–to help push village’s development

A GROUP of women from Ann’s Grove on the East Coast of Demerara is working to enhance the abilities of the womenfolk within the community.
At the same time, the women have won the support of Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, who has pledged to help them with the development of their mandate.

The group, called the “Ann’s Grove Sisters,” was officially launched on Saturday near the market within the village. The launch followed a parade into the village by the women who were accompanied by Minister Broomes.
Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle soon after the group elected its executives, President of the body, Eunice Fortune, said that as young persons they plan to find ways in which to develop the community. “In terms of jobs, things we can do within the community we plan to work as a group to address those issues,” she said, adding that there are many persons in the village, some single parents especially, who “have nothing to do.”

She said that the women plan to approach the government to find ways in which the authorities can assist in undertaking their mandate.
She said there are school drop-outs, jobless individuals, as well as persons who have completed secondary education, but who cannot find meaningful employment.
She said that one of the immediate plans of the group is to undertake a clean-up campaign to beautify the village.

“Right now we have drains and other parts of the area which needs sprucing up, so we plan to have the residents work with us in cleaning the environment,” Fortune said.
Minister Broomes noted that there are many social issues which affect the lives of persons, and according to her, the best persons to address those matters are persons from within the community.
“The President is making a difference in lifting women up to the place where they belong,” Minister Broomes said, adding that there are many women who are being placed in administrative positions at various agencies.

“You got to make the difference,” the minister said, adding that the women will be at the frontline and will have to work towards making a complete change in their lives.
Earlier in the day, Minister Broomes undertook a walkabout within the village and interacted with residents on various issues affecting them.
During the walkabout, the minister stopped at a defunct multi-purpose building which persons noted can be rehabilitated and utilised for developmental purposes.