Dear Editor,

I would like to congratulate my son Kwesi Sansculotte-Greenidge PhD, (who we affectionately refer to as our professional scholar) on the completion of his doctorate in Anthropology from the University of Durham in the UK.  Kwesi was awarded the PhD for his work on social change and conflict resolution among Darfuri refugees in Eastern Chad, where he spent a year conducting fieldwork.  I know that though research often took him to the far reaches of Africa, Guyana has never been far from his heart.

The long but rewarding road, travelled by Kwesi really caught fire in 1992 at St Rose’s High School.  Kwesi attended the University of Guyana and taught 1st, 2nd and 4th Forms History at the Brickdam Secondary School. In 1998 he enrolled at the University of Durham (UK) to study Human Sciences. Upon receiving his first funding opportunity, Kwesi chose to return to Guyana and conduct research in the Upper Mazaruni/Brazil on the Alleluia religion of the region’s Akawaio people.

Kwesi received a partial scholarship to Yale University in the USA, where he completed an MA in African Studies, focusing on centralization in Ethiopia and the Sudan.  He has conducted research on indigenous peoples in Guyana, Brazil and Nicaragua and on political and social issues in Chad, the Sudan, Ethiopia and Djibouti.  In testament to the popular belief that life is a circle, his higher education ended where it started, at the University of Durham, where he completed his PhD.

I have academically romanticized the brief account of my son’s achievements, but needless to say, his path has not been an easy one.  A heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the then headmistress, Ms Stephney, and her wonderful staff, especially the now deceased Brother (Pryor) Jonas and Mrs Connolly at St Rose’s High School; and close friends and family who supported us, and encouraged Kwesi throughout his journey toward achieving his steadfast boyhood dreams of becoming an anthropologist.

Congratulations Kwesi, on a job well done and much respect and love from your sisters and brother.

Yours faithfully,
Barbara Sansculotte