THE government since Independence in 1966 has honoured numerous citizens and organisations for services to the people of Guyana. Most of these awardees deserved their national awards while some were questionable. The main aim of our national award scheme I suppose was to recognise and honour those individuals and NGOs who have worked beyond the call of duties to make a difference in the lives of Guyanese.
As a Berbician who has been involved in public service, I would like to recommend an organisation for a national award which in my mind is long overdue. This organisation is the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club which since its formation in 1990 has had an unbelievable impact on the lives of thousands upon thousands not only in Berbice, but throughout Guyana. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club’s list of activities includes sports, youth development, community development, charity, educational, social, anti-drugs, finding jobs for youths and the less fortunate.
As Secretary of the Berbice Cricket Board, I can say without fear that the successes of the Berbice Board has been because of the hard work and effort of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and its management. Dozens of youths and sports clubs in the Ancient County are still active because of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club while countless sportsmen/women and less fortunate school children have been able to achieve their dreams because of the assistance of this dynamic organisation. Less fortunate families, the orphans and the elderly have been assisted on a regular basis while sportsmen, teachers, retired senior citizens and students have all been honoured each year under the series of awards and tributes programmes. To organise a record-breaking 130-140 programmes/activities each year is the proof of this club’s ability to go beyond the horizon and the county of Berbice and the township of Rose Hall would forever be grateful for its services.
The Club has received numerous awards for its work including four Guyana Cricket Board Club of the Year, four Berbice Cricket Board Club of the year, Rotary International Vocational Award while only recently I was present when President Donald Ramotar handed over the International Olympic Committee Award for Sports. In addition, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club became the first organisation to produce an official who was the National Sports Personality for work done at the club level and has also produced two junior sportsmen/women runners up awards.

Mr. Editor, I am confident that the majority of Guyanese would agree with me when I recommend to President Ramotar, that the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club deserves to be honoured with a Medal of Service at the upcoming 2012 National Awards Ceremony. It would be a fitting honour to a role model NGO whose work in Berbice and Guyana has not only changed the lives of countless but is unmatched locally.