– NY group plans to provide financial backing

RETIRED educators in the North West District are being urged to assist in enhancing the academic performance of children there with the financial support of a New York-based group.

Kaeron Jones, President and founder of Guyana Aid Region One Inc (GARO) told this publication on Saturday in Brooklyn, New York, that the body is working towards providing a stipend to retired educators who are willing to assist in after-school and holiday educational sessions with the children of Region One.
Jones spoke to this publication during the body’s hosting of its annual fundraising breakfast at the American Legion Hall in Canarsie ,Brooklyn.
At the recent opening of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference in Georgetown, President David Granger noted the dismal academic performance the children in the North West region in the key academic subjects of English and Maths. Jones said that the situation is one which needs correcting and GARO plans to contribute to the improvement of the students’ performance in academics as well as other areas.
“I would like to see more being given back to the kids in Region One, both from present, and importantly, former teachers,” he said. As someone who was raised in that section of the interior, said the organization will meet next weekend to discuss its administrative mandate and to see how it can further help the communities of Region One.

He said next year’s initiatives will likely include a repetition of its back-pack drive where students from schools in the North West will receive school supplies as well as uniform and shoes.
Membership of the body is expected to expand, Jones said, and according to him, GARO plans to host similar fundraising events where persons can register to become involved in the group’s work.
”So it’s at forum like these where we try to get things done and people do come forward to get involved,” he added.
A packed room of close to 250 persons flocked the breakfast event on Saturday. They exchanged salutations while food was served to visiting patrons. Persons involved in various fields of work registered and pledged to join the organization in carrying out its plans.
Miss Guyana World, Nuriyyih Gerrard, who is in New York to promote her plans for the upcoming Miss World pageant, also graced the social event on Saturday and provided an update on her work undertaken thus far.
Last year GARO’s membership gave back to Mabaruma and other surrounding communities by hosting its biennial health fair. Over 200 persons received medical assistance from the group of volunteers who had previously resided in the region before migrating.