Wide-eyed students from three primary schools recently got the opportunity to explore the inner workings of The Nation Publishing Co. Limited during the company’s inaugural Harold’s Heart giveback initiative.
Young minds from Wesley Hall, Westbury and Deacons primary schools toured the Harold Hoyte & Fred Gollop Media Complex on Fontabelle, St Michael, learning about the daily operations of Barbados’ leading media company. They were able to learn about the gathering and distribution process across the company’s print and online channels.
The natural curiosity and enthusiasm of the young students filled the building as they visited several departments, including editorial, advertising, accounts, circulation and the press room.
“The children may not have understood every minor detail but at least they were able to discuss how the paper is done,” said Westbury Primary principal Rosalind Gittens, who was particularly impressed with the facility’s development. “This is the second time that I would’ve toured The Nation. To me it’s more developed than the last time I visited.”
Nation staff embraced the holiday spirit, donning festive red and green attire and Christmas hats as they helped guide the young visitors through the building.
Surprised
The excitement peaked when the students were surprised with special gifts, which were thoughtfully curated based on the children’s interests and sizes collected weeks before the visit.
Nation Group marketing executive Romaine Lovell said: “This is the first time we’re having this initiative. We named it Harold’s Heart after Harold Hoyte, one of The Nation’s founders. Hoyte was known to be someone who always loved to give back to the community in any way that he could. We wanted
to continue that legacy.”
The initiative was made possible through the support of businesses – Fusionz Boutique contributed toys and clothing, Taste Crafters provided refreshments and Madam of London donated all the shoes.
“We didn’t have to pay for anything. They were fully donated,” Lovell said.
Gittens praised the initiative’s inclusive approach.
“You could see that The Nation cares about the schools within its proximity. It didn’t pick one school over the next, it did an even distribution.”
She emphasised the dual impact of the programme, noting: “The tour was two-fold. It educated the children about the inner workings of The Nation. It also gave the children a bit of joy and excitement.” (DS)
