THE Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) the publisher of the daily and Sunday Chronicle is doing its part in being a good corporate citizen by giving back to the community and enhancing the lives of citizens.

On Monday, a team which comprised of managers, including the General Manager, Sherod Duncan visited the community of Yarrowkabra located on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway where they donated a bicycle to a female vendor of Chronicle newspapers.

The beneficiary, Tessa Waterton was elated by GNNL’s generosity, as the bicycle will aid her in traversing the community to vend newspapers.

Waterton, who is a single parent of six girls, began selling the Guyana Chronicle newspapers earlier this year. She started out by selling 25 and currently sells 50 newspapers a day but stated that because of the distance she has to walk she cannot reach more people to vend newspapers and a bicycle would be able to assist her in covering more distance.

This was taken into consideration by management and with the General Manager’s approval a brand new bicycle was bought and presented to the vendor.

Waterton told the Guyana Chronicle that the area is very large and walking gets a bit tiresome at times given the weather conditions. “This bicycle is a great start for me because I am aiming to acquire my own vehicle so I will be able to go to Georgetown to get my newspapers on time since at times the delivery vans would often arrive late,” she said.

Waterton explained that by 07:00hrs people in the community are ready for their newspapers and are usually very eager to buy since, in the past, past they had no access to newspapers in that village.

The woman added that many years ago she left West Ruimveldt and relocated to Yarrowkabra because of the constant flooding in the city and never regretted the move.

Guyana Chronicle’s General Manager Sherod Duncan, Administrative Manager Donna Todd, Circulation Officer Kim Halley, Circulation Consultant George Clarke and Marketing Coordinator Akash Persaud were all part of the team who made the trip.

Todd in brief remarks said that the newspaper company is always willing to assist its vendors in getting the papers out and in a timely manner since the delivery of information is paramount for educating the nation.

She added that she is optimistic that the bicycle will aid Waterton as a mode of transportation in delivering the Guyana Chronicle newspapers to its readers.

Thankful
In accepting the gift, Waterton said: “I am very pleased and thankful for the donation of which I will make use of and take care as I continue to sell Guyana Chronicle newspapers in my community.”

She was pleasantly surprised when the team of GNNL staffers visited the community and could not stop smiling and expressing her gratitude.

Meanwhile, GNNL on Tuesday made a monetary donation to the founder of the Back Circle Foundation Troy Gardener to aid in his efforts to provide backpacks filled with school supplies to children of ‘Warlock’, East Ruimveldt.

Administrative Manager Donna Todd, again, made the donation on behalf of the Guyana Chronicle. Todd said that GNNL ’s utmost aim is promoting education especially for vulnerable children and the company will continue to lend its support however possible.

Backpacks
After accepting the cheque, Gardener gave brief remarks, stating that he was born and raised in the community and every year for the past six years he would return to assist the school-aged children with backpacks containing school supplies for them to return to school in September.

“I didn’t forget where I came from because when I was a child growing up in East Ruimveldt the folks used to look out for me and I want to help the children by being a role model,” he said.

He related that his goal is to bring hope to the children in that community and he feels so happy doing what he does best through his non-profit organisation and the money he has received will be accounted for in the interest of the children.

Gardener stated that next year he is planning a symposium for the children and he will invite persons from the private sector to give talks on varying subjects for five days. Following the five-day event, he stated that the usual distribution of backpacks will follow.

Being a stickler for transparency, Gardener said it is the very first time he has reached out to a company for financial assistance and he will use the money for its intended purpose.

The Back Circle Foundation is supported by Gardener, his aunt and her two children and is usually run on funds that are generated from among the four persons.