More than a business venture; an investment into Guyana-South America integration

MORE than a business venture but an investment in Guyana’s cultural developmental thrust in bridging the divide between the only English-speaking nation of South America and the rest of the continent, the Language Institute continues to promote social integration as part of its vision. 

Situated at the junction of Croal Street and Austin Place, Georgetown, the Institute has for years operated with a degree of excellence and a drive to promote proficiency in Spanish, French, Portuguese, Dutch, French and

English. Adding to the years of committed work, the visionary trio has once again struck gold with an investment that seems to be driven more by concerns for the national interest than just accumulating a few dollars, although the economics is important to the mix; the social impact far outweighs it.
The trio of Ms. Cecily Bernard, President and Managing Director of The Language Institute (TLI); Dr. Dale Dan, Vice- President and Director of Growth & Development, Leadership Training & eLearning for TLI, and Ms. Carol Ann Somers, the Human Resource Director for the entire TLI operation.
With no uncertainty, their accreditations and administrative roles are second to their humility, hospitality and the tiring years of hard work and devotion to creating a better Guyana one student and one customer at a time, while building a network of lasting friendships.

THE VISION

In an interview on Wednesday last at the Deipneo Restaurant, Chronicle staffers were treated to a lunch with the dynamic trio-Dr. Dan, who is the chief visionary behind the Deipneo concept, recalled that as a Guyanese living abroad, she yearned for a restaurant, “Where I could have a great dining experience… in a motivational setting.”
She related that the concept of Deipneo was to create an area for dining filled with fulfilment and satisfaction of food and atmosphere. According to her, Deipneo translates to “eat, sup or dine” in Greek. Boasting three major components, Deipneo is the main meal of the day, it is enjoyed with others in fellowship and, it is done in thanksgiving to God for another day.
The two visions were merged to create one grand multi-cultural experience in food, language and culture. She resolved that the location for the first materialising of the concept was to be in Guyana, further adding that the concepts were destined to be welded to the vision of the Language Institute in providing an all-out cultural melee of inter-connectedness.
Meals served are drawn from French, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese and English influences; all of which are prevalent in the South American experience. The menu interchanges weekly and then monthly so there is never the fear of repetitive dullness in options. Who could say no to diversity?
From all appearances, it seems that the dynamic trio had conceptualised Deipneo to be a meeting and dining area for members of the institute to share their thoughts. Surely this is reflected by the setting of the seating arrangements.
Ms. Somers speaking on the unique seating arrangement pointed out that Guyanese have become solitary in their relations with others and so to reengage a spirit of fellowship, “There are no backs to each others… [Thus] creating a feeling of appreciation for fellowship, where everyone who is here feels like they are part of a family.”
Standard and diversity are key components to any establishment, what the Trio had managed to do was to build a family from a network of co-workers. From the skilled culinary hands of Ms. Sheon Daniels to the inviting smile of Ms. Fayeon Roberts, the Language Institute and by extension of its cultural programme, Deipneo commands a well-knit family of co-workers dedicated to the vision of the institute.
Offering catering for special events with requests and endorsements from religious organisations, Foreign Service representatives, and business entities, Deipneo is sure to become the go-to place for good food and even better relations.
Although it is hopeful that both the Language Institute and Deipneo will expand their reach across the region, the trio is adamant that although requests have come from the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago, there is much more work to do with Guyana in perfecting what has already been undertaken before considering expansion.
This team has proved to be truly sincere in their cause.

(By Derwayne Wills)