THE Embassy of Mexico in Guyana presented Certificates of Participation last Tuesday to six children from the Joshua House children’s facility, located at 255 Thomas Street, Georgetown, because they had participated in the 17th children’s drawing competition, “This is My Mexico”.
The presentation was made by His Excellency Mr. Francisco Olguín, Ambassador of Mexico to Guyana, in the presence of Ms. María-Elena Alcaraz, Deputy Head of Mission, and several other representatives of the embassy.
The awarded children were Robin and Ryan Rogers, Ronald and Marian Bovell, Julia Evans and Kenrick Halley.
“THIS IS MY MEXICO” is a worldwide competition in which children aged between seven and 11 submit drawings portraying their knowledge of and sentiments on Mexico’s history and culture.
The Institute for Mexicans Abroad, falling under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, has, since 1996, convened an annual Children’s Drawing competition called “Este es mi México” (This is my Mexico). Originally, it was intended to strengthen ties between children of the Mexican Diáspora, born mainly in the United States and Canada, with their motherland. Eventually, however, the Mexican authorities discovered that non-Mexican children were often willing to participate as well.
Conscious that understanding among peoples is more easily achieved through cultural and artistic expressions, and cognizant of the importance of fostering children’s creativity through their learning ability to communicate about cultures different from theirs, the 11th edition of the drawing contest was opened in 2006 for children aged seven to 11 from schools and orphanages all over the world, whether or not they were of Mexican heritage. They were invited to express their artistic abilities and imagination by drawing different aspects of Mexican life, culture and history.
As the Mexican Embassy officially opened in Georgetown in July 2009, local children have been invited to participate, starting in 2010.
In October 2012, the embassy invited children from public and private schools to visit the embassy to see an Exhibit of participación drawings of the 14th and 15th contest editions. They also perused Mexican art, geography and history books; saw assorted videos about Mexico, and were provided with cardboard and colouring pencils and crayons so they could get started on their own drawings to enter the 17th edition of the “Este es mi México” competition.
Six children from Joshua House entered their drawings in that competition; and on behalf of the jurors, a panel of Mexican painters and sculptors led by renowned artist Jorge Marin, the Institute of Mexicans Abroad sent each a Certificate of Recognition for their efforts. The certificate includes a “winged” child painted by Marin, whose work is always inspired by winged characters (www.alasdelaciudad.com).
A statement from the embassy said it was an occasion ahead of the Christmas season to share a joyous time with all 60 children living in Joshua House. All residents of the home, as well as their teachers and caretakers, were feted with gifts and snacks after conclusion of the ceremony. The Embassy also made a contribution of books to the library of the children’s home.
