I SEEM to be around small kids a lot for the beginning of this year and I’m absolutely enjoying it. I’ve visited Rhema Academy during this week, and I was greeted in English and Spanish and that was very impressive. The ages of children at the school range from pre-school to primary. I was not surprised because the founder, Walterine Mc Leod stands for excellence. The motto is “Sowing seeds of greatness” and I certainly observed that from interacting with the kids, and my mind constantly goes back to a Frederick Douglass quote: “It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” We all have to be intentional about investing in children,whether they are our kids or not because their development determines whether our future looks great or not.

One of the things that appealed to me was that all the kids were wearing odd socks and that was because it was odd socks day. It teaches kids that it is okay to be different and it’s okay to stand out and that life is not perfect. These impressionable foundation years are crucial to a child’s development. While chatting with them, I shared one of my favourite quotes from Martin Luther King: “Not everyone can be famous, but everyone can be great because greatness is determined by service.”

I reiterated the greatness they all possess, and encouraged them to develop a mindset to serve. As I exited the school, a thought came to my mind about foundation with regards to building houses. It is advised that the foundation needs to be strong especially if you are going stories up, and I thought about the foundation of people. If we have a weak foundation and we are trying to put layers on that, you will experience difficulties but a strong foundation can withstand a gigantic mansion.

One of the things I encourage is for creative arts to play a part in that foundation. My daughter, Shonta, is a testimony of the excellent result you can have with creative arts being involved in that foundation. I’m so passionate about the creative arts and economic benefits that can be derived from that sector. That was one of the points I made when I had the opportunity to speak on Capitol Hill, last June, on the creative sector being a pillar for economic growth in the Caribbean. I’ve always mentioned that the creative sector is not short of talent, but we are lacking the resources to make this a reality.

I had a very relaxing evening in the Eucalyptus Garden at the Theatre Guild. It was a breathtaking atmosphere in the breezy garden with a glass of Moscato and great conversations. Creole Rock and Buxton Fusion with Gavin Mendonca; Michael Smith and Marlon Adams set the tone for the evening. I really enjoyed the band Collage with an amazing bunch of young people. I sat there thinking if we had more opportunities for this high level of talent. It always makes me sad when I think that we don’t have a ministry of culture anymore,and a department of culture that is doing very little. I’m tired of constantly having to reassure the young creative that things will get better, and although I’m an optimist, my hope is dwindling. I describe Fashion Week as my third child, which probably cost me more resources than my two daughters combined, but I have no regrets. Someone who knew the behind the scenes, once asked me if I had a chance to do it all over if I would have invested in Guyana Fashion Week, and without hesitation, I said yes because adding value to lives is priceless.
I have a feeling that I will not live to see the full potential of our beloved Guyana, but, I’m trusting my grandson, Jaidyn, will experience it. I’m blessed to have a great imagination, so I can vividly see the incredible painting that can be ranked with any paintings from Leonardo Da Vinci or Pablo Picasso. I will continue to do what I can and I encourage people to do the same as we continue to celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY