18 social activists honoured

…at TCV’s 3rd annual El Dorado Awards

The Caribbean Voice (TCV) on Saturday hosted its 3rd annual El Dorado Awards, during which 18 social activists were honoured for their contributions through charitable ventures to their respective communities and by extension the country at large.
This was as the TCV, in collaboration with the Save Abee Foundation, set out to recognise and award individuals as well as organisations and business establishments for their selfless missions of impacting change in the lives of the lesser fortunate and at-risked sections of society with specific focus on those tackling social issues such as abuse, sexual violence, drug and alcohol misuse and most significantly suicide, among others.

Emerging at the forefront of their various fields of social activism were a non-governmental organisation working with children within several Indigenous communities, an indigenous artist who engages in tremendous social work, several businesses giving back to the tune of millions of dollars, along with two community based organisations making significant contributions to their respective societies.

They were joined by one youth activist as well as a youth organisation making significant strides in youth activism, a disability rights activist who is visually impaired, a women empowerment activist, an organisation providing services for children living with autism and to wrap it up an organisation providing relief through food and other necessary supplies to families hit by disasters such as fires and flooding.
As such, among the honourees for the 2017 awards was former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds who was recognised for exceptional accomplishment characterised by humility, pride in performance and approachability while giving back and/or displaying activism.

Adding to the list of El Dorado awardees for this year were public figures Clifford Reis who is the Chairman/Managing Director of Banks DIH, singled out for his achievement in the private sector characterized by activism and/or advocacy or charity and giving back in a significant manner along with the Chairman of Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supernaam), Devanand Ramdat, receiving the Umana Yana Award for significant contribution towards community building.
Meanwhile, decorated with the Arapima Award for youth achievement characterised by activism and/or advocacy or charity and giving back in a significant manner were the Youth Action Network and one of the Youth Ambassadors Guyana 2015, both operating through the support of the US Embassy in Georgetown.
At the same time, disability rights activist Ganesh Singh was the recipient of the Pakarimas Awards for a lifetime accomplishment characterised by activism and/or advocacy or charity and giving back in a significant manner.
Speaking at the event hosted at Park Vue on the East Bank of Demerara was the President of the US based organisation, Annan Boodram who explained the concept of the award ceremony and dinner.
In doing so he outlined that there is a plethora of individuals and organisations, both locally and within the Diaspora, engaged in making a difference and qualitatively impacting the lives of Guyanese, especially the powerless and disadvantaged, while tackling the social issues that negatively affect lives.
It is towards this end that El Dorado Awards provides a space to recognise the efforts of those so involved so that they can connect with each other and establish dialogue that would enhance the collaborative approach within a national framework.
Moreover, the initiative seeks to build connections with the business and professional community so as to foster collaboration with those engaged in civic activism.
With this being the third consecutive staging of the annual El Dorado Awards, the Caribbean Voice has thus far honoured 34 Guyanese social activists and change agents, both individuals and organisations along with the additional 18 which were honoured this year.