Japan Government signs $20M pact for Mibicuri Community Developers

Mar 13, 2014 News

Japan continues to assist Guyana in many ways. Over the years there have been a number of large scale projects and donations.
These past few weeks Japan’s Ambassador to Guyana, YoshimasaTezuka, has been signing a number of economic packages across the country.
On Monday the Ambassador travelled to Black Bush Polder where he was the feature speaker and signed a contract for a cheque of US$101,275 ($20M) with the Mibicuri Community Developers and its office at Mibicuri Black Bush Polder. The MCD is an arm of the St Francis Community Developers/Friends of St Francis SFCD/FSF) NGO

Ambassador presents cheque to Director Jacqueline Cummings.

Organisation.
The deal was signed for the expansion and remodeling of the development centre to cater for more programmes and persons.
The Centre which already caters for a number of programmes, including vocational training and early childhood, will see an expansion of those programmes as well as create and promote safer learning and early childhood education.
Residents of the Black Bush Polder and surrounding areas are also expected to benefit from a number of initiatives. The building will boast a room where the residents will receive counselling; refurbished offices and rooms to accommodate increased skills training activities.
It will also contain an information technology room and a kitchen to host culinary classes. The center will also be able to host conferences, workshops and training sessions.
Ambassador Yoshimasa Tezuka said that the GGP programme is designed to promote human security in the world by assisting non-profit organizations like the SFCD and the MCD. He said that the project mainly targets areas that aim to improve basic human needs.
He noted that the MCD is already on track and is sure that the added boost will help to enhance its capabilities.
Ambassador Tezuka commented on the ongoing bilateral and good relations between the two countries and this new initiative can help to foster growth and development.
He also commented on the 20 years of friendship and cooperation between Japan and Caricom.
Region Six Chairman, David Armogan, welcomed the assistance given to the people of Guyana by the Japanese Government.
There was assistance to the State of the Art New Amsterdam Hospital and a Water Treatment Plant on the Corentyne among numerous others.
The Chairman was very pleased that the group has taken on the mantle to tackle the social ills which are plentiful in Black Bush Polder. The community which has a population of about 4000 people has 17 rum shops. This tells a story of a community in trouble.
“Black Bush has the highest rate of suicide in the country and the Caribbean, a stigma we do not want in a place like this. So the need for a place that offers proper counselling and training for people that will take their minds away from all these negative thoughts and make them worthwhile, is more than needed.”
The Black Bush Polder NDC Chairman, Mr. Thakur, pledged his full support behind the group and the project and recalled the days when Black Bush was only known as a place where people planted rice and cash crops.
President and Founder of the SFCD / FSF Alex Foster stated that he is honoured to see a branch of his organisation coming of age and benefiting so significantly. He said that when the group was launched 17 years ago persons did not expect that it would have lasted 17 days.
He said that the building which is the only one of its kind in the community was built in 2000 by the Government of Guyana under the President’s Youth Choice Initiative. It has since out grown its size.
Food for the Poor Inc. Senior Project Officer Ms. Andrea Benjamin pledged to fully stock the building with all the necessities, a venture it had undertaken with SFCD.
Director, of the MCD Jacqueline Cummings expressed gratitude to all for the assistance and support over the years. She had special words of commendation for the Ambassador and the Japanese Government, noting that the venture will greatly assist the group in helping to reduce the social problems plaguing the community.
Also in attendance and speaking at the ceremony was the United States Peace Corps representative Mr. Flavio Rose.
Rose who was a Vice President of the SFCD expressed his pleasure at seeing the group succeed over the years and gave his organization’s commitment to assist in whatever way possible.