Latest update September 6th, 2026 7:34 PM
A generation of Guyanese has been neglected
Dear Editor,
I appreciate the advocacy that is being given to prompting a national response in finding a solution to the grave situation facing our youths and society as a whole. I agree with much of what has been written on this matter in different sections of the print media, particularly in the editorials of the Kaieteur News of December 12, 19 and 21, 2015.
Kindly, permit me to share a few supporting (or complementary) thoughts on this critical issue. I believe the underlying problem with our youths and society is one of vision and ungodliness. I don’t think that there could be anything worse for humans and their existence, regardless of age, than the deprivation of these two things.
The scripture says- “Where there is no vision (no redemptive revelation from God) the people perish…” it also says – “the fool has said in his heart there is no God- they are corrupt, they are abominable, they are no good.” This is exactly the predicament that we find ourselves in as a people and a nation, and which has contributed heavily to Guyana degenerating to the present condition of a depraved state. Editor, I agree that everyone must be involved and every available option must be explored to give hope to our young people and to preserve the moral fabric of society.
But first, we must be honest with ourselves and each other and accept collective responsibility-for we are all at fault; in thoughts, in words and in deeds. How and where we have failed. And what is necessary, if not imperative, to remedy matters.
A generation of our young people has been neglected by this nation- creating a state of oppression, suppression and depression which has stifled the potential of our youths; and what we see now are the fruits of that frustration and hopelessness. This is the plight of Guyana’s youth, and even those who are doing okay are also affected, whether they admit it or not. Recently, a youth from Regional 10 (Kwakwani) wrote to me asking about the possibility of securing a scholarship or financial aid to attend a Form 6 school in Georgetown, after he completes his CSEC examinations next June. He will be writing 9 subjects, the maximum that is allowed at the school he is presently attending.
Here is a classic case study of a youth that is academically inclined and gifted who has a vision for betterment and his reaching out for help, guidance and support. What happens if the vision and desire in this progressive youngster’s heart is not realized? One could guess, that it is highly probable that his life trajectory would be redirected making him less likely to fulfill his potential. In the absence of unfulfilled potential- which is guided by vision and purpose, man becomes disjointed and wayward. Man becomes lost. I am of the opinion that this scenario has played over thousands upon thousands of times across the length and breadth of Guyana.
I encouraged and advised this particular youth to focus on first things first- which is to get good grades and then we could take it from there. The point is, even the youth that is stable and trying to do the right thing, those we expect to do well, they are not immune from the barriers of this uncaring and broken society. Could you imagine the plight of the delinquent?
Editor, I sincerely hope and pray that as a nation about to enter its 50th Year of Independence, we would stop for a moment to consider our sins and make right what has been wronged; and before the first celebration party, I would humbly suggest that we repent and be reconciled. This way, we would truly be able to experience the blessings of Jubilee, and then we could say- that the broken hearted is being healed, the captive is being set free, the blind is getting new vision and the oppressed are getting their freedom- and maybe then we could be hopeful about a new Guyana.
Chris Bowman
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