FIRST Lady, Madame Deolatchmee Ramotar has compared the ascended kite to that of a child whose parents make education their top priority.

Speaking at the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir (NJASM) Humanitarian Mission Easter Sunday Gymkhana, which was held at Babu John, Corentyne, the First Lady said the onus is on parents to ensure that children make the best of their schooldays.
“There should be no excuse for lack of attendance, because the Government is giving a lot of subsidies. They are getting free uniforms, a hot meal, and free books, so you have to send your children to school,” she said, adding:

“Only an educated child can get out of poverty.”
While addressing the younger members of the audience, Mrs. Ramotar, who was accompanied by several members of the First Lady Foundation, also brought greetings from His Excellency, the President, while explaining that before a kite can soar, it will encounter several difficulties; but that with adjustments made by the flier, it will rise into the skies.
Similarly, the First Lady explained that while schoolwork may be challenging, with perseverance and hard work, one is bound to succeed.
“Your future lies before you, and your future is our future; because if we know that you are educated, and that you are good children, you are honest, then we know that Guyana will be in good hands,” she said.

MORAL GUIDANCE
In addition, Mrs. Ramotar, addressing parents, reminded them of their role in providing good moral guidance.
“If you look in our society there are a lot of issues, we have suicide, domestic violence, so we have to make sure that our children get the love and understanding to be honest and trustworthy individuals.”
Meanwhile, the main sponsor of the event, Mr. Parmamnad Lutawan of Broadway Poultry of New Jersey, USA, and formerly of Number 48 Village, Corentyne, speaking briefly, noted that he had envisaged returning ‘home’ to share gifts with children during the festive season, but his business did not allow him to have leave at Christmas.
“So I had to choose Easter. I always wanted to come and give gifts, an opportunity that I didn’t have. I grew up in a poor family, I know what it is being poor and I have been on the other side of the coin too. Being poor is not an excuse for us not to go to school, it is not an excuse for us not to have an education.”
In addition, President of the NJASM, Pandit Suresh Sugrim, who also addressed the gathering, highlighted the many issues which have been affecting the fabric of the family foundation.
Despite the prevailing issues, he challenged the parents to make that change, by not neglecting their children and by helping other children in the community, even as he made a further commitment for the NJASM organisation.
During the event, which also had beverage giant Banks DIH as another major sponsor, children participated in several games, mixing some old-fashioned games with unique innovations such as lime and spoon and bag race, along with trampoline jumping and face painting.
Certificates of appreciation were issued to the members of the Berbice media, charitable and non-government organisations and volunteers.

‘There should be no excuse for lack of attendance (at school), because the Government is giving a lot of subsidies; they are getting free uniforms, a hot meal, and free books, so you have to send your children to school. Only an educated child can get out of poverty’ –- First Lady, Madame Deolatchmee Ramotar