Regular readers and my editor will recognize this as one of my “lazy-day” offerings. Recycled thoughts still always relevant.
(This is usually because I feel unwilling to join the numerous journalistic discussions on the more current and “popular” issues of interest. Another dozen or twenty commentators will do so.)
Two reasons motivate this repeat, however. One has to do with President Ramotar, whilst in Florida and New York a few months ago, holding discussions with some groups to organize and mobilize, in some structured, institutionalized manner the resources of the Guyanese Diaspora in the United States. Secondly, some readers of this feature would be aware of my periodic scolding and ‘busing of Afro-Guyanese-for not organizing and benefiting from the disposable resources of those same countrymen related to them. So here are the considerations of a few years ago.
Remittances – And love
As one who gets a far-and-few “freck” from the US, I’ve always been fascinated by the subject of remittances. That’s the donations sent by immigrants – and citizens – to their folks back in the homelands. I used to read about the life-line contributions from the North American and Britain–based immigrants whose origins were Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Israel, Nigeria and Latin America.
In terms of the contemporary Guyanese experience, it was during that exploration that I discovered that the International Fund for Agriculture Development’s Financing Facility for Remittances mobilizes and oversees how the taxes/commissions/surpluses from remittances are used to finance agri-projects in the recipient developing countries.
Even as we receive our relatives’ goodwill, we must now seek to inform ourselves about which projects here actually benefit from the remittances’ fees subscribed. And even as we hold dear that continuous Guyanese – Caribbean duty, love and guilt which send money and other resources to those “left behind”.
But just how are Guyanese organized – if at all – to send back, and manifest, this love, this concern, commitment, patriotism and Frankly Speaking, sometimes that pity? Is there really any structured approach?
I now borrow from the preliminary work of Guyanese Dr Lear Matthews, who has been studying how Guyanese in the Diaspora organize, mobilize, support and execute both assistance and connections. Just two excerpts from his Brief: (1) Diaspora connections involving Hometown Associations (HTAs) is a growing phenomenon among English-speaking Caribbean immigrants. HTAs are organizations that allow immigrants from the same region, village, town or previously shared institution, to maintain ties with and materially support their place of origins.
The Guyanese Experience
Although forms of transnational practices are not new among immigrant populations, a recent report affirmed that approximately 30% of Guyanese residing in the United States who send remittances are involved with these organizations, about 200 of which exist in the US and Canada. Formed on the basis of members’ interests and shared experiences, they are variously described as Professional Associations: Alumni Associations; Civic Organisations; Medical Missions; Political Groups; Cultural Organisations; Community Development Programmes; or Disaster Relief Groups. Economic hardship, the desire to “give back”, to improve relationships with the home country government, and access to the internet as an organizing tool, appear to be the motivations behind this growing trend. There is a view that mature, middle-age adults develop a wish to establish a foundation for the next generation and volunteerism becomes an expression of generativity. Indeed, membership of these HTAs is voluntary and remains the purview of the more “settled”, permanent, mature immigrant, who would not only like to continue ties with Guyana, but contribute to its development.”
Matthews also explores some challenges and questions regarding Guyanese organisations overseas (2.) “Notwithstanding the increasing number of these organisations, dedicated participants and the enormity of financial resources they transmit, a major challenge is the difficulty of attracting new members. This transnational phenomenon also shapes opinions about the role of Diaspora contributors. To what extent should government leverage the use of collective remittances for infrastructure and community development efforts? To what extent should HTA’s have a voice in institutional and nation-building? Should members and contributors be a voting constituency?”
The foregoing was from Dr Matthews but I’m sure there will be agreement that this issue of remittances and an organised Diaspora must make for continued study
Signs of Degradation…
Look I know that this is a reflection of national negativity; my own prophet-of-doom contribution. But I’m thankful to Stabroek for this therapy whereby one gets it off one’s mind and chest even if our political managers worsen the truths around us. What am I going on about?
For starters, the Le Repentir Cemetery in the capital! Where else in this region is there such a national disgrace? (Even after Haiti’s 2011 earthquake, its cracked up cemetery was and still is better.)
Imagine American and Canadian envoys helping us to shine and pick-it-up? A desirable culture would throw or leave nothing to be picked up! Shanty-town “markets! on Church Street, shabby vendors’ facilities and eyesore shacks and “standards”, now dominated the once-clean environment of my youth.
I tire of our national mediocrity and poor self-worth as we degrade ourselves. Why, even the new lucky radio stations are utilising American accents. Watering down even our very identity, until a visa is issued. I tire.
Ponder…
.1) Other folks’ views: (A) From a March 10, 2013 Sunday Stabroek story: “the employers tend to send the ones (for Jury duty) who are of the least benefit to their company…” What!?
.2) (B) “There is not, and never has been, any such thing as ancestral or traditional lands in Guyana…” Attorney-at-law Melinda Janki (Sunday Stabroek, March 10, 2013) What!?
.3) Which National Leaders of Guyana were born in March? Which one died in March?
’Til next week!
(Comments allanafenty”yahoo.com)