Guyana Chronicle Christmas Supplement 2024 by Guyana Chronicle

ChristmasMessages PPP:Sharingandcaringreflectthe truespiritofGuyaneseChristmas

AstheseasonofYuletideembracesus,familiescometogether inloveandjoy,and communitiescelebrateinuniqueways, sharingwarmthand goodwill.Itisatime cherishedbychildren fortreats,gifts,and specialfestivemeals. Inthisspirit,thePeople’sProgressiveParty (PPP)extendsheartfelt Christmasgreetings toallGuyanese,with specialregardstoour Christianbrothersand sisters.

Thestoryofthe Christchild’sbirthinspireshope,transformingsorrowintocelebration.Hisjourney, fromhumblebeginningsinamangerto becomingabeaconof loveandcompassion, exemplifiesbreaking barriers,embracing

themarginalized,upliftingthevoiceless, andchallenginginjustice.Hislife’smessagebroughtsalvation andlighttotheworld, guidinghumanitytowardhopeandunity.

Thisseason,letus remembertheelderly,differently-abled, andunderprivilegedin ourcommunities.May ouractsofcaringand sharingextendeven tostrangers,reflectingthetrueGuyanese spiritofmulticultural,multi-ethnic,and multi-religiousharmony.Themessageof loveisuniversaland resonatesdeeplywith usall.

ThePeople’sProgressivePartyjoins allGuyaneseincelebratingthebirthof theChristchildwhile reflectingonitspro-

foundmeaning.We wisheveryoneaMerry Christmasfilledwith joy,love,andpeace.

ChristmasMessages

PNCCHRISTMASMESSAGE

Allacrossourbeloved CooperativeRepublicof Guyana,fromHiawato Morawhanna,Halness, andthetownsscattered acrossthisgreatland,the joyfulsoundsofChristmas echo.Childreneagerly awaitSanta’ssurprises, theirlaughterfillingthe air.Yet,Christmasismore thanataleofamanwho miraculouslycirclesthe globedeliveringtoysand cheer.

ForChristians,Christmas marksthebirthofJesus Christ,God’spreciousgift tohumanity.Hisbirthwas humble,yetprofound— usheringinalifedevotedto healing,hope,andrenewal. AsScriptureremindsus, Helivedinatimeoflawlessnessandexploitation, offeringlightinthemidstof darkness.

So,enjoyyourpepperpot

andhomemadebread.Spend timewithyourlovedones, cherishingthemomentsthat trulymatter.Andwhenthe ballotisinyourhands,rememberthepoweryouhold -toshapeabetterfuturefor yourself,yourchildren,and ourgreatnation.

MaythespiritofChristmasfillyourheartswith hopeandrenewal,and maywesteptogetherinto abrightertomorrow.

ChristmasMessages ERCurges

generosity, compassion

during festiveseason

TheEthnicRelationsCommission (ERC)extends warmChristmas greetingsandfellowshiptoevery Guyanese,especiallytheChristian community.

AsourChristian brothersandsisters honourthisjoyous occasion,letuscollectivelyasaunified nationembracethe truespiritofChristmasinpeaceand goodwilltoallhumankindasJesus, the Christcameto offerallofus.

Thefeelingoftogethernessamong GuyaneseatChristmastimeisanen-

duringtraditionin thepsycheofthe nation.The‘season ofgoodwill’andall religiousobservancesplayaunifying roleinspreading harmony,peace andunderstandingthroughoutour multiculturalsociety.

Indeed,theattractivelydecorated residencesandoffices,sharinggifts, andfraternizing with friendsandloved onesalllendtothe auraoffestivitythat dominatesnationallyduringthisperiod,andtheERC understandsthe deepersignificance

thattheoutward symbolsdemonstrate.

Moreimportantly,letusremember thebenevolenceof sharingtotheless fortunate.The Commissionferventlybelievesthat everyGuyanese shouldcommitto spreadingthatgenerosity,compassion andbondinginthe yearahead.

TheChairman, Commissionersand staffextendprofoundwishestoall foraMerryChristmasandaNewYear filledwithpeace, sharedoptimism, kindnessandblessings.

