The Sophia Literacy Project concluded a year of service at the Den Amstel Community Centre and the PNCR Congress Place auditorium at Sophia.

Two Fridays ago the charity hosted its annual closing ceremony at both locations for the 275 students it serves. The programme is coordinated by the Community Arise Incorporated in collaboration with the PNCR Youth Empowerment Scheme. The July/August Vacation Programme 2010 was sponsored by Health and Education Relief for Guyana (HERG), a US-based NGO that provides early intervention in literacy in addition to medical outreaches in Guyana and throughout the Caribbean.

The children were provided with a hot meal daily and school kits at the end of the one-month period.

PNCR and Opposition Leader Robert Corbin, MP; PNCR Vice Chairman Basil Williams, MP; Africo Selman, MP; HERG representatives and medical volunteers including Dr Kenrick Cort, MBA, Dr Harrison Mitchell, Andrew Murray, EMT, Jacque Parris, Kayla Cort and Kevin Cort attended the closing ceremony.

The students entertained the audience which included parents, with a rich, cultural programme after which HERG representatives and the Opposition Leader made brief remarks. In addition HERG representatives and Williams distributed school supplies and small tokens including sport gear, to the children.

The HERG officials also pledged to support the project in 2011.

The release said over the past 10 years HERG has been involved in annual medical outreaches to Guyana.

This year clinics were held at Bachelors Adventure and Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, Sophia, and Albouystown in Greater Georgetown and in Linden. Some of its specialist doctors conducted several surgeries at the Georgetown hospital.