THE occasion was the 26th Anniversary of Teionnet Association, as a humanitarian organisation ministering to the needs of the poor and other deserving cases in Guyana.
Currently on an extended visit to Guyana, President of the Not for Profit, Guyanese-born Lynette Scotland, who resides in Holland, has been literally bringing joy to the hearts of hundreds of less fortunate children; expectant and newly delivered mothers; senior citizens and battered women, among countless others.

The programme which, on this occasion extended over ten weeks, literally ignited a spirit of Christmas in the summer’; warming hearts, engendering priceless memories of moments of camaraderie shared with others and sober reflections of sharing and caring. This was exactly the way in which Teionnet Association has been occupied for the last several weeks, as it sought to accomplish its ongoing mandate of caring and sharing with the needy.

Touching several communities of Guyana over the last 10 weeks, Scotland, with an inherent pioneering spirit and new-found zeal, she made it her business to reach out to Indigenous brother s and sisters, who, reasoning that their needs could never be less than those along the coastland. And so this time around she found herself traversing some of the most rugged terrains, bridging the gap between town and country, as she continued to extend a hand of friendship, even taking gifts of food, clothing, toys and school supplies to those in the far-flung communities.

Such is a classic demonstration of social cohesion, the deeply gratified beneficiaries commented, as they expressed profound appreciation for the humanitarian gesture.
In existence for 26 years, Founder of Teionnet Association, Lynette Scotland has been making annual trips to Guyana between June and September, during which, with the help of a few local volunteers, she would cheerfully embark on the task of off-loading a container of items; packaging gifts for distribution. She visited the sick and ‘shut-ins’ in addition to spending quality time decorating venues and doing what seemed to be endless cooking and baking for the many scheduled parties and other occasions.

With a packed agenda this year, her engagements included: Parties for Senior Citizens; poor and needy children from around Georgetown; distribution of gift hampers to deserving cases at Mahaica/Mahaicony; distribution at Plastic City, West Demerara; distribution of maternity hampers for expectant mothers and others at the ante-natal clinic, Georgetown Public Hospital and Kuru Kururu Health Centre; distribution of clothing at the Amerindian Hostel, Georgetown; presentation of hooded cardigans and jerseys for residents exposed to the effects of the biting cold at Monkey Mountain, Rupununi; as well as a visit to and distribution of backpacks and other supplies at Canal Bank, Port Kaituma, Region One.

With a passion for extending a helping hand to the poor and needy, Scotland, a mother of four, and a chef employed at Annie’s Place, Holland, says her worst nightmare is to see children go hungry. “It’s something that should never happen once it could be avoided. Children are the future of the world, so let’s work towards building that future and a brighter tomorrow,” she implored.

Asked would she exchange this life-changing experience for any other, Scotland impulsively replied: “NO! No! No! I love it.”

Ms. Scotland was last May, honoured by Women’s Mission International as the Organisation celebrated ‘Phenomenal Women doing Extraordinary things. She was awarded at a ceremony on Friday May 18, at the Crystal Manor on Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn USA.
Commenting on what made the biggest impact on her since arriving here in June, Scotland recalled the touching experience of looking down into the Port Kaituma Canal and seeing a little boat approaching, no more than 12 to 14 inches above water. On board were three children – none over seven years – rowing their boat toward the shore. “ They had travelled alongside the Canal Bank at Port Kaituma to come to meet me to get a school bag,” she said. Suspecting that she was the person they had been hearing about, the three children, sparing no pains, enthusiastically darted towards her, exclaiming that they had come to get school bags for the opening of school.

“When they got those bags, they kissed me; they shook my hands and they went back into this little shallow boat, Oh my God! And they paddled and went back home,” Scotland said.
Lynette Scotland said that the one thing that makes her sad on such occasions is the thought that her mother who was a born humanitarian, and who inspired her and her siblings to pursue this path is no more. “As I recall, my mother would give until it hurts. If she had a last piece of bread and a hungry person came by begging for food, she would hand it over with blessings and leave herself without,” Lynette said. Now I wish my mother could have been here to see and understand that I am walking in her footsteps, but God knows best,” she said, I am happy that I could do what she would have me do.

And for the success of her work here in Guyana this time around, she has expressed gratitude to Minister of Public Health, Ms.Volda Lawrence; Mayor of Georgetown, Ms. Patricia Chase Greene;Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Ms Valerie Gerardo Lowe, the management of the Mandela Avenue Gymnasium; Banks DIH, Humphrey’s bakery; her many volunteers and others who so kindly assisted in making the effort a success.