Faith in the Future
The address given by Fr Joe Chira SJ - at the opening ceremony of the Guyana Human Development Centre on 25th December 2003 by the President of Guyana,
His Excellency Bharrat JagdeoOpening this centre, a short distance from the birthplace of Dr Cheddi Jagan, and from the newly established Berbice Campus of the University of Guyana, is to draw inspiration from the life and example of our great Guyanese leader, and to enhance the efforts of the University of Guyana to develop leadership for our country.
It is more than fifty years since the Jesuits began their pastoral care. social development and community work from Siparuta on the Corentyne River to the Springlands, Upper, Central and Lower Corentyne areas. I recall the names of several Jesuits - some born in Guyana, others who came from the UK or India, and who worked here from the 1950s. Some older folks may remember the names of priests like Alfred Ellis, Gerard Wilson-Browne, Frederick Britto, Louis Menezes, Robert Barrow, Pradeep Joshi, Harold Wong and many others. I myself had the privilege of serving this area between 1970 and 1982. Wherever Jesuits work - in 112 countries of the world -education and total human development are the hallmarks of our service. At present, two of our Jesuits are engaged in lecturing at the Berbice campus of the university in the faculties of education and natural sciences.
Fr Arul, a Jesuit from India, opened a house of prayer and service near the Tain Market in 1999. Since the property was inadequate and did not belong to the order, we decided to move to the area of Miss Phoebe, Port Mourant . With the assistance from the benefactors and friends of the Jesuits in Guyana funds were obtained and, after consulting Mr Roy Hanuman, the Raffik and Sons Construction Company of Williamsburg was chosen as the main contractors.
What are the aims of the new centre?
The centre is to contribute towards the peace and progress of our Guyanese people. Our vision has its foundation in the human and spiritual values common to all Guyanese, especially in the best of their cultural and religious traditions.
This centre will concentrate on education for positive life styles. It will attempt to prevent negative life styles within our families, men and women, youths and children by offering seminars, workshops, research and community development projects. The centre will not compete with other religious or social organisations. We will promote ways and means of working together to build up unity, harmony and progress. We will embark on youth training programmes. We will help to develop children of rural communities by instilling in them self-confidence and self esteem.
Above all, we envisage it becoming a people’s centre, where community programmes are undertaken: computer skills, reading, study room facilities, research opportunities, guidance and counselling, meditation and prayer. We also hope to supplement the educational efforts of the nation.
In all these activities the people of the area will be fully involved. In other words the centre will focus on, and work for, the empowerment of rural citizens and groups.
His Excellency Bharrat JagdeoOpening this centre, a short distance from the birthplace of Dr Cheddi Jagan, and from the newly established Berbice Campus of the University of Guyana, is to draw inspiration from the life and example of our great Guyanese leader, and to enhance the efforts of the University of Guyana to develop leadership for our country.
It is more than fifty years since the Jesuits began their pastoral care. social development and community work from Siparuta on the Corentyne River to the Springlands, Upper, Central and Lower Corentyne areas. I recall the names of several Jesuits - some born in Guyana, others who came from the UK or India, and who worked here from the 1950s. Some older folks may remember the names of priests like Alfred Ellis, Gerard Wilson-Browne, Frederick Britto, Louis Menezes, Robert Barrow, Pradeep Joshi, Harold Wong and many others. I myself had the privilege of serving this area between 1970 and 1982. Wherever Jesuits work - in 112 countries of the world -education and total human development are the hallmarks of our service. At present, two of our Jesuits are engaged in lecturing at the Berbice campus of the university in the faculties of education and natural sciences.
Fr Arul, a Jesuit from India, opened a house of prayer and service near the Tain Market in 1999. Since the property was inadequate and did not belong to the order, we decided to move to the area of Miss Phoebe, Port Mourant . With the assistance from the benefactors and friends of the Jesuits in Guyana funds were obtained and, after consulting Mr Roy Hanuman, the Raffik and Sons Construction Company of Williamsburg was chosen as the main contractors.
What are the aims of the new centre?
The centre is to contribute towards the peace and progress of our Guyanese people. Our vision has its foundation in the human and spiritual values common to all Guyanese, especially in the best of their cultural and religious traditions.
This centre will concentrate on education for positive life styles. It will attempt to prevent negative life styles within our families, men and women, youths and children by offering seminars, workshops, research and community development projects. The centre will not compete with other religious or social organisations. We will promote ways and means of working together to build up unity, harmony and progress. We will embark on youth training programmes. We will help to develop children of rural communities by instilling in them self-confidence and self esteem.
Above all, we envisage it becoming a people’s centre, where community programmes are undertaken: computer skills, reading, study room facilities, research opportunities, guidance and counselling, meditation and prayer. We also hope to supplement the educational efforts of the nation.
In all these activities the people of the area will be fully involved. In other words the centre will focus on, and work for, the empowerment of rural citizens and groups.