THIS IS an extended holiday weekend in America for the annual Thanksgiving festival in which the nation of immigrants gives thanks for their presence and wellbeing in the U.S. The celebration involves a traditional family dinner, with turkey on the menu; donating to favourite charities; and church service.
Some Guyanese plan ‘poojas’ over the weekend as a way of giving thanks. It is a holiday bringing family and friends together to appreciate, rejoice and celebrate their success as a people.
Guyanese, like other immigrant groups, join other Americans in giving thanks for their presence in America — for the enormous progress they have made in the adopted country they call home. They are very thankful to America for opening her arms and allowing them to get a post-secondary education that helps to build a path to accomplish hopes and dreams (like a new home, a vehicle, and other material comforts).
Immigrants, like Guyanese, have reason to be thankful for their presence in America, where they are considered a model community – hardworking and relatively well-behaved, using their presence to uplift their lives as well as the lives of others. The U.S. has given Guyanese — who started coming in waves during the period of oppressive authoritarian rule — as well as other immigrants, democracy, freedom, and non-violent change.
The country has been welcoming them since the 1960s, and since their arrival in the U.S., they have been successful at not only attaining high levels of achievement, but also sharing their earnings with the poorer sections of society.
For the most part, Guyanese have ‘made it’ in America, living a high standard of life with many having their own homes and cars, and a post-secondary education. They have shed the lackadaisical attitude of life in Guyana, quickly becoming a very hardworking people who do not depend on the government for their survival. Many even work two jobs and pursue higher education. They are, for the most part, success stories, with one of the highest incomes in the U.S. They contribute a lot more in taxes than the benefits they receive. Some have become successful entrepreneurs in a very short time after arrival. And many are enrolled in colleges and universities and joining the ranks of professionals (in medicine, law, engineering, teaching, and computer technology) with some of the highest salaries in the nation.
Guyanese donate some of their earnings to the poor, which is a tradition of the season. Giving back to society is part of the culture of the Guyanese. They are kind-hearted and compassionate, giving to both Guyanese and non-Guyanese organizations like the Red Cross, Cancer Society, etc.  They also send remittances back home. They host dinners for the poor and homeless. This is their way of giving thanks for their success in the U.S.
Guyanese celebrate the holiday festival like other Americans by giving thanks at church services and with family reunions, feasts, and charitable gifts.  They add their own flavour to the festival with their music, drinks, and excellent cuisine of dainty dishes (duck, roti, bara, chowmein, ras malai, etc.) adding to the melting pot that is America.
By observing Thanksgiving, Guyanese participate in a mainstream American celebration that is not tied to any faith celebration like Eid or Diwali.  They give thanks for the progress they have made in America, which has given them the opportunity to uplift their lives while sharing their skills, talents, wealth and resources in making America a richer place to live.