Guyana’s First Daughter…‘I want a fair chance like any other Guyanese’

Mar 16, 2014 News

By Rehana Ahamad

Pull Quote- “My siblings and I were always encouraged to work towards the development of our country. From an early age, we understood that while it is important for us to better our selves, it is just as essential for us to help the people around us.”
One would think of the President’s daughter as basically being a spoilt individual, one who has access to all things bountiful; including work and travel opportunities, regardless of whether or not she has the capabilities. But this may not be entirely accurate.
Lisaveta Valantina Ramotar, addressing some of the misconceptions that people have about First Daughters, spoke of the difficulty she faced maintaining professional integrity despite her affiliation with the party in power.
While her qualifications make her eligible for many positions within the business and financial sector, a particular experience of being denied a job for which she was qualified, became a cause for worry.

Guyana’s First Daughter, Lisaveta Ramotar

The First Daughter currently holds a Masters Degree in Finance and Investment from the University of York in the United Kingdom and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from the University of Toronto in Canada.
She also has 12 years of work experience, including at the World Bank.
Ms. Ramotar recalled that after returning from her studies in the United Kingdom, she attended a job interview that she thought went well. But unfortunately, she did not get the job.
She took it all in stride, believing that “you would win some…and lose some.” She did get one, but later left to further pursue studies in Canada.
“After I got another job, I met with the person who had done the interview with me at first, and he said, ‘well you know…the interview went very well and so, but we didn’t want people to say that PPP (People’s Progressive Party) people are taking over,’…so that was sad for me to think that these are supposed to be leaders within our country and they discriminate because of my name, they are very myopic in their thinking.

Coming Home
Ms. Ramotar said that returning home to Guyana after her studies overseas, was never just a thought, but an obvious.
“There was never a question of if I’ll return home, because I never had the idea of living abroad. Guyana is home. I left to go out there and develop myself so I can come back and build a life here… in my country… around the culture that was embedded in me.”
Ramotar is still worried that should she be able to obtain a job suitable for her ability, some people might point fingers at her, as they did her brother, Alexei Ramotar, who is currently the Manager of the E-Governance Project.
“That’s why I am worried, because Alexei is very qualified. He got his Masters in one of the best universities and now just because our father is the President, people are not thinking about the fact that he has a skill that can aid in the development of Guyana…rather, some are deliberately spreading lies about a super salary to discredit him and my dad. But the bottom line is that he is qualified to do what he does.”
The First Daughter said that it is a fact that she and her brothers began studying to pursue jobs within their respective fields long before her father became President.
She was of the firm belief that being the children of the President and First Lady should not stop them from being given equal opportunities to go after their dreams.
“We are Guyanese, and this is our home, and we have equal rights to build our lives here, and that is what we want…for people to judge us on our capabilities, and not our affiliation to the President.”
Ramotar explained that growing up in her family’s humble Alberttown, Georgetown home, she and her brothers were always taught the importance of education and self-development.
“My father never believed in asking for favours. So my parents basically brought us up that way. We have learnt how to stand on our own two feet, hence now that my father is the President and we do not believe we need to be given special treatment and favours … as such not because the President is our father means that we have to be treated any differently from the other young professionals.

Independent Minds
Similarly, the former St. Rose’s High School student said that she and her brothers should not be discriminated against either, and ought to given equal opportunities.
“Because at the end of the day, we can prove ourselves with our work and our qualifications, and our country needs the skilled human capital.”
“The thing is, we don’t rely on the benefits our father has as President, because one day, all of that will go away, so when that happens, we won’t have to change our lives and go back to being the way we were, because we are still the same.”
The former World Bank employee added that even though her father is the Head of State, she still drives her old car and does the same things she used to do before. These include jogging, baking goodies, and also eating them.
“And if my studies were completed before my father became President, I still would’ve been doing the same job, because like I said, that’s how we were brought up, to think long term. People who know us personally would tell you that we are still the same people.”
“My siblings and I were always encouraged to work towards the development of our country. From an early age, we understood that while it is important for us to better our selves, is just as essential for us to help the people around us.”
She insisted that her family members never entertained the idea of living abroad.
“We did live in Czech Republic briefly while my father was working there; but we never intended to live abroad.”
Reflecting on her childhood, Lisaveta Ramotar, fondly referred to as ‘Lisa’, said that her family was always contented and comfortable.
“I remember going to school; we never had brand name sneakers and so. We wore regular shoes that lasted us throughout the year, and I have to admit that we weren’t too big on having brand name things. We were all comfortable with what our parents provided us with.”
First Lady, Mrs. Deolatchmee Ramotar, used to work as a nurse, and according to Lisaveta Ramotar, her parents made education a top priority for the family.
“They were all for education; that was given priority, so that we, the children can build the kind of lives we wish to have.”
Ms. Ramotar recalled that at one point, she really wanted to become a psychiatrist and or a lawyer, but because her parents could not have afforded it, she opted to pursue neither.
“And I waited until now to do my MBA because all this time, I was saving my own money to do it. We’re like any regular family, even though we live in State House,” a smiling Ramotar said.
Asked about her most embarrassing moment, Lisaveta Ramotar, showing a funny side, remembered falling down the stairs of the National Library.
“It was funny, but then again embarrassing, but usually when I think about embarrassment, I would think about making a presentation and forgetting what I wanted to say, luckily though, that has never happened. I guess it’s because I always ensure I show up prepared. I am usually a very focused person.”
The President’s daughter maintained she is like every other average Guyanese who just want a fair chance at creating her dream life.