Welcome to the Guyanese Online Blog.
This blog and its Monthly Newsletters have been created by Cyril Bryan for Guyanese individuals, Associations and groups worldwide. It is done as a public service, and is not affiliated to, or supports any political party or group. Our first publications were in March 2010.
We have a large database of Guyanese worldwide. Most of our readers are in the USA, Canada, and the UK. Our Blog and Newsletter would not only carry articles and videos on Guyana, but also other articles on a wide range of subjects that may be of interest to our readers in over 140 countries. We hope that you like our selections.
Cyril Bryan
It is estimated that over one million Guyanese, when counting their dependents, live outside of Guyana. This exceeds the population of Guyana, which is about 750,000. Many left early in the 50′s and 60′s while others went with the next wave in the 70′s and 80′s. The latest wave left over the last 20 years. This outflow of Guyanese, therefore, covers some three generations. This outflow still continues today, where over 80 % of U.G . graduates now leave after graduating. We hope this changes, and soon.
Guyanese, like most others, try to keep their culture and pass it on to their children and grandchildren. The problem has been that many Guyanese have not looked back, or if they did it was only fleetingly. This means that the younger generations and those who left at an early age, know very little about Guyana since many have not visited the country. Also, if they do get information about Guyana, it is usually negative and thus the cycle of non-interest is cultivated.
This Guyanese Online Blog, along with its monthly newsletter, aims at bringing Guyanese together to support positive news, increase travel and tourism in Guyana and, in general, foster the birth of a new Guyana, which has already begun notwithstanding the negative news that grabs the headlines. As the editor and manager of the publication, I am committed to delivering Newsletters that are politically balanced, and focused on the positive ideas we wish to share and foster among Guyanese.
Remember, every country has negative politics and negative news, and making negative news the main focus prevents the rebirth of the Nation that was once our home, or the home of our parents. When the really big changes in developments occur in a few years, would you not like to be aware of what they are and how you may be part of that new Guyana, even though we live overseas? We want to hear receive positive reactions from others when we say we are Guyanese, so the image improvements must continue.
This Blog will, therefore, feature information from Guyana, especially historical and cultural facts and information that younger Guyanese may not be aware of. It will reach Guyanese worldwide who would like to communicate using tools of the information age – electronic newsletters, blogs and social networks. We expect our readers to read the contents of our Newsletters and Blogs, correspond between themselves and pass on its contents.
As well, we offer you here the opportunity to publish your articles, or to suggest articles that may interest readers. If you are an author you could send in book reviews and availability for publication.
The focus will especially be on Guyanese Groups and Associations who would like to let others know what they are doing to keep the Guyanese culture alive. Everyone, especially Associations and Groups, are asked to submit articles, announcements and contact information for inclusion in the Newsletter and Blog to our e-mail address: guyananeseonline@gmail.com
There are no charge for advertising books and cultural events, so please send in your requests. The cost is FREE!
Of course, Guyanese Online accepts small donations to help us continue our work. Just write me at cybryan@gmail.com if you are interested in contributing. Thanks!
Please pass on this Blog address and Newsletter to your friends. You could also “subscribe” or “follow” by filling in your name to receive blog entries when published.
THANK YOU FOR VISITING. WE HOPE THAT YOU ENJOY OUR ENTRIES.
Cyril Bryan, Publisher and Editor
February 9, 2010
Updated May 19, 2012
Comments
Very good article. I left Guyana in 1972 at the age of 17 to come to Canada. Now 38 years later I have such feelings of sadness whenever I think of our family and friends scattered all over the world. We all thought we were running off to a better life. Well, in my opinion, we left behind a wealth of culture and traditions not to mention our wonderful people. The different races, and religions and the fact that we blended well as a nation, regardless of the racial conflicts, was a blessing.
We were raised in a Muslim home but, yet we participated in the celebrations of Easter, Christmas, Paghwa, Deewali, etc. I remember my cousins and I running behind the hindu wedding processions and dancing behind the steel bands.
