At the dawn of a new year most people will either ponder setting one or two ambitious goals (which are, in most cases, forgotten or abandoned by mid-February), and, or, do an in-depth personal review of their /performances in the past year. They may also just execute some form (either mental or scribbled) stock taking of the nation’s circumstances. In the latter instance, it will inevitably gravitate towards some of the topics of the day, the shortcomings of the infamous ‘ExxonMobil Petroleum Agreement,’ the escalating cost of living, the alarming carnage on our roadways, the dubious circumstances under which major development projects are awarded to unqualified bidders, and the subliminal bubbling political tension, both within and along our border(s).
In our fifty-eighth year of independence, in this cauldron of uncertainty, bereft of a unified national development plan, the continuous depletion – with no end in sight – of our most vital resource, our people, continues unabated. Most depressingly, our best and brightest continue to depart for foreign shores at the first opportunity presented, leaving voids which are invariably filled by unsuitable candidates lacking in the prerequisites for the positions. Coupled with this ongoing exodus of brain power, has been capital flight, by legal or other resourceful methods. It’s a sad state of affairs, in part driven by the developmental pace, the lack of creation of jobs and industries for which Guyanese are suitably qualified, and the entrenched culture of nepotism.
In the midst of this swirling air of unpredictability, there is a group of citizens, who have chosen to remain despite bona fide offers to migrate to greener pastures. Since independence, they have weathered several storms of varying magnitudes, including; the shortages and restrictions on imports beginning in the early 1970s due to the shortage of foreign exchange, the inconsistent and limited supply of electricity and water since the late 1970s, the shrinking value of the Guyana dollar, the shortage of appropriate staff for their organisations, the escalating tension brought on by the crime wave that began in the early 2000s, and the fluctuating air of apprehension created by political instability, to mention a few.
In the main, many of the businesses which have gone the distance have been of the intergenerational family genre. Apart from their will to endure, their survival can be credited to various reasons. Some enterprises were deemed essential and hence, they had access to precious foreign exchange and import licences, while others were export oriented, generating foreign currency for the country’s coffers. Others switched course entirely and shifted to local input oriented entities. It would be naive not to acknowledge the fact that some businesses thrived because of their political allegiance, but still managed to survive when their party was out of office. Most of the family businesses which have survived have successfully managed the oft difficult transition from one generation to the next, overcoming the persistent wooing of relatives to migrate.
Apart from enterprises, there are individuals, such as doctors and accountants, quite mobile by virtue of their qualifications, who have opted to remain. Other loyalists include university lecturers, and some of our much sought after teachers and nurses. The latter two groups, essential arms in the nation building mechanism are constantly being courted by overseas recruiters bearing tempting offers, but many have chosen to remain here despite the offhand manner in which successive governments have dealt with their bargaining representatives – when they have deigned to deal with them at all.
As their childhood friends, work colleagues and family continue to depart for foreign shores, these patriots have chosen to stay. It takes a person of a particular calibre to remain so devoted to his/her country in spite of the prevailing tough conditions. The reasons for staying vary; having visited North America, they prefer the slower pace of life and weather at home, they have an established niche and are quite comfortable, they are satisfied with the social standing they enjoy in Guyana. Many of the diehards have remained apolitical, and are never bothered that despite their devoted service they are often overlooked when national awards or silk are handed out.
The patriots appreciate that every place has its pluses and minuses, and have chosen to remain ‘back home’ while others chase their dreams in greener pastures. We salute them for their stalwart contributions which are overshadowed and forgotten in the political hoopla.
