On Dec. 21, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Charles S. Ramson Jr. and Lady Ira Lewis, President of the Guyana America Heritage Foundation, USA, distributed toys to young residents of Agricola. Their partnership aimed to bring goodwill and holiday cheer to this once-undeserved East Bank of Demerara community in Region 4.
Earlier in the week, Lewis met with Minister Ramson to discuss opportunities for the government to partner with the Guyana America Heritage Foundation to benefit Agricola. Their focus included bringing positive change and engaging local youth in sports and community activities.
Ira Lewis, recognized for her involvement in humanitarian work and advocacy, wore a Santa Claus ensemble as she greeted the children gathered outside a recently remodeled football field named in her honor.
After a torrential downpour, beautiful sunshine welcomed Minister Ramson, who was seen surrounded by eager boys and girls.
The politician, serving his second term in office, noted that this was not his first visit to distribute toys in the area and referred to the enclave as his home.
“This is not the first time here. I have been giving out toys in Agricola every year since I came into office. I come multiple times a year to promote various programs in the community because this is how lives will change.”
“Agricola is changing, the village has nice roads. We have made a big investment in a community ground and have developed many programs. We have funded some small businesses and developed skills training for residents. All of that has helped to change the way people viewed Agricola in the past,” he said.
“We still have some relics of the past, but much has changed over the past five years,” said Minister Ramson, whose government faced a bit of skepticism.
Some people felt that the PPP government should not be in a village of mostly Afro-Guyanese that was historically a People’s National Congress stronghold.
He explained that the reality now, is “they don’t see what we unusual do. We are here very often. He added that Lady Ira has been doing important work, and the most important point, “is what’s in your heart, and if you want to do well for people, you would be in alignment with what President Ali’s methodology for the country is.”
“There is an infrastructure part of it, but there is an element that you can’t touch, which is warmth. Once we partner with people, and we see they have good intentions, we will work with them. That is how the country will change. There is a lot to do. This country was starved for many years, but all of that is changing. I am here without security, because people don’t see that I’m an outsider. We get support from the community,” said the politician.
Asked how the government can best partner with Lewis to utilize a newly constructed community in Agricola, Minister Ramson praised community centers as safe spaces and a vehicle for the transmission of knowledge and skills, especially in vulnerable communities. He added that he plans to visit the center to see how best the government could work with the Lady Ira Lewis Foundation.
“From the very first time I met Minister Ramson, after hearing good things about his work, and his engagement and initiatives for the community, I was impressed, because they are exactly what I would be doing, said Lady Ira Lewis, thanking the elected official for distributing the toys, and empowering the village through his ministry.
She said it was great meeting Minister Ramson, whom she immediately signed on to a partnership with. “I am very impressed with his work. I look forward to working alongside Minister Ramson, said Lewis.
More than 100 pieces of books, games, educational toys, and sporting equipment were distributed by Minister Ramson, who shared that he would continue his distribution exercise in other communities around Georgetown.