I miss the delicious fruits and vegetables we enjoyed as children. They can keep “the ice apples” and grapes and give me some star apple, guava, soursop and ginnip just to mention a few. Oh what would I give to go back in time and savour the good life we were blessed with in British Guiana.
The many religious groups of Guyanese living in Canada and United States do not mix like they did all those years ago in Guyana – very sad indeed.
I read your article here and supports your point of view. We all left Guyana with the thoughts of living abroad and experiencing a better life. I myself left Guyana in the 70′s with the same intention, now I reflect on old times and I do wish Guyana was still under the British Crown. To live a good life overseas a person needs a firm education and seriously it takes endless nights working hard to achieve whatever you need to get yourself in the position to live the ‘Good Life’ I’m ending here with “I Fell You” Thanks for putting it out there-well said.
Rudi Rogers still serving {U.S Army} started 14 March 1979 to present.
rudolph.rogers@us.army.mil
rudolph
a word of caution here….we can look back with “nostalgia”
but the world has moved on…
I did my time also in BRITISH AIR FORCE now retired…
GUYANA must move forward and change must come from within …of course influenced by people like us…(OUTSIDERS) and we should not have the right to VOTE unless we are DOMICILED in GUYANA
and paying our TAXES….my political convictions are “THATCHERITE”…and she was also a trade unionist !
kamptan
Well done! I missed the old British Guiana. I left before my country gained their independence and change it’s name to Guyana. I have visited after it’s independence and was sadden to see the division of races. When I was a child, everyone was either Mr, Mrs, or aunts and uncles. I had do many aunts and uncles that I did not know the real relatives from the neighbours. I truly miss the food, greens, fruits and vegetables. Also, regardless of your race, we all cooked each other types of good. Like everyone else, I also left British Guiana for a better life, and, I must admit, it is better for me. However, I wish that I could afford to make more visits back “home”, as there are so many things I miss. I am retired now and presently live in Las Vegas, Nevada. I do enjoy reading everyone’s comments, and I am proud to learn that we all share true love for our country.
Maureen “Mo” Geborde-Knutson
It would be nice to return to Guyana and enjoy what was built for us by the British. Although our culture is mainly African, Asian Indian, Chinese and European, we sometimes forget this and fall back into what cultural or ethnic group we most likely associate with. I do not think that there is any other group of people that are so ethnically diversified.
We celebrate Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Chinese, Native Indian and European Traditions and Religious Festivals. They were done with lots of tolerance for others. Today in Guyana there is very little tolerance and respect among the various peoples of Guyana.
While growing up in British Guiana during the forty’s, fifty’s, and early sixty’s we all spoke English and were heavily chastised by our parents if we spoke broken English. Today I am embarrassed at the way the new arrivals of Guyanese into the U.S and Canada speak. I sometimes don’t understand what they are saying.
There are lots of changes that need to take place in Guyana. Some people there always seem to want handouts. No one in Guyana should go hungry. There are many rivers, creeks and a big ocean full of fish and there is lots of land to plant on. The jungle is full of animals to hunt. As a child I loved going into the country during school break to hunt and fish. I grew up with four brothers and we all had fishing poles made of bamboo, string, and a pin hook. Bait the hook with some worms from the yard and off we went to fish in the Demarara River near the Transport and Harbours Dept wharf.
Forty feet was a reservoir, but lots of us used it for swimming and fishing.
Guyanese wake up and smell the roses. It is time to get off your rear end and do what ever it takes to put food in your stomach. Be proud and take no more handouts.
an excellent “wake-up-call”….
hope it happens “sooner than later”
“nostalgic” indeed 1
kamptan
doncomdecastro@yahoo.co.uk
Very interesting.
