Easter cheer – it’s kites galore!

― Ministers’ kite distribution kicks into high gear

DPI, Guyana, Friday, April 19, 2019

It has become an annual practice for various ministers of government to spread Easter cheer among children in multiple communities across the country. The past week, several kite sharing exercises were carried out countrywide as the ministers and government agencies ensured that every child enjoys their Easter holiday.

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence distributing kites to the children of East La-Penitence and Stevedore Housing Scheme.

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence and Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Mentor [center] and National Chairman of the Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM), Ryan Belgrave with the children as they display their kites.

Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry presents students of the West Ruimveldt Primary School with kites for the Easter holidays.

Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry, the staff and students of West Ruimveldt Primary School.

Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry shares kites to the students of Enterprise Primary School.

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally in Yarrowkabra.

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally presenting kites to a mother of four.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman distributing kites to the children of Plastic City, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast of Demerara (WCD).

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman distributing kites to the children of Plastic City, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast of Demerara (WCD).

Children posing with Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally after receiving their kites.

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally at the kite distribution at Farm, West Coast of Demerara (WCD).

On of the lucky Enterprise Primary School students with his kite.

One of the children getting his kite up.

Children in Toevlugt posing with kites.

Davina Ramjit and her brother, Brian.

Two of the little ones at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast of Demerara (WCD).

Children waiting to receive kites at Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast of Demerara (WCD).

“It is the thought of giving the children a kite [that counts]” – Min. Ally

Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally, who has been leading the initiative, took her kite distribution to Yarrowkabra, located on the Soesdyke Linden Highway, Toevuglt, Farm and Meeten-Meer-Zorg on the West Coast Demerara (WCD) on April 18. The minister and her team travelled with approximately 300 kites to share to the children in these communities.

At the Yarrowkabra Health Post, hundreds of children were waiting excitingly and patiently for the kites that were promised to them. Minister Ally reminded them to fly their kites in open spaces.

After her final kite distribution at Meten Meer Zorg cricket ground, Minister Ally noted:

“It is the thought of giving the children a kite [that counts]. We love our children so much, so I thought that it was very necessary for me to reach out to the many children across the regions.”

Earlier this week, she covered communities in Regions 5 and 6. For the regions where she was not able to visit, the minister said kites were sent to the children to ensure they too had an enjoyable Easter.

“Seeing their response to the exercise lifts my spirit” – Min. Trotman

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman along with his team, on Wednesday, April 17, visited Plastic City, Vreed-en-Hoop where the children came out in their numbers. Children from the Stewartville community were also included in the fun-filled exercise.

“Watching the children and seeing how they responded to the kite distribution exercise lifts my spirit and make my work worth it. Getting to visit Plastic City and even Stewartville to bring smiles to the faces of the children for this holiday season is great.”

The minister visited the Stewartville community to speak with residents about previous concerns raised. He indicated that the government would be partnering with the residents to commence rehabilitation works on their bridges and other critical areas within the community. With a detailed evaluation of the scope of the works scheduled, infrastructural development will begin before month-end.

“[The exercise] is intended to reward the students” – Min. Henry

Following several visits to students sitting the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examination on the morning of April 18, Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry took time out from her busy schedule to again visit several primary schools. Among these were West Ruimveldt, Enterprise and Rama Krishna Primary Schools. Over 300 students received kites from the minister and her team.

“[The exercise] is intended to reward the students, in a simple way, for all the hard work they have put in preparing throughout the primary level and finally writing the National Grade Six Assessment. We at the ministry want to ensure they have an enjoyable Easter.”

“It is all about making the children feel very happy” – Min. Lawrence

An additional 200 children from the East La-Penitence and Stevedore Housing Scheme communities benefitted from the kite distribution exercise. They received kites from the Ministry of Public Health and the Guyana Youth and Student Movement.

Leading this team was Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, National Chairman of the GYSM, Ryan Belgrave and Deputy Mayor of Georgetown Alfred Mentor.

“It is all about making the children feel very happy, they are home, it is time to relax, it is good for them to get some exercise running up and down instead of sitting with a phone or tablet and we want them to recognise that this government is all about the good life,” reminded Minister Lawrence.

Neola Damon, Isaiah Braithwaite, Alleya Hamilton.

Images: Marceano Narine, Jules Gibson, Tejpaul Bridgemohan & Ameer Sattaur.