Dear Editor,
Large gatherings planned by the Guyanese diaspora in the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom have brought thousands of Guyanese together for one day and in one space, reuniting villagers, families, friends and neighbours. The East Canje Reunion 2016 held over the weekend here in Queens NY did just that. The gathering, now in its 9th year, held at Baisley Pond Park, at the corner of 150th St and Rockaway Boulevard, saw the attendance of over 7,000 persons, both overseas- based Guyanese and Guyanese like myself, visiting. There was also a group from Annandale, East Coast Demerara who held their reunion on the same park grounds.
A lot goes into the planning of the annual East Canje reunion, or as it is popularly called, ‘Canje Day’. President of the East Canje Reunion organization, Mr Joseph West, and his team put a lot of effort and work into this year’s event. West’s group has been assisting the East Canje community a great deal over the past years, though not with a lot of fanfare. He explained too that the group also works hand in hand with the East Canje Humanitarian Society. West boasted that the East Canje reunion is also the biggest reunion in the USA.
The retired NY State Bridges and Tunnels employee left Guyana some 44 years ago to start a new life in the USA and do works of a charitable and humanitarian nature. Some other members of the committee are Chin Singh, Reena Hussein, Rohan Singh (Treasurer) and Alan Mangroo (VP). The E/C Reunion President, now serving his 3rd year as President, noted his organization’s continued commitment to bolstering ties with and bringing aid to East Canje communities back in Guyana. “We are trying to send home cricket gear to promote education and health in East Canje,” he stated.
The mission of the group remains steadfast in promoting good health, education as well as sports, he explained. Mr West became emotional while expressing thanks to his members and the wider East Canje diaspora for their sterling support this year for the Canje Day experience.
At the event, prizes and awards were also distributed to persons who performed songs and even dances at the events. Raffles were also sold at the event, the money from which goes toward the organization’s work.
Yours faithfully,
Leon Suseran