Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) was among those issued Certificates of Appreciation when Radio Serial Drama, Merundoi Incorporated, presented its Annual Report and rewarded supporters and staff with special awards at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting, hosted Thursday at the Theatre Guild Playhouse, Kingston.

Merundoi Incorporated Board of Directors at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting yesterday. From Left to Right: Dr Paloma Mohamed, Assistant Secretary Ms. Marlyn Ramjeet-Samad, Mr. Derrick Cummings, Vice Chairman Ms. Elizabeth Deane Hughes, Chairman Ms. Janick Dai Arjoon and Executive Director/Secretary Ms. Margaret Lawrence.

Other organisations and individuals who received awards at the event are Roger Hinds Television, Centre for Disease Control (CDC), Stabroek News, National Communications Network (NCN), Ms. Namela Baynes-Henry of First Look News HBTV Channel 9, Splashing, Dr Ruth Ramos, Ms. Anne Greene and Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T).

Five outstanding workers received staff awards. The Distinguished Staff Award went to Ms. Lisa Mae Agard, Outstanding Achievement on the Job award went to Mr. Richard Pitman, and Facilitator of the Year award went to Ms. Mariam Edwards, Volunteer of the Year to Mr. Harlequin, and Service to Others Award to Ms. Odessa Price.

Present at the event were Executive Director/Secretary of Merundoi Incorporated Ms. Margaret Lawrence and members of the Board of Directors Ms. Janick Dai Arjoon – Chairman, Ms. Elizabeth Deane Hughes – Vice Chairman, Ms. Marlyn Ramjeet-Samad, Mr. Doodnauth Singh, Dr Paloma Mohamed, Mr. Derrick Cummings and Mr. Anand Harrilall.

Attendees of Merundoi’s AGM applaud.

The Board of Directors was re-elected for another year of service by unanimous decision of those present after a motion was presented by the Master of Ceremonies Mr. Ron Robinson. There was also a motion for the services of an auditor and the service of Bisheswar Seebarran and Company was retained.

Special invitees included Dr Shanti Singh, Programme Manger of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat, Dr Reuben Del Prado Country Coordinator Guyana and Suriname Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, and Charge d’ Affairs of the United States Embassy Ms. Karen Williams.

Dr Singh suggested expanding the content matter of Merundoi to not only feature HIV/AIDS related material, but to address other important issues such as Domestic Violence, Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Mental Health and Suicide in the drama. She also suggested branching off into television and was loudly applauded when she said that she would someday like to see Merundoi replace Soap Operas such as ‘ The Young and The Restless’ and ‘Days of Our Lives’ on television.

Reporter from the Guyana Chronicle, Michelle Gonsalves, collects Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) from Member of Merundoi Board of Directors , Mr. Derrick Cummings.

Karen Williams lavished praise on the programme and encouraged the private sector to support the initiative, noting that the synergy between the private sector in Guyana is “amazing”. She complimented the programme on its financial accountability, stating that “accountability will always be a watchword for any organisation”.

In his address, Dr Del Prado, on the subject of Behaviour Modification, suggested that healthier alternatives need to be offered to the public. He stressed a need to “replace” instead of “cut off”.

The serial radio drama, which is credited by some for the comeback of local radio in an age of IPODs and MP3 players, and Merundoi is an Akawaio word that means strength, stamina, courage and hope.

Merundoi, which celebrated its 300th episode milestone in August this year, was first aired in October 2006. Since then Merundoi has integrated itself into the health and education sectors executing strategy for behaviour change, communication and tapping into the schools curriculum. The Radio Serial Drama aired its 100th episode in September 2007.

The drama won the Guyana Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS USAID GHARP/Ministry of Health through National Action, and holds a seat on the National Prevention Committee on HIV/AIDS.