The East Canje Reunion is in its 9th year

Jul 30, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,

Providing an opportunity to reunite with fellow village people, families, friends, even neighbours from the same village area, large gatherings planned by the Guyanese Diaspora in the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom have brought thousands of Guyanese together for one day and in one space. The East Canje Reunion 2016 held over the weekend here in Queens NY did just that. The gathering, now in its 9th year, was held at the Baisley Pond Park, corner of 150th St and Rockaway Boulevard, saw the attendance of over 7,000 persons—- both overseas- based Guyanese and Guyanese like myself, visiting. There was also a group from Annandale, East Coast Demerara that also held their reunion on the same park grounds.
A lot goes into the planning of the annual East Canje reunion, or as it is popularly called, ‘Canje Day.” President of the East Canje Reunion organization, Mr Joseph West, and his team put a lot of effort and work into this year’s event. West’s group has been assisting the East Canje community a great lot over the past years, though not with a lot of fanfare. He explained too that the group also works hand in hand with the East Canje Humanitarian Society.
Mr West said the East Canje reunion is also the biggest reunion in the USA. The retired NY State Bridge and Tunnels employee left Guyana some 44 years ago to start a new life in the USA and do work of a charitable and humanitarian nature. Some other members of the committee are: Chin Singh, Reena Hussein, Rohan Singh (Treasurer); Alan Mangroo (VP). The E/C Reunion President, now serving his 3rd year as President, noted his organization’s continued commitment to bolster ties with and bring aid and help to his former East Canje communities back in Guyana. “We are trying to send home cricket gears to promote education and health in East Canje,” he stated.
The mission of the group remains steadfast in promoting good health, education as well as sports, he explained. Mr West became emotional while expressing thanks to his members and the wider East Canje Diaspora for their sterling support this year for the Canje Day experience.
At the event, prizes and awards were also distributed to persons who performed songs and even dances at the events. Raffles were also sold at the event, monies of which go toward the organizations works.
Leon Suseran

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