Harmony Village hosted in Berbice

Religion, sports and culture were among the activities being used to promote social cohesion when the Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport hosted its Harmony Village on Wednesday in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) for a second time.
The event was first held in New Amsterdam back in 2017. Wednesday’s event was held at Scottsburg, Corriverton – some 50 miles away.
Acting Programme Coordinator Natasha Singh-Lewis said the decision to take the Village to the Upper Corentyne was made to promote inclusivity.
Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton told Guyana Times that all efforts were being made to achieve the goals and objectives of social cohesion.
“I wish I could have this activity not only in all the regions, but in so many of the villages in regions, particularly in Region Six, because this certainly will help us to achieve the goals and objectives of social cohesion,” he said.
The Minister made reference to the cultural presentation, which addressed adequately the issue of “One Nation One People One Destiny”, which is Guyana’s motto.
He noted that apart from the Harmony Village, the Ministry sought to promote social cohesion by using youth activities, culture, and sport.
“You know sports break the barriers across the racial divide, the gender divide and the ethnic divide and we are very much into that. As it relates to culture, we are taking a contingent – 100 Guyanese – to Carifesta in August and there we are going to showcase what Guyana is all about.”
He said the event would also provide for the world to see Guyana as a united country, adding that the Ministry also had youth activities enabling young persons to be a welcome part of our society.
“So many youths have thrown their hands up in the air asking, ‘what are you doing for us?’ Right here at this Village display, we have so many booths that are catering for youths, showing them application forms and also making available application drop boxes and showing them what they have to offer. I don’t know if the information is not getting out there. I know for a fact that would be very useful for youths to know – what is precisely out there for them. Take, for instance, in the area of public health, you have an entire booklet on all the different courses that are available,” Dr Norton noted.
These, he said, include technical jobs and jobs like nursing assistants, dental technicians, midwives and others in the field of medicine.
The Culture, Youth and Sport arms of the Ministry were well represented as well as the religious aspect of Guyana’s culture.
Addressing the issue of unity, Abdur Rajan Khan of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community said it could only be achieved if there was one leader.
Meanwhile, Ingrid DeVair of Orealla, an Amerindian community situated 50 miles up the Corentyne River, explained that the event gave Amerindians an opportunity to promote harmony among themselves.
She said as a community they have been preparing for the event for the past two months, forcing them as a people to cooperate.
At the Harmony Village, Orealla had a booth and also showcased agricultural products.
“It took a lot of preparation, organising and planning, so the event in itself contributes to us developing ourselves as Indigenous people that we can promote our culture, our way of life and it has given us the privilege of working together. Cooperating is key in the development of this country so this Harmony Village is something that we look forward to,” DeVair said.
Among the agencies and entities represented at the 65 booths were the Education Ministry, the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Fire Service.