PRESIDENT David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger sang national songs and made merry with the children of the Hope Children’s Home at Enmore, East Coast Demerara yesterday, as part of continuing celebrations for the President’s 71st birthday, which was observed on Friday.

Organised by the Office of the Presidency’s Press and Publicity Unit, the event was the culmination of a ministry-wide book drive for the children of the orphanage. Almost 400 books, stationery and toys were handed over to the Home in support of the President’s focus on ‘an education nation’.

While presenting the items, President Granger said the Home would continue to receive support from the Government, as he remains focused on ensuring that every child has the opportunity to reach his or her fullest potential through education.

“Let me congratulate you for the work you are doing here, and assure you that the Ministry of the Presidency will continue to support your work,” the President said, adding: “We have an opportunity in Guyana now to continue to remove inequalities, so that persons who have challenges can have the same opportunities or equal opportunities to be the best that they can be.

“The Ministry and Government will do everything possible to ensure that they can enjoy the benefits of this land.”

Director of the Home, Mr. Kenneth Finlayson, expressed gratitude to the President for the gesture, saying it would significantly help the centre to realise its goals.

“We are glad that you have taken the time to come and be with us, and to share your birthday with us here today; we are excited to have you,” Finlayson said. “I want to say that we are grateful that you and the members of staff have taken the time to make such a great presentation; because we believe in reading and education, and I know that our President and First Lady do believe in that as well.

“We pray that God will continue to bless your work as you lead our nation,” he added.

Director of Communication and Head of the Press and Publicity Unit, Mr. Mark Archer, noted that the President has been a persistent advocate for an educated nation. He said the donation, which included books by local, regional and international authors as well as text books, writing, drawing and colouring books and word games and puzzles, will help the children to increase their literacy and numeracy skills and fuel their imaginations.

After a warm welcome and lots of cheer, the President and First Lady, accompanied by well-known musicians Mr. David Dewar and Mrs. Marilyn Dewar, led the group in singing some of the President’s favourite national songs, including “My Guyana El Dorado”, which delighted the children.

They also performed a lusty rendition of “Happy Birthday” for the President, and when asked to choose a favourite national song of theirs, the children rose to their feet and loudly sang Dave Martin’s “Not a blade o’ grass”.

Rawle Narine, one of the children at the Home, said he was happy that the President was able to visit. “I am going to enjoy the books; I like reading,” he said.

Staff of the Ministry of the Presidency donated books for the 40 children, who are between the ages of three and 18, many of whom are differently-abled. A total of 876 books were received following the book drive. The remaining books will be donated to other institutions in need.

(Ministry of the Presidency).