The Literacy Empowerment Assistance Foundation (LEAP), a New Amsterdam based Non Government Organization last week partnered with Food for the Poor (FFP) (Guyana Inc) .in a BackPack to Basic donation exercise, handing over 260 schoolbags and basic school items to pupils drawn from nursery and primary schools within the East Canje/New Amsterdam and East Bank Berbice districts.
The venue of the charitable exercise was the auditorium of the New Amsterdam Multilateral school.
Those present at the event included the beneficiaries, FFP Project Manager Ms. Andrea Benjamin, Regional Education Officer Ms. Bhagmattie La Cruz , New Amsterdam Mayor (ag) Mr. Wainwright Mc Intosh, President of the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam Mr. Imran Saccoor and CEO of LEAP Remigrant Marva Gordon
The charitable organization LEAP started ten years ago as a family based group, headed by remigrant Ms. Marva Gordon to engage, inspire ,motivate and enrich lives, locally and nationally through educational interventions.
Over the years , it’s volunteer base has expanded to include other members many of them within the education sector with the aim of strengthening the learning experiences of all citizens by raising their achievement levels ,and preparing them for a life of purpose and service.
FFP Project Manager Ms. Andrea Benjamin,,told the audience that her organization promotes capacity building and empowerment, and it is directed to develop the people of Guyana, primarily, the poor and the vulnerable.
‘With this project we were eager to come on board, given the fact that supporting education is a sustainable way of tackling poverty and promoting development. This is not our traditional support. But, we believe this project can sustain itself and contribute to the development to Region Six’, posited Ms. Benjamin, .
In brief remarks Regional Education Officer Miss La Cruz, noted that the Global pandemic, COVID- 19, had made a negative impact on the education delivery for two years and the nation’s children, would have suffered from tremendous learning loss.
“ Our aim is to, very quickly, recover from that learning loss. So, we need support. Every bit of support from all stakeholders would be and is deeply appreciated .”
New Amsterdam Mayor (ag) Mr. Wainwright Mc Intosh lauded the initiative, and President of the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam Mr. Imran Saccoor told the audience about the Rotary Youth Leadership Award Program, its positive initiatives such as hot meals and cash grants, and its proposals for more special education schools within Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne).
Members of the popular COFONA marching band entertained the gathering with several instrumental pieces of music, well received by the gathering.
