West Indies players bring positive vibes to children in Government care

Story and photos by Jemima Holmes

West Indian cricketers Jayden Seales, Anderson Phillip, and Captain Nicholas Pooran have brought some cheer to children within the Government’s care at the Child and Family Care Centre.

On Thursday, taking a break from the hustle and bustle of their day jobs, they answered questions from eager young fans. There were smiles galore from the minute the cricketers exited their bus and made their way into the Care Centre. There, the trio chatted with the children, signed autographs, took photographs, and even served up a few deliveries in a mock game of cricket.

“As young kids growing up, you wouldn’t understand what’s the most important things in life. Today you guys are getting the opportunity to be here in this beautiful place where everyone is taking care of you, and I just want you guys to really appreciate it. Everyone here is really sacrificing a lot to make you guys better human beings and better people.
“Today I just want to continue to inspire you guys. Just like you guys, I had an experience where I almost lost my life, and I felt like I had no direction. That was 6 or 7 years ago. Today, I stand in front of you as the West Indies captain, achieving my dreams of being a professional cricketer,” West Indies white ball captain Nicholas Pooran said in sharing words of encouragement with the children.
He further stated, “So, I just want to tell you guys, ‘Never stop believing in your dreams, cause dreams do come true. Just work hard, continue to be disciplined, and continue being great human beings.”
When he the children to ask him questions, the trending inquiry was his absence from the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the 2022 season, to which he indicated that his contract was up.
“I’m home now, and let’s see where my journey leads to. Hopefully, I could win a title for TKR, and you guys wouldn’t be vexed with me, but I wish Guyana Amazon all the best this year,” Pooran said with a laugh.
The meeting with their cricket heroes was organised by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, under whose premise the Care Centre falls.
An excited Chabela Lord, who is the acting manager of the Care Centre, was grateful for the cricketers’ presence, and noted that it would do a great deal of good for the children.
“We’re very much appreciative of the fact that they’re here today. The boys are super excited, all of the children are excited, knowing that they’re going to be here. They’ve been looking forward for this since early in the week, so we’re happy that this would have been a success,” Lord stated.
She added, “We are happy, more so since school is out and cricket is an activity in the Caribbean. A lot of Caribbean persons are excited over cricket, and it’s just a plus for our children to be able to have access to meet the cricketers in person.”
While the West Indies Camp had wanted to visit the Centre with a large group of players, meeting constraints forced the likes of Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd and Rovman Powell to be absent from Thursday afternoon’s activity.