Georgetown, Guyana – PRESIDENT David Granger yesterday held a special luncheon at The Rupununi Eco Hotel to express his gratitude to a group of women, who unreservedly threw their support behind him while he was on the campaign trail in March 2015 in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine). This was done on the sidelines of his meeting with the security forces, regional officials and residents in Lethem.

The women had voluntarily packed a canter truck with food, hammocks, bibles and other necessities and travelled with the then Leader of the Opposition over three days and two nights from Lethem to Achiwuib and back, while he was campaigning. “I experienced such warm support… It is difficult to explain, even now, what it is to wake up on the bank of the Rupununi River and see these hammocks strung up in the bush and these ladies praising God, singing hymns, cooking food in field conditions,” President Granger said.

The President said that the time that he spent in the company of Ms. Ubol McDonald, Ms. Cecilia Williams, Ms. Azeera Clement, Ms. Deolinda Clement, Ms. Edwina Niewenkerk, Ms. Leontina Josey, Ms.  Iris Williams, Ms. Dioynisa Niewenkerk, Ms. Rica Pitton and Ms. Emily Darratto was “one of the warmest, most emotional experiences that I have had in my entire political life.”

While the coalition did not win the region, he said “they’ve won the heart of the President of this country. I am truly thankful for what you did in March 2015 and I’ll always be grateful for the voluntary support.”

Ms. Niewenkerk, Ms. Pitton and Ms. Darratto did not attend the luncheon as they are

currently in another jurisdiction.  Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Mr. Sydney

Allicock and Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Ms. Dawn Hastings-Williams also attended the luncheon.