ONE hundred needy children from the Lusignan Primary School, East Coast Demerara, on Tuesday received donations of school supplies from ExxonMobil and Deepwater Container Specialist, Tanks-A-Lot Inc.

The event, a collaborative venture between the two companies saw the students receiving supplies, as well as snacks. Smiles filled the faces of the children as they each received book bags, water bottles, crayons, pencils, rulers, sharpeners, erasers and other items.
Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, the school’s headmistress, Michelle Barton, expressed gratitude on behalf of the institution as she highlighted that, for some time there was an evident need.

“I am very happy and pleased by the kind gesture that was shown today by Tanks-A-Lot and ExxonMobil. The donations today will go a far way,” Barton commented.
She then took the time to explain the extent to which the donations will help the students: “A few of our children sometimes come with black plastic bags [as book bags]…we are so thankful, [because] there was a need,” she stressed.

Tanks-A-Lot Inc., established in 1995, provides a wide range of Cargo Carrying Units (CCU) and other specialised equipment suited to the energy industry. They have since revealed plans to later commence works on improving the facilities and appearance of the school which accommodates approximately 700 students.

According to Tanks-A-Lot Trinidad-based Operations Manager, Aleem Baksh, the company is one of ExxonMobil’s contractors and shares a relationship with Guyana due to its neighbouring proximity and contracted responsibilities.

“Our operations in Trinidad has extended to Guyana because of our commitments to Exxon and bearing in mind our worldwide drive to give back to communities, to the people, socially and economically,” Baksh outlined, adding: “This is just the beginning of many more.”

Meanwhile, ExxonMobil Communication Advisor on Public and Government Affairs, Nicholas Yearwood, says the oil company welcomes and supports the initiative of Tanks-A-Lot to give back to Guyanese. “We support these initiatives all over the world and we support it in Guyana as well,” Yearwood commented, adding: “We think it’s a great initiative giving back to the Guyanese community because we work and operate here.”