My. Laurie E. S. Talbot
It’s so true of many Guyanese has came abroad and has lost their roots thinking it’s a better way out but, wrong, America is no longer paved with Gold and as a born Guyanese who came to the Americas in my teens has never forgot my country and would give back to my country more exceedingly one God permits my life to go on. My area of interests are to help enhance the younger population in Guyana through Higher Education, Continuing Education by having to open 1 or more schools enhancing Growth, Empowerment, Motivation for our upcoming generations who would take our place as we pass on in life’s journey. So far I have never lost my Culture and have also instilled my culture towards my children though they were not born in Guyana, they will remember their Roots rather than be a lost individual for example Pocchantis? Who was a lost American Indian who became lost in England. No I have great memories of my country. I have learned a great deal regarding the values of education and other significant things in life which have honed me as an individual who is a change agent with a belief in Life Long Learning. Peace and Blessing
I left Guyana in the mid 60′s before its Independence. I returned for the first time 27 years later for a visit and was shocked at the adverse changes in Georgetown: the buildings in disrepair, the shanty towns, the dirty streets and stagnant water covered with weeds on Camp Street, Kingston. That Avenue used to be so beautiful with its magnificent flamboyant trees.
The stores replacing Bookers and Fogarty’s were great disappointments, as were the Botanic Gardens and Seawalls. What happened to the Garden City I remembered? I did see, with some hope, signs of economic recovery and improvement. I loved the bridge over the Demerara river connecting Georgetown and Vreed-en-Hoop that cut down so much on travel time to Canal #2 and Parika. But lots more work is needed on the infrastructure, the road to Linden.
I took a tour of Kaiteur Falls (I hate flying in a small plane) but that’s not what made it a miserable trip. I couldn’t believe the condition of the “resort area” designated for our luncheon. I chose to eat in the plane – need I say anymore? But after all these years I still think of Guyana as home.
patricia
a very truthful and honest comment …. hope GUYANA listens
as I did experience the “desire for change” in my last visit
in april.
Change must come from within influence by people like us….
kamptan
any relations to Ronnie Persaud, Missisagua Ontario?
please share this web site: http://www.sportsdevotion.com devoted for Guyanese sports fans.
2010/05/15 at 7:07 pm
I enjoy reading Guyanese Online immensely. Too bad I am 87 years old. I would have enjoyed returning home (Fyrish Village, East Coast Berbice, Corentyne, British Guiana–still BG to me– and start a construction company building affordable homes for the poor population of Berbice County and giving them low cost mortgages.
I have written a book “Across Three Continents.” In it you would find a lot of information about our ancestors who came to B.G. as indentured servants.
Keep up the good work, Guyanese Online.
How can I purchase a copy of this book?
Joseph Persaud says:
The cost of my books are as follows:
“Across Three Continents: An Indo-Guianese family Experience”–$16.95
“Florence and Adam: A Love Story”–$14.95
“Beguiled, Again”–$14.95
As a Christmas promotion, you can purchase any of them @ $10.00 each.
Joe Persaud.
jspersd@juno.com
Could you please tell me where I may purchase your book as I am interested in reading about the indentured servants.
I will try to contact Joseph Persaud so that he can address your questions regarding his book.
Cyril Bryan
Joseph Persaud says:
The cost of my books are as follows:
“Across Three Continents: An Indo-Guianese family Experience”–$16.95
“Florence and Adam: A Love Story”–$14.95
“Beguiled, Again”–$14.95
As a Christmas promotion, you can purchase any of them @ $10.00 each.
Joe Persaud.
jspersd@juno.com
joseph
even at 87 it is “never too late” …I am 68 and am considering returning to GUYANA as am now retired with plenty of time on my hands…yes have also written a book…titled “HOOKERS”…
GUYANA needs change and our influence for change will
certainly go a long way in “influencing” the change that is neccessary…GUYANA will change and the change will come from within influenced by people like us…as sure as night follows day !
kamptan
Cyril..
Thanks much for posting Dave’s “almost eulogy”
it’s encouraging and flattering when you get such good words particularly from a well admired peer.
Your work is also excellent and necesssary..
keep it up man
well, at least he publish it before I dead.
