GGDMA distributes over 300 school packages in back-to-school drive

The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) recently brought the curtain down on its nationwide back-to-school drive, distributing more than 300 backpacks filled with school supplies to children across several communities in Linden and Region 10.

The final leg of the initiative saw the GGDMA visiting communities including Coomacka Mines, Siberian Mines, Chinese Road, Speightland, West Watooka, and Block 22, taking the school packages directly to children and families in communities with close ties to Guyana’s mining sector.
The Region 10 exercise concluded a month-long programme that saw the Association reaching children in Region Four, Bartica, and other mining communities across Guyana. The overall initiative, valued at more than G$6 million, was made possible through contributions from more than 20 miners and formed part of the GGDMA’s ongoing commitment to giving back to the communities that support the mining industry.
Managing Director of GGDMA, Avalon Jagnandan said the Association was pleased with the response throughout the programme and grateful that miners had been able to make a tangible contribution to children and families.
“We are excited to give back to the mining community and the mining town of Linden. Over the past month, we have been actively engaging several mining areas and districts, giving back to the kids in those areas and giving back to the mining communities,” Jagnandan said.
He noted that the Linden outreach marked the conclusion of the current phase of the project and thanked the miners and other donors who made the programme possible. “We are pulling down the curtains here on this project. We have visited several areas over the past month, and I want to thank all of our donors,” he added.
The school packages included backpacks and essential school supplies intended to help primary and secondary school students prepare for the new academic year and to ease some of the financial burden on parents.
The initiative was warmly welcomed by residents in the communities visited.
A community representative, Sunita Jacobs expressed appreciation to the GGDMA for taking the programme directly into the community.
“We want to say a big thank you for coming to our community and for bringing this initiative here, not only just to visit but to bring something back into our community. We want to say thank you,” Jacobs said.
School teacher and resident Rufina Allicock said she understood firsthand the importance of ensuring that children have the materials they need to learn.
“Being a school teacher, I know what it means for learners to be equipped with the necessary materials to prepare them for schooling. We as a community would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association for this initiative,” Allicock said.
She said the donation had brought “joy and smiles” to the children while also helping to ease the cost to parents of purchasing school supplies.
In Chinese Road, resident Lorina Swaven said the community was grateful to have been included in the programme.
“We are so grateful that you would have chosen our little community, Chinese Road. The children are very happy. We want to say a special thanks to you for making Chinese Road a priority,” Swaven stated.
The Linden outreach followed earlier GGDMA distributions in Region Four and Bartica, where hundreds of children received school packages as part of the same initiative. In Bartica alone, more than 500 primary and secondary school children received backpacks and supplies, with the Association also providing meals for children attending the exercise.
Throughout the programme, the GGDMA said its objective was not only to provide school supplies but also to demonstrate the mining sector’s appreciation for the communities that have supported the industry over the years.
The Association said investment in education and young people remains an important part of its corporate social responsibility programme, recognising that children in mining communities must also be given the tools and opportunities needed to succeed.
As the current back-to-school initiative concludes, the GGDMA expressed its appreciation to its contributing miners, community leaders, parents, teachers, and volunteers who helped the programme reach children across the country.
The Association reaffirmed its commitment to supporting mining communities and contributing to initiatives that strengthen families, education and the development of the next generation of Guyanese.