… funded by overseas Guyanese Gillian Henry and her family
A new cafeteria was yesterday commissioned at the South Ruimveldt Primary School, along with a play park and a basketball court.
The initiative was funded by overseas-based Guyanese Gillian Henry and her family, who began a feeding programme for just 25 students back in March of this year.
At the school, the cafeteria will offer 100 free lunches per day for children who are disadvantaged.
Henry is working on extending the programme with a cafeteria in Central Georgetown where she will offer free lunches to other disadvantaged school children.
She said with continued support from her family overseas and at home, she will be able to continue this project on a larger scale.
Adviser to the Minister of Education Olatto Sam, who was at the commissioning yesterday, said that he was honoured to be there due to the significance of the occasion, because it is a rare one. He said the Ministry of Education is impressed with the  initiative by Henry and hopes that she would be able to continue the good work.
He also encouraged others to follow suit, since they are many school children who are in need of assistance with meals.
He expressed his gratitude to Henry and pledged his full support in her upcoming proposals.
Principal Education Officer Marcel Hutson was also there, and he is happy with the intervention made by Ms. Henry. He said this is in keeping with the vision of the Ministry in recognition of the nutritional needs of children.
Hutson said Henry and her family are making a tremendous contribution, and he knows it would of great benefit to the children of the South Ruimveldt Primary school.
The school’s Headmistress, Sandra Inniss, expressed her gratitude to Henry and her family and said that the cafeteria will aid in the development of the school.