Kurukabaru residents updated on Lapidary project

− it can boost residents’ income – Min. Garrido-Lowe

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, November 22, 2018

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe recently updated the residents of Kurukabaru, in Region Eight, on the soon to be established Lapidary Workshop in the neighbouring village of Monkey Mountain.

During an outreach conducted in the Potaro-Siparuni, Minister Garrido-Lowe explained that the project can significantly boost the livelihoods of the residents of Kurukabaru, since they will have to gather the semi-precious stones found in the North Pakaraimas which will then be sold to the those employed in the Monkey Mountain lapidary.

The minister outlined that village craftsmen and women will also benefit, since they can produce unique craft cases from tibisiri, nibi, wood and spun cotton, to display the various pieces of jewellery.

“When someone wants to purchase a necklace, it must be presentable, so the person sees not only the jewellery but also the artistic packaging …I ’m looking forward to the villagers earning through craft and gathering of stones,” the minister said.

She furthered explained that the unique pieces will be promoted via the internet in order to garner sales. According to Minister Garrido-Lowe, “the jewellery store which will be located in Monkey Mountain will be equipped with a computer where we will create a website for the business.”

A mechanism will be implemented that will allow the residents to be paid ‘on the spot’ for their creations. However, the minister underscored that all items produced at the lapidary will have to be of a high standard since it will be marketed internationally.

The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs is organising a two-week training workshop in Lapidary, for residents of residents of Monkey Mountain, Tuseneng, Kurukabaru, Kato, and Mikwak. This training course will benefit some 20 persons identified by the Village Councils.  Participants were trained to recognise and gather quality semi-precious stones and more importantly, how to test the various stones to determine their properties and history.

This project will create employment for at least 20 persons in each of the five communities that will be involved, and an additional 10 in Monkey Mountain itself.

Story and Image: Synieka Thorne.