ChristmasMessages GAWUurgestogetherness, compassionduringholidayseason

Aswecometogetherto embracethewarmth andjoyoftheChristmas season,theGuyanaAgriculturalandGeneral WorkersUnion(GAWU) sendsheartfeltgreetings toourmembersandall thewonderfulpeopleof Guyana.Thisfestivetime invitesustopause,reflect,andshareloveand kindnesswiththosewho holdaspecialplacein ourhearts.

Christmasisnotjust acelebration;it'sanopportunitytoacknowledge thetirelesseffortsandunwaveringdedicationofall thosewhocontributetoour nation'sgrowth.Ourwork-

ers,wholabourdiligently acrossvarioussectors,are theunsungheroesbehind ourdailycomforts—providingfoodonourtables, goodsinourstores,andsecuringlivelihoodsforour families.GAWUstandsin deepgratitudeforeachof you,unitedinsolidarityas wenavigatethechallenges thatlieahead.

Duringthisseasonof goodwill,weencourage everyGuyanesetoembracethevaluesofunity, compassion,andsupport foroneanother.Simple actsofkindness,spending cherishedmomentswith lovedones,andreaching outtothosewhomaybe

strugglingcancreateripplesofpositivechangein ourcommunities.

“Wearereminded duringthisfestivetimeof theimportanceoffamily, community,andourshared responsibilityincreating abetterGuyanaforall,” reflectedSeepaulNarine, PresidentofGAWU.“Let usgathertocelebrateour accomplishmentsoverthe pastyearandcollectively striveforabrighterfutureforourworkers,their families,andourbeloved country.”

Wealsowanttoacknowledgethededication oftheworkerswhoprovideessentialservices,

ensuringthesafetyand well-beingofeveryGuyanese.Yourresilienceand determinationthroughout theyearenableustoenjoy themanyblessingsofthis holidayseason,andfor that,wearetrulygrateful.

MaythisChristmas bringyoupeace,joy,and prosperity.Wewishour members,theirfamilies, andallGuyaneseaholiday seasonfilledwithhappiness,goodhealth,and renewedhope.

Withwarmwishes foraMerryChristmas andaHappyNewYear fromtheGuyanaAgriculturalandGeneral WorkersUnion!

FromGiftstoMeals:PaulChowandteam celebrateChristmaswithKaikanresidents

THISholidayseason,businessmanandgoldminer PaulChow,alongwithhis wifeanddedicatedemployees,tookthespiritofgiving toheartbyorganisinga festivegiftdistributionfor childrenintheremotecommunityofKaikan,located inRegionSeven.

OnChristmasEve,the teamgatheredattheKaikan airstrip,wheretheyshared over500giftswithlocalchildren,spreadingjoyandcheer

inanareaoftenoverlooked duringtheholidayseason.

Thethoughtfulgiftsincludedadelightfulassortmentoftoys,freshgrapes, apples,andessentialfood supplies,bringingsmiles tothefacesofmanyyoung recipients.Forthechildrenof Kaikan,thiseventwasmore thanjustreceivingpresents; itwasamemorableexperiencethatfosteredasenseof communityandgoodwill.

“Thisinitiativeisall

aboutgivingbacktothe communitythatsupportsus,” PaulChowexpressed.“We believeinmakingapositive impactandcreatinglasting memoriesforthesechildren, especiallyduringthisfestive time.”

Thegenerositydidnot stopthere.OnChristmas Day,Chowandhisteam continuedtheirmissionof spreadingjoybydonating hundredsofloavesofbread andfreshmeattopreparetra-

ditionalpepperpot,abeloved seasonaldish.Thismealwas offeredtoresidentsofthe area,ensuringthateveryone couldenjoyaheartybreakfastonthisspecialday.

Chow’scommitment tophilanthropyreflectshis dedicationnotonlytohis business,butalsotothe well-beingofthecommunitieswhereheoperates.The contributionshaveprovided nourishmentandwarmthto manyfamiliesinKaikan,

fosteringaspiritofunityand support.

ResidentsofKaikanexpressedtheirgratitudefor Chow’scontributions,highlightingthepositiveimpact ofsuchinitiatives.

“It’sheartwarmingto seesomeonecareforour communitylikethis,”said KatiuskaRodrigueswhois alocalleader.“PaulChow andhisteamhavebrought ustogetherduringthisfestiveseasonandwearetruly

thankfulfortheirgenerosity.”

