Utilise your art to develop your community
– Min. Garrido-Lowe tells residents of St Cuthbert’s Mission
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, November 9, 2019
The community of St Cuthbert’s Mission has been encouraged to develop their artistic potential to create more income-generating avenues in the village.
The call was made by Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Hon. Valerie Garrido-Lowe, who led a team on a visit to the community, on Friday.
The meeting was arranged to meet with villagers and have their concerns addressed.
Noting that St Cuthbert’s is home of the famous Lokono Art Group, Minister Garrido-Lowe pitched the idea of creating an “Artists/Painters Paradise” where artists can gather once a year and seek inspiration from each other, as well as interested persons, who would wish to immerse themselves in the art or learn the techniques of the Lokono artists.
“Your community is filled with talented people – painters, sculptors. I think your community can make this an exclusive and unique business” she said.
While there are several initiatives which can foster development in the village, the ideas and plans for growth must come from the villagers themselves, Minister Garrido-Lowe stressed. Once this is done, the government will provide all necessary support.
“You live here, you know best what it is you need, education-wise, infrastructure-wise, business-wise.”
Minister Garrido-Lowe cited other Indigenous communities that developed a plan, achieved a goal and are today benefitting from the implementation of respective development projects.
Turning attention to the Coalition’s time in office, it was noted that the community has benefitted from new teachers’ quarters, solar lights for the playfield, the provision of internet service to the community and a pavilion which is currently being built among other measures.
The minister noted that under the leadership of His Excellency, President David Granger, there have been numerous changes that had positively impacted the Indigenous Peoples. “The Indigenous People, for the first time, they have topped the country academically, and that is a fantastic thing. We are a brilliant people, and once given the opportunity we can show just how brilliant we are, and that is what is happening right now” she underscored.
Residents also took the opportunity to air their concerns and make suggestions in ways their community can improve for the benefit of all. Minister Garrido-Lowe also donated sewing machines, sport gear and other items to the community.