Geologist Alvoro Simon pioneers a new vision for progress in St Cuthbert’s Mission

Alvoro Simon, a passionate geologist with a decade of experience at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), is embarking on a transformative journey to uplift his childhood home of St Cuthbert’s Mission.
Fuelled by a deep-rooted commitment to community development, Simon, who is running for Toshao, aims to redefine the narrative of empowerment in the district.
Having traversed the length and breadth of Guyana, Simon has personally witnessed the formidable challenges faced by rural communities, especially concerning education, job opportunities, and societal issues. Motivated by a fervent desire to effect positive change, Simon is resolute in tackling these obstacles head-on and nurturing avenues for the youth of his community to thrive.
He envisions a future where investment in young talent, support for the elderly, assistance for single parents, and enhanced healthcare access form the bedrock of sustainable progress. Recognising the imperative for job skills training and sustainable employment prospects in the district, Simon plans to collaborate with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs); educational institutions, and local stakeholders to implement vocational training initiatives and create job openings in vital sectors like agriculture and machinery operations.

A native of St Cuthbert’s Mission, nestled along the Mahaica River along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, Simon currently calls Georgetown home while serving at the GGMC.
Reflecting on his journey, he recalls his evolution from a field officer to a mine inspector, a pivotal transition that kindled his resolve to champion the needs of the St Cuthbert community.
Driven by a newfound sense of purpose ignited during the COVID-19 pandemic, the 30-year-old embraced his heritage and committed to revitalising traditional practices while infusing innovative solutions into community development.
Empowered by experiences in volunteer teaching and cultural immersion programmes, he aspires to bridge the gap between urban progress and rural enrichment, leveraging his expertise to shape a brighter future for St Cuthbert’s Mission.
“I realised that we should be taking opportunities and these opportunities come through the Government and we should capitalise on that. I think that representation is what matters, though. And I believe that it is time now for the young people to take up this leadership, even young people who have left the community stand willing to go back.
“Usually, you find that these leadership roles within these communities are mostly taken up by older people, but it is time that that is changed, we need persons who are mature enough to understand the people’s needs,” he said.
“Even though I’ve been away from the community for a little while, I still connect; with them I still keep in the know on current affairs as to what’s going on there, but also coming out from the community allowed me a chance to explore what’s going on in other regions, it allowed the ability to know and have more ideas, be more creative and know what can be changed within the community.
Simon believes that the exposure he gained through travelling across the country has prepared him for the future in terms of being able to communicate with the people and understand their needs.
“My approach has always been to look at everybody, even those in our mining field, they are all a priority, my number one priority. We’re all human beings at the end of the day. We’re all here to make a living for our families. I have that connection with the people out here in the fields.
“Further, we have a lot of young professionals who are prepared to run the council once elected and again as I’ve mentioned, it’s mostly young professionals who are quipped.
“Though I’ve run for this office before, I’m pretty confident that this time I’m going to make an impact with the people because of the work I have done. They want to see change. They want a chance to see development in a way that they have never seen in their community.”
With a holistic vision encompassing infrastructural enhancements, educational upliftment, and social welfare interventions, Simon embodies a beacon of hope for his community.
As he endeavours to secure sustainable growth and foster inclusivity, he stands poised to lead St Cuthbert’s Mission towards the brim of hope with promises of prosperity.