By Francis Quamina Farrier
FOUNDED a year ago in September 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic raged around Guyana and the rest of the world, a group of 33 patriotic Guyanese banded themselves together and founded the Rotary Club of Garden City – Georgetown.  Each member felt that their involvement could make a positive difference to the quality of life of their fellow Guyanese. As most citizens would agree, there is the need for many more individuals and groups who are focused on giving more of themselves to work for the genuine development of the Guyana society at large.

The important discipline of not littering or dumping garbage illegally, here, there and anywhere, is needed so much in Guyana at this time. While there are exemplary citizens who do the right things most of the time, there are just too many who lack the urge to extract the line from the country’s National Pledge which states in part, “To Love My fellow citizen.”

The founding of the Rotary Club of Garden City last year was a very bold act by very dedicated citizens. It was at an extremely difficult and depressing time as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to take its death toll higher and higher locally and globally. The number of Guyanese and people all over the world becoming ill and quite a number dying is not only depressing, but also frightening. However, that did not deter those 33 Guyanese citizens from proving their mental and physical grit in many worthy projects. While still in its first year, the club received a Citation from Rotary International for helping Rotary open opportunities in the lives of Guyanese.

To carry on their humanitarian work, the club held fundraisers during their first year of existence. The club also benefited from a Rotary District Grant. Local supporters were also willing to give a helping hand. Set goals were equally given full support by the membership who braved the coronavirus pandemic to get things done in very difficult times. One of their benefactors was the Cheshire Home. As part of the district’s Childhood Obesity Prevention Campaign, the “Eat Well, Move Well” book was published and donated to the National Library. The construction of a Shade House and vegetable garden and external, raised beds to serve as a mini fruit farm was also undertaken while the COVID-19 pandemic raged.

When those 33 brave Guyanese got together on September 17, 2020, and established the newest Rotary club in Guyana, with the title “Rotary Club of Garden City,” they proved that there are those citizens who are true patriots. Someone in the diaspora once said, “The wise ones left.” in reference to the massive migration of decades ago. But some of those who stayed, like the 33 dedicated members of Rotary Club of Garden City, selflessly and wisely, solve problems by being engaged in such projects by the Rotary Club of Garden City; as service projects that encourage communities and individuals to adopt eco-friendly life style changes. The continuous “Bags, Bins and Bottles” projects are fine examples. Then there is the sale of branded, reusable, multi-purpose canvas bags by this club to reduce the use of plastic. The club also made a distribution of garbage bins to the Guyana National Park’s Commission to create a clean and healthy environment and the distribution of mini reusable water bottles to schoolchildren as part of the district’s Childhood Obesity Prevention Campaign. That is to encourage children to drink more water and become healthier. The Rotary Club of Garden city, Georgetown, Guyana, has completed its first year of service to the Guyanese people. Their goal is to try and solve some of the myriad problems, one at a time. Yes, those individuals could have left, but they chose to remain and enjoy the many important tasks of nation building. It may not be swift. But as the Guyanese saying goes, “One, one dutty build dam.” Or as the Italians say, “Rome was not built in a day.” Best wishes to the Rotary Club of Garden City as they enter their second year.