Dear Editor,

I recently visited Guyana and met a few lawyers from the region currently attending a three-month course in legislative drafting funded by the Commonwealth Secretariat.  The University of Guyana is involved in the course administration.

These young ladies related some of their unpleasant experiences since arriving.  Their accommodation was not of the best quality and some of the participants removed to more suitable accommodation.

This programme is conducted at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) in Kingston.

NCERD has no internet access, a library with very few materials, no printer and an atmosphere that is not conducive to training legislative drafters.

Add to that, bathroom facilities with no toilet seat, toilet paper, liquid or any other soap and paper towel or a towel to wash one’s hands.

The participants expressed frustration and disappointment with the organizers and admitted that their impression of Guyana was not a good one.

In a few days, I thought it necessary to do some damage control, so I took them around and this included dinner at New Thriving Restaurant in Kitty, a drive to Hopetown and a visit to Bourda Market where they totally fell in love with our dear land of Guyana.  This opened their eyes to a side of Guyana which they had not seen.

Guyana has several facilities, which are modern, comfortable and appropriate for the hosting of such a programme.  Even at this stage, I sincerely hope that the conference organizers would use their best efforts to really welcome these participants and display the hospitality for which we are known.

The Commonwealth Secretariat chose Guyana to host the programme and we cannot let them down.  Guyana should be honoured and humbled by this opportunity and every participant should be viewed as an investment and efforts made to showcase Guyana’s best, whether in terms of the programme facilities, the flora, fauna, food or fun.

Yours faithfully,
Dawn A Holder