The Berbice Shines team flanked by UNDP representative Mr. Ian Kissoon and U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer, Ms.Tabatha Fairclough
THE ‘Berbice Shines’ environment project, with the main aim of sensitising the public to the importance of maintaining clean and healthy communities, was officially launched on Saturday, June 7, in New Amsterdam, Berbice. Conceptualised after the implementation of the ‘Guyana Shines’ programme in Georgetown proved successful in raising awareness to the issue of garbage disposal, it is being fostered by Global Youth Movement-Guyana in Regions Five (Mahaica/Berbice) and Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), under the stewardship of Executive Director, Mark Ross.
It also secured the international support of diplomatic agencies from North America and Europe, following the launching of Guyana Shines in 2012.
In attendance were representatives of the United States (U.S.) Embassy, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Region Six Department of Education, ‘Pick it up Guyana’ project affiliates and students of the New Amsterdam Multilateral School.
‘Berbice Shines’ was introduced to people in the ‘Ancient County’ on the occasion of World Environment Day which was observed on Thursday, June 5, under the theme: ‘Raise your voices, not the sea level.’
Ms. Tabatha Fairclough, of the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Department, in her remarks at the launching, lauded the local participants in the scheme for recognising the need to
create environmental awareness.
“This is an interesting project that the U.S. Embassy chose to support, where we are mobilising Guyanese citizens to reach out to their communities; we are proud of the expansion of the project from Georgetown to Berbice and, also in Linden,” she said.
Ms. Fairclough also noted that the undertaking is similar to one that was implemented across the U.S. to deal with solid waste issues.
Region 6 Education Officer, Volika Jaikishun, assists members of Berbice Shines and a student in the symbolic tree planting exercise on Thursday last
“We see great similarities and I am confident that this project will be successful, since we have been reaching out to schools and receiving overwhelming responses,” Ms. Fairclough stated.
The U.N. General Assembly declared 2014 the Year of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), with the objective of fostering a better understanding of the importance of small islands, their vulnerability in the face of climate change and their role in helping to achieve
a sustainable future for all.
JOINED FORCES
The Region Six Department of Education has joined forces with the ‘Berbice Shines’ participants to take the message into schools across the county.
The Regional Education Officer, Ms. Volika Jaikishun, in her remarks, said that her department is happy to be included in the scheme and pledged her wholehearted support.
“Climate change is everybody’s business and it is one of the greatest challenges that we are facing, especially global warming which is causing sea levels to rise,” she acknowledged.
Small islands are home to more than 63 million people worldwide and play an important role in protecting the oceans as well as the biodiversity of both plants and animals. They are
home to many endemic species and are also vulnerable to the effects of climate change and rising sea levels.
“We have to work; we have to protect ourselves; I call upon you all to unite and protect our environment,” Jaikishun urged.
‘Berbice Shines’ was inaugurated under the colloquial theme: “Use de bin, it’s de rite ting”
and is spearheaded by Coordinator Andy Henry; Secretary Aniesa Alonzo; Social Management Coordinator Billy La Bennett; Media coordinator Sarah Rambarran, among others.
On June 5, the group introduced themselves to 15 pilot schools in Regions Five and Six with a simultaneous tree planting exercise at midday in the compound of each school.
During the launching of the Berbice Project, Simeon Taylor of Caribbean Containers Incorporated (CCI) of Farm, East Bank Demerara, took the opportunity to present cardboard receptacles to students of the New Amsterdam Multilateral School, which is one of the 15 pilot schools in Berbice.
Written By Michael Khan | BY GUYANA CHRONICLE