THE value of education was reinforced to residents of the remote Amerindian community of Akawini yesterday when President David Granger led a team of government officials to communities in the Pomeroon.The Head-of-State was on a Christmas visit to Region Two and started his tour with a first stop at Akawini, located approximately an hour-and-a-half by boat in the Akawini Creek in the Lower Pomeroon.

Accompanied by Minister within the Ministry of Infrastructure Annette Ferguson and Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally, the President addressed dozens of residents at the Baracara Primary School.
According to him, one of the main reasons he travelled to the Amerindian community centered on his concern about the younger generation’s access to education.
“When I came right here I heard stories of how difficult it was for children to go to school at Charity,” he said, adding that as the nation’s leader he has a responsibility to ensure these and other circumstances are addressed.
He spoke of the three Bs programme, the boats, bikes and buses initiative, which has been launched countrywide to aid children in communities across the country with easier access to educational activities, including schooling.
He said that the older folks may not have had opportunities available to them in their younger years “but now we all have it”. He added that the younger persons at Akawini should seize the opportunity to have the best possible education, contending that the region can be better developed in the future if this feat is achieved.
The Head-of-State informed residents of the long journey to the community from the capital city and to this end, he noted that for his 70th birthday in July this year, he was presented with a boat from persons who were prepared to assist residents of Region Two.
“What we want to see in the coming years and what you must ask your Toshao to insist at the National Toshaos Council is that every single child gets to go to school,” the President said.
He added that whatever needs are requested by the community, the government will try its utmost to provide.

“If you need books we will do our best,” he said, adding that he will continue to revisit Akawini in future to ensure promises made are fulfilled. He said that although Akawini is remote, the residents are entitled to the same quality of education, development and transportation as any other community in Guyana.
The primary school was buzzing with activity and many children came out dressed in uniform to see the Head of State. Being Christmas time, the President told the residents that this period is one filled with humility and he spoke of the humble and poor circumstances in which Jesus Christ was born, in a manger. On this note, he wished the residents a Merry Christmas, to loud rounds of applause and later presented gifts to children there.
Earlier, Toshao David Wilson told the audience that it was the first time that a sitting President visited Akawini and to loud cheers, he thanked the country’s leader for his stopover at the community.
Meanwhile, residents of several communities on the Pomeroon River turned out in large numbers at Friendship to welcome the President during a brief stop at the predominantly farming community. The President continued to instill his opinion on education’s value to nation- building as well as national unity. He said that his beliefs are molded in a “one-Guyana school of thought”.

He also highlighted the Three Bs initiative to the large gathering, adding that persons have been receiving the message on the importance of children attending school.

Story and photos by Alva Solomon