Dear Editor,
About a year ago Guyanese Professor Mr Devonish visited my community to do a study on the Arawak language and its use. He told me he was the Dean of the Faculty of Modern Languages, Mona Campus, Jamaica. I felt very proud when he said that there were two other Guyanese who were also heading other faculties at the University of the West Indies.
It made me realize that many Guyanese have made it academically to the top in the Caribbean, USA, Canada and UK. When one thinks of the many Guyanese professors, doctors, lawyers and persons in business who have all succeeded one can’t help but feel proud. I remember Baroness Valerie Amos, a cousin of mine, saying that she works very hard at her job and we would recall the present Prime Minister Gordon Brown thanking her for exemplary service as leader of the House of Lords.
I feel sad however when I think of the many teachers we have lost to New York, the Bahamas and many other Caribbean Islands. I graduated nine years ago from the Cyril Potter College of Education and I have friends who are trained graduates teaching in five different Bahamian islands. It is a pity we had to lose them but I am sure you would agree that one country’s loss is another’s gain. My best Spanish teacher is on the Island of Andros while my science teacher from college now heads a school in the Great Inagua. My former Social Studies teacher heads a school in the Berry Islands while a very good friend of mine is a deputy Head at a school in Eleuthera.
My former Vice Principal Development Mr Anderson has a senior post in the Ministry of Education in Providence. Sometimes I wonder how many Guyanese teachers are in the Bahamas contributing to education.
These Guyanese are making us proud, however, in their contributions to education while earning fair wages for their services.
My best friend Mr Paul Cort is one of the best young Guyanese Baritones. At present he is completing his Masters and he has been making waves with his singing voice. I have no doubt that one day he will rise to the top and make us all proud as Guyanese. It would be even greater however if we can keep him to make whatever contributions he can to music.
Professor Devonish’s book on Arawak language studies will be completed soon and he has promised to send a copy for my school library. We will be proud of this accomplishment by another outstanding Guyanese. We must agree that though many brilliant Guyanese have gone there will always be those faithful few who will stay.
Yours faithfully,
Quado Vancooten
Mashabo Mission
Ituribisi Lake
