The fast rising youth dance group in Linden, Epic Dance Group received a timely boost on Friday, when one of the founders of the Centre for Guyanese Progress, Gavin Alleyne, presented the dance instructor with a $50,000 donation.
The Region Ten council said in a press release that it was revealed during the presentation ceremony that the group will continue to receive continued support from the NGO in a number of ways.
While the group has been creating a buzz in Linden and other surrounding communities, the recent achievement by the group has been recognized and commended by the Regional Executive Officer, Orrin Gordon, his Deputy Maylene Stephen, the Mayor and Town Council and a number of other residents.
The group’s instructor and leader, Shannon Griffith, said the monies would be used for the young ladies securing critically important pieces and clothing needed in the advancement of the group. “We are very grateful and thankful for the donation as it never dawned upon us how impactful we have been to so many and the significant number of persons who are paying attention to what we are doing and more so the fact that we are engaging these young ladies in a positive way,” Griffith said.
She disclosed that since the group burst unto the scene some years ago, they have been ‘barely’ making it by as they have been forced to literally ask almost everyone for assistance and support. This, she said is important as most of the young ladies from the 60 plus member group are young girls with some 98 per cent of the group still attending school.
As a result, they are unable to afford buying their own outfits. She, however, stressed that with caring, supportive and innovative community members, parents and well-wishers they have been able to get by. “The RDC Region Ten and more in particular the DREO Ms Stephen has been our major supporter prior to this donation and we are truly happy that someone recognized that we are genuinely seeking to create a positive change through dancing and have therefore sought to support us,” she said.
Griffith was loud in praise for the Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) for what she said has been her instrumental role in the group’s advancement that they are more motivated to improve and advance the group.
“We have had some challenges but what I can tell you is that we intend to continue doing what we have been doing as we are very confident that we will continue to impact the lives of many as we are taking dancing to a whole new level in Region Ten and we are happy because the community continues to back us along with the regional officials and we are thankful for this,” Griffith declared.
According to the release, DREO Stephen and the REO congratulated the group as well as the NGO for lending the support. She noted that it demonstrates the right spirit in boosting community development and the advancement of the arts. She thanked Alleyne, urging him to continue in the path of assisting those that needs support. She further stressed that it will certainly help in enhancing the society further, while enhancing and developing talents. “This donation is very timely and I join with my REO in thanking the NGO and more so the group for being able to attract such assistance as its testimony that when you work hard somebody will notice and reward you timely,” Stephen said.
She assured the group that the RDC will continue to play their part and will seek to reach out to as many persons within Region Ten as they seek to create opportunities and platforms for the showcasing and development of their skills and talents.