Asthecommunitygatherstocelebratetheholiday, thegiftsandmealsprovidedbyPaulChowandhis teamserveasareminder oftheimportanceofgivingbackandsupporting oneanother.ThisChristmas,thekindnessshown byChowandhisemployeeshasilluminatedthe heartsofmany,makingita memorableoccasionforthe residentsofKaikan.

BusinessmanandgoldminerPaulChow,alongwithhiswifeRayanaandToshaoKatiuskaRodrigues, sharedgiftstothechildrenoftheremotecommunityofKaikaninthecompanyoftheiremployees

AMother’sHope:Thesearchfor SubrinaBaldeothisChristmas

ByShaniyaHarding

THEholidayseasonis here,andonemother clingstohopeamidheartache,searchingforher missingdaughter.

KamalaBaldeo,ade-

votedmotherandcaterer, haslivedintheclose-knit communityofGoedFortuin,WestBankDemerara, forover60years,where sheraisedherfamilyand celebratedcountlessChristmasesfilledwithjoyand

togetherness.

Thisyear,however,the festivespirithasbeenovershadowedbythedesperatesearchforhersecond daughter,SubrinaBaldeo, whovanishedwithouta traceonOctober15.

“Ijustdon'tunderstandhowpeoplecanjust vanish,”Kamalareflects, hervoicefilledwithpain. Knownforhercalmand friendlydemeanour,Kamaladescribesherfamily aspeacefulandwelcoming.

Yet,astheholidaydraws near,herhomeisdevoid oftheusualdecorations andcheer.Instead,ithas becomeabaseforanagonisingsearchforSubrina.

Kamalarecallsthechallengesherfamilyfaced, especiallyafterthedeathof herhusbandtenyearsago. “I’mamotherofthree.I havelivedinGoedFortuin allmylife,”sheshared.Afterherhusband’spassing, sheworkedtirelesslyto provideforherdaughters, Darshanie,Subrina,and Reshma,whileleaningon herparentsforsupport. “Itwasroughraisingthe childrenaftermyhusband passed,”shesays.“Atthe time,Iwasn’tgettingany pension,butmyparents werealive,andtheyhelped outalot.”

Motherofmissingwoman,KamalaBaldeo (SamuelMaughnPhoto)

Kamala’shardwork eventuallypaidoff,asall threedaughterscompleted theireducationandbegan familiesoftheirown.“Darshanieismarriedwithtwo kids,andlivesinBerbice. Reshma,theyoungest,is alsomarriedandhastwo children,”Kamalaexplains.

However,Subrina,at45, remainssingleandfocused onherdreamofstartinga smallbusiness. Describedasquietand hardworking,Subrinawas alwayswillingtolenda helpinghand,especially toherniecesandnephews. Kamalarecalls,“Shewas alwaysthequietone;very easygoing.Shewentto churchandwasalways helpingout.”Withaspirationsofowningherown business,Subrinahadinvestedintablesandchairs torentforparties,embodyingherdedicationtohard workandindependence. Buteverythingchanged thatfatefulTuesdaymorningwhenSubrinaleftfor workasusual.“Shecame upstairs,gaveReshma somecashtokeep,and thensheleft.Wedidn’t haveanyquarrels;shejust leftforworklikenormal,” Kamalarecounts.ThefamilylearnedthatSubrinawas lastseenattheVreed-enHoopjunction,whereshe tookahirecarbeforedisappearingwithoutatrace.

ThesearchforSubrina beganimmediately,but Kamala'sfrustrationgrew asshefeltthepolice’sresponsewasinadequate.

“Wewenttothepolice stationtomakeareport, butnothinghappened.They didn’taskanyquestions;

Kamalahasclungtohope, prayingforherdaughter’s safety.“Ihopeandpray she’salive.Nobodydeservestobehurtlikethat,” shesays.Despitetheemotionaltoll,Kamalaisdeterminedtofindherdaughter, reachingouttothecommunityforassistance.“I knowsomeonemustknow

MissingisSubrinaBaldeo,whowaslastseen onTuesday,October15wearingbluejeansand agreyshirt

didn’tseemconcerned.It wasfrustrating,”sherecalls.Afterseveralvisitsto thepoliceandnoleads,the family'shopedwindled,yet theycontinuedtopushfor answers.

