First Lady Arya Ali was on Friday handed the key to the town of Lethem where she joined two Ministers for a toy distribution exercise in several communities across the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo.
Presenting the First Lady with a key to the country’s southernmost town was Mayor John Macedo, a release from the Office of the First Lady said yesterday. Mrs Ali then joined Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond who arrived in the region two days prior.
Together, the release said that they visited six Amerindian communities to distribute toys and the Ministry of Education’s $4,000 cash grant which was provided to every child.
The communities visited were: Quarrie, Kumu, Moco Moco, Hiowa, Nappi and Parishara, the release said.
The communities were informed of the First Lady’s intention to introduction a website to exclusively market indigenous products locally, regionally and internationally.
Manickchand also advised the communities of ongoing efforts by her Ministry to have a satellite dish and television sets installed in each community to allow children to access the learning channel even as schools remain closed.
Residents of those villages also used the opportunity to raise concerns with the officials and lobby for remedial action. Among the issues raised were the lack of economic opportunities and training for young people.
The release said that the First Lady relayed her plans to have training opportunities provided to some of these residents through the Carnegie School of Home Economics and the Kuru Kuru Training Centre.
The First Lady, the release said, is currently in discussions with the proprietor of Eco-Wood, Nizam Ameerally to have training in woodworking provided to Amerindians who are interested in that field of work.
