Young artist inspiring fellow villagers with his work

PEOPLE have different ways of expressing and channeling their inherited skills, but for Michael De Santos of Karrau Village, Lower Mazaruni, Region Seven, creating art with paint and a brush is his way.

One of his most recent pieces is comfortably displayed at the Karrau Primary School, a lovely depiction of a large bowl of fresh fruits is sprawled in a kaleidoscope of colours on a wall in the lower flat of the edifice.

It serves as a symbol of the talent of the people of the farming community and it is in the perfect spot for the learners to see and be reminded of their potential.

De Santos is the supervisor for 15 Community Service Officers (CSOs) in Karrau Village and he is also a Councillor attached to the Village Council.

He started serving the community a few months ago, and he is mostly involved in construction work within the village.

The 31-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that he likes the idea of being engaged in community-based developmental works and that decision-making is new for him as it relates to the Village Council.

“I was an introvert, not being comfortable to mix with many people and I would be away from the crowd and so on but after being a part of the Village Council it has changed my way of thinking, the thought process and I am getting to like doing things which involves a team effort,” he said.

De Santos was a miner, so he was away in the interior a lot but it was based right in his village but he wasn’t a part of any crowd or group before.

He told the Pepperpot Magazine that he was given the opportunity to become a CSO when he joined the Village Council, and he is very pleased about the happening even though he wasn’t sure at first.

“Being a CSO is a good thing because it allows you to interact with people in your age group and also you get to make decisions to develop the village. It is an important role and it can lead to many things. I would encourage more youths to get on board with their Village Council to serve and develop themselves into rounded people,” he reasoned.

De Santos related that as a CSO and Councillor it is a new experience for him and he is embracing the possibilities since he is socialising more than before.

“I am participating in workshops, sessions and other educational training and it is indeed good and I am actually enjoying it, so with that said, I am encouraging young people to step out of their comfort zone and follow their true calling to heighten their scope,” De Santos said.

Gone are the days when he used to be in the background and he is going to finish what he started as a resident, a Councillor, a CSO and an artist to develop himself and the community.

DINDLEY RAPHAEL, THE TEACHER AND ENTREPRENEUR
Meanwhile, in the same village is the home of Dindley Raphael, 22, who provides extra lessons to the learners of Karrau Village and hosts online tutoring classes.

Raphael is originally from Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini) and relocated to the city after he formally exited the school system in search of employment.

He worked as a sales representative and did some part-time studies and four years ago, he moved to Karrau Village to reside with his family of five.

Raphael added that in the village he began looking for work and an idea was birthed to assist children via an after-school lesson.

He pitched his idea to the Karrau Village Council and they came on board and he began utilising the lower flat of the Village Counicl’s office to do extra lessons, his contribution to society.

The young man named his small business New Horizon Education and today he has 39 learners enrolled for four subjects and he would also promote sports as an extracurricular activity.

After the start of his lessons programme, four months ago it was a success and more children started to enroll since his payment plan is flexible and reasonable.

Raphael reported that it is just $3,000 per month per child and his payment plan is very flexible and he has in his employ a business partner, Tameika Williams, a Community Service Officer (CSO) who assists in the teaching aspect.

He related that extra lessons are held three days on weekdays and on Saturdays for one and half hours each session and depending on the content, it would go on for two hours.

Raphael told the Pepperpot Magazine that he is also rearing 50 black giant chickens as a side business and he would prepare and sell snacks form his home.

“I am also an online tutor that assists learners with their SBAs, assignments and whatever else school work related for a pocket-friendly fee. I came from a single-parent background and I know what it is like not being able to afford an education,” he related.

Raphael added that being humble is his way of life and he aspires to become a biologist and will be attending the University of Guyana in the near future.

The resident of Karrau Village told the Pepperpot Magazine that he was the best graduating student for his dormitory for Region One in 2017 and that motivated him to remain focused.

Raphael’s favourite quote is from Nelson Mandela “Education is the most powerful weapon that can be used to change the world” and it is his mantra in becoming all he can be.