REO Marilyn Jones-O'Donoghue, Andrew Zhu-CHEC, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony, Ambassador Zhang Limin, Principal Ann Barnes, PR Consultant Alex Graham.

China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC), the contractor for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) project, today handed over improvements to the facilities at the Windsor Forest Primary School, West Coast Demerara.

The infrastructure improvements, which cost approximately five million Guyana dollars, include a rebuilding of the bridge to create a stable and safe access from the road to the school yard, concrete paving of a section of the school yard, reconstruction of damaged sections of the fence, construction of two new bleachers for watching sports, and the leveling and sand filling of the playground.

The improvements, which were carried out between January 10 and January 25, 2012, coincided with events to mark the 160^thAnniversary of Chinese immigration to Guyana. The pedestal and plaque, erected in compound of the Windsor Forest Primary School on January 17, 1986 by the Guyana Commemoration Commission were also refurbished as part of the project.

Since coming to Guyana, CHEC has taken the initiative to support communities through contribution to schools. In December 2012 CHEC hosted a Christmas Party for 700 children in the Timehri area from the Primary and Nursery schools and the neighbourhood.

Speaking at the handing over of the infrastructure improvements, Mr. Andrew Zhu, Assistant Project Manager of CHEC in Guyana said “China Harbour is in Guyana to work on the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Project, but since we have been in Guyana we have also taken every opportunity to get to know the people of Guyana and to become a part of the wider community.”

In comments directed at the students Zhu said, “China Harbour wishes that all of the students who attend this school will benefit from these improvements and that it would contribute to improving their learning experience.”

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Guyana, H.E. Zhang Limin said that “the Windsor Forest School plays a role in linking China and Guyana since there is a monument here to the first Chinese who came to Guyana.” He added that “more and more Chinese companies are coming to Guyana for projects as a result of the rapid growth of economic cooperation between Guyana and China. Chieses companies not only contribute to the economic growth of Guyana but also make donations here like the CHEC contributions to the Windsor Forest infrastructure. Ambassador Limin says that in the future he expects even more Chinese companies to follow CHEC’s example”

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport & Acting Minister of Education, Dr. Frank Anthony said that “we are pleased that China Harbour is the company that will be doing the modernisation of the CJIA because they have a very strong track record around the world. We are very pleased that we have such a world class company working with us in Guyana.” Minister Anthony added that such companies also bring an ethic of corporate responsibility and CHEC has already been involved with school children in Timehri at Christmas and now they have come to Windsor Forest and done these infrastructure improvements here to the playground and rehabilitated the small monument to Chinese immigration.”

Dr. Anthony commended China Harbour and the Chinese Embassy and encouraged the children in attendance to consider learning Chinese because of the opportunities in the future when China’s economy would be the leading economy in the world.

Principal of Windsor Forest Primary Ann Barnes, the school’s teaching staff and students attended the simple ceremony along with Regional Education Officer Marlyn Jones-O’Donoghue and officers of the Region 3 Regional Administration.