Minister Ally, First Lady distribute 50 bicycles, 400 pairs of shoes to Kwakwani students – under the ‘Five Bs’ programme       

(MOTP) Georgetown, Guyana – (November 2, 2016) Minister of Social Cohesion, Ms. Amna Ally was, today, joined by First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger to distribute 50 bicycles and 400 pairs of shoes to school children in Kwakwani, Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region Ten), under President David Granger’s ‘Boats, Buses, Bicycles plus Breakfast and Books (‘Five Bs’) programme.

In her address, Minister Ally said that education continues to be among the Government’s top priorities. She noted that the Government is committed to providing equal access to education for children across the country, in keeping with President Granger’s vision to transform Guyana into “an education nation”.

“Access to education is fundamental to the development of our human potential and to effectively participate in any democratic society such as ours, everyone has the right to education, regardless of where you live, your race, culture or geographic location,” Minister Ally said.

The Minister also said that the ‘Five Bs’ initiative has started a new chapter in the education system and the nation.  “These investments that are being made will have valuable and positive long-term impacts to our human capital,” she said.

Minister Ally then commended the sponsors, who continue to give wholeheartedly towards the initiative in order to realise the President’s

vision. “Because of [your] generosity we have distributed a total of 13 buses, 10 boats and hundreds of bicycles to schools throughout Guyana,” she said.

The Minister then reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring ”inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all…..We as a Government will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that supportive measures [are] in place to facilitate your education,” she said.

The students also benefited from 400 pairs of shoes donated through the First Lady’s Shoes that Grow Initiative.  “These are all donations from Guyanese, at home and in the diaspora and from our Caribbean neighbours. [The shoes] have been distributed in regions one and nine, Region Ten – Kwakwani is the first to get these shoes in this region and it all ties in with [the importance that] Government [has] placed on education,” Mrs. Granger said.

Several sport groups who were at the presentation ceremony also benefited from sporting gear from the Ministry.

The event was also attended by Regional Chairman, Mr. Renis Morian, Mr. Jermaine Figueira, Member of Parliament, Ms. Sandra Adams, Director of Community Development and Regional Democratic Councillor and several other representatives from the region.