Animal rescue tourism

Animal rescue tourism

The reason that someone like Jason can spend his vacation rescuing animals is that he was brought up that way. The early attention to learning and understanding animals builds a foundation for a society to threat animals humanely. In the US, kids are thought to love and threat animals as part of their family. More than often animals are companions to infants. Adults allow kids to practice bonding, sharing, and caring with animals so that they can acquire and transfer these skills to humans. The way a society treat its animals correlates to the same way they treat their neighbors. Until this fundamental concept of treating animals humanely is realized, the horrific inhumane treatment of animals will continue.  

A gut-wrenching day, two decades later : Kaieteur News

A gut-wrenching day, two decades later : Kaieteur News

This is the same story told over and over again by several people. It is not that anyone is pointing a finger or putting Guyana down. On the contrary, while other parts of the world strive to develop, time has stood still on one plot of land while the plot right next to it strives. Startling.

Over the past two decades there has been many great improvements in Guyana. No doubt. But more can be done. The very essence of this society is being neglected. Youths. Extreme poverty in certain areas continue from generations to generations. There are still kids who does not believe in an education or the necessity for schooling. Their parents were never encouraged to develop themselves from their parents and this cycle continues today. If this cycle is not broken soon, an entire generation will turn another cycle for how many more years?

There are more hand outs than Laparkan Shipping and Western Union can handle. When are people going to be given the tools to survive rather than the materials to show off. Why should they work or try to develop their housing schemes when "foreign money a come"? Overseas families partially share this blame.   We work and break our backs to send for our families while they "shake a hammock with a bottle of Stay Home Darling". We are enabling and at the same time tossing the blame on government. In order for this country to develop and stand on it's own, there has to be a fundamental shift in thinking and actions from all sons and daughters of the land. 

The necessity of having highly trained teachers

The necessity of having highly trained teachers

On this day as Teacher Madan Kumar is sent to his final resting place, let us all take a moment and reflect on his role in our life. Those of us who were fortunate to be in his class will testify to his passion for teaching and educating. He was a strict and ardent purveyor of knowledge. His colleagues will sing graces of his easy going temperament. His friends will remember a stunner on the cricket field. 

Teacher Madan, you have touched the lives of so many in various ways that we will forever be grateful. Rest in Peace, Sir. Rest in Peace.

Canawaima Ferry Stelling from Corriverton to Nickerie.

Canawaima ferry ends 2010 strong

Who remembers when this ferry crossing was just a dream, empty promise, or campaign slogan? Now look at it. A shining beacon which shows that progress is possible.

As a kid living and growing up in Guyana circa 70s and 80s, Road End was as far as we could go. It was either the final turn on a leisure drive with my grandfather or on my bicycle with my friends. I always wondered what was beyond the bush? There was always stories from a local farmer about the raw beauty of Moleson Creek area. There were tales of lawlessness in the marijuana trade. Today, tells a different tale.

What was once only an aspiration has become a reality. The Road End no longer exists. There is now an endless road. A brand spanking new road extends beyond the old Road End. This road goes all the way to the New Canawaima Ferry Stelling and beyond. I am told that the paved road will extend all the way to Orealla, perhaps Brazil? One could only speculate.

Along the road are several farms and cattle rearing activities. Not surprising, there was a small hotel. Clearly this is still an area ripe and ready for development. Although very agricultural in nature I could see many areas of shear bush. This could be the new frontier of growth.

We arrived at the stelling in the late afternoon after the ferry operations had stopped. The gate was closed. A guard informed us that for a nominal entrance fee we could still walk around to see the buildings and grounds. A nominal fee. Wonder where that money was going and how did they account for that? Tourism dollars?

There was a Amerindian cleaning crew busy at work. I have to say these buildings and compound were extremely clean. There was a waiting area outfitted with a small snack counter and several televisions. Restrooms were very clean. The lawn was well trimmed and acute. There definitely was pride in the upkeep if this facility.

A beacon of hope, a shining light to show the way, a structure of pride and joy. This is the fruits of progress. This is how a community rise with glistening glints in their eyes and chest full of pride.

The Core Rules of Netiquette -- Excerpted from Netiquette by Virginia Shea -- Albion.com

The Core Rules of Netiquette -- Excerpted from Netiquette by Virginia Shea -- Albion.com

Since this is a new group, we wanted to share this short insightful book with you. As in any social situations we are to conduct ourselves accordingly. Please allow the simple netiquette outlined here to guide our interactions.

Naturally, issues about Guyana are close and dear to all of us. Tempers flare and language gets very colorful. We cannot stress enough the importance of civility, humility, common courtesy, and respect for each other. In as much as this is an open forum where we encourage healthy civil discussions and debate, this is not anyone's personal soap box. We ask that you refrain from personal attacks using derogatory language and names of people.

As in any civilized forum, we reserve the right to delete inappropriate post, up to banning a member from the group. In as much as we want to promote a healthy discussion we also want to provide a safe group for members.

Let's enjoy the Conversation.

Honoring Pandit Suresh Sugrim

The Guyana Tri-State Alliance, in collaboration with The Consulate General of the Republic of Guyana, New York and the Permanent Mission of Guyana to the United Nations, celebrated Guyana’s 45th Independence anniversary on Wednesday, June 22 with a special evening and appreciation ceremony.
The event, dubbed “A Taste of Guyana”, was held at Brooklyn Borough Hall, Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, New York. 11201. USA.

Among the recipients of the special honor were community philanthropist Rick Chetram; humanitarian Vibert Bernard; actress and advocate for preservation of Guyanese culture Rose October-Edun; Patrick and Paul Haynes of the Haynes Foundation in Guyana; Ms. Taruna Sardoo — advocate for educating women and children in Guyana and around the globe; Pandit Suresh Sugrim, President of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Humanitarian Mission and champion for the poor and less fortunate of Guyana; Dr. John Mitchell of Health and Education Relief for Guyana (HERG), advocate for family health and prevention of infant mortality; Ngozi Moses, photojournalist of The Washington Post; Nikki Kahn, and Mohamed A Hassim, who have been noted as key figures in keeping the diaspora connected.

Pandit Sugrim was born in Corriverton, Guyana and migrated to the USA in 1980. He settled in Bloomfield, New Jersey and found the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Humanitarian Mission in 2005. The mission’s current initiatives are:-

• Assistance to less fortunate children in and out of orphanage care
  
• Empowerment to low income working families and single mothers to acquire their own homes
  
• Medical care (such as surgery outside of Guyana)
  
• Food Vouchers for seniors, battered women and underprivileged children
  
• Education Fund for children living in dire poverty
  
• Benevolent Home Building Project for seniors, abused and battered women, men, and orphans
  
• Helping victims of domestic violence, rape, abuse

During his acceptance speech, Pandit Sugrim applauded the diaspora’s generosity in reaching out and giving freely through various charity events and contributions. He reiterated that without the community’s earnest participation the mission’s initiatives would not be achieved. “I am just the facilitator. This honor is yours,” he said.
The special observance was sponsored by the speaker of the event, Christine C.Quinn, Councilman the Honorable Dr Mathieu Eugene, and the Honorable Marty Markowitz, President of the Brooklyn Borough.

CNN Heroes - Special Reports from CNN.com

CNN Heroes - Special Reports from CNN.com

It is official, Pandit Suresh Sugrim has been nominated for CNN Heroes 2011 for his work with New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Humanitarian Mission and the outreach they do for people in Guyana.

Now we hold our breaths as the selection process gets underway. Cheer him on. Congratulations.