On Friday December 7, 2012, students from the early childhood learning center in Castries, HECDEC, visited the office of the Prime Minister to bring in some good cheer for the Christmas in the form of carol singing. Ahead of the engagement with Hon. Dr. Kenny Anthony, the students were welcomed by the staff of the Prime Minister’s office including Dr. June Soomer, Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary and Cabinet Secretary Darrell Montrope. The group also offered to serenade the students with a few songs of their own that morning.

Later, as the PM entered, the young pre-schoolers greeted him warmly, with Dr. Anthony expressing that they had made his day all the more special. “I welcome all of you here and I want to let you know that we are all very happy to have you here and we want to also wish you a very, very Merry Christmas,” the Saint Lucian Prime Minister said. He then greeted them individually, interacting with them as well as their teachers.

The students then proceeded to offer their audience a number of Christmas Jollies including “The 12 days of Christmas,” “Merry Christmas” and “Joy to the world” among others with the PM visibly enjoying their renditions. They ended their performance with Mighty Pelay’s “Merry Christmas Lucian Style” as a rousing round of applause rang out of the fifth floor on the Castries waterfront. The students were then each handed gifts before making their exit.

Later that same day, Dr. Anthony hosted a Christmas party at the official residence of the Prime Minister, Vigie for children with special needs. The initiative which was started by the former Prime Minister Stevenson King was one that Dr. Anthony told reporters that he was more than happy to continue.