Kawise Wishart, his work and his life
By Jamall Adams
KAWISE Wishart is a living example of a young man of many ambitions who is striving for greatness. This Linden native is doing it all; from being a full-time committed father and participating in charitable events, to capturing memorable and iconic moments of government officials on camera.

CHILDHOOD
As a child, Kawise was raised in an extended family home, which was headed by his grandmother. “My grandmother was my greatest inspiration, she taught me so much about life and how to love and for the most part how to take on responsibilities,” Kawise told the Pepperpot Magazine. “Though my mother was always very supportive of me, my grandmother had instilled a certain life principle within me which I still live by today, which is to approach anything I’m doing with a 110 percent attitude, so if I were to ever fall short, I would always land at a 100 percent.” He added that another principle he still lives by today is one that his father had instilled in him about not allowing the sun to rise on you while you’re still asleep because that would mean you’re a lazy man.”

SCHOOL DAYS
Kawise attended Amelia’s Ward Primary School in Linden and was granted a place at Richard Ishmael Secondary School after writing Common Entrance. He would spend the next few years attending Richard Ishmael, where he began aspiring to become a detective, because of his love for his favourite TV show Law & Order. Sadly, those dreams changed after Kawise transferred to the Business School and was introduced to computers. His interest grew more and more as he began exploring the functions and capabilities of the computer and he became more enthusiastic and would take the necessary steps to learning more about computers, to fulfill his curiosity.

After leaving the Business School, Kawise became a part of the President Youth Award Program (PYAP) and began shaping his future. “I had a few jobs after leaving school, I worked at an Internet cafe as an attendant, I did some construction work and lastly, I worked at the Georgetown Reading and Research Centre (GRRC), but even though I was making a living, I knew in my heart those jobs were not what I was meant to be doing,” Kawise said. He added that it while he was working at GRRC that he was approached by a unit leader of the PYAP – who also happened to be a close friend- about a job at the then Government Information Agency (GINA). “They thought that working in a career- based environment suited me, because of the qualities I would have shown them, while I was a part of PYAP,” Kawise said.

WORK
Kawise began working at GINA as a trainee cameraman in 2010. He is now the Supervisor of the Camera Department, at the Department of Public Information (DPI) formerly GINA. “I’m so happy I took my friend’s advice and applied for this job, which is more than just a job to me now. I’ve always had a passion for computers and technology, and [working] within this field made that passion a reality. I’ve learned how to properly shoot and edit pictures and videos; I’ve learned about different software and how to utilise them for work and most importantly, I’ve been able to pass on some of my knowledge to new employees, which is something I love doing,” Kawise said. Today, Kawise has taken some of the most iconic and memorable photographs of government officials, both from the present and past administration. He has also been fortunate to travel to every region in Guyana and to a few international countries to provide coverage for government officials, including H.E President David Granger on numerous occasions.

CHARITY
Whenever Kawise is not at the office editing or in the field providing coverage, he’s either spending quality time with his daughter or is involved in some kind of charity exercise, within his community. “I began doing different charitable works while I was a part of the PYAP and the love for helping others has remained within my heart to date. Though I may not get as much time these days to do as much charity as I want to, I would still provide whatever assistance I can to people in need of the help,” Kawise said. He further stated that he’s actively involved in teaching residents in his community how to operate digital cameras for photography and videography purposes.

FATHERHOOD
Kawise became a father when he was twenty-one years old, and describes it as one of the greatest blessings God has placed upon his life. “I had never planned on becoming a father at twenty-one years old, but after it happened, it was a blessing. The birth of my daughter Makayla Wishart saved my life. Her birth gave me a new outlook on life and how to deal with responsibilities; it made me a better man,” Kawise said. He added that since the birth of his daughter, he’s more focused than ever. He’s more focused in all the areas of his existence, since it’s no longer about him looking good, but about setting the right example for her to follow, just has his parents did for him. Kawise said that he’s extremely thankful for the support from his mother and sister, who both play an important role in helping to raise his daughter, because of the nature of his job.

Kawise is currently focused on bettering his talents, in order to improve his production quality within the media arena. He is also getting the necessary teaching from experienced friends and family members, on the approach he needs to take to enhance his parental skills. He would like to advise parents out there, especially parents who have daughters, to pay very close attention to their daughters and to become their best friend at an early age.