NO longer a victim of domestic violence, Corentyne resident Bonita Leitch now contributes to the development of communities in the Hogstye/Lancaster Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) of Region Six through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP).

A domestic dispute in 2007 resulted in Leitch’s left hand being severed, and subsequently depression and hopelessness had engulfed her. But being a mother of five boys, those feelings had to be fought, as providing for her children was now the priority.

Today, thanks to Government’s non-discriminatory employment policy, Leitch is a member of the staff of the Ministry of Housing and Water. Stronger, independent and confident, she is a proud Community Enhancement Team Leader (CETL) supervising an all-male team of Community Enhancement Workers (CEWs).

A hallmark of CIIP is the equal employment opportunity it offers to residents within the various NDCs, targeted municipalities and village councils in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six.

CIIP commenced in August 2014, and over 700 persons are employed with the project. Women and persons living with disabilities, two traditionally marginalised groups, are now given the opportunity to work in a male dominated labour intensive work environment.

Employees work the same hours, and are paid equally for their labour. They engage in cleaning and clearing of internal drainage networks, parapets, and burial grounds, and execute minor routine repairs to infrastructure.

Leitch said that finding employment as a differently-able person is challenging, and she is grateful to be a part of the CIIP.

“Some of my relatives assist me financially to send (one of my sons) to UG, another (son) to the Guyana School of Agriculture, and two more to school… The money I earn also helps in a big way to pay my bills…

“I feel independent knowing that I am not a complete burden to my relatives,” Leitch said.

The independence Leitch feels is not isolated. For Garfield Jacobs, a resident of Stewartville North/ East Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara, being employed with CIIP is fulfilling.

Observing Jacobs handling a rake or cutlass, one would see a strong young man who is dedicated to his job, and one would never guess that he is hearing impaired.

Jacobs is a Community Enhancement Worker, providing labour services to the Stewartville/Cornelia Ida NDC. His team members communicate with him using actions to indicate tasks to be done, and they do not by any means regard him a liability to the team.

In fact, team members describe him as an alert, dedicated and willing worker, who is always in a good mood.

“Sometimes we working in an area and bees might be there. Jacobs is the first to spot the bees, and he would alert us by making noise to tell us something dangerous is around… We have no problem working with him…he is a good worker,”
Moses John, a CEW, said.

Though he cannot express himself verbally, Jacobs’s younger sister believes he is happy to be employed and be able to earn.

The feeling of satisfaction that comes with being able to provide for oneself and family is one Dhanwanttie Ramdeholl cherishes.

Ramdeholl, a single parent, is the Community Enhancement Team Leader of Anna Regina Town Council, Region Two.

“This job provides me with an income to provide for my children, and I am thankful to be employed with this project…. It is not demanding, and allows me the time to see my children off to school, and when they get home from school; for that, I am happy,” she said.

Another important aspect of CIIP that appeals to Ramdeholl is the project’s objectives of improving, accessing and beautifying communities, and promoting safer and healthier communities.

With her children’s well-being in mind, she gives 100 percent of her energy to being a CETL. Being a supervisor allows her opportunity to ensure that CEWs execute tasks properly to make their communities cleaner and healthier.

Equal employment and respecting labour laws are priorities of the Ministry as it implements CIIP.

The Local Government and Regional Development Ministry (MLGRD) is pleased that this project could touch the lives of so many persons who have different circumstances.
Their individual dedication and collective energies poured into making communities better are truly valued. It is because of the workers that CIIP is a reality, and citizens could enjoy cleaner communities.

Some districts need additional workers, but in due time that void would be filled.

By Rebecca Ganesh