VILLAGERS of Akawini, Pomeroon River, Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are now the beneficiaries of 27 houses and sanitation blocks, four cassava mills, a passenger boat and a cargo boat, all part of Food For the Poor (FFTP)’s $42M Akawini Development Project.Continuing their good work, FFTP has once again moved toward tackling poverty bit by bit; their support was timely as the villagers were in dire need of the assistance.

Speaking at the ceremony yesterday, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe congratulated FFTP for their good work, stating that “the villagers can now be self-sustaining and work towards moving to a higher level.”
The minister encouraged and challenged the villagers to take care of what they acquired and use it to the best of their abilities.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of FFTP, Kent Vincent, his organisation is happy that it has contributed to improving the living standards of the community, adding that his organisation will continue to embark on similar initiatives in other communities.
He urged the residents to work, take care of the boats and effectively manage the operations of the cassava mills to get maximum benefits.
Meanwhile, having been the one to approach FFTP for the assistance, former Toshao of the Village, Rudolph Wilson, expressed his gratitude to the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), noting that the villagers can now live a better life.
Project Manager Andrea Benjamin explained the benefits of the project, stating that the boats will greatly enhance the villagers’ socio-economic status; the cargo boat will be utilised to transport lumber and other produce to the various markets including Charity, which will boost the earning capacity of persons residing in this community.
While the passenger boat will enhance their ability to traverse between the village and other neighbouring communities, as well as ensure timely access to medical attention which is something required to be accessed at Charity.
The cassava mills are directly geared to enhance villagers’ ability to process cassava products, thereby enhancing their ability to earn.
The elated Akawini villagers explained to the Chronicle that they are thankful for the kind gesture by FFTP; some even stated that they can now sleep comfortably when it rains, and they encouraged the FFTP officials to continue their good work.