EDUCATION, technology, creativity and innovation are needed to take the residents of small communities like Baracara and Sandvoort out of poverty, opined President David Granger yesterday, when he visited the two communities and stressed the importance of children having a sound education. “Baracara is an ancient community,” he said, as he noted that education is the gateway out of poverty. “You can only free yourself from poverty if you acquire an education.”

In keeping with his aim for every Guyanese child to be educated, regardless of their location, President Granger committed to donating a boat to the students of Baracara through his Three Bs’ initiative, which is aimed at affording every child an opportunity to attend school.
“You must keep the children in school… I am going to give you a boat to go to New Amsterdam…. My first promise is to give a boat before Guyana celebrates its 50th anniversary,” he told the residents, who were overwhelmed with emotion at his kind gesture.
“There must not be a single child who does not go to school here!” the President said as he noted that the community is in need of a learning centre.
Pointing to the importance of information technology, Mr Granger said, “Any country that does not embrace information technology will be left behind.” He said efforts will be made to get computers into the community, but the village leaders must submit a proposal to his ministry for same.
Poverty can be eliminated, the President said, through creativity and innovation. He emphasised the need for persons to “think outside of the box”.

Located in the upper reaches of the Canje River, Baracara is predominantly an agricultural community.
BE INNOVATIVE
“You can’t continue doing the same thing your parents and grand-parents did; you’ve got to be innovative,” President Granger told the residents, as he urged them to think of ways in which they can enhance the economy of the community with the resources they have available to them.
“I want to ensure that the community of Baracara has the resources it needs to bring about the change it needs,” the President added.
Having visited the community to distribute gifts to the children, an impassioned President Granger told his audience: “No matter how many gifts you receive, unless you build a strong economy, you will never come out of poverty. I don’t want to see you poor,” he declared while stressing that Baracara needs to become an “independent economy”.
Accompanied by Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally, the President distributed toys to the children of Baracara, and gave a television set and a DVD player to the community. “This is just a token,” he said, “but my message is one of self-reliance and independence.”
Mr Granger also reminded the residents of the threats to Guyana’s territorial sovereignty by Venezuela and Suriname.
“Guyana has been a victim of aggression by Suriname and Venezuela…I am travelling to protect the territorial sovereignty…. What I inherited as President, I will bequeath to you and your children… Do not take this territorial issue for granted.”
Medex Karl Anderson thanked the President for remaining true to his promise to return to the community after elections.

“This is history…we looked forward to this day…since Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham visited us, no other President has visited Baracara… that is why today is so special.” On behalf of the residents, he invited the President to return to the community.

The President relayed to the children of Sandvoort a message similar to the one he had relayed at Baracara. He noted that while Christmas is fast approaching and he had taken them gifts, parents and community leaders must play a vital role in ensuring that they go to school, and remain in school.
While he made no promise to immediately provide transportation to the community of Sandvoort, he said his Ministry would “try to ensure that every child gets transportation to go to school”.
Every year, over 4000 children drop out of school. “We want you to stay in school,” Mr Granger told the children.
He extended a hand of cooperation to the Community Development Council (CDC), and urged its members to contact the Ministry of the Presidency if they needed assistance for educational purposes.

By Ariana Gordon