Celebrating Independence, mourning the loss of the Mahdia children

Jun 03, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – On February 22, thousands of children, accompanied by their parents, relatives, and friends from the Macedonia Joppa district in Eastern Corentyne took the roadways to celebrate Guyana 53^rd Republic Anniversary.

It was a vibrant and flamboyant celebration never seen before in the district of the Corentyne. The celebration began at 7:00 AM with a two-mile road race for adults, both males and females from No. 36 Village to Eversham Primary School. It was followed by a road march from Brighton to Eversham Village.

Residents of all ages and from all walks of life from the Macedonia Joppa villages of No. 35, Brighton, Kiltearn, Eversham, Epsoml and Bengal came out in large numbers and lined both sides of the roadways to see the colorful costumes worn by the participants.

The onlookers were ecstatic and charmed by the dancing and the gorgeous, rich and colorful outfits worn by the children. Many were visibly exited and thrilled to celebrate Mashramani for the first time. It was indeed the largest Mashramani celebration in Corentyne and was sponsored by the Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee (MJVC), a non-profitable group whose motto is “Upliftment.”

Three months later, the MJVC (comprised of 11 executive members and five sub-committee members) did it again when its members organized and sponsored the biggest and most spectacular independence celebration on Friday May 26, 2023, to mark the country’s 57th Independence Anniversary.

The celebrations took place in the Macedonia Joppa district in region 6 in East Corentyne under the theme “Uplifting the People and Celebrating One Guyana.” The celebration attracted hundreds of people in and out of the region from as far as West Coast Berbice to Mara on the East Bank of Berbice and to Crabwood Creek on the Corentyne and elsewhere.

It was the only celebration of its kind in East Corentyne and was an all-day gala family celebration starting at 7:30 AM with a two-and-a-half-mile male, female and children foot race from No. 36 Village to the Eversham Community Center. Over $300.000 in prizes were awarded to the winners of each category. This was followed by a vigil to honor and respect the tragic death of the children at the Mahdia Secondary School Dormitory for females, and a Karaoke competition and a dance.

For the residents of the district, Independence is much more than partying, eating, drinking, and dancing in the streets, rather it is a celebration of Guyana becoming an independent nation on May 26, 1966, to manage its own affairs. It was the end of centuries of colonial rule, domination, and enslavement of our people by Europeans, especially Britain.

Independence has become a symbol of unity, strength and togetherness and a time for all Guyana near and far to put aside their differences and biases and celebrate as “One people, One nation with One destiny”. Independence is a true celebration of our diversity, culture, elegance and maturity of the nation and the power and strength of Guyanese in every community. It is a testimony to our enriched social culture and shared heritage as a nation.

The Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee, once again the proud sponsor of the celebrations, thanks everyone for being part of the activities and looks forward to greater and wider participation and bigger and brighter independence celebrations in 2024. The members of the MJVC extend their deepest sympathy and condolences to the parents, relatives and friends of the children who perished in the deadly inferno and to let them know that we share their grief. May their precious young souls rest peacefully.

Sincerely,
Dr. Asquith Rose, MJVC Chair
Ms. Vanessa Ross-Albert, MJVC Public Relations Director

6 Village to Eversham Primary School, Dr. Asquith Rose., Mahdia Secondary School Dormitory for females, MJVC Chair Ms. Vanessa Ross-Albert, MJVC Public Relations Director

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Celebrating Independence, mourning the loss of the Mahdia children

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