Following his recent completion of studies at the Hugh Wooding Law School, in Trinidad, Pierre Squires has been urged by the Guyana United Youth Development Association (GUYDA) to pursue his impending legal career with integrity, while also making time to give back to others.
The calls were made at a recent dinner in honour of Squires, held at the Windjammer International Cuisine and Comfort Inn, at Kitty, Georgetown.
Squires completed his legal education through a partial scholarship from GUYDA, with additional financial and moral support from individual members of the organisation, which is aimed at contributing to the social, academic, and cultural development of youth in Guyana, the Caribbean, and the United States.
He is the second Guyanese youth of limited financial background to receive such assistance from the New York based non-profit organization. The first beneficiary, Nikita Edwards, who preceded him by four years, contributed to the complimentary speeches, advice, and toasts, made to him during the celebratory dinner.
“Pierre, I travelled this road a few years ago and to you, I say congratulations because I understand how hard it is … and I also say when you are admitted to the Bar, remember that your integrity matters most.”
Edwards also cautioned Squires that should he embark on private legal practice, he should work with an attorney that he could trust. “A Judge will respect you when the Judge understands that you are honest,” she said. “When you say something to the court, it must be the truth. You don’t want to be in the position where a Judge is saying to another Judge, I can’t trust Mr. Squires.”
The young attorney disclosed that she works with the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic and her income is a fraction of what her colleagues make but the experience she has obtained from that job has been invaluable. She also implored Squires “to give back”, stressing that while he strives for financial viability, he must also find sound balance in being considerate to clients of limited financial resources, and work as consciously for them as those, who are better off. Edwards said she is willing to offer advice and moral support to him. “Kudos to you, I await your arrival at the Bar in October,” she added.
GUYDA’s membership comprises experienced, highly qualified Guyanese professionals in various disciplines, including education, engineering, accounting, economics, who have made sterling contributions in their adopted home, the USA.
Squires’ grandmother, Vesta Squires, and a cousin, Kristoff Walton attended the dinner and offered words of gratitude to the visiting GUYDA team: Leslie Stewart (President), Victor Osborne (Vice-President), Beryl James (Secretary), Dr. Sherry Hamilton (Chaplain), Dr. Barbara Kendall (Organizing Secretary), Dr. Henrique Kendall (YPG Coordinator), Dr. Gordon Howell (member), and Keith Jonas (member), who in their brief, complimentary remarks referred to personal life experiences in which they highlighted dedication, humility, honesty, commitment, confidence, belief in God, and empathy for others – particularly the poor and disadvantaged – as virtues that would fashion success in his chosen career and ultimate self-actualization. Former Health Minister, Dr. Richard Van West Charles, also participated in the dinner and in his brief remarks pointed out that “unless the human capital is oriented in a certain direction, we (Guyana) will continue to have the 40 per cent poverty” in a burgeoning oil and gas economy. He acknowledged that “while our young women are performing, our young men are challenged,” and he noted “that GUYDA … is really seeking to see how best our young people can perform.”
Stating that lawyers tend to go into solo practice, Dr. Van West Charles said: “I’m not a lawyer, I’m a physician, but my own view is try to get a broader breath of experience.” It is good, he opined, that Squires’ grandmother and cousin attended the dinner, which was indicative of the familial support that he had received during his pursuit of higher learning.
“I’m open, and I don’t have a difficulty talking to young people,” Dr. Van West Charles added, as he invited Squires to readily approach him for advice. He added: “You can go as far as you want and although we have to look after our economically challenged, don’t let anybody tell you that you mustn’t create wealth – and don’t feel bad when you create wealth.”
Stewart urged Squires to remember his humble background: “You have to make a living because you come from a family that is expecting your support materially, but being in GUYDA, service is also important. You would see around this table … professionals from different fields and spheres of life but they are interested in giving back. I’m hearing from reports … that even though you were busy with your law studies you found the time to help. I’m very, very proud of you. I’m very happy to be identified with your accomplishment and I’m happy to be here. May you have a successful career at the Bar.”
