THE Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has stepped up its outreach in Region One with a stakeholder engagement involving more than 70 residents and community leaders in Port Kaituma, while providing practical assistance to families affected by the MV Barima tragedy.
The engagement, held on Wednesday, September 23, at the Port Kaituma Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Compound, brought together residents and stakeholders from communities across the Matarkai Sub-region, including Waterfront-Port Kaituma, Canal Bank, Citrus Grove, Fitzburg, Matthew’s Ridge, Falls Top, Log Pond, Turn Basin, Oronoque, Arakaka and the One, Two, Three and Four Miles areas.
ERC Chairman, Shaikh Moeenul Hack led the delegation, which included Commissioners Norris Witter, Ashton Simon, Rev Rodwell Porter, Ras Khafra (Deon Dick), Chandrowtie Sarran and Pandit Krishn Sharma, along with Chief Executive Officer (ag) Oma Devi-Sukhu.
The forum provided residents with an opportunity to raise concerns and share their experiences on issues affecting ethnic relations, community development and social cohesion.
Commission officials also outlined the ERC’s constitutional mandate and functions and heard directly from residents about challenges affecting their communities.
A significant part of the visit focused on families and individuals affected by the MV Barima tragedy, with the ERC delegation listening to concerns arising from the loss of loved ones and the continuing emotional and economic difficulties faced by affected families.
The Commission distributed hampers to bereaved families and other persons affected by the tragedy as part of its support and outreach efforts.
Hack, who is also a member of the Hope, Empathy, Aid, Resilience and Trust (H.E.A.R.T.) Initiative, said continued assistance would also be provided through the national framework established to support survivors and bereaved families of the MV Barima tragedy.
The ERC said it would maintain contact with affected families and facilitate further engagement where necessary, particularly on matters falling within its constitutional mandate.
The Port Kaituma engagement formed part of a wider programme of educational and community outreach activities undertaken by the Commission in Region One during the week.
On September 21, the ERC’s Public Education and Awareness Unit visited pupils at Falls Top Primary School, where officials discussed the Commission’s mandate and its role in promoting harmony and good relations among Guyanese.
The following day, September 22, the Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, launched a Harmony Club at Port Kaituma Primary School, involving more than 30 pupils.
The initiative focuses on tolerance, mutual respect and appreciation of Guyana’s ethnic and cultural diversity.
Headteacher Leslyn Bobb welcomed the initiative, while Matarkai District Education Officer, Oshelle Bartrum, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Education, described the programme as a complementary effort to encourage positive relationships among students, their families and wider communities.
The Port Kaituma club represents the latest expansion of the ERC’s Harmony Clubs programme, which has been introduced in schools in several regions.
The programme began with pilot initiatives at Stella Maris, St Gabriel’s, Comenius, St Ambrose and North Georgetown Primary schools in Georgetown and has since expanded to Mahdia and Micobie in Region Eight, Kamarang in Region Seven, Kuru Kururu in Region Four and now Port Kaituma in Region One.
The ERC said the programme is intended to equip young people with values that promote peaceful coexistence and respect for diversity, while encouraging them to carry those principles into their homes and communities.
The Commission said it will continue its regional outreach and stakeholder engagements as part of its constitutional responsibility to promote harmony, mutual respect, peaceful co-existence and good relations among all Guyanese.