KINGTON - Schools in the riverain areas of Region Ten were the most recent to benefit from a life jacket distribution campaign by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.
This latest distribution wave saw 96 children’s life jackets being handed over to Regional Chairman, Renis Morian for the Malali Primary, along with other schools in the lower river areas. Additionally, 12 adult life jackets were handed over to the Muritaro Primary School. This complements what was previously handed over.
Akosua McPherson, MARAD’s Public Relations Officer, in handing over the life jackets to Morian, indicated that this donation is to ensure the children’s safety on the waterways.
“Whilst we distributed a few life jackets before to some of the schools, we have noticed that more were needed for the children…it is hoped that they (the children) can be safe, whilst travelling to and from school, in their boats,” McPherson explained.
Sharmin Grey, a teacher of the Muritaro Primary School, which received a dozen adult life jackets for the teachers, expressed gratitude for the donation, which is not only timely, but needed. “A number of times we have boat accidents…the life jackets will help both the teachers and children to be more safe on the waterways…a set was given before, which went directly to the children…some from this batch will go to teachers, as they too traverse the waterways,” Grey indicated.
Other schools that recently benefitted from MARAD’s distribution campaign are Kartabo, Makouria, Holy Name, and Itaballi Primary Schools. Schools in the Region One area will soon benefit from such a distribution.
Meanwhile, Commander John Flores of the Guyana Defence Force, President of the Volleyball Association and Consultant at MARAD used the opportunity to donate a number of volleyballs and nets to the region.
He indicated that during Heritage Month activities, a request was made to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs for such a contribution, along with a closer networking with the region, to develop the sport of volleyball.
“Im here to give you an impetus in terms of getting games organised for you, I have a plan at the federation level, to get out to the rural communities as much as possible….this donation covers two categories of balls-one for children and another for adults,” Flores explained.
He added that whilst volleyball is a cheap game and an ideal community sport, other such distributions were made to Buxton, Plaisance, and other communities countrywide.
Regional Chairman Morian indicated that he wants to see sports further developed and advanced in the region, as Region 10 is not just Linden.
“I’m thinking about Kwakwani, Rockstone, River’s View, Ituni… the youths in all those areas... we recall days when Linden was at the top of the map as it relates to sports, and whilst that has died, over the past few years there is a resurrection of sports in Region 10, and with support from such organisations as yours, I know for sure we can take sports in Region 10 to the next level,” Morian asserted. (GINA)
