A HEALTH Fair for the people of Mabaruma in Region One was just one in a number of tangible ways in which members of the New York-based humanitarian group ‘Guyana Aid Region One’ recently gave back to the region from which they hailed. Others included the award of bursaries for the region’s top ten performing students at this year’s National Grade Six Examinations, and the donation of medical supplies to the Mabaruma Public Hospital.
Headed by its President, Mr. David Correia, a former student of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic School at Mabaruma, who migrated to the United States in the 1960s, the GARO group arrived in Guyana on August 5 and departed on August 12, after completing their planned activities on schedule.
On arrival in Georgetown, they were welcomed by President of the Guyana Chapter, Captain John Flores, and other local GARO members at a function held at Camp Ayanganna, Thomas Lands.
The group spent five action-packed days at Mabaruma executing its programme, the highlight of which was the Health Fair that attracted more that 120 keenly enthusiastic persons drawn from Mabaruma and surrounding villages. Venue was the Broomes Guest House, on outskirts of the Mabaruma sub-regional compound and about one mile away from the shipping harbour at Kumaka.
Attendees were tested for various common ailments, and were guided on practising healthy behaviours.
Key government functionaries attending the activity included Regional Vice-Chairman Mr Peter Singh, Regional Hospital Administrator Mr Meusa; Regional Education Officer Mr. Krammer, and Chair of the Regional Board of Education, Ms. Bernice Pierre.
There was a break in medical care at the same forum to allow for GARO’s annual award of stipends to students who placed in the top ten positions at the National Grade Six Assessment Examinations.  This was followed by the handing over of a donation of medical equipment to the Mabaruma Hospital, compliments of Guyana Aid Region One (GARO New York Chapter).  Mr. Meusa received the items on behalf of the institution.
During the awards ceremony, Correia thanked Health Fair Project Coordinator Mrs. Valerie Ghanie for the pivotal role she played in staging the Health Fair. He also complimented the youths who excelled at the examination, and encouraged them to pursue their studies with continued diligence, in order to increase their options in life and to be able to help their communities in the future.
Correia introduced the other members of Guyana Aid Region One as people who once were in the same position as the children, but have now returned to help them, and are now showing the children a path to emulate.
GARO members were very excited at their reception by the community, but, looking at the bigger picture, said that the greater measure of their success would be if the beneficiaries gained knowledge and are able to use the information that GARO provided in the form of educational materials.
l. Executive Member Ms. Ghanie said GARO hopes to return in the future and offer more services to help the community.
Group members spent the bulk of their time in the region, visiting friends and relatives still living there; visiting the ‘Kissing Rocks’ – a community tourist attraction; fishing in the nearby creeks, and crab hunting at Barima End, about 5 miles from Mabaruma, and across the river from Morawhanna.
Morawhanna is a port of entry which once boasted a thriving riverine township, the entrance to which strategically hosts the Transport and Harbours Department’s fresh water harbour. It is now best known for its Fish Port Complex which offers fisherfolk in the Sub-Region an opportunity to ply and develop their trade.