Dear Editor,
Once again it is Emancipation time; it is once more the season of introspections, reflections of sorts, reminiscing, and above all cultural and festive activities for people of African descent. We are going to remind ourselves that another year has gone and we have (or have not) made a significant dent in the armour of self-doubt, or in enhancing our education and economic fortunes.
In all of this, nevertheless we derive comfort in the fact that there are countless men and women both young and old who work tirelessly to make changes in the lives of citizens in their communities. We are also reminded of the sheer consistency of purpose and determination that made our forefathers, (the freed slaves) succeed in the daunting task of community building and sustenance, by the purchasing of their own villages. Fortunately, because of these sacrifices, we are better off generations later, notwithstanding the challenges that confront us as we set about the task of moving our villages from one stage to another. In this process we learn lessons that prepare us and make us stronger, and better prepared for the task ahead. For this particular reason, I wish to acknowledge the sacrifices, dedication, and very hard and thankless work performed by a group of persons who are determined to make a difference to our sometimes fractured lives in this community of Buxton/Friendship. Those who immediately come to mind are Sisters Yvette Herod, Nandi Tyrel, Barbara Thomas- Holder, Merceline Moses, Brenda Huntley Waveney Yaw, Ingrid Nelson, Saudia Edghill, the Seaforth sisters, Bros Lester Andries, Kidackie Amsterdam and Deon Abrams, and others too numerous to mention.
The committee for the restoration of Buxton on Sunday the 27th of June, held a simple ceremony, at the spanking and spacious new building, the Tipperary Hall of Buxton, recognizing through various awards, and an induction ceremony the contributions of some outstanding Buxtonians in the fields of sports, medicine and community development, to name a few of the categories. It therefore gives me great pleasure to extend our warmest accolades to Sis Barbara Thomas-Holder and her entire team of selfless, hard-working committee members.
It would be remiss of me if I did not let them know that along with all of the citizens of the twin villages of Buxton/Friendship, we thank them most dearly for such a gesture. It is not the big things, but the little things that matter.
A happy Emancipation to all Guyana
Yours faithfully,
D Jones
