Senior Reporter
sascha.wilson@guardian.co.tt
For the 24th consecutive year, businessman Wayne Ali has transformed his home in St Joseph Village, San Fernando, into “Santa’s Wonderland.”
The businessman has been bringing joy to thousands of children for years with stunning and elaborate Christmas decorations and lights in and around his home.
One of the highlights that has left many awe-struck is the 85-foot Christmas tree which he planted when he moved into his residence at Herrera Street 37 years ago. Determined to continue his tradition, Ali said not even the strike at the Port of Port-of-Spain that delayed the shipment of some of his decorations, could dampen his spirits.
“(We have) a lot of new things. In fact, we are getting some on Tuesday because you know the port was, if they still on strike I don’t know, but we were supposed to get it three weeks ago, we getting it this week. But we put out new things as usual. My snow machine is there, everything is there.”
Ali said bringing joy to children is his passion and despite crime and social ills facing the country, he doesn’t intend to stop. “I would like children to remain innocent. Do not get into gangs. Right now we have a problem with bullying in the country, and these children getting into peer pressure. Let’s make Trinidad and Tobago what it used to be 30, 40 years ago. We had total harmony,” Ali said.
The businessman encouraged adults to let “children be children” and “grow up to be respectable adults.” Members of the public and Christmas lovers can visit Ali’s home for free on weekends from 6 pm to 10 pm and Monday to Thursday from 6 pm to 9 pm.
During the official opening and lighting of the tree on Saturday, San Fernando East MP Brian Manning presented Ali with the MP’s Award for Philanthropy and Community Service.