On Saturday, the Children’s Mashramani concluded with a short parade and the display of costumes in the National Park. We asked the men and women who gathered to view it what they thought of this year’s presentation. Their responses follow:
Rawle Thompson, construction worker: ‘This is my first time out here. My daughters insisted that I bring them out. It is wonderful. I didn’t know so many schools are participating. It is so nice. I will definitely be here next year for it again.’
Ayanna Semple, teacher: ‘This year’s children’s Mash was good. It was big and it had a lot of colourful floats. I am here to support the Nabaclis Nursery which was part of the parade. They mashed under the theme “Splendour of Guyana Region Four”.’
Opal DeSouza, public sector employee: ‘It is the second time our school has participated and this is the biggest parade we have witnessed. There are lots of colours in the floats this year and the children seem to be having lots of fun and that is what it is all about… having fun. The colours and energy displayed by the children is what I like the most about this year’s Mash parade.
Joy-Ann Lall, student: ‘This is the first time I took part in parade and I had fun. I like the colours and creativity in the costumes and I especially had fun dancing down the road.’
Godfrey Searles, private sector employee: ‘This is my second year out to watch the parade. This year was much bigger than last year and the colours used were very nice. I came out with the children for them to view the parade and they loved it.
Jennifer Lall-Shiwbalak, teacher: ‘I think our children are really showcasing their true natural inborn Guyanese talent at this parade because what we are seeing here is very colourful and creative. Also we are seeing the talent of the teachers in this country because most of the designs and costumes were the brainchild of teachers. I think the initiative between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to give children their own parade was a wonderful one.’
Debra Sutherland, private sector employee: ‘I think there is more need for practicing and more attention should be paid to choreography. The children are willing and they are doing their best out there but I think teachers need to take a little time to pay attention to practicing what to do where to stand when they get in here off the road. Overall, the involvement and the energy of the children makes this a very good show. I think this year I have seen more improvement and embellishment of the designs of the floats so that they can be more competitive. That I think is a very good thing this year.’
Rudolph Waithe, retiree: ‘The show was grand because I did not expect so many children from all the regions in the country. They are so small and have so much energy. I think too the costumes and designs were also very great. I don’t miss the parade I enjoy being with the children and they enjoy the extravaganza of the show.’
Bruce Rodrigues, private sector employee: ‘It is the first time since my high school days that I am back to watch the children’s Mash. It was very nice. You could see how much research and creativity was put into the costumes by some schools and I think it is nice for the children to get involved. It would be nice to see all schools across the country involved in the parade.’
Mickail Thomas, student: ‘This year the parade was very colourful. I come out every year with my family but I do not participate I don’t know why but I don’t. I think that this year there were more floats which were very colourful.’
