancestry, as well as the blood shed during slavery and the civil rights movement, and green is for the lush land of Africa. These colors also reflect the Pan-African movement itself.

Principles
There are seven principles of Kwanzaa, celebrated on each day of the holiday and known collectively as Nguzo Saba. They are African values which are named in both Swahili and English.

• Umoja: Unity


• Kujichagulia: Self-determination


• Ujima: Collective Work and Responsibility


• Ujamaa: Cooperative Economics


• Nia: Purpose


• Kuumba: Creativity


• Imani: Faith

Traditions
Families gather during Kwanzaa to light the kinara, a candle holder with seven candles in the colors of red, black, and green. The black candle is placed in the center and used to light the other flames from left to right. Together, the candles are called the mishuuma saba, and they represent the Seven Principles.

Other traditions include the kikombe cha umoja, or Unity Cup, which is used to pour libations in honor of ancestors departed.

Songs and dances are a popular way of celebrating Kwanzaa. "Lift Every Voice And Sing," also known as the Black National Anthem, is a song that celebrates the struggles and triumphs of black Americans.

Greetings
Kwanzaa greetings are in Swahili and English. "Habari gani?" is a traditional Swahili greeting, and the response is each of the principles, depending on which day of Kwanzaa it is. Other greetings include "Heri za Kwanzaa," or simply, "Happy Kwanzaa!"

Taken from Huffington Post. You may like to visit www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org. for more info. God's blessings to all of you now at Xmas time and in 2014!