By Roger Wong
The St Lawrence Primary School in Region Three has welcomed the addition of a new library with over 3,000 books, which are expected to benefit both students and members of the community.
The school is located about five miles from Parika along the East Bank of the Essequibo River. It has over one hundred students, some of whom trek a trail, stretching about three miles, by foot to attend school every day.
A simple ceremony to officially open the library was held in front of the school on January 5. Among those present were Literacy Coordinator for Region Three Sewnarine Bukhan, retired headmaster Lionel Archibald Seepersaud, teachers, parents and students.
The construction of the library was spearheaded by Florida-based Guyanese Naresh and Miranda Looknauth, after they paid numerous visits to the school and observed the need for educational materials.
In addition to the library and the books, the Looknauths were also responsible for furniture and a monitor in the facility.
Mr Looknauth had attended St Lawrence Primary as a child.
During an address at the official opening, he challenged the teachers to utilise the new materials. “Books on the shelf mean nothing if there is nobody to assist the students in reading them,” he stated, before noting that the books will also be available to members of the community under the school’s supervision.
He also emphasised the importance of learning to read and acquiring a sound education, which he said contributes to one’s welfare and ability to function effectively in society.
“Having a good education makes life a lot easier. I am not saying that you cannot make it without an education but you will able to strive in society easier with a sound education,” he stated.
The library, which is housed in a room in the bottom flat of the two-storey school building, can still accommodate a lot more books and the donors anticipate filling it.
Looknauth, however, noted some of the challenges they encountered and overcome in the realisation of the facility. He told of days that were exhausted examining avenues to select specific materials to the prospective readers.
The books were collected and shipped from the United States, while the construction of the shelves and furniture for the library was undertaken by Kamal Dhaniram, another old student.
Bukhan, during an address at the opening, lauded the efforts by the couple to contribute to the development of young people in the community.
Bukhan noted that when he was a teacher many years ago, he taught Looknauth. He said he had observed his generosity and interest in helping others since he was a child.
He urged the beneficiaries of the facility to use it with dignity and respect and to ensure proper care of the books, while noting that the venture came at a cost and destruction would deprive future generations of the of the invaluable wealth compiled in the books.
He too emphasised that the books will not only benefit the students, although the library caters for children up to age twelve. “Adults can read the books also.
I read comic books and look at Tom and Jerry,” he stated, before pledging his support to work with the teachers of the school to ensure that the foundation being laid by Looknauths in the establishment of the library is utilised to its complete potential. “I will be back in school tomorrow to check on the levels of the books and ensure that they are used effectively,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Seepersaud, a retired headmaster and former teacher at the school, was also integrally involved in coordinating the efforts that led to the establishment of the new library. He referred to the Looknauths as patriots.
Headmistress of the school Venus Archer voiced her appreciation for the establishment of the library, which she has wanted since 2010.
Archer explained that the school had endeavoured to build the library but due to the limited available resources, only minimal work was done. She noted that the idea of the library was the right track since consideration of a computer room was also contemplated during the initial stage.
President of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Norma Amshad also thanked the Looknauths for their efforts in contributing to the development of the school and community, while urging the gathering to take full advantage of the available resources and ensure proper care of the books.
Meanwhile, plans are also in train to build a playground for the school by early next year. A plot of land which sits beside the school has already been secured.
During one of his visits at the school, Looknauth was moved to provide the ground for the children after he observed them confined to using a cemetery positioned right behind the school as a playground. He said he would welcome any contributions by persons willing to assist in the initiative. The playground would be equipped with swings, slides and other items for the students.
The land was sold at a reduced cost by Vibert Lanferman, who also resides in the United States. Lanferman’s parents had donated the plot of land on which the school currently stands.
