Amerindians concerned over conditions at Princes St. hostel - Gov’t Ministers commit to improvement
Written by GINA Editor, Published in Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs, Georgetown, GINA, April 12, 2016, http://www.gina.gov.gy/home/in...ommit-to-improvement
Female Indigenous Ministers, Dawn Hastings-Williams and Valerie Garrido-Lowe have pledged to enhance the facilities at the Amerindian hostel in Princes Street, as part of an effort aimed at addressing indigenous gender needs.
Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe and Minister of in the Ministry of Communities, Dawn Hastings- Williams in Kako, Region Seven During a four-day visit from April 8 to 11, to Jawalla, Kako, Kamarang, Warawatta and Waramadong, Region Seven, Minister within the Ministry of Communities Hastings-Williams and Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Garrido-Lowe met with, and listened to the concerns of residents of communities where the state of the Amerindian hostel was a recurring issue of concern.
Residents not only complained of the conditions at the Amerindian residence, but of pregnant women and persons with malaria, tuberculosis and persons living with HIV having to share beds at the facility.
Minister Garrido-Lowe in responding to the residents acknowledged that the occupants of the facility have experienced much discomfort, but that this will change.
“We (Government) are only 10 months in office but that will be changed, because I am the Minister responsible for women and children, youth and sports and welfare matters and I will change this,” the Minister pledged.
The Amerindian residence was established in 1976, with the aim of providing accommodation to hinterland students pursuing higher levels of education that were not available in the hinterland.
Over the years, the purpose of the facility has evolved and now a significant number of persons accommodated are patients, including high risk expectant mothers from hinterland communities who have been referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. There are also persons accompanying them.
During her engagement with the residents, Minister Garrido-Lowe also updated them on the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) programme. A tentative date for the programme’s roll-out in Kamarang has been set for April 25.
Meanwhile Minister Hastings-Williams also updated the residents on government’s 2016 plans for the region and the activities that will be held in celebration of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary.
Minister Hastings-Williams assured the residents that their government has “started to work. It is not easy, because we inherited a broken system…we had to take time to get things back into order… but we see it as a challenge and we are working towards correcting and putting things in place so that we can continue to develop our beautiful land,” she told the residents.
She advised that throughout the length and breadth of Guyana there will be activities to celebrate the 50th Independence anniversary.
Residents were also advised about the Jubilee grant that is available to the Indigenous communities through the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, to fund sustainable green projects in their communities.
The Minister also donated a quantity sports gear and educational materials and tools including books and pens to the community. The items were donated to the Ministry of Communities by the “We Care Foundation”an Arkansas (United States of America) - based foundation, dedicated to improving and enriching the lives of children.
