IT was through her deep love of volunteerism and community-based involvement that Leotha Greene-Watson gained recognition and was placed in a position she was best suited for.

When Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali was sworn in in August 2020, six days later, Greene-Watson was appointed the Regional Community Development Officer for the Community Development Council (CDC) in Region Three.

It is a role she takes great pride in, given her leadership qualities and her strengths. She is a people person and was placed in an area she loves.

The Regional Community Development Council (CDC) is an arm of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.

The CDC’s position is to develop every village in which it is formed through its members, who often host their own activities to raise funds for community beautification and self-help initiatives.

These groups receive additional assistance, though not monetary, for community enhancement through the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), the ministry and fundraisers for other projects.

This position galvanised her unwavering love for community-based work and her investment in human resources and capacity building, especially projects involving women, many of whom are abused.

Greene-Watson told Pepperpot Magazine that being the Regional Community Development Officer is not new to her because she has been “on the ground” at the grassroots level for many years, serving the people.

During that time, she developed good relations with the communities where she worked and volunteered, and gained hands-on experience interacting with the public through face-to-face interactions.

She stated that, as a mother of three and a grandmother of two, balancing a full-time job and handling other extra projects was never a burden for her because she loved doing that type of work.

Helping others is part of her life, and she would respond to calls to assist at any time, a true patriot who does a lot behind the scenes without being in the limelight.

Greene-Watson explained that she is originally from Bagotville, West Bank Demerara, but relocated to Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, after acquiring a plot of land and building her house there.

She noted that the transition was not easy, but she had to make it happen and is very happy she did.

Growing up in Bagotville Village, she was raised to be involved in group activities, such as promoting African culture through drumming, song, fashion, and community-based events.

It was how her passion for community-based work evolved into something that would shape her career today.

Greene-Watson told Pepperpot Magazine that she fully got into volunteerism in 2020, and after that, there was no stopping her. It was something she loved, and she enjoyed spending time with others.

Today, she is responsible for the active CDC groups within the region. Although 60 were established, only half of them are still functioning.

Greene-Watson added that community-based work was her way of giving back to society, and she did not mind the time she had spent assisting vulnerable groups.

As a victim of domestic violence, she knew she had to lend support to women who were in the same situation, and that she did with ease at the community level.

Greene-Watson reported that her office is located at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) building at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, and she has only one support staff member, Shaniya Stevens.

As part of her duties, she goes into villages and meets with locals, listens to their concerns and issues, and seeks to have them resolved through legal means via the CDC.

Greene-Watson is also responsible for hosting consultations within the CDC groups to ensure their smooth operations and liaison with the communities.

In addition to her community-based work and volunteerism, she is a religious woman who is a member of Israel United in Christ Guyana.

She is involved in all church-related activities, and, as a sign of her faith, she is modestly dressed at all times and even wears a head covering.

Greene-Watson is a member of the Women’s Progressive Organisation, a regional councillor, involved in politics, and sits on two governors’ school boards and one technical and vocational institute board.

She is a devoted woman who hardly has time to sit idly by, as her work schedule is tight and her projects often involve on-site visits and community interactions.