–Council puts transportation arrangement in place amid heavy showers

THE more than 50 children of Mora Camp, who months ago had to resort to drastic measures in order to attend school, are now doing so with ease, even though the community continues to be affected by heavy showers and extremely high tides.

In an effort to attend school, the children were forced to remove their shoes and socks to tread murky waters and swamps in order to access the main public road, before travelling miles to arrive at their public schools.

Their parents had complained bitterly about the situation to the Bartica Mayor and Town Council concerning the situation, and though it was cash-strapped at the time, a transportation system was put in place during the first week in May.

From Monday to Friday, a bus transports the children to their respective nursery, primary and secondary schools, making more than three trips per day. Bartica’s Mayor, Gifford Marshall said though the route being used is longer, it is also safer.

Given the council’s financial limitation, Marshall said he approached the owner of BK International Brian Tiwari for sponsorship, and without hesitation, he agreed.

“BK Quarries has since chipped in to cover the full cost for the first month,” Marshall noted. The cost to transport the children for the first month was just under $200,000.

The Mayor noted that though the bus continues to transport the children to and from school, the Council has not finalised sponsorship for June. However, he is confident that a member of the business community will step up to the challenge.

“We wanted to ensure that they have equal opportunities; that they reach to school safe, so we put the bus in place. It was a necessary measure, and we are thankful to Mr. Tiwari for his continuous support,” thye mayor said.

Marshall said though there will be challenges at times, the council will continue to fulfill its mandate.

“We are an extension of the arm of the Ministry of Communities, and communities are about building people and giving them a better life,” the Mayor posited.

A resident of Mora Camp, Leona Gonzales said the children are now happy to attend school. “We are very much glad for the bus. The children are glad, because going through that swamp wasn’t easy. Some children even stayed home because of that. So I am glad they are eager to get to school,” Gonzales said.

The temporary system will come to an end on July 17, 2017 when school closes.