The Guyana Action Committee (GAC) on Friday handed over a cheque for million to the Burnham Education
Members of the GAC handing over the cheque to BEST representatives in the presence of PNC Chairman Basil Williams
Scholarship Trust (BEST).
The money was proceeds of a fund-raising Gala and Dinner hosted by the US-based organisation at the Pegasus Hotel last Saturday. The $1 million cheque was handed over to representatives of BEST in the presence of Chairman of the People’s National Congress, Basil Williams.
BEST was established in 2012 by then Leader of PNC and Opposition Leader David Granger and gives bursary awardes to children whose parents have affiliation with PNC.
President of GAC Errol Lewis disclosed that about a year ago the Committee was asked to support the work of the Scholarship Trust and increase the number of awardees: “We thought that as this year would be the 50th year of Independence, we would host a gala and give the proceeds to the Burnham Education Scholarship Trust so that they continue their work,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Operations Director of GAC Bonita Montague stated that the organisation is happy to make such a contribution, especially since it has a vested interest in literacy development in Guyana. She noted that the committee is particularly concerned about education status and thus wants to do whatever is necessary to help.
“For us, this is more than a donation; for us, it’s an exercise of changing lives, a commitment to humanity, building our future, developing Guyana and for us, it is developing literacy in Guyana,” Montague stated.
Moreover, the US-based organisation is calling on persons in the diaspora to do their part and support the development of Guyana in any way they can.
Meanwhile, representative from BEST Cheryl Sampson noted that since the establishment of the Fund, they have distributed bursary awards of $30,000 per person to some 46 children from across Guyana. She noted that these awardees are selected by the party’s regional representatives.
“BEST is particularly thankful for your contribution, it will be greatly helpful for those children who are selected to be awarded,” the Trust’s Board said.
The Guyana Action Committee has done several projects locally most of which aims at promoting and encouraging education among children. They have held annual literacy activities, information technology literacy programmes and constructed several recreational facilities throughout the country, among other projects.
Another area that GAC is passionate about is domestic violence and as such the organisation is working on constructing a transitional centre for women and children.
