In an effort to support the victims of the tragic High School Dorm fire that occurred on May 22, 2023, members of Guyanese United embarked on a journey to Micobie, an Amerindian community in Region 8 of Guyana. The charitable organization, fueled by a donation of $1,800 raised during a fundraiser in Maryland, USA on May 27, 2023, aimed to provide much-needed aid to the affected families.
On November 11, 2023, a delegation comprising team member Ian G. Hall accompanied by gold miners Christopher Alphonso and Mark Alphonso, presented the donation to Toshao Cornel Edwards, who had gathered around 50 individuals, many of whom were immediate family members of the 10 victims from Micobie.
The meeting at the community building provided a platform for the grieving families to express their concerns, shedding light on pressing issues such as inadequate internet connectivity and the urgent need for a local high school. Currently, young people from Micobie are forced to leave their close-knit community at the young age of 11 to pursue high school education in distant places like Georgetown or Linden or reside in dorms far from home, similar to the one tragically destroyed by fire, resulting in 20 fatalities and numerous injuries.
Discussions also revolved around the possibility of distributed learning, but due to poor internet connectivity, even those in the community with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training face significant challenges.
The emotional gathering emphasized the difficulties faced by high school students relocated to urban centers, grappling with cultural and social differences while separated from their parents. Unemployment concerns were also raised, prompting the Guyanese United team to explore opportunities in the post-COVID-19 world, advocating for remote work possibilities such as call centers and customer service for community members.
Recognizing the critical importance of internet connectivity, the Guyanese United team pledged to engage with stakeholders, including the Guyana Data Management group, and internet service providers Digicel and GT&T, to improve infrastructure and unlock potential opportunities for the community.
Healthcare emerged as another vital concern, especially regarding the long-term effects on survivors and rescuers from the High School Dorm fire. Ian G. Hall assured the community that he would liaise with international medical teams frequently visiting Guyana to ensure attention is directed to the medical needs of Mahdia and its surrounding areas.
The visit to Micobie marked the establishment of the first of many community relationships, as Toshao Cornel Edwards expressed appreciation for the Guyanese United logo banner and the organization’s mission. The team further visited the sister-village of El Paso, near the remains of the Tumatumari hydroelectric dam, gaining firsthand insights into the local environment and its people.
Guyanese United committed to reaching out to relevant stakeholders to address the concerns of the villagers. They announced that this visit is the first of many planned outreaches to communities across Guyana, aiming to listen to concerns, unite stakeholders, and provide opportunities for communities throughout the region.
Note: Micobie is a village of approximately 650 residents located in Potaro-Siparuni, Guyana, (Region 8) on the right bank of the Potaro River near Tumatumari.