Dear Joseph Persaud:
I just finished reading your book and found it most interesting particularly the immigration information as my grandfather could not tell me where his parents came from in India. We are from Canal #1, W.B.D.
Pat Persaud
MI Love Guyana Bi Cyril
This is all new to me. I recently became acquainted with Cyril after pretty much chastizing the contribution he made on our QC Alumni forum on Yahoo.com. Decided to take some time off to investigate this site which he posted today, to acclimatize myself with the goings on regarding Guyana and Guyanese living abroad. Fascinating to embrace this virtual community whilst life as we know it continues striving in a parallel dimension. I love Guyana bad bad and contrary to what someone posted here I believe in the power of the identity of broken English. It’s what makes us unique and not puppets of the colonists. It of course helps to know any European language in a grammatically correct format. Not much to say. I’ve just been out of Guyana for about 20 years. Been back to Guyana 3 times since and only learned to appreciate it last Xmas. I’ll be reading and absorbing and contributing where necessary for the maintainence and continuation of this Guyanese experience. Yawl be blessed and keep yuh head up. Nuff nuff gyaf fuh come. One love, Andy
Andy
I detect a bit of “rebel” in your comments above..
I usually thank my “contributors” for their “disagreement”
rather than their “agreement”…I am neither PASTOR (shepard) or “sheep” (goat) but very politically aware…GUYANESE 100%
feel free to e mail me at anytime as i usually respond to every e mail I receive…all be it eventually…
I have just returned from a flying visit end April and have
enjoyed many “spins” on Guyanese on line…thanks to Cyril we have a forum for change !
VIVA GUYANA VIVA GUYANESE wherever they are…
nice read
kamptan
When is that CBS video boosting Guyana will be on TV. Anyway, I enjoyed it. Like many of us, I too left Guyana very early in age – approximately 36 years and just this year, 2010 I have come to enjoy my homeland. So far I have been back there three times this year and might be going back for a 4th. For the 1st time I was really getting to know Guyana and there is alot there for us. Unfortunately, Guyana needs help – help with the water, sewer and road systems – Guyana would be so much better. Starting with the water and sewer 1st.
As stated, so are so many of us have left and never looked back and that is a major obstacle for our beautiful country. We lived abroad and building out lives, not realizing that people, places and lives change. Look what is happening in this Great USA. No one could have imagined.
Yes, many have taken the opportunity for a betterment of life for ourselves and families, but then we pencil in being busy and have no time for other things and then we forget.
However, I believe it is never too late for anything. Whether, we the babyboomers are around or not, to see the growth and change for a better Guyana, all we can do is to encourage the next generation to. Once we believe in our hearts that it can be done, it can be done. We just have to trust that their hearts do speak, which will eventually cause them to do the right thing.
a very “moving” observation CJ Miller…
I listen to my heart and mind and then decide with “both”…
GUYANA is our first love and hopefully GUYANA will be our last…
forever the optimist
kamptan…I respond to every e mail I receive…all be it eventually. feel free to e mail me…thanks for your contribution above. Cyril deserves every credit for such a wonderful forum!
Guyana has so much to see and enjoy that it is just a wast of time languishing under the negative aspects of its many situtations.
Guyanese have such a great sense of humor, we have the ability to make the worst situtation seem funny,even bearable. “We dont tek on” too much. Perhaps it is for this very reason that we leave these wonderful shores. A good friend of mine used to put it aptly, “Guyana is a nation intransit”. If the new wave of Guyanese can “Hold Strain” for a bit longer I truly believe that we will turn the corner and behold a place far greater than what we left/inherited. 44 years is hardly any time for a nation who has had our political experience to transend. We are getting there albeit slowly and maybe this is a good thing as we will be able to make better judgements. Guyanese are seperated by different cultures and religions and are naturally more comfortable with “We own” Once we learn how to accept this and not take it personally we will transend what we call racial barriers. Beautiful waterfals,rivers, flora and fauna does not make a country. Some of the most troubled spots on this planet are among the most stunning but ultimately is “we de peple who gat to mek de difference”.
