First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar and some of the school children admire her garden project

First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar last Friday launched a garden project at her husband’s official residence, State House, aimed at promoting agriculture amongst young people. The project; “Garden for the Children of Guyana” was chosen to coincide with International Children’s Day.
“I wish to honour the children of Guyana in a practical way by involving them in an activity that would produce tangible results,” said First Lady Ramotar.
Garden for the Children of Guyana utilises three methods of cultivation. It exposes young people to traditional gardening, hydroponics and raised bed gardening.
“I hope that this small garden here at State House will eventually become a space where children can interact, learn from each other, and about each other; build team spirit and be inspired to cultivate their own small garden at school and at home,” First Lady Ramotar said.
President Donald Ramotar in a brief address stated that he was “happy” that his lovely wife was taking on such an initiative, noting that agriculture was a “noble profession”. “This is why I’m happy that my wife is taking this initiative because I think we need to bring dignity to every form of work that people do, and agriculture in particular, which has such a big role to play in the development of our country”
President Ramotar said that when taken in the global context, agriculture will be widely demanded to feed the world’s population. “And it’s not only feeding ourselves, but agriculture can become a prosperous business for entrepreneurs, for our children to be inspired by it, to love it…; and not only satisfy their immediate needs, but can make a very good living if they go into this area of activity, and perform their work,” the president stated.
The initiative targets students from the Kingston Secondary School, Christ Church Secondary School and St John’s College as these schools are close to State House. First Lady Ramotar said she intends to roll out the initiative across the country. “I would like to encourage teachers and parents to be a part of this drive to revive interest in gardening.”
The Garden for the Children of Guyana initiative is being done in tandem with the goals and objectives of the Agriculture Ministry, specifically the adoption of technologies to promote urban and sub-urban agriculture, as well as climate smart agriculture practices.

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BY VAHNU MANIKCHAND

U.S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt, cleaning up the environs of the Tucville Primary School

Residents of the neighbouring villages of Tucville and Lodge, Georgetown, on Monday afternoon participated in a clean-up exercise, as part of the diplomatic community-led Guyana Shines initiative.
Guyana Shines is an initiative by members of the diplomatic and civil society, including the United States Embassy, the British High Commission, the Canadian High Commission, the European Union Delegation in Guyana, Conservation International, and Youth Challenge.
On Monday, volunteers gathered on the lawns of the National Gymnasium before dispersing into the field. The volunteers comprised members/staff from the diplomatic community, the U.S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt, Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green, ECHO Director Royston King and members of the Volunteer Youth Corps.
There were two groups; one went to clean the nearby surroundings of the gymnasium. The other group went to Tucville where they cleaned the surroundings of the Tucville Primary School. During these clean-up exercises, residents of these and surrounding areas participated in the initiative. The volunteers managed to get school children to participate in cleaning up the environment.
Guyana Times International caught up with the U.S. Ambassador Hardt, who noted that Guyana is known for its waterfalls, rainforest, and savannahs; however, the city of Georgetown could be cleaner as it was in the past, hence their efforts to keep the city clean. He said, “We are all in the diplomatic community here and we are all committed to Guyana and share the desire to see Guyana as beautiful and clean as it can be.”
The ambassador stated that they are hoping to educate young people, so that they can grow up taking care of their environment. He revealed that two weeks ago they went to 14 schools, starting with St Margret’s Primary School, to inform them about the importance of keeping our environment litter free.
Hardt explained that all over the world, countries have the same litter problem; however, by being educated about its effects on the environment, this can be changed for the better. “It is a long-term process; but it had to start now and I think with the diplomatic and civil engagement, we are hoping that we can get more people from Guyana communities, schools, NGOs, and local and national governments to get involved to make Guyana a cleaner and more beautiful place,” said the ambassador.
ECHO Executive Director Royston King told this newspaper that this is a really good initiative that caters for the environment and its issues. He noted that when the Guyana Shines initiative started, ECHO facilitated the launching in the schools. “We played a really important part in mobilising the children, in getting them together, and to get them involved in this Guyana Shines Project,” he said.
King added that he is happy to be a part of what he calls a “practical demonstration of leadership”.  He said he hopes seeing these diplomats going into communities and actually doing work would make local leaders “emulate… this type of leadership, attitude, and action so that we can all advance in the interest of not only Georgetown, but Guyana and so that we can say that Guyana shines not only for now, but always”.

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Children drawing their perspective on the theme “May there always be sunshine”

Dozens of school children last Friday used chalk to express themselves in a drawing competition organised by the Russian embassy to mark International Child Protection Day.
The competition was held on the tarmac of the Burrowes School of Art, Carifesta Avenue, under the theme “May there always be sunshine”. The competition was a collaborative effort between the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, the Russian embassy and the Russian business community. More than 40 children from schools in Georgetown, Kwakwani, Kuru Kuru and Aroaima participated.
Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony said that while Guyana has youth arms of political parties, there also needs to be a children’s arm, and Guyana is not behind in this regard.
He noted that a pioneer movement was started in Guyana on June 1, 1979, and is privileged to be one of the first 50 pioneers that started the movement.
Dr Anthony said that the Soviet Union (now known as Russia) and later the Russian Republic spent a lot of time lobbying for this day to become a very prominent day in the international community, and it is because of their effort that “we have seen this day being highlighted around the world”. He also disclosed that during the time of the Soviet Union, with the many pioneer camps it had, children had played a very special role in those societies, and a lot of emphasis was placed on the holistic development of children.
The minister disclosed that from time to time, Guyana sends delegations to countries such as Cuba and Russia to participate in camps, and the experience, he noted, that participants have brought back has help to enhanced local children’s programmes.
The minister said the reason “We designate this special day to draw focus on the work that needs to be done with children and in Guyana, there have been significant advances as it relates to the protection of children.”
“We have passed, over the last couple of years, several pieces of legislation that would enhance the protection of children, and of course our job is not done by passing legislation, we have to build the institutions that allow these things to be properly monitored, and put in place, and I think that we are in that stage where we are ensuring that all our institutions are properly strengthened.” Dr Anthony said he is pleased that in terms of education, the government of Guyana has been spending a lot of money to educate children.
He pointed out that government’s heavy investment in the sector has resulted in Guyana achieving universal primary and secondary education, and more students are pursuing tertiary education.
Culture Ministry Permanent Secretary Alfred King said the celebration and recognition of International Day for Child Protection is being held at the most appropriate place, that is, at the institution best known for moulding and nurturing young creative minds.
He noted the world over people are recognising the importance of nurturing the next generation, and understanding the importance of creating the environment and experiences that would lead them to be positive contributors in society RUSAL representative Vladimir Permyakov said that the company is proud to be part of the competition, noting that children should be given the opportunity to be the builders of a modern and beautiful Guyana.
Russian Ambassador to Guyana Nickolay Smirnov said he is happy to celebrate the day with Guyana, pointing out that the occasion is widely celebrated in Russia. He said self-expression by children will “make us realise what is going on around them”. The ambassador added that according to psychologists, it is believed that children express their inner world in drawings, and one can tell of the problem they face and their aspirations.
After the ceremony, the children were invited to cut the ribbon after which they were given coloured chalks to draw on an allotted space, while their teachers encouraged them and the judges looked on.
The drawings had to portray the theme “May there always be sunshine”, and the students were given one hour to complete their pieces.
International Child Protection Day was established in November 1949 by the Women’s International Democratic Federation at a congress, and has been celebrated on June 1 ever since.

