–at commissioning of community centre at Blue Berry Hill

IN a matter of weeks, New Horizons, the annual training and humanitarian mission deployed across Latin America and the Caribbean by the US Southern Command, has commissioned two community centres in Linden, the latest of which was constructed at Blue Berry Hill.

Scores of Linden residents, particularly those from Blue Berry Hill, along with government, military and regional officials were in attendance at the commissioning ceremony, and were all in agreement that the facility, the first of its kind in Blue Berry Hill, will have a huge impact on the community’s social standing, particularly its youths, womenfolk and the elderly.

Among government and other officials present at the commissioning were Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Annette Ferguson; Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon; Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Patrick West; Major-General Andrew Croft, Commander of Southern Command’s 12th Air Force; Mr. Mark W. Cullinane, Chargé D’Affaires at the US Embassy; Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira; Deputy Regional Chairman, Elroy Adolph; and Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindell.

Speaking on behalf of President Granger, DG Harmon pointed out that the Government of Guyana truly appreciates the many U.S Army-sponsored programmes which have contributed tangibly to national development and positive social change in our society, in that it holds in the highest esteem the relationship which exists between our two countries since 1966.

STRONG, STABLE RELATIONS
“Throughout this relationship, our countries have cultivated strong and stable relations,” DG Harmon said, adding: “Guyana and the United States of America are bonded by geography, history and friendship that are premised on the principles of mutual respect, cooperation, respect of international laws and treaties, and the maintenance of internal treaties and security.”

In reminding the residents of Blue Berry Hill of the purpose for which the centre was built, Mr. Harmon said the idea is to promote social development by creating a space for recreation and a hub of social, economic and cultural activities.
All three centres, these being the one at Blue Berry Hill, as well as the one in Amelia’s Ward and the other at Yarrowkabra, he said, will be managed within the government’s sustainable framework, which is in accordance with the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS).

They were all constructed by the US military officers who are participants in the New Horizons 2019 programme. Preliminary studies for the programme would have shown that the communities at reference, which are home to thousands of residents, had no permanent place for residents to assemble and participate in various activities. According to Major-General Croft, while constructing the three centres would have cost the US government millions of dollars, it was a small price to pay for improving the quality of life of residents of the communities in which they are located, as the goal was to create lasting positive change, and that was realised.

“You have impacted each and every one of us,” he told residents of the various Linden communities present at the function in which his men would have worked in the three or so months they were stationed here, “and this team will never forget the experience, which comprised of hard work from everyone that was involved in this endeavour. Seeds have been sown, which I hope will bear fruits of lifelong friendships and continued partnerships in the future.”

A LEARNING EXERCISE
His Guyanese counterpart, Brigadier West, related that it is projects like these that portray improved bilateral agreements and friendships that are manifested tangibly. He highlighted the role played by the GDF is this project, which also served as a learning exercise of what can be accomplished through coordination and cooperation between the two military groupings. The military’s only focus should not be to protect and serve, but to create an impact on the social sector of our society, thus building cohesive communities.

This is an important mission of the US Army, according to Charge d’Affaires Cullinane. New Horizons 2019, he said, speaks volumes about the United States’ commitment to building and sustaining enduring relationships with partner nations.

“It is a commitment that will never wane, because we know that by sharing our values, our responsibilities and our challenges, we forge relationships that improve regional stability. Guyana’s success is, without a doubt, our success as we continue to grow partnerships and friendships,” he said.

In expressing her gratitude on behalf of the residents of the municipality of Linden, Mayor Waneka Arrindell said “Appreciation will be shown by the residents taking good care of the building, and using it for its intended purpose. The New Horizons team worked tirelessly, in sweat, which shows how important the improvement of the quality of life of the residents is to each officer who laid a brick.”

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
New Horizons commenced in the 1980s to provide social and medical services to nations in Central and South America and the Caribbean. This includes the construction of schools, community centres and clinics. In 2004, New Horizons built the Bel Air Nursery School and the East La Penitence Health Centre. The team returned in 2009, where similar projects were carried out. There was a ten-year hiatus, and with their return in 2019, approximately 13, 300 citizens benefited from the medical mission, which included medical and surgical outreaches. In addition to the three community centres, a women’s home in Richmond Hill, Linden, is currently being built, and will be commissioned soon. This will be the first home of its kind in Region Ten, and will serve as a safe haven for battered women. Major-General Croft related that approximately US$8M was spent on New Horizons 2019, and since the commencement of the project, which included the planning stage, approximately 600 U.S Army Officers were deployed to Guyana.