O boy. Just found out about this site. I love it. No one can drag me away now.
Hi Cyril:
Again a giant thank you for the excitement your elicit from our heart when I read everything about our fellow Guyanese. My son Sanjay Gupta,shortly after an extensive trip to S.Africa, India, U.S.A and Canada,went to Guyana.
He was thrilled to see and to understand the potential wealth of Guyana. His pictures taken,of the lively people,the market places,wedding-day festivities,their struggles,and some interior mineral exploration sights, tell volumes of ‘The Dear Land of Guyana’.Some of these pictures will certainly be used to promote interest in Guyana. May all Guyanese take an active role to something noble for this enchanting country .
Hi Kamala:
Thank you for your comments.
We would be pleased to feature some of your Guyana pictures on our Blog.
Please feel free to submit them to us at your convenience.
A Happy New Year to you and all your family.
Cheers
Cyril
WELL THIS IS MY FIRST VISIT TO THIS SITE AND I SEE ALL THE BLOGGERS WOULD BE KEEN ON VISITING GOOD OLE GUYANA.
SO WHEN NEXT IN GT DO COME VISIT US AND ENJOY SOME GREAT GUYANESE FOOD.
FOR THOSE WHO LEFT GUYANA A LONG TIME AGO, JERRIES NOW FUNCTIONS WITHIN THE TROPICANA BUILDING IN FRONT THE PARADE GROUND ON WATERLOO STREET
ALL FOR NOW,
jerry
http://www.jerriesguyana.com
http://www.newtropicanahotel.com
Hello
I left Guyana in the early 60s and have never been back. I grew up in the East End of London and am working as an IT Manager in the City of London.
A couple of years ago I was on a contract in Curacao for an investment company and planned to visit Guyana. However I was informed that a guarantee could not be given for the connection from Trinidad so I did not go. What a shame.
I left British Guiana in 1966, two weeks after Indeplendence. I have returned home three times since. Once for my brother-in-law’s funeral Anthony Phillipe in 1976. I later returned for my brother’s funeral, he was Claude V. Worrell, Sr. a Criminal Lawyer in Los Angeles and was Consul for Guyana in California. He moved to Washington DC and was named Sr. Political Counselor and was a frie3nd of Burnham. He was replaced by my younger brother Joseph D’Oliveira who took the post as Consul for Guyana in California.I went back in 1995 for my nephew’s funeral, my sister Waveney Phillipe. The last time I was there was to assist her after having heart surgery while visiting her daughter in Alabama.
I went to Kaiteur and was so embarrased with the condition of the latrines there. We took a tour of the rain forest and then to the Beautiful Kaiteur Fall. I walked all the way to the top. I was on Water Street “inside a taxi” when someone stuck his hand through the taxi window and ripped the chain off my neck. I was surprised at how people lived and the conditions of the place. Fogarty and Bookers who I used to work for had changed. The homes left empty and in need of repair. I remember when Bel Air Park uses to be the richest city, my sister lives there. Donkey carts going down the street. I even saw a very large cow go down her street every day. People selling food, hand made items everywhere and oh how Main Street changed.
I had two children at the Georgetown Hospital. Almost every building or house needs paint but no only most of the Government buildings looked good and they still have the Parlament Building. The seawall we used to visit a couple of times a week especially on week-ends, the kite flying. My cousin used to make box kites and take them there tested them before he sold them. People have to barricade their homes from thieves and live in jails.
I have lived in the U.S. since 1966 and when I was there I could not find any of my friends. My girlfriend was a Kirton and there were many others. Some have moved to Canada and New York, but there is no place like home My Guyana.
Anyone reading this can reach me at e-mail – pame940@sbcglobal.net or facebook. I attended St Joseph, St Winefred, Carmel R.C. and Prestonville Commercial College (known as Ms. Osborne.