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– Webster announces plans for national conversations on domestic violence

By Michael Younge

Human Services Minister Jenifer Webster

Government is moving to convene national conversations on domestic violence following the recent upsurge in the social scourge which saw at least nine women losing their lives at the hands of abusive spouses and partners.
The talks will aim to come up with more solutions and new avenues through which government, the private sector, and non-governmental organisations can work towards eliminating or reducing the scourge.
Human Services Minister Jenifer Webster made the announcement during an interview with Guyana Times International on Monday afternoon at her office. Webster, who condemned all of the recent acts of domestic violence, said it is time once again for all the stakeholders to meet and discuss the problem, with the aim of taking more proactive approaches towards the abuse and violence perpetrated against women.
The launch of the talks is set for June 27 at the International Convention Centre, and will see representatives from the Human Services Ministry, non-governmental organisations, the religious community, ordinary Guyanese, political parties, and civil society converging to be part of a think-tank about what else can be done to fight the growing social ill.
Minister Webster said that “no man has the right to beat, abuse, or take the life of a woman”, arguing that many women find themselves with their backs against the wall because they believe they have no choices.
Webster said there are menus of options available to women who are in abusive relationships, as she explained that they must speak out, leave, and report instances so that action can be taken.
“Domestic violence is a major problem, and I believe that we have to start to address the issue through behavioural change campaigns… we have to start too with our young boys and girls so as to change the values and morals they have inherited that make them resort to violence or abuse,” Webster admitted.
She expressed disappointment that more and more women were becoming “statistics”, sometimes suffering unbelievable forms of abuse which often result in death.

Criticism
The human services minister shot down criticism that government has not been responding to the calls of abused women in a timely and appropriate manner as she disclosed several initiatives and programmes, which have been targeting the vulnerable group and perpetrators of the insidious act.
“In 2008, we launched the Stamp It Out campaign; in 2009, Breaking The Silence campaign; in 2010, you saw us making inroads with the launch of the Sexual Offences Act with more emphasis on rape and abuse; and in 2011, we continued our work in this respect,” she reiterated.
The minister said every day her ministry is offering counselling services and assistance to women who find themselves in abusive marriages, common-law unions and relationships. She admitted that her staff is critically involved, too, in providing the necessary sensitisation material and information for women to become empowered about their rights and responsibilities.
Webster issued a call for community policing groups, community leaders, and neighbours to become gatekeepers in the fight against domestic violence, urging them not to leave any instance unreported.
She said that while the legislation is in place, her ministry has long recognised the need for more administrative and institutional capacity building to take place.
“More needs to be done…we have done a lot, but we cannot lose sight of our ultimate target of emphasising the importance to respect our women folk… this battle is too critical to be lost at such a late hour and I will not lose focus… the perpetrators of every act must face the courts and must be brought to justice and made an example,” she stressed.
She also lauded the work of the Men’s Affairs Bureau (MAB), which has been working closely with males in society to assist them to understand their gender roles, and the need for them to resort to other forms of dispute and conflict resolution, apart from violence.

Domestic violence costing the state
The human services minister said “domestic abuse has a socio-economic cost”, which is placed on the shoulders of the state in most instances, as she referred to a host of cases where women are killed, the spouse or husband is remanded, and the children are left unsupervised and without any proper guidance and parental support.
“We have to provide for them in many cases and ensure that they receive the necessary care and support to lead healthy, happy lives,” she noted. “We continue to lose our valuable human resources when their lives are snuffed out by drunk partners, violent men, and jealous lovers… we cannot continue like this,” she emphasised.
She did not believe that those men who murdered women for frivolous reasons should be shown mercy, but must be held accountable to the law, while they benefit from the necessary rehabilitative services available behind bars and at mental institutions.
The Human Services Ministry has initiated a number of studies aimed at arriving at the drivers of domestic violence, understanding the male perspective, and looking at the far-reaching consequences of the scourge on human capital. She called on the police to continue to probe the matters before them in a timely manner, advising that her office remains ready to lend the necessary assistance.
The National Oversight Committee on Domestic Violence was reconvened a few weeks ago, and is earnestly working towards the completion of the regulations that would operationalise the Domestic Violence Act so it can take effect fully. “No victim must be denied access to justice, as I strongly believe that any crime committed against a woman is an abhorrent one that must be condemned by all,” she concluded.

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