Photos show Top: Students of historic Gambier Primary School, Nassau gather around Jemima’s Playhouse character, Señor Burro®; bottom left: Señor Burro® of Jemima’s Playhouse hugs Mrs. Naomi Pinder, Senior Mistress of Gambier Primary School, Nassau; bottom right: Tyrone and Jemima Sawyer of Jemima’s Playhouse take time to pose with 5th grader, Khalia Lightbourn

Kansas City, Missouri - Nestled in the western end of New Providence Island (Nassau, Bahamas) is the oldest settlement on the island, settled after emancipation by freed slaves, called Gambier Village.  At the crest of the hill after entering the historic village from West Bay Street is Gambier Primary School, the alma mater of Tyrone Sawyer II, owner of Jemima’s Playhouse. 

This is where Jemima’s Playhouse, on a recent visit, put on a vibrant and entertaining display for the students of Gambier Primary, replete with special original songs and capped off by a special appearance by one of its primary characters, Señor Burro®.

Jemima’s Playhouse is an international educational company headed by Tyrone and Jemima Sawyer. “Our visit to Gambier Primary presented us with a great opportunity, though difficult; we found ourselves engaging students from various grade levels at the same time”, said Sawyer.

The students of Gambier Primary had a ton of fun with Jemima’s Playhouse!  They were especially titillated by their interaction with Señor Burro®, the Mexican Donkey – a staple character of Jemima’s Playhouse.  They also learned to sing Jemima’s Playhouse original songs, like “”Cool Donkey”©.  The children had fun learning how to count from one to ten in French and learned the seven letters of the musical alphabet.
Stated Mrs. Sheniqua Curry, Principal of Gambier Primary School: “Jemima’s Playhouse is great!  When Tyrone called and offered to visit with the students, I was intrigued, but I did not know what to expect.  I am really impressed to see our students from Grade 1 to Grade 6 respond so enthusiastically to the Jemima’s Playhouse Module.”

Based upon the tremendous interest, Jemima’s Playhouse expanded the reach of its operation from Atlanta to the Greater Kansas City Area.  The company now operates educational programs in Georgia, Kansas and Missouri for children between the ages of 2-12 years old.
What sets Jemima’s Playhouse apart, Sawyer feels, is the use of unique proprietary characters like Señor Burro©, the Spanish-speaking donkey from Mexico; Madame Belle©, the beautiful cow from France that teaches French; and BahamaMan©, the superhero who teaches ethics and social responsibility to students.

“Gambier is where it all started for me” says Sawyer who was Head Boy in 1997.  “I have sat exactly where these children are sitting now.  I am happy that my wife, Jemima, was able to join me on this journey of love.” 

“We taught them what we teach all of our students: ‘Meet your imagination!’, because what they are able to imagine is totally their creation,” stated Sawyer.