AsChristmasisalready uponus,theurgencyto findSubrinaintensifies.

“Christmaswasalwaysher favouriteholiday,”Kamala shares,hervoicetrembling withemotion.“Shealways likedtocleanupforChristmas,andcookfood.Imiss hersomuch.”Thefamily’s traditionalholidaycelebrationsarenowtingedwith sorrow,astheyyearnfor Subrina’sreturn.

Intheweeksfollowing Subrina’sdisappearance,

Ican’teat;I’velostweight. Thestressisoverwhelming,”sheconfides.Friends andfamily,includingthose overseas,havereachedout, butthereremainsnonews. “I’mjusthopingforthe best;thatoneday,Subrina willcomehome.”

Onceatimeofjoy, Christmasnowfeelshol-

lowwithoutSubrina.“I keepthinkingaboutthe memories;howshewould alwayswanttomakethings rightforChristmas.She alwaysworkedsohard,” Kamalashares.Herappeal forinformationcontinues, assheurgesanyonewho knowssomethingtocome forward.“Ifanyoneknows

anything,pleasedon’tstay silent;Ijustwanttoseemy daughteragain.”

Despitetheuncertaintyandheartache,Kamalaremainsresoluteinher search.“I’llkeepsearching. I’llkeeppraying;Ijust wantmydaughterback,” shestatesfirmly.Hermessagetothepublicisclear:

“Ifanyoneknowsanything, pleasecomeforward.My daughterdeservestobe found,andcomehome.”

ForanyonewithinformationregardingSubrina Baldeo’swhereabouts, pleasecontactthefollowingnumbers:676-2624, 627-9673,orcalltheLa GrangePoliceStation.

something.I’mappealing tothepublic;ifanyonehas anyinformation,pleasecall thenumbers.Pleasehelp mebringSubrinahome; there’sarewardforany informationthatcanhelp usfindher.”

Kamalareflectsonher daughter,highlightingSubrina'skindandgentlenature.“Shelovedherfamily, especiallyherniecesand nephews.Idon’tunderstand howsomeonecouldjust vanishlikethat,”shesays, herpainpalpable.

Threemonthshave passedsinceSubrina’sdisappearance,andKamala feelstheweightofthesituationmorethanever.“I haven’tbeenabletosleep.

$1.5Bspenton RegionOnehealthcare accessinfouryears

INthelastfouryears,the governmenthascommitted approximately$1.5billion towardsimprovingaccess toqualityhealthcarein RegionOne.

Thisisaccordingtothe Director-GeneraloftheMinistryofHealth,Dr.Vishwa Mahadeoduringagraduation ceremonyatNorthwestSecondarySchoolrecently.

ambulances,12all-terrain vehicles(ATVs),14boats andengines,twopickups, andtwobuses,delivering betterhealthcareservicesto thepeople.

Theregioncurrentlyhas 13telemedicinesites,significantlyalleviatingtheneed fortheresidentstotravel longdistancestoaccessbasic care.

talatMoruca.

Withthemassiveinfrastructureongoingonhealth facilities,thegovernmentis alsoensuringthatthefacilitiesarestaffedwithqualified individualstoprovidetopnotchpatientcare.

Inlinewiththisobjective,theregionnow

has84healthcareprofessionals,operatingroom technicians,nursingassistantsandcommunity healthworkers,delivering qualityservicesintheir communities,followinga recentgraduationceremony.(DPI)

Director-GeneraloftheMinistryofHealth Dr.VishwaMahadeo

Hedisclosedthatthe healthfacilityatPortKaitumawillsoonhaveadigital X-rayandafunctioningtheatre,alleviatinglongtravels

SomeoftheindividualsfromRegionOnewho recentlygraduated

Theseinvestmentsrepresentthegovernment’scontinuousdedicationtoensuringthathinterlandresidents alsohaveequitableaccessto services.

ThehealthpostthatwasreopenedatWallaba

“Ourpeopleofthehinterlanddeservethesamelevel ofcare,thesamequalityof careandthesameaccessto careasthepersonsonthe coast.Thatisthemandate ofthePeople’sProgressive PartyGovernment,”Dr.Mahadeosaid.

