In the beginning, GNI discussion forum was a place of harmony with positive and humorous discussion, where many lasting and helpful friendships were made, but it now seems to be a forum with people who like to speak within their own minds, while knocking down others.
Typical of some Guyanese who are shamed in many countries, they seem to behave like crabs in a barrel and would step on others, to make themselves look good, or destroy any effort to get ahead.
Is there presently a ‘purpose for achievement’ on GNI political discussion forum? I doubt it and believe if it continue in this manner, it might degrade further into its own destructive force.
It became a place that destroy by building on negativism, that is shameful to see, because Guyana badly need positive assistance.
If just 1% of negative energy on GNI political forum is used to support the people of Guyana to achieve a better life, it will make a huge difference, because many don't have anything now. This is nothing new, because members on GNI previously came together to help others in need.
We wonder what type of productive life some posters must have. We assume they are employed, but they spend so much time daily on GNI knocking down others and we know posting takes away from doing other things.
Youth in Guyana read GNI political, but don't post because of nastiness by some members in response. It puzzles them with shame to understand, if these are educated people in the diaspora who left to improve themselves, it might have been better if they had remained in Guyana, because some seems worse than some people in Guyana.
They also wonder how these people portrait Guyana to others, if they are so negative and ungrateful about their homeland, that gave them so much to improve their lives.
It is unfortunate to see a site representing Guyana, don't take an initiative to help build Guyana more productively, instead of members trying to destroy it.
Free speech yes, but for what purpose.
I believe Mr. Odeen Ishmael’s family started this site with good intentions, but it degraded to a place that discourage visitors, especially the youth in Guyana, who badly need positive leadership.
With no assistance from regional and local officials, even with a letter of introduction from the Guyana National Suicide Prevention Committee, our foundation started in 2006 building sport facilities in schools and communities. We later trained hundreds of multi-race youth in leadership, peer counselling and suicide intervention at UG, with neutral facilitators. We selected dozens of youth from this group and provided additional training in peer counselling. They were sent to their communities for counselling and training others. Resulting in school dropout returning to school, where some graduated from UG and high schools and are teachers at the school they dropped out, mentoring to others with similar problems. Other graduates are married with families and have productive lives.
Our committee members are from Canada, United States, Europe, as well as in Guyana. We take turns for ongoing training in suicide intervention and prevention.
Our funding partners are Canada Fund, Air Canada, Caribbean Airlines, Scotia Bank, Telus Canada, Larpakan Shipping, other corporations and numerous individuals.
One of our goals is to have an NGO conference in Georgetown for all NGOs operating in Guyana, so we can compare notes regarding how to better operate in the Guyanese environment.
Our program was derailed when officials demanded large fees, that our funding partners were unable to pay. This resulted in schools and medical clinics told, there will be consequences, if they continue to support our foundation.
The issue was taken to MOH and MOE, who told us its a local matter, to be dealt with local officials, the same people demanding the fees.
Our foundation is rebuilding in Guyana and plan to be as effective as before, but a coordinated national strategy is required, if any significant improvement will be made in suicide prevention.
As long as we continue to dwell on racism and negativism in Guyana, the country will continue to be stagnant for development of its people.
If GNI discussion forum presently is a reflection of things to come, there might be little hope for Guyana, under any government.
Like a disease, negativism is contagious with destructive forces and positive attitude achieve continued growth. The one we feed will determine our life and the future of Guyana.
Among all the challenges, instead of knocking down others who might be trying to improve things. Ask yourself, ‘What am I doing to help the people in Guyana grow ?’
There are many non-government charitable organizations operating in Guyana that need help badly, because the work is overwhelming and if you are dedicated to assist, they will not be hard to find.
An effective organization is the Good Hope – Lusignan Learning Centre. Sandra will be happy to hear from you.
An important person said ‘Come, see and help build lives’, but the choice is always ours.
If you should make this decision, it might be beneficial to do so, with an open mind of one Guyanese people.
