| Christmas came early for residents of Saxacalli, over the weekend members of staff from theStaff from the Bank of Nova Scotia donating gifts to the children of Saxacalli Village.Robb Street branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia went to the riverain community to distribute gifts to the children.Saxacalli is located on the west bank of the Essequibo River 25 miles south of Parika. This village said to have some of the best inland beaches in Guyana and relies mostly on small scale logging and farming for its main source of income.Saxacalli is an Arawak word for the ‘Kingfisher’ bird. Originally an Arawak community, it is now multi-ethnic and populated by approximately 250 people. According to residents the community started in Groete Creek,Cheap Jerseys China, three miles further north,Wholesale MLB Jerseys Pro Shop, as early as the Dutch presence on the Essequibo River during the 1600s. It served as a trading partner with the Dutch settlements from Fort Island to Kyk-Over-Al, up the Mazaruni River.Saxacalli was formally established in the 1800s through the Church of Scotland and is a Presbyterian mission. The church has had a great influence on the village, with a presence over many generations; and through this influence, were able to secure the land. Although there are many denominations now residents live in unity.Former resident, Yvette ‘Paulette’ Irving, medical laboratory scientist and founder/owner of QualiTest, is the woman behind the ‘Saxacalli Project’. Her father, Frank Irving, was the Head Teacher at Saxacalli Primary school and an active community member who had the ‘Frank Irving play park’ commemorated in his honour.Irving who is also the country’s former ‘Lab Director’ said “I decided long ago that I would give back to the place where I was born and raised. A few years ago I started asking friends, members of the business community and various organizations,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, and then one day I approached Scotia Bank and they agreed and we’ve been giving back in whatever way we can since 2012.”Growing up along this modest logging community, Irving said that she remembers what it was like not having a gift on Christmas Day as a child. She looked forward to changing that every year for the youths of her community.A list was sent to Irving earlier in the year with the names of all the children living in Saxacalli and Irving along with members of staff and representatives of the Bank of Nova Scotia, began preparations for the Christmas gift donation in the form of toys, food, and clothing ensuring every child receives a gift.According to Irving, book and clothing drives have also been carried out this year and aspires to create a recreational facility for the youth of the village. With only a primary school, older children are at an extreme disadvantage and can only maintain their education by attending the Secondary school in Bartica,Antonio Brown Jersey, 18 miles to the south along the Essequibo River.Pamela Woolford, former Head Teacher told Kaieteur News that although the community does not have a secondary school it leaves no child behind. According to Woolford most of the boys of the community either become miners or get into logging.Although the community is small, residents are active and enjoy playing cricket or football. It has even produced one of the county’s best cricketers, Kemo Paul. At 16,Stitched Atlanta Falcons Jerseys, Paul is the captain of the Essequibo Under-19 team and has done everything on a cricket field for Guyana. The versatile teen has kept wicket, played as a batsman, bowled spin and represented his Country as a fast bowler.“I am very grateful for everything that Ms. Irving and the Bank of Nova Scotia have done, as well as all the other people who came to our humble community. The children, especially the less fortunate look forward to it every year. This is sometimes the only form of Christmas treat that they get.”Gifts were presented by Personal Banker, Avril Husbands,Camiseta Barcelona 2018-19, who even brought along ‘Santa’ for the children’s amusement. The children were all smiles and dressed up for the occasion. They spent the rest of the afternoon playing and enjoying their new toys and treats.Saxacalli is a close knit and family based community; almost everyone is related somehow. She also said that there is hardly any crime. |
