A MULTI-MILLION dollar historical training complex, which will have special focus on community development, was  commissioned at Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice, last week Monday, by Japanese Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. YoshimaTezuka.

The 122 feet by 40 feet building, located on a ten-acre plot of land, is the brainchild of St. Francis Community Developers (SFCD), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), which had its genesis in 1986. Since its inception, the group, which has rendered unbroken service to the public, moved from being a single faith-based grouping with 12 volunteers to achieving internationally accepted accolades .
It now has 16 collaborative partners and 750 registered volunteers whose aim is improving the lives of the vulnerable across the Berbice Region.
Addressing the gathering of 250 persons, who were comfortably seated in the upper flat of the edifice which houses the multi-purpose hall, Ambassador Tezuka noted that the sum of US$103,000 (approximately G$28.5M) was donated for the construction, through  Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project, the objective of which is to promote human security by assisting NGOs involved in the social development sector.
Applauding the SFCD for its efficiency in completing the erection in less than a year after the contract was signed, on November 11, 2011, the diplomat said he was impressed by the work of the staff, after he was taken, previously, on site visits to the All Saints Presbyterian Developmental Centre, the Felix Austin Police Training College, the Shining Star Community Developers where he witnessed the launching of a chicken farm and shade house, along with agricultural and aquacultural farms.
Good fortune
In his speech SFCD President, Mr. Alex Foster informed his audience that, together with the Japanese grant, his organisation was  tasked with raising an additional $13.8M. Good fortune prevailed and  they surpassed the target by $5.5M, which extra was used to purchase stock.
“An overseas trip to Trinidad and Tobago resulted in US$250,000 in committed funds from Ansa McAl, along with the Governments of Germany, Australia and Japan,” he reported.
Foster boasted that his community village will, eventually, have  18 buildings, two of which are complete and a third, a guesthouse that would accommodate 60 trainees, is currently being built, compliments of the German Embassy.
He said a 30-seater bus to transport persons to access training is also promised by President Donald Ramotar, who advised him to put the request in writing.
Foster also told his listeners that plans are on stream to construct a music school, as he hopes to reintroduce clean entertainment to the ‘Ancient County’ and have the famous American celebrity Oprah Winfrey, as a guest of his organisation.
Reflecting on the past years, he said SFCD has crossed many hurdles, one of which was governmental support.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed Manager of Food for the Poor (Guyana) Inc., Mr. Kent Vincent noted that partnering with SFCD has resulted in the development of day care centres, life and skills training, chicken farms and the enhancement of the Felix Austin Police Training Centre, which has had a transforming  impact on many lives.
Making remarks on the occasion, too, were Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Chisa Mikami; Deputy Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Abheet Soloman and Regional Chairman David Armogan, who made an excuse the absence of President Ramotar.
The three-hour long programme was punctuated by a buffet lunch and musical renditions, including by the joint school choir and a dance by Amerindians who, specially journeyed from Orealla, along Berbice River.
Latest venture
Meanwhile, speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, SFCD President Foster said the latest venture, which is part of a village, focuses primarily on the specialisation in community development, moving from a charitable setting to a professionalised situation that can be sustained.
With the view to securing a national interest, he said the centre’s creation is the basis for inspiration to other grassroot organisations.
“Groups that were unable to access funding can do so following training here. Additionally, it will raise the bar for community development while encouraging donor organisation to take us more seriously,” Foster stated.
He disclosed that the two-storey concrete edifice has, amongst other facilities on the lower flat, a conference room, a media centre, an information technology hub fitted with 15 computers and free Internet accessibility, offices for support services, a resource centre along with six rooms for officers assigned to the Caribbean consultancy in community development.