Dear Editor,
The High Dam Community Health Centre, was an Independence project for which I received a 1966 Independence Medal.
Mr Forbes Burnham, the Leader of the PNC, challenged PNC group leaders to propose viable projects that would be beneficial for their communities. I thought a Community Health Centre would be a desirable project for High Dam, in the Mahaicony district, because of my experience when pregnant. Along with other women I had to walk about half a mile to the former health care facility at Fairfield.
I approached Mr Norman Percival, my stepfather, and we discussed the possibility and necessity of such a project. Mr Percival donated the land on which the building was constructed.
The project was approved in 1966. However, it did not get off the ground until 1968 when I was appointed Community Development Worker in the Ministry of Community Development. I was instrumental in getting the residents of High Dam and neighbouring villages to make self-help contributions, while the government contributed to the construction of the building. This building is still useful. It is serving the community in 2013.
I would like to acknowledge the efforts of all of the people who participated in the completion of the project during my leadership. I would like to name everyone but my memory refuses to cooperate. However, I can recall Farinha, Robertson, Gilgeous, Rutherford, Pompey, Balkarran, Simpson, Hughes, Byrne, Chichester, Percival, Nobrega, and others.
Yours faithfully,
Megan Nacimento (Precious)
