More opportunities are needed in rural areas – Kaieteur News

More opportunities are needed in rural areas


Dear Editor,

I read with great interest a letter written by a young and bright woman from Black Bush Polder who expressed in a letter the lack of opportunities, dominance by those in authority who wanted sex from their younger workers, the importance of conservation, lack of facilities for educational development and numerous obstacles in her quest for higher education. Lisa Budhu’s letter to First Lady Arya Alli was brilliantly written, respectful and addressed as His Excellency and highlighted the evils of the Black Bush Polder agricultural settlement. His writing skills were great especially for someone without a University degree. She wants to improve her education by all means, but there are many obstacles. She knows that without a University degree, her job market opportunities would be very small.
The missive was also very informative. I did not know that there was no landline in the area to make it accessible to emails and computer related materials. It is unbelievable at this age when computer is now a necessity for children’s education residents are denied this facility. The idea of ​​Dr Cheddi Jagan was Black Bush Polder, founded before Independence and when Forbes Burnham took over government administration in 1964, he continued the agricultural developments of the settlement that both leaders said would be the Caribbean bread basket… and indeed found agricultural produce from Lesbeholden, Johanna, Mibicuri and Yakusari made their way to the Port Mourant, New Amsterdam, Bourda and Stabroek markets. Rice is also grown there which is exported. However, it is regrettable that the roads are not the best and are deteriorating fairly quickly, perhaps because the infrastructure was not the best. There are many problems in the area and residents are deprived of basic amenities enjoyed by those in other areas. The well-known Guyanese Professor, Dr. Baytoram Ramharack, a Berbician, now living in New York, optimistic. Writing a blog he said “Black Bush Polder is the place that God forgot, and the urban elites (many of whom once lived in the countryside) choose not to be reminded of it. In fact, this place has the highest suicide rates per capita in 196 countries. ”
In response to Lisa’s letter, another blogger “Soph” states “This young woman is smart and resilient and makes this important call to the many national businesses that could bring her intelligence and ambitions to productive use. I say if you can afford it, step up and help him get a university education. A scholarship and some support would be amazing ”I support this call and will go a little further to ask the government to assist Lisa who is trying her best to develop her education. Her shocking letter is strong evidence that this young country woman is very inventive and talented. She needs help moving forward. She is not trying to move out of Black Bush Polder, but wants to stay and assist residents once she is better qualified to do so.
I would have thought that the government, no matter which party is in power, would make the 6000 residents of Black Bush Polder comfortable and provide them with the proper tools and better facilities so that they can continue to plant to feed the nation . Their children must also be considered … there are undoubtedly many smart ones like Lisa who want to develop their studies. They can start with a landline and a high school with better trained teachers. These people are active farmers and should be better cared for. We should remember that most of the “brains” of this country come from rural areas.

Truly,
Oscar Ramjeet



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