Dear Editor,

Amidst all the negatives that are taking place in our country today, I am happy to report that Linden/Region 10 has scored a great success through collaboration.

The Regional Welfare Committee took the initiative to collaborate its efforts with other major stakeholders to deal with a chronic issue which plagued the town of Linden for approximately five years.

Every year, after the schools’ Mashramani activities and particularly the inter-secondary schools’ sports, a massive crowd comprising both children and teachers would wend their way to the upper Republic Avenue (in the vicinity of the Ark Disco, Carib Bar, Linden Online & Banks DIH Ltd.) School children are seen engaged in drinking of alcoholic beverages, using of indecent language and illegal drugs. The roadway is literally blocked making it extremely difficult for vehicular traffic. At the conclusion of this affair, the roads are left in such a deplorable condition (i.e. littered with broken bottles, food boxes, sanitary cups etc) that it causes much difficulty to pedestrians and drivers alike. What was more upsetting is the fact that several children became intoxicated and many were involved in sexual activities, some even raped.

As responsible leaders of this community, the RDC invited the Regional Education Department, the Guyana Police Force, the Probation & Social Services Officers, the Linden Social Workers Association & the Regional Women’s Affairs Committee to a meeting to discuss a strategy to curb the above mentioned situation. All parties committed to different aspects of this strategy e.g the Regional Education Officer committed to effective information flow of our decisions to PTAs through the various Head Teachers and the general public via the electronic media. A special edition of the R.D.C.’s Eye on Ten television programme was also done and the entire community was informed of our decisions and expectations. The schools’ Welfare and Police Departments performed exceptionally well and are worthy of commendation.

On behalf of the Regional Welfare Committee and the Regional Chairman, Mr Mortimer Mingo I wish to thank all teachers, parents, groups and businesses who supported this initiative which resulted in a positive change in the behaviour of our children. Special thanks are extended to Mr Marcel Hutson – Regional Education Officer, Mrs. Dawn Morian – Schools’ Welfare Officer, Mr Osmond Warde – Sgt. Traffic Dept. Mackenzie Police Station and Mr Leon Roberts – Regional Information Officer.

In closing, I must highlight how much can be achieved through collaboration and I would sincerely like to encourage more of this type of action for the good of our town and Region 10.

Yours faithfully,

Ms Valerie Adams (Sharpe)

Chairman

Regional Welfare Committee,

Region #10