Gov’t Ministers urge Nappi villagers  to preserve, protect, and promote their heritage

GINA, GUYANA, Sunday,  September 5, 2016

Villagers of Nappi in Central Rupununi, Region Nine showcased their culture and their talents at their Indigenous Heritage Month celebrations on Saturday.

Toshao Walter Henrico said in the past they would celebrate with neighbouring communities Parishara and Hiawa, but this year they did it alone.

Nappi is the administrative village between the two communities, and it is home to more than 760 people. Farming is the main activity and bananas and peanut are their main crops.

The participation in the fun day activities, according to the Toshao was great.  Henrico said he was happy to see so many young people and women participating. Some of the activities for the celebrations included football, marathon, and archery.

Ministers within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Adams- Patterson and Dawn Hastings- Williams and team surprised the villagers with their presence.

Minister Adams -Patterson made a promise to the villagers during a previous visit that she would provide them with a brush cutter and bicycles for some of the children who have to walk a far distance to get to school. The promise was fulfilled at the fun day. “It was a promise that was not only made, but was kept,” the minister stated.

The minister reminded them that once the coalition government makes a promise, ” we keep it and that’s why my team and I are here today.”

The Minister distributed 15 bicycles to students. The brush cutter will be used to maintain the village’s aesthetics, as well as other items that were donated to the ministry from Food for The Poor, James Herbert, Aruwai White H2O Resort, United Commodities, and Nicky’s Fish Shop among others.

 

Minister Hastings- Williams told the villagers that,”it is important to know who you are and where you came from.” Being one of the Indigenous ministers in the government, she made it clear that she is proud of her heritage and that she will be true to her identity.

Minister Hastings-Williams  encouraged the villagers to keep their heritage alive and to preserve, protect and promote it.

Indigenous Heritage Month activities officially kicked off on September 1, with a grand launch at the Heritage Village, Sophia Exhibition Complex, Georgetown under the theme “Our Culture, Earth’s Future – Save the Environment, Live the Indigenous Way”.