FOOD for the Poor (Guyana) Inc., yesterday, commissioned the Swan Community Deveopment Housing Project, established at a cost of some $80M, at the Swan Amerindian Community on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

The event took place at the Swan Community Centre which was also built by Food for the Poor as a part of this project.
In his remarks, Manager of Food For the Poor (Guyana) Mr. Kent Vincent explained that after seeing the condition of the area in 2012, the organisation commenced the housing project. After two phases of the project, from May 2012 to June 2013, a total of 65 homes were constructed along with a community centre, a play park and a water panel.
He acknowledged the contribution of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) in providing the village with water and solar panels.
Representative for Food for the Poor (Florida) Inc., Mrs Susan James-Casserly expressed her pride at the newly- established community.
She told the villagers that they now have a different lifestyle as to when they had first moved into the area.

She posited that they no longer have thatched roofs that leak when there is rainfall; they have zinc sheets and a wooden floor above the ground.
She urged them to take good care of the houses provided for them and promote a healthy living environment and to also work for betterment in the community.
The villagers were also encouraged to promote their village by working hard to make a change in Guyana, starting with their very own village.
Chairman of Food for the Poor (Guyana), Mr. Paul Chan-A-Sue expressed his hope and expectations that the village will grow and develop itself. He pointed out that Food for the Poor is working with GWI to ensure that the village has the best quality of water.
He urged that they also take good care of the solar panel as it provides light for them when darkness falls.

Chairman of the Management Committee of Swan Village, Mr James Domingo, recalling the history of the village, pointed out that the first man to move to the plot of land was his secretary “Charles” who came from the hinterland and slept under the trees. Gradually more persons came out and a shabby community was constructed when Food for the Poor decided to visit them.
He promised that the community will develop itself and move forward as time goes by.
National Director for Community Development Philomena Sahoye-Shury explained that Amerindians lived in poverty in the area but the Amerindian people are a developing nation and lauded Food for the Poor for helping them to develop their community.
She emphasised that education is vital for the betterment of the community and as Mr Domingo requested transportation for the children to get to school on a daily basis, this will be looked into as it is important that the village children be educated.
One of the benefactors from the USA, Mr Patrick Rainey who has contributed generously to the project expressed his delight at how the community has been developed.
He said that he would like to see continued progress in the village and persons doing everything to care the homes provided for them.
Representative of the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, Ms Sharon Hincks lauded the organisation for the housing development initiative as it comes as a great help to the villagers.
She noted that Food for The Poor has done its part, and it is now the responsibility of the villagers to support each other and work together for a better community.
One of the beneficiaries in her words of appreciation acknowledged the organisation for the good work that they have done and promised to work hard to care the homes provided for them.
She pointed out that villagers now have a restful place where they can have a good night’s rest.
The programme included a number of cultural presentations from the Swan Dance Group as well as talented villagers who sang folk songs and displayed their art and craft talent while two gentlemen displayed their skill in guitar and violin renditions.
Mr and Mrs Rainey distributed toys to the children of the community at the end of the programme and they were also presented with tokens of appreciation from the community for their efforts to make the project a reality.

(By Savitri Laikram)