Those of us who have children - or who are children - know that a birthday party is something special - you invite over family, a few kiddy friends, maybe a piñata, a clown or even a cake.
But the truth is that - especially in these hard times - a lot of folks can't afford a party - and that's why businessman successful Jack Charles had a different idea for his son's birthday.
His son, Vansh Chawla turned 5 on Thursday, April 19th. But instead of having a party just for him, Jack Charles had a charitable idea, why not have a party for all Belize City children born on April 19th between 2001 and 2011?
Strange as it was, he followed up and requested from the Vital Stats Unit a list of all kids born on that date. There were 37 in the city, but they could only find 20 of them. So, all the Birthday children were invited along with 3 guests each to celebrate their birthday with Vansh and his family.
We were invited too and here's how it went for the one to 10 year old's:
Robin Schaffer reporting
This weekend a birthday party was held at the Princess Hotel and Casino - for 20 Belize City children born on April 19th.
And why that date? Well, that is the day Vansh Chawla was born, and to celebrate his 5th birthday, his father thought, what better way to celebrate than to give back to the community and teach his son a valuable life lesson?
The party had everything children love- face painting, music, dancing, and of course, Ozzie the clown, and Jack Chawla told us, it was all worth it.
Jack Chawla
"Everybody does their kids birthday, I just wanted to do something different and make my kid's birthday memorable and at the same time I want to show that in this life a person may learn to share also and this is what I am trying to teach them."
"Initially my committee members went to contact them (the parents) and they were very excited and thrilled. The kids that are less fortunate are very happy to celebrate the first birthday of their life and all of them are here enjoying and having their birthday of their life."
And his son Vansh did seem to have the birthday of his life- especially with all the new friends he has made.
Vansh Chawla
"Today is my birthday."
Reporter
"How do you feel about your birthday today? Are you excited? You made a lot of new friends today; you see a lot of people that you didn't see before?"
Vansh Chawla
"Yes."
Reporter
"How many friends did you make today?"
Vansh Chawla
"One hundred."
Reporter
"You made a hundred friends?"
Vansh Chawla
"Yes."
Reporter
"What is your favorite part of today?"
Vansh Chawla
"My birthday."
And the other birthday children were also excited since, for many of them, this is the first big birthday party they have ever had. Their parents shared their joy, and for the most part were just very thankful.
Mother of invited child
"I feel good about it because first time I know someone in like the Indians in Belize is sponsoring a party. I know it's mostly for the white people not the black people."
Reporter
"He is one year old now. You think he is enjoying himself?"
Mother of invited child
"Yes ma'am."
Reporter
"Are you having fun?"
Invited Child
"Yes."
Reporter
"Do you like the clown?"
Invited Child
"Yes."
Reporter
"Do you like the food too?"
Invited Child
"Yes."
Reporter
"Do you like the balloon also?"
Invited Child
"Yes."
Reporter
"Are you having a lot of fun? Have you made a lot of new friends?"
Invited Child
"Yes."
Reporter
"How old are you?"
Invited Child 2
"Eight."
Reporter
"You are eight years old. When is your birthday?"
Invited Child 2
"April 19th."
Reporter
"A lot of people here have the same birthday like you?"
Invited Child 2
"Yes."
Reporter
"How do you feel about that?"
Invited Child 2
"Good."
Reporter
"How did you learn about this?"
Mother of invited child
"This is a great experience and it's very good. It's a nice family outing and I hope everyone enjoys it and I really appreciate the person and so I hope they have a nice time."
"They found my home and that's how I got the invitation."
Reporter
"When they came, what did they say?"
Mother of invited child
"They asked when was Joycelyn's birthday and I told them the 19th. She told me that was the same date as her son's birthday too."
Reporter
"How old are you?"
Invited Child 3
"Eight."
Reporter
"When is your birthday?"
Invited Child 3
"April 19th."
Reporter
"Are you sure about April 19th?"
Invited Child 3
"Yes ma'am."
Reporter
"Are there other kids here that have the same birthday like you?"
Invited Child 3
"Yes ma'am."
Reporter
"How you feel about that?"
Invited Child 3
"Happy."
Mother of invited child
"I came home the evening from work and my daughter told me that two young ladies is outside looking for me and when I went outside they ask if my name was Julie White. She asks me if I would want to have the party at Princess and I told her okay. She told me that the party was supposed to be a surprise for Kelsie, she is not supposed to know about it until the actual day."
Reporter
"She didn't know about this party until today?"
Mother of invited child
"She didn't know about the party until when we arrived at Princess?"
Reporter
"Were you surprised?"
Invited Child 3
"Yes ma'am."
Reporter
"How did you feel when you saw balloons and all kinds of stuff outside?"
Invited Child 3
"Happy."
Reporter
"You guys are enjoying yourself here today?"
Father of invited child
"Basically yes, she is enjoying herself. I am enjoying myself as long as she is enjoying herself."
Reporter
"How were you guys contacted about this?"
Father of invited child
"Basically someone call my wife and told her about this. We thought it was a fraud; how come they know my baby birthday and the party at the Princess, I thought to myself that this wasn't right. First time I ever came to a function like this and I applaud the person who has done it and may blessings go out to the family."
Despite the gang war scare, turnout was good, more than 150 children and parents attended the party. In the end, children in different age groups cut 4 cakes and each received a gift from Vansh Chawla.
It's a neat idea, and Charles hopes others who can afford it will try something similar. And he intends to continue it - so if you have any ideas on ways to improve it, you can send a comment via text to 601 5222.
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