By Vanessa Braithwaite

THE United States (US) Embassy, under the Humanitarian for Assistance Programme (HAP), will be providing needed assistance to Region 10 in the form of donations, medical assistance and training, especially in the remote communities of the region.This was revealed by representatives of the programme, who visited Linden on Tuesday to formally introduce themselves and divulge to regional officials the plans they have for the region.

The team, consisting of Director Eric Antinucci, Assistant Director Gabe Megda and Programme Coordinator Mark Houston, met with Regional Chairman Renis Morian, Mayor Carwyn Holland, Deputy Mayor Wanneka Arrindil, Regional Member of Parliament (MP) Jermaine Figueira, and Councillors. The team outlined its special interest in Linden, and by extension Region 10, because of the many remote areas that may not benefit from Government programmes as they should.

Team members revealed that they were in possession of a lot of donations at this time, and they wanted to have communities and residents in need benefit from the donations, which comprise books, food, shoes and medical supplies.

Antinucci said the team’s purpose in Linden was not only to officially introduce its members, but to gather information on what is needed in the various communities, and how assistance can be rendered earliest.
“A lot of organisations are looking to make donations…so we not only came here today for a formal introduction, but also to gather information, so when we go back to Georgetown we can hopefully bring some donations to the area, so that we can hopefully alleviate some of those common stressors in any way we can,” he posited.

The Regional Chairman pointed out the need for sporting gear and equipment in riverine communities such as Malali, where youths are integrally involved in sports. In addition to sports, the Chairman revealed the need for assistance in agriculture and arts, where focus is being given to Indigenous communities at this time.

He also mentioned the upsurge in cases of hypertension resulting from stress in the region, and cancer cases; thus the need for medical supplies and outreaches.

Being cognisant of this reality, the team promised to organise a medical outreach in the near future, and this will benefit persons living in the hinterland communities as well.

Promises were also made to align with local NGOs to provide needed assistance, since team members were told of several NGO undergoing challenges because of lack of funding.

The Regional Chairman expressed gratitude for the team’s interest in the region, as he has been seeking assistance from several organisations in various sectors.

BIG BOOST
“This is a big boost… It’s a good for the people of Region 10, and we will build and extend partnership with this organisation,” he said.

The Mayor of Linden also echoed the sentiments of the Chairman in thanking the team for opening its arms to Linden, since the new Council is looking for ways to transform Linden from township status to city status.

“It is good that you came to visit us, and we can renew this and further develop this relationship that we have with America,” he said. The Mayor told the team he is currently looking for ways to stimulate the economy to create jobs; enable entrepreneurship, especially among the youths, and develop the talent of the young people.

He told the team, “We have much talent in Linden, and I would want to invite the Unites States of America, with representation of the embassy, to help us harness and develop these talents.”

Other areas that would appreciate assistance are training; sanitation; municipal development; early childhood education, starting with the day care system; youth empowerment, and sports development.

EXCHANGE
“I would like to have an exchange done between this municipality and municipality of the Mayor of New York. I would like to foster exchanges there, where we can learn and adopt from your system for the system here in Linden,” the Mayor revealed.

MP Jermaine Figueira stressed the need for job creation, agricultural and tourism development, and the promotion of entrepreneurship among young people. “The embassy can play a pivotal role in providing grants for the agricultural sector,” he declared.

He also posited that the embassy can assist in providing scholarships for athletes who are often left by the wayside with no opportunity to progress in their respective sporting disciplines.

The team suggested that the areas highlighted and the requests made would demand a lot of resources and would take time to come to fruition, but one of its immediate goals is to have a medical outreach that would benefit residents on a large scale.

The Humanitarian Assistance Programme has benefited several communities since its launch in Guyana. Team members have been working in several regions, including Regions Six and Nine. The programme garners funds from the US Embassy and other NGOs around the world, and focuses on developing communities and assisting those of limited means.