THE tiny hands of nursery and primary school children sounded thunderous applause which ushered in the 2011 Georgetown Children’s Mashramani Competitions at the National Cultural Centre (NCC), yesterday, setting the tone for the ‘jump-ups’ and ‘waves’ that followed. Underscoring this year’s theme, ‘Showcasing our culture, sustaining our pride’, day one saw competitions in Calypso and Dramatic Poetry with messages that cut across the self-imposed divides only the innocence of children could bridge.
While efforts of teachers who put the pieces together are laudable, the children responded eagerly to their tutelage and brought to the stage nothing elaborate or sophisticated, but their own innocent perceptions coupled with individual creativity.
Nothing Chairperson Travis King did was directed at dimming the impassioned responses from the audience; he urged them on and the NCC rang with the screams of hundreds of children – after observing, of course, the necessary protocols to nurture patriotism, by way of the National Anthem and Pledge.
“Step out and do ya thing…this is we thing (Mashramani)…keep our pride…get it straight…togetherness,” were the urgings of little Condeleeza Dos Santos from East La Penitence Nursery.

The tot called for togetherness in Guyana, as we celebrate our Republic anniversary, boldly braving the stage and an audience of hundreds.
Echoing the call for change was Bel Air Nursery student Davendra Baldeo with his entry ‘The Dump Site’.
Stressing the need for a return of the Garden City’s glory, the youngster addressed his poem to an issue that has made headlines in the last few weeks – the garbage
situation, which will hopefully be solved with the opening of the Haags Bosch site and an awakening of citizens’ sense of responsibility.

In the same vein, Toshana Bancroft from South Ruimveldt Park Nursery begged the audience to “Help Mi Daddy,” whose abusive actions affect more than just her mother.
Domestic violence advocacy has not been as well championed as it was by the young girl whose pleas resonated in the minds of those in the audience.
Pointing to the insignificance with which children are regarded, the young girl dealt with the most key of children’s rights – the right of a child to give an opinion and have it taken seriously by adults (Article 12 of the Convention of the Rights of the Child [CRC]) and the right to be protected from being hurt and mistreated in body and mind (Article 19 of the CRC).
“Why my daddy always beating my mommy….I tell them to stop and I get some too…I love my mommy. I love my daddy. Somebody please help mi daddy,” Bancroft pleads.
Disparity and discrimination was also brought to the fore as tots from Albouystown Nursery challenged the perceptions of communities like Albouystown, with a piece titled ‘Seconds’.

‘Seconds’ proffered the argument that Albouystown always comes second; “second place in the poetry jar” even.
The school placed third in the Nursery Dramatic Poetry category.
Topping the performances was Antonio Griffith from Smyth Street Nursery, who is looking for ‘Some Singh’ store on Regent Street, but is only greeted by Ying Yang or something similar.
Dressed for school, the youngster points out that the Chinese have taken over the busiest street in Georgetown and everything on his body is China made – even his blackberry.

Just as well, Griffith’s piece was titled ‘Guyana – Land of Many People’ and drew impassioned responses from the audience.

A group from Lodge Nursery burst into tune, swinging hips and all, as they called for an appreciation of ‘We Culture, We Pride’.

‘Like the Shining Sun’ was the entry made by the Precious Jewels Nursery group.

“All can have a part of the fun…this is what we offer,” they sang.

Reflecting on what such cultural activities represent, Chief Education Officer Olato Sam, addressing the gathering, stressed that culture in Guyana is alive and well and assured of the Education Ministry’s support, through the Allied Arts Unit, in its
advancement.

He acknowledged that emphasis on culture translates to emphasis on moulding rounded individuals, the ultimate aim of the education sector’s thrust.
Sam said a life filled with the academic as well as the aesthetics helps an individual to realise his full potential.