LAWRENCE Simon wears many hats: he is a father, a career-driven individual, a sportsman and a councillor, who volunteers his time for the community.

He is originally from Coomacka Mines, but resides in Amelia’s Ward, Linden and has been a Geotechnical Engineer attached to Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) for the past 18 years.

Simon is a self-driven individual who is set on achieving his goals in life and is all about community development.

He attended McKenzie Primary School and gained a place at Bishop’s High School in the city, but back then, transportation was a challenge for him and he was placed at McKenzie High School.

At a young age he developed a strong liking for sports and he became one of the undefeated 400-metre sprint champions from Linden and he represented his region in long jump events.

Simon recalled having one of the largest trophies as an overachiever in sports in school and that further motivated him in the discipline, which eventually moulded him into a well-rounded person.

It was much later in life that he had reached a point where he had to choose between a career or sports and he made a decision to attend the University of Guyana (UG) to qualify himself.

“I remember going to get registered for a course in medicine because it was what my parents wanted me to pursue, but I happened to pass by a class and I was so mesmerised by the teachings I stood there for half an hour listening. It was then I knew I wanted to become a geologist and I challenged myself in that regard,” he said.

Simon told the Pepperpot Magazine that he is an outdoor person, and to date, he still does whatever he can to promote sports in the region.

Other titles he holds are President of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association and Vice Chairman of the Federation and member of the Linden Masters Organisation, a unit of ex-footballers, an 80-plus club of both local and overseas-based members and they utilise football as a tool to participate in charitable events.

He disclosed that they meet and play football on Wednesdays and Sundays at the Wisburg Ground and they are involved in the Masters Football tournament.

“I do not see myself as a political appointee but as a servant of the people because I have this deep love for sports and community-based work. I prefer to volunteer my services,” he said.

Simon is Amelia’s Ward Constituency Councillor and growing up, his family had one of the largest farms in Coomacka Mines and it was always in the best interest of being qualified in agriculture, but things did not happen that way.