GIVING back to society has been a tradition of the Broomes family; so presenting items to the Ambitious Future Leaders Club — a club for children and young adults of the Albouystown/Charlestown area, operating out of Albouystown and run by Councillors for Constituency 10, Malcolm Ferreira and Eston Bostwick — is nothing new.Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, has presented a large quantity of items to this club. This was done on Saturday at the Carmel Secondary School. She told the Guyana Chronicle, shortly after handing over the items to Councillor Ferreira, that she and her children, and friend Dawn Beckles who resides in Canada, have over the years been pooling their resources to give back to varying communities.

Minister Broomes explained that communities are selected for assistance based on their needs, but she noted that there are people in need all across the country, and not only in depressed communities.

According to the minister, the donation to children of the two communities came as a result of observing the work being done by the councillors.

“I was looking at the work that Malcolm did, and I visited here before and saw the needs of the children in this community; so my family and friend Dawn, who lives in Canada, put our resources together and decided to make this contribution.”

Broomes said that whenever there is a sale in North America, she and her children, and other relatives and friends, would purchase many things — clothing, food, shoes, household supplies and toys — and send them back to Guyana with the aim of distributing to those in need.

“This family initiative has been going strong over a number of years, and it pleases my heart to see these young children smiling because they have something they can use. Often times we take for granted the circumstances (in) which some people live, and I believe giving back to those in need will help to enhance this nation.”

Declaring that giving back is not limited to material things, the minister stressed that children are in need of mentorship, guidance and tutoring, and persons who have the requisite skills can contribute to the lives of the little ones.

“Being a minister does not change my passion and my heart, and how I view circumstances,” she said as she expressed gratitude to God for allowing her to give back. “I thank God for His blessing, and He has blessed us so that we can bless other people,” she told Guyana Chronicle.

Minister Broomes disclosed that she would be making additional contributions to the club to enhance the lives of the young people in the Albouystown/Charlestown community.

Meanwhile, Ferreira told reporters that Saturday’s donation by the minister was not the first. She “secretly” contributed to the club’s August camp, he said.

HAPPY
“I feel happy, because many times these children don’t have certain things, and these are new stuff — three full barrels. These are going to go a far way,” he said, as he looked at the many smiling faces.

The councillor declared that the gesture by the minister allows for the children to “feel good about themselves”, and he is pleased that the work he is doing in the community in which he grew up is being well received.

“I am happy that persons are coming onboard with us…I want to thank everyone who donated…through the Broomes Foundation.”

He made it clear that the club is not only seeking material donations, but wants to lean on the experience of persons like Minister Broomes. “…teach them about self-esteem and so on,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, asked to comment on police raids, which according to some residents take place often in the Albouystown/Charlestown area and negatively impact children, Ferreira gave a studious response: “I was raised in Albouystown, I have seen the police in action many times, I have seen police that are quite friendly to residents, some that are unfriendly…. For a little child, you want to pull into a shell; when you see the police, you believe it is time for you to run.”

WORKING WITH POLICE
He noted that to change the children’s perception of police, the Ambitious Future Leaders Club has teamed up with the Guyana Police Force through the IMPACT Albouystown, Charlestown project.

“We intend to let the police understand that the residents view them a certain way…let the residents understand that sometimes it is better if you start building relationships with those police… We cannot fight against the law with brute force and ignorance; we are going to lose all the time.”

Through such programmes, he wants to see the police reaching out to the children by lending a helping hand.
“We could have police serve in the community in terms of reaching out to children…driving around with sweets and treats, as opposed to children seeing the police with guns; or else we are setting up ourselves for disaster.”

Meanwhile, Bostwick, who has partnered with Ferreira, told reporters that the aim of the club is to “ultimately make Constituency 10…become a tourist-attractive community.”

“That is why we are working with the children; because we’d be able to change the culture of the children… Ultimately, we will change the community and make it conducive for any tourist to want to be present,” he told Guyana Chronicle.