No snow, No problem! - Snowman brings chill vibes to warm Kingston community

Decades after Carlene Davis released her Christmas reggae song, ' Santa Claus, do you ever come to the ghetto?' no one would have predicted that Santa would not only visit, but actually call the ghetto home.

For many low-income communities, the Christmas season can feel joyless and uncertain. But in Tavares Gardens in Kingston, popularly known as Payne Land, one woman is working to ensure that children there still experience the magic of the holidays. Forty-six-year-old entrepreneur Keneisha Batson has stepped into the role of Payne Land's very own Santa Claus, giving gifts and spreading joy, a tradition she has kept alive for more than two decades.t

"Honestly, it's just something I just do. I just love Christmas and I love the children so I just do it every year," Batson said, her face lighting up with a gleeful smile. She explained that her passion for decoration comes from her mother who always found ways to make Christmas special during Batson's childhood.

"I remember decorating the Christmas tree with some paper-like something and making decorations every year, anyway she could," she recalled. Now carrying on the tradition, Batson has added her own flair over the years, including a Christmas treat for children, ensuring that every year brings new smiles to the community.

"As I tell you, I have been doing this from I was living on the lane behind this. Those times I used to decorate the entire lane, so now I try to change it up each Christmas. One Christmas, I dressed up as Santa Claus, my children had on their elf costumes and my friend had on the Grinch costume," Batson said as she laughed.

Batson recalled that when she first started her Christmas activities, she could only give "a Cheese Trix, small biscuit and Chubby".

"But as the business (her shop) grow, I just start doing more and more," she said. Batson said that the community's youngsters now eagerly anticipate her annual Christmas treat.

"It grow each year. Now they look forward to the bounce-about, trampoline, cake and their little gifts. You want to see the fun and smiles, I think maybe like a hundred of them," Batson shared her smile never fading .

"It's true. Every year she do it, from we see the decoration we know the treat a keep," said one customer who chimed in.

Batson's partner John Stephenson praised her commitment and shared that he understands her love for Christmas time and the children.

"Nothing breaks her spirit, she plans for it and they (residents) plan for it as well. Every Boxing Day in front of the shop [is] just full of excitement," he said.

This year, the excitement began early, with decorations going up two weeks ago - a blue and white wrapped arch, a Christmas tree with makeshift presents tucked beneath it, and a balloon snowman perched peacefully atop the shop. Despite Payne Land's history of flare-ups of gun violence, Batson said the treat has never been interrupted.

"You know sometimes the war start in here, but it has never stopped the treat. I have to respect their love for the treat and children too, because I remember one year the war did a go on and the treat went on. After everything finish, pack up and everyone gone in, you hear shot. But it never stop the treat," she said.

This year, she said, things feel calmer, echoing the line from Davis' Christmas classic, " All year long we've been beating down crime."

"Everything is good this year. Crime cool down, so the treat is going on," Batson said. "Not that it ever stop it before, but there isn't anything to worry about, you understand? The children will be happy."

Plans are already in motion for her to buy all the stuff she needs, including the toys. For the children of Payne Land, Batson's efforts are to ensure that no matter the struggles or the area, Christmas remains a season filled with wonder, laughter, and community spirit.

After all, "Yes, Santa does come to the ghetto."