Dr. Henrique Kendall pointed out that education is the cornerstone to success. “You will find out that sometimes what you set out to do is not what God has in store for you, but the education you have is going to be a tool that is going to lead you to greater things. Never get frustrated – and this is to Nikita also. You might be thinking that you want to be a Judge, but God might have a different mission for you. It doesn’t mean that the law degree will not become handy. It’s going to be a tool to get you to where you should be. This journey is baffling sometimes as to where it takes you. But the one thing I’m quite sure of is that you can’t get there without education. Without that education, doors would not open. So, keep at it and remember GUYDA is a community and I’m glad that [Dr. Richard Van West] Charles has extended his hands to offer you advice. We’re a family. We are here to help you and we look forward to great things from you. And when you make it, you would give back the same way we are giving back now.”
Dr. Barbara Kendall, speaking after her husband, noted that educating oneself is never ending. She also stressed the importance of networking and prayer. “We are happy that you have come to this point… You’ve started the journey… and it’s a never-ending journey. As GUYDA members, we are willing to continue to support you in every possible way.
Look at the members here. You are encircled with love this evening. From the bottom of our hearts, we are here to celebrate you for all that you have accomplished and see this journey as a never-ending ladder that you must climb. Once you reach the next point of graduating … the key is networking … and collaborating with people that’s going to take you to the higher steps … and as you keep climbing put God first; pray about everything that you want to achieve – and you will achieve it.
Dr. Gordon Howell stated that the occasion celebrated three things: “Nikita, Pierre, and GUYDA … everything you see happening this evening could not have happened (as) I always say (without) three variables that are responsible for people achieving greatness – nature, nurture, and divine intervention.”
GUYDA was established in May 2005 primarily to promote social and educational opportunities and training for youth in Guyana and the United States, so that they can become productive citizens.
Stewart, in highlighting the core values of the organization, stressed that young people, teamwork, collaboration, transparency, and accountability to stakeholders are important in the development of Guyana. He advised his colleagues that in awarding scholarships, “it is not only for the downtrodden but the downtrodden, who want to be better than what they are. So, we should give scholarships to budding attorneys, carpenters [and] teachers across the board so that we can cultivate a better group of people.” He advised Squires that in his life’s journey and in his career, “there are people, who will never understand or associate with what you’re doing but once you are honest and fearless you will always prevail”.
Squires, a former St. Stanislaus College student, obtained an Associate Degree in Humanities/Law, while in sixth form before attending the University of Guyana and subsequently the Hugh Wooding Law School. He thanked the GUYDA members for their support. He like his predecessor, Edwards, has joined the organization and is based in Guyana. They were in the GUYDA team that met with stakeholders in Charity, Essequibo Coast, on Friday, 12 August, to discuss the implementation of the Charity After-School Literacy Project, which is expected to be launched in January, 2023, in response to the need to raise the level of literacy in that community.
GUYDA has also supported students’ participation in the STEM Guyana initiative. It has also given school supplies to the youth of New Amsterdam through the Gordon Foundation.
During the 2020 Pandemic, GUYDA hosted two panel discussions on the “Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Youth of Guyana” to determine the needs of the youth. It responded to the felt needs by providing relief to Bagostsville residents, East Bank Demerara as well as Charity, and Jack Low communities in the Pomeroon. GUYDA also provided tablets to the youth of Charity to support virtual learning.
During the recent visit, GUYDA members held discussions with University of Guyana officials to develop linkages for further educational support to the country’s youth. It also provides scholarships to financially challenged students to attend the University of Guyana and other learning institutions. One such scholarship is the Matriarch Rose October Scholarship for students who are pursuing a Degree in Social Work.
Two of the recipients, who have graduated from the Cyril Potter School of Education, will be part of the Literacy Programme, which will target students between the ages of six and ten, and will be hosted by Rev. Richard King at God’s Battalion of Prayer Centre in Charity.
