By Janelle De Souza Friday, March 8 2013

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Towels for President: Brenda George presents President George Maxwell Richards with handmade kitchen towels in his last official visit to the All In O...

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Kitchen towels, doilies, T-shirts and floral arrangements were the gifts President George Maxwell Richards received yesterday from Beetham residents as he and his wife, Dr Jean Ramjohn-Richards, visited the All In One Child Development Centre in Beetham Gardens, Port- of-Spain.

As resident Brenda George presented the towels she made for the President, she suggested that Richards could wash dishes, and help out more in the kitchen during his up-coming retirement. In reply, Richards jokingly asked what made her think that he did not already do so.

“We just wanted to show the President appreciation from the people of the Beetham community for all he has done for the school,” said Sherry Ann Celestine, chairman of the Board and principal of Bethlehem Boys’ RC on Besson Street, Port-of-Spain.

It was the third visit to the school by Richards, who, over the years, helped raise funds to renovate the school which housed 60 children and four teachers. The school was founded in May 1985 by Wayne Jordan, and was located in a galvanised shed not far from the current structure.

Richards and his wife toured the small school, observing the children at work. The children then entertained the visitors by singing the National Anthem, as well as the songs, “I Am A Promise”, and “Friends Are Like Flowers”.

“The school has always had a reputation of doing excellent work at the pre-entry level to primary school and I’m sure this tradition would be maintained in the future,” Richards said as he thanked the board, principal, teachers, and children for their warm reception, and for remembering him and his wife as they leave office.

Richards noted that he and his wife had a relationship with the school for about ten years, and it had a place in their hearts. He also hoped to remain in contact with the school and to be invited to visit in the future. To which a resident encouraged the couple to “come and bless up the place.”

Richards’ last day in office is March 17, following which President-elect Justice Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona would be sworn-in at a public ceremony on March 18.