In2022,$100million wasexpendedtoupgradethe healthfacilitiesacrossthe region.Another$200millionwasspentin2023,and $500millionwasallocated thisyear.

Newhealthfacilities wereopenedatBaramita, Khan’sHill,Imbotero,Five Star,andTassawini.

Dr.Mahadeoreported thattheregionnowhassix

toGeorgetownforsurgery.

AdigitalX-raywillsoon beinstalledatthehealth facilityatMatthew’sRidge.

Thedirector-generalexplainedthatthehealthfacilityatWhiteWaterwillsoon becomeapolyclinic,with fundsfromtheregionalbudgetandtheministry.

Additionally,works areongoingtoupgradethe Baramitahealthfacilitytoa cottagehospital.

BackinFebruary,two healthpostswerereopened inthecommunitiesofKoko andWallaba.

Withinthenext24 months,residentsfrom Morucaandsurrounding areaswillbenefitfromthe constructionofanewhospi-

DeputyCommissionerBudhram’s outreachinBerbicespreads festivecheer,inspiresyouth

INaheartwarming displayofcommunityengagement,DeputyCommissioner ‘Administration’of theGuyanaPolice Force,Mr.RavindradatBudhram,visited PoliceRegionalDivision#6onMonday.

DeputyCommissioner‘Administration’RavindradatBudhram’svisitbroughtsmilestothefacesofmany

Accompaniedby SeniorSuperintendent ShivpersaudBacchus, CommanderoftheDivision,andShamar Joseph,National CricketerandWestIndiesfastbowler,Mr. Budhram’svisitembodiedthespiritofthe

seasonwhilefostering relationshipsbetween lawenforcementand thecommunitiesthey serve.

Theday’sitinerary tooktheteamthrough severalcommunities, includingPalmyra,EastCanjeBer-

bice,Liverpool,and AlnessVillageonthe CorentyneCoast.With thefestiveseasonin fullswing,thevisit broughtsmilestothe facesofmany,astoys andhampersweredistributedtochildrenand households,spreading

holidaycheertofamilies.

Mr.Budhram’soutreachextendedbeyond festivegenerosity. Duringhisvisit,hemet withagroupofyoung footballersfromthe communitywhohad recentlyreceivedsports

gearfromhisoffice. Encouragingthemto embracedisciplineand hardwork,heunderscoredthelifelessons thatsportscanoffer.

“Sportsteachusresilienceandteamwork; valuesthatwillcarry

DeputyCommissioner...

DeputyCommissionerRavindradatBudhramandNationalCricketerandWestIndiesfastbowler,ShamarJosephalsometwithagroupofyoung

FROMPAGE20

youthroughlife.Ibelieveinyourpotentialtorepresentnot onlyyourcommunity, butalsoyourcountrysomeday,”hesaid, strikinganinspirationalchordwiththe youngathletes.

Addingtothe day’smotivationalatmosphere,National CricketerShamarJosephsharedwordsof encouragement,therebyurgingtheyoung athletestodreambig andstaycommittedto theirgoals.

Thevisitalsoincludedstopsatthe FullGospelChurch, andalibraryinLiverpoolVillage,where Mr.Budhramemphasisedtheimportance ofeducation,faith, andcommunitydevelopment.Theseengagementshighlighted theholisticapproach oftheGuyanaPolice Forceinfosteringsocialcohesionandcollaborationacrosscommunities.

Residentsexpressedheartfeltgrat-

itudefortheinitiative, notingthepositive impactofsuchvisits instrengtheningties betweenthepoliceand thepublic.

SeniorSuperintendentJermaineJohnson,AssistantSuperintendentM.Newland,WomanAssistantSuperintendent C.Kelly,InspectorP. Ibaran,InspectorV. Looknauth,andother ranksalsoparticipated intheday’sactivities, furthershowcasingthe unifiedeffortsofthe GuyanaPoliceForce inservingthecommunity.

Mr.Budhram’s visittoBerbice servesasareminder ofthecriticalrole thatcommunitypolicingplaysinbuildingtrustandfosteringunity.Through meaningfulengagementsandactsof generosity,theinitiativenotonlycelebratedthefestive season,butalsoinspiredhopeandambitionintheheartsof Berbice’syouth.

