FIRST Lady Mrs Sandra Granger was on Saturday awarded for the contributions she has made in improving the lives of the most vulnerable sections of the Guyanese population.The Guyana Action Committee (GAC) presented her with an award at the GAC’s fundraising gala held at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. The proceeds from that fundraising event will go towards the Burnham Educational Scholarship Trust (BEST).

The First Lady, in brief remarks, said the GAC and her office are working towards common goals, particularly in relation to helping the vulnerable, especially women and children.

She said, “The GAC and I believe in education as a means of advancement…. Because of this, we focus on ensuring that our young children and adolescents in particular are given the means to become educated and therefore (become) able contributors to the growth and development of our beautiful Guyana.”

President of the GAC, Errol Lewis, in his remarks, called for greater unity among Guyanese, both locally and in the diaspora.

“If we are to advance our purpose and our cause utilising the rich potential we possess, our nation must be educated enough to understand that we cannot continue to ostracise anyone, moreso our youths…. We must never again allow bigotry and hatred to define us as a people…,” he said.

Apart from the First Lady, five other individuals were honoured. They are educator and activist Mr Stanton Lambert; Deputy Principal of President’s College, Ms Yvonette Chichester; educator Mr Wilfred Success; computer specialist Ms Marva Wiltshire-Gordon; and businessman and social activist Mr James Bovell Jr.

The GAC also awarded several youths for outstanding performances in the field of sport. They are cricketers Kemo Paul, Shemaine Campbelle, Shimron Hetmyer, Tevin Imlach, and Tremayne Smartt.

The GAC is a non-profit organisation established in New York in 2011. Its mission is to engage in projects and discussions aimed at providing means for cultural, economic and social change for Guyanese here in Guyana and in the diaspora. (Ministry of the Presidency)