OUTGOING US Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency Mr. D. Brent Hardt, was honoured by the Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness organization (CADVA) at a simple ceremony held at the Pegasus Hotel on March 11.

Ambassador Hardt had this to say at the ceremony: “Throughout my tenure as ambassador, I have often spoken about the critical contributions that Guyanese in the diaspora can make back home here, and CADVA’s engagement is really charting new ground and setting a shining example that I hope many others will follow”.

The members of the United States (US) Embassy team have been working diligently to tackle the plague of domestic violence with the same determination with which they have helped to combat human trafficking, created new opportunities for young people, and raised environmental awareness among other programmes and initiatives.

Ambassador Hardt expressed sincere gratitude to CADVA for hosting a ceremony in his honour, and said that while he humbly accepted the tokens and tributes, he has done so on behalf of his “extraordinarily dedicated, hardworking and passionate” team at the US Embassy.

Ambassador Hardt also highlighted the efforts of Mrs. Saskia Hardt, who has been reaching out to young people in particular.
He also congratulated the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) for its efforts in combating domestic violence, promoting human rights, and attempting to rid society of homophobia.

Ambassador Hardt was sworn into office on August 18, 2011, and will end his tenure as ambassador sometime in July, 2014.

CADVA Incorporated was founded by Ms. Sukree Boodram, who had been a victim of domestic violence. Boodram is the author of ‘Break Out’, and is among those fortunate enough to have managed to escape the entrapment of domestic abuse and violence. She is determined to help others become victorious in their struggles.

CADVA Incorporated focuses on improving the situation in the US and Caribbean countries, where large pockets of cultural demographics exist, and where domestic violence is not openly discussed. With help from donations, funding, charitable contributions, fundraising events and partners, CADVA is looking to make a difference in its efforts to free the world of domestic violence.

(By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)