…Minister Broomes urges community leaders

MINISTER within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, on Friday distributed kites to children of Alpha Children’s home, located in Stanleytown, Berbice; the Fyrish Primary School and the Gibraltar- Courtland Primary School located on the Corentyne.

The distribution of kites, which started at the Fyrish school and ended at the Alpha Children’s Home, is in preparation for the upcoming Easter holiday which will be observed at the end of the week. Minister Broomes spoke of the significance of Easter and urged the children to be careful when flying their kites.

“It is Easter, and we believe that as a government we need to spread good cheer to the nation’s children. I have brought you many kites and President David Granger will be travelling across the country to distribute kites to other children.”
Broomes continued: “When flying your kites, please be careful and stay away from all electrical poles. I wish you a happy Easter.”
The Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources also wished those students about to write the National Grade Six Assessment Examinations next week good luck and urged them to continue working hard.

“As you prepare to work hard, I wish you all the best. You should know that nothing good comes easy and with hard work your dreams will become a success,” said the minister amid applause from the students and teachers of the Fyrish and Gibraltar-Courtland Primary Schools.
Minister Broomes also called on the community leaders to utilise local skills to make kites for next year’s Easter activities. “I hope that next year we would see people making kites here, so we can come here and support,” she said.

Meanwhile, Regional Education Officer (REO) Volika Jaikaishun expressed gratitude to Minister Broomes for distributing the kites to the children who were quite eager to receive them.

“I am very happy…on behalf of the department of education (Region Six), I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Minister Broomes and team for their kind gesture,” said Jaikaishun.
Similarly, Head Teacher of the Gibraltar-Courtland Primary School, Neville Bourne, expressed thanks to Minister Broomes for her gesture.
“You are aware that school is being closed for Easter, as is customary, children fly kites and so we could consider ourselves very fortunate today to have Minister Broomes to distribute kites. We wish to thank you minister for taking time out of your busy schedules to visit us and distribute kites to these children,” said Bourne.

The dozens of children who benefited from the kites flocked Minister Broomes and thanked her for bringing kites to their schools, while many began flying theirs.
“Thank you Minister Broomes,” the children screamed as they received their kites on Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, at the Alpha Children’s Home, Minister Broomes was greeted by some energetic lads who jumped for joy when they were told they would be receiving kites for Easter. But even as they were excited, one child brought to the minister’s attention the fact that he was in the process of making his own kite. The frame of his kite was made from ‘pointa’ and he demonstrated how he would place paper over the frame.

“I am happy to see his kite, it is neatly made and I am proud of his initiative,” said Broomes. The minister was also given a tour of the facility by the founder of the home, Esther Bruyning. She told Minister Broomes that she currently has 10 children at the home, but noted that approximately 150 children had passed through her hands over the years.
Minister Broomes thanked Bruyning for her dedication in giving children in need a safe and comfortable environment to grow up.
“You have done a great job here for these children and I thank you,” said Broomes, who noted that each child was deserving of equal opportunities despite their circumstances.