THE Essequibo Coastland and Pomeroon riverain communities came alive recently with an awe-inspiring and rejuvenating ‘Homecoming and Family Reunion’, which connected more than three hundred family members and friends, and spanned more than four generations.

We’re one family!

Held over one week, beginning July 5, the occasion, which dominated a list of priorities for the keenly enthusiastic families, was characterized by flair, excitement and goodwill, and would be remembered for a long time to come, they all agreed.

The occasion was specially dedicated to the memory of progenitors, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence and Hyacinth Lewis, formerly of Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast. The couple — he an educator, and she a health worker — impacted the lives of thousands on the Essequibo Coast and in the Pomeroon tremendously, in both their personal and professional lives.

Clarence was employed for many years as an agricultural instructor at the Onderneeming Remedial School, now known as the New Opportunity Corps or NOC, while his wonderful wife, Hyacinth, who hailed from the Pomeroon, spent her entire working life in Guyana as a nurse/midwife at the Suddie Hospital, delivering literally hundreds of babies, and providing ante-natal and post-natal care for their mothers. Doing it with pride and fervour, she remained in that job until the family migrated to the United States of America on July 6, 1982.

Good to the last drop! Dr Rory Lewis feasting on fresh coconut water and succulent jelly in the Pomeroon.

And so, on Sunday July 6, the ‘grand reunion day’ in the week-long programme of activities, was significant in many ways.

Hosts of the ‘Homecoming and ome comind and Reunion wereReunion’ were their five children, three of whom are medical doctors. They are Dr Leon Lewis, M.D, FACOG; Dr Janice P. Lewis-Thomas, MD (Family Practice); Dr Adel P Myrie, DMD (General Dentistry); Ms Marcia Camacho, MS (Business Administration) and Ms Shirlene Gittens, MSW, (Family and Child Welfare) and their families.

Accompanying the siblings to Guyana were their oldest surviving paternal uncle, Dr Edward Lewis (General Surgery), who last traveled to Guyana about 40 years ago; his wife and his elder sister (Ms Shirley Lewis), both nurse midwives; nephew, Dr Rory Lewis, an Orthopedic Surgeon, and an ancillary team comprising several other family members in the medical profession.

The visiting team, proudly to be able to ‘give back’ something to the country of their birth, and more particularly their homeland communities, conducted a medical outreach in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) and made donations of medical supplies, including an ultra sound machine, to the Suddie Hospital and other health facilities on the Essequibo Coast.

Gotcha this time! Leon Jnr. catches a fish; has something to tell his friends back home in the USA

Dr Leon Lewis also performed free surgeries at the Suddie Hospital and the Seventh Day Adventist Davis Memorial Hospital here in the city.

The action-packed week began with a Church Service at the Pomona Seventh Day Adventist Church on Saturday July 5, followed by a moment of great jubilation: ‘Fun-in-the-sun’ and lunch for several hundreds at Pomona, the church at which the family fellowshipped while in Guyana. There was also an Odyssey to the Lewis family’s cherished homestead at Onderneeming, which engendered feelings of both excitement and nostalgia as well.

Sunday, the day of the ‘Grand Home-coming and Reunion’ proper saw about 300 enthusiastic family members of the Lewis/Glenn/Allen line converging at the Urbayne Oasis Hotel, in Queenstown for a day of ‘fun and the best cuisine’.

A memorable programme it was, and hundreds, decked in specially-designed reunion T-shirts emblazoned with portraits of Clarence and Hyacinth, came together for a day of reliving memories of growing up at the old homestead; remembering legendary ancestors; renewing ‘auld acquaintances’ and making new ones. There were also reunion trivia games, and quiz competitions with lots of prizes up for grabs.

Rife with jubilation, the occasion was also an ideal opportunity for fostering of family togetherness at all levels, allowing the younger generation to be able to trace their roots and become acquainted with other family members, and in every way, giving thanks for God’s blessings on the families.

Other activities included the viewing memorabilia, such as cherished photographs of family members and other valuable collections, and the sharing of genealogical information.

The local youth, characterized by Guyanese warmth and hospitality, played the expert hosts to guests from ‘The Big Apple’ visiting Guyana for the first time, and shared rich cultural experiences, notably feasting on fresh water coconuts and succulent jelly.

For the visiting boys in the seven to 12 age group, there was no greater moment than speed boat rides, fishing with their dads in the famous black water Akawini Creek in the Pomeroon River, viewing heritage sites such as the awe-inspiring St. George’s Cathedral, all presenting them with cherished memories of their visit to Guyana.

A day and night at the much-talked-about ‘Adel Resort’ at the Akawini – experiencing the rustic ambience and savouring lavish helpings of metagee, cassava bread and pepper-pot and plenty of fresh fruits were sufficient to make a lasting impression of Guyana as a wonderful tourist destination.

While here, the visiting team of doctors also launched the Guyana Chapter of the ‘Valdave’ Medical Ministry at which several new members were commissioned. Operating under the theme: “Bringing Medical Care to the Underserved”, the not-for-profit organization has as its Managing Director, Dr. Leon Lewis FACOG – son Clarence David Lewis and Hyacinth Lewis.

The week continued with medical outreach conducted at Pomona and at the Hackney Health Centre, providing free diabetic; hypertensive and oral health care to residents. While in the Pomeroon, they also visited and lodged at the Adel Resort at the famous ‘black water’ Akawini Creek.

The ‘Home Coming and Reunion’ was rounded up with free surgeries at the Suddie Hospital, Essequibo Coast and the Davis Memorial Hospital in Georgetown, and presentation of medical items to those institutions.

Expressing great satisfaction with what was achieved during their visit, Dr. Leon Lewis of Huntsville, Alabama and other members of the visiting team, promised that, through the Valdave Medical Ministry, they will be able to continue to respond to the medical needs of deserving communities in Guyana.