Potentialcooperation betweenChina, Guyanavast -ChineseScholarhighlights

WithGuyanabecominga risingplayerinregionally andinternationally,the emergingareasofcooperationarevast,GuoLingwei, ascholaroftheChinese

AcademyofSocialSciences said. Inarecentinterview withthisnewspaper,she highlightedhowGuyanais makingwavesnotonlyin

theregionalrealmbutalso internationallyandhowChinaissupportingthisgrowth.

WhileGuyanaandChina havestrongtiesinmany areas,thepartnershipsin agriculture,technology, healthcareandeducation areexpectedtoexpand,she explained.

Focusingonbilateralcooperationwithintheagriculturesector,shesaidthat collaborationinthisareawill helpGuyanatoenhancethis traditionalindustry.

Inparticular,shesaidthat technologyexchangeand collaborationinthesector couldaidinbolsteringproductivityinriceandsugar.

Onthatnote,thePrecisionFarmingpracticeinRice Productionprojectfunded undertheFoodandAgricultureOrganisation(FAO)–ChinaSouth-SouthCooperationprogramwasconcluded successfully.

Throughfinancialand technicalsupportunderthe FAO–ChinaSouth-South Cooperationprojectand aRegionalE-Agriculture project,someUS$165,000 wasinvestedtoprocurefive advancedcropmanagement dronesandlaptops.Extensionandtechnicalofficers fromtheGRDBalsobenefitedfromdronepilotsanddata analysts’training.

Turningherattention tohealthcare,theChinese Scholarpointedouthow thecooperationwithinthis sectorisresultingintheconstructionofadvancedhospitals,thebettermentoflocal pharmaceuticalproduction andimprovinghealthcare resilience.

Infact,in2022,the GuyanaGovernmentsigned contractswithChina’sSinopharmInternationalfor theconstructionofsixnew regionalhospitalsacrossfive ofGuyana’stenregions,with theaimofenhancinghealthcaredeliverynationwide. Sinopharm’sChiefEngineer FuQianghadstatedthat thesehospitalswillprovide modernhealthcarefacilities, witheachcovering65,000 squarefeet.

Additionally,intermsof humanresourcedevelopment withinthehealthsector,so far,JiangsuProvincehassent 20batchesofmedicalteams, with295person-timesto Guyanatocarryoutmedical work.

InJuly1993,according totheMemorandumofCo-

operationsignedbetweenthe governmentsofChinaand Guyana,JiangsuProvince wasdesignatedtoundertake thetaskofsendingmedical teamstoGuyana.

Thecurrentmedicalteam isthe20thmedicalteamto GuyanaorganisedbyNantongCity,withatotalof elevenmembersworkingat theGeorgetownPublicHospitalCorporation(GPHC), andfiveattheLindenHospitalComplex.

Notably,lastyear,itwas publishedthatbecauseof GuyanaandChina’srelationshipinthehealthsector, thisresultedinbountiful success,withthousandsof surgeriesconductedlocally inpartnershipwithChinese medicalteams.

Further,itwassaidthat Guyanawasabletoconduct itsfirst-everopen-heartsurgery,anditsfirst-of-its-kind minimallyinvasivelaparoscopicsurgeriesamongother uniqueprocedures.

Andlastly,onthesubject matterofeducation,Guo explainedhowimportantdevelopingacountry’shuman resourcesis.

Inthisregard,shesaid thatcooperationbetween GuyanaandChina’seducationalinstituteshavepromotedstudentexchanges,among otherpositives.

Guosaid:“Allthese partnershipswillsupport Guyana’sgoaltoachieve economicdiversificationand sustainability.”

Anexampleofapartnershipwhichhasbeenpromotingeducation,cultural exchange,andthefostering ofmutualunderstanding betweenChinaandGuyanaistheConfuciusInstitute,UniversityofGuyana (CIUG).

TheConfuciusInstituteisajointventurebetweenUG,DalianUniversityofForeignLanguages (DUFL)andHanban.The agreementtoestablishthe instituteherewassignedin March2013,andtheInstitutewasofficiallylaunched onMay19,2014.

Thusfar,theCIUGhas enrolled4,363students studyingmandarin.