TUC pillories gov’t on college funds

Stabroek News – May 2, 2008
By Johann Earle

With the labour movement still deeply divided, speakers at this year’s GTUC May Day rally pilloried the government over the cost of living and the cutting of the state subvention to the Critchlow Labour College (CLC) among other areas and PM Sam Hinds was given a rough reception.

Following yesterday’s morning’s traditional march, Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) affiliates rallied at the CLC on Woolford Avenue while affiliates of the rival FITUG gathered at the National Park. The GTUC rally was marred by the rude treatment of Prime Minister Hinds shortly after he arrived at CLC. Hinds had been invited to the event by the leadership of the GTUC.

Speaking at the rally held in the CLC compound, Coretta McDonald of the GTUC said the members were angry at the state of the country and on the approach to these problems by the leadership of the Guyana Trades Union Congress.

She noted that the labour movement preceded the political movement of the country and that it was labour that first challenged the merchant class and the colonial masters.  

Single-parent mothers to earn income through cake décor

Kaieteur News – April 22, 2008

With the aim of empowering local single-parent women to better care for themselves and their children, a cake decoration course is slated to commence this week; it will attract several of these women.

All fees for the programme will be paid for by the Benschop Foundation, which has for some time now been reaching out to a number of vulnerable persons in society to bring some level of relief through various means of assistance.

According to Public Relations Officer of the Foundation, Olive Gopaul, the programme will target ten unemployed women between Agricola, East Bank Demerara, and Georgetown.

She disclosed that the programme was conceptualized after it was observed that several single mothers are not in a position to be independent, although it is required of them.  

GBTI awards three early savers

Kaieteur News – April 18, 2008

Three teenaged girls were yesterday selected as the winners of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) early savers competition.

Zoya Peters, 13; Allesha Ally, 14; and Mandy Jaggernauth, 12; were rewarded at a simple presentation ceremony held at the bank’s Water Street office.

In his opening remarks, Head of Research and Planning, Sean Noel, said Guyanese must avoid the inculcation of a living-for-now syndrome in young people.

Noel said that parents must take saving more seriously and impart the value of financial responsibility.  

SIMAP, WAB donate sewing machines to Region 8 women

Guyana Chronicle – April 17, 2008

More than 20 Amerindian women of Mahdia and Micobie in Region Eight (Potaro / Siparuni) are now equipped with sewing machines that will enable them to earn an income.

The Women’s Affairs Bureau (WAB) of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, in collaboration with the Social Impact Amelioration Programme (SIMAP), donated several sewing machines to the women.

Regional Executive Officer of Region Eight, Ishawar Dass, said the machines were donated to help the women improve their standard of living.

Most of the women are single parents.  

Rodrigues lauds organic pine farm

Stabroek News – April 4, 2008

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues on Friday toured an organic pineapple farm and processing facility in the adjoining Mainstay/Whyaka communities during a visit to commission a new road built in the region.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Rodrigues was taken on a guided tour by Toshao Yvonne Pearson during an outreach exercised aimed at assessing the communities’ needs. Rodrigues said the communities have a vibrant economic pineapple project not found anywhere else in the country. “I will encourage other leaders of various communities to visit Mainstay and see the economic projects that are used to develop the community,” she said. The minister was also informed about the various species of trees found in the community’s Heritage Park which is a ‘women’s’ project. Rodrigues said she is pleased with the group’s accomplishments and it indicated that it has other projects planned to boost tourism in the community.

Residents said they were grateful for the new road though they said the area also needed a new well. Pearson also said the communities are working to expand their development projects to produce more food and create more employment. Rodrigues urged the village council to maintain its strong leadership role as it has significantly raised the villagers’ living standards.

Man drives off with businesswoman’s car

Stabroek News – April 3, 2008

Three men last evening drove off with a businesswoman’s car and a bag containing an undisclosed sum of money, as she was walking up the stairs of her Sheriff Street home.

From all appearances the men had planned the carjacking since they were waiting at two separate locations nearby.

Stabroek News was unable to speak to the woman last evening for a comment and up to press time could not ascertain whether the car which was described as silver grey was found. Police were alerted shortly after the incident and investigations are continuing.

Reports received by this newspaper are that sometime after 6 pm, the woman, in the company of her mother – who is the owner of the Sheriff Taxi Service and two sons, pulled up in front of her home, which is located three lots south of the taxi service and next door to the Sheriff Night Club.