Sawmiller donates $1.3M in school supplies to Yupukari students

A businessman of Crabwood Creek in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) journeyed across Guyana to the Rupununi to donate school supplies to children of Yupukari, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
It is one of the communities which is not easily accessible and children who are attending secondary school would have to spend between three to five hours travelling to do so in the town of Lethem.
Situated about one and a half hours east of Lethem is the community of Yupukari. The 691 registered inhabitants live about 28 kilometres or about one and a half hours off of the Rupununi Highway.
When school reopens, secondary school students who have to journey to Lethem to get higher education, along with all of the other children in Yupukari, will be doing so with their new school bags, books, and other supplies.
Former Toshao of Yupukari, Russian Dorrick welcomed the donation, which amounted to some $1.3 million.
Derrick noted that each package for nursery school children included four writing books and two colouring books along with crayons and a school bag. Those attending primary school got a similar package but with items that were more suited for their level of educational development.
For those at the secondary level, a geometry set was included in their package. Those students also received a school bag.
Meanwhile, businessman Ameer Bacchus of NS Bacchus Sawmill with locations at Crabwood Creek and Rotterdam on the East Bank of Berbice explained that it was his goal to improve the lives of persons in remote communities, in whatever way he could.
He explained that he currently employs a few persons from far-flung villages.
“These gifts were not purchased to gain something from you. I have done this in many other parts of this country; it is not for self-gain. It is my desire to support the children of this community,” the sawmiller and logger said.
Bacchus also committed to assisting those in the community who need driver’s licenses and find it difficult to attend the needed classes that are held in Lethem.
The community of Yupukari currently has little economic activity taking place, with most villagers being involved in small-scale manufacturing and tourism. (G4)