OIL exploration company, Tullow Oil and Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence were among a number of donors that partnered with local charity, EPIC Guyana, for their 16th annual Back-to-School Drive, where some 300 children received school shoes, backpacks, stationery and other school supplies last Sunday.

The supplies were distributed in Meadowbrook, with Tullow Country Representative Joachim Vogt, and stakeholder Laison Adviser, Eon Stephens, on hand to help with distribution.
Stephens explained that Tullow takes its corporate social responsibility serious and is always looking for opportunities to give back to society.

“One of the things we look for is opportunities when it comes to our corporate social responsibility, and when we got the invitation to assist EPIC, based on their track record over the years with doing the back to school drive, we thought it was a good idea to support the initiative with assisting to send children back to school with the basic things that they need,” Stephens commented.

Recipients of the supplies included children from as far as Mocha on the East Bank, and Ann’s Grove on the East Coast, in addition to children from the Meadowbrook surrounding area.

Other corporate donors who contributed to the drive included Strategic Services, KAIROS Inc, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Steve’s Jewellery, Dyna’s Embroidery and Screen Prints, Ricks & Sari, Howard’s Restaurant, SIMCON Engineering Company, Ross Rubis, and Sonic Business Solutions.

Executive Director of EPIC, Brian Backer, was happy how large the back-to-school drive has grown since its inception in 2003, thanks to support that it continues to get from donors.
“We started in 2003 with 11 children and this year met the needs of 300. Nothing really compares to the feeling of satisfaction and achievement when you are able to be of service and help others, even in the smallest of ways.