Happy New Year ya all.
Hello Ms. Gonsalves I am aware where you are coming from with the snatching of your Gold Chain in Guyana. But, don’t get me wrong every country has crimes, thief and GHETTO areas. London, America, Toronto and all over the world. This is a World Crisis so please do not BASH on Guyana. Once there is an Economic Crisis all of the above are liable to happen. You are not safe anywhere, you just have to Pray and God’s Angel will protect you but, remember to be Wise as an Owl and choose your Battle Ground and keep your Antennas up at all times. God helps you but you also have to help yourself, come on girl Self-Defense or the Law.
enjoyed that bit of advice tremendously…
I sometimes pray to “god” but if things dont change
I then pray to the devil…
I WORSHIP NEITHER !
VIV la VIDA
kamptan
Greetings My Guyanese Sisters & Brothers>>>>>>>>>
I was born in Guyana June 1952and came to London to meet my parents with my two sisters in August 1965. I returned to Guyana in 15 yrs later with my daughter and other members of our family. We all had a good time. I/we then returned four more times until 1999 when I took my retired father home. He left us in 1955 to travel to the UK ‘for a better life’!!!
Anyway since 1999 I have returned twice a year to see my father whom I let with my sister who returned to Guyana from the UK as soon as she was able. She has been ‘back’ 16 years and has never wanted to return to live in the UK. Yes life is sometimes difficult, but tell me where in the world’there is NO strife’. Anyway, as I say, I returned twice a year with either my son, grand son, partner and sometimes 10 or 15 members of our family. My grandson, when asked says he is Guyanaese and he knows more about Guyana that I do, as he often does a project for school on different aspects of Guyana. My two daughters and two sons love Guyana. We have built a house off the Linden Highway and when we go there, it is sooooo peaceful and we have the time to ‘recharge our batteries’. We do not go there to ‘show off’ but to appreciate what Guyana has to offer.
Yes Guyana has changed since I last left it and it is not as I had explined to my children, however, they could see beyond the ‘negatives’ that are often associated with Guyana and Guyanese. You see we forget that in the West, we suffer ALL the ill that I hear ‘the visitors’complaining about in the UK, USA, Canada, Barbados, T&T etc. I have traveled to Egypt, France and other European countries and Africa and EVERYONE is complaining.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My father died recently, but everytime I go to Guyana and ask him if he wants to return to the UK he said NO and wished he had listened to me eariler and returned home years earlier.
So what I want to say to all you Guyanaese’outside’ go home if you can with an open mind even for two weeks. I know it is expensive, but I am sure you spend the fare equivalent over the year on things you neither need or wanted. So stop knocking Guyana unless you are living a honest, secure, healthy and fulfiled life where you are.
I LOVE Guyana and even though I had a short stay over Christmas due to the snow in UK and USA, I am planning my next trip. Hope to see you there. Best wishes to you all.xx
dear amd
my next trip is in december-january on my way to BRAZIL BOA vista
AND CARACAS….
WOULD LOVE TO HOOK UP so please stay in touch…
doncomdecastro@yahoo.co.uk
kamptan (compton) de castro world traveller
I am trying to locate two sisters Mignon and Lynn Kirton from West Ruimveldt, also a brother Monty/Montague he used to lift weights. and he left in the late fifties or early sisties for England. Anyone knowing their whereabouts can contact me. … pame940@sbcglobal.net
I recently visited Guyana with my daughter (who has never been) after leaving the country in 1964. I went back to where I last lived and received a culture shock. Not only was the apartment boarded up, part of the staircase was missing, the occupant of the above apartment looked over her platform and asked ‘are you the new landlord’ I told her we were not, she was disappointed as she said since the person purchased the property he has not done any repairs to it, I felt as if her apartment will collapse. I was appalled at the disrepair of houses. Re some comments on Fogarty and Bookers – as a child I do remember it to be the highlight of going to town. It was such a superb beautiful and enjoyable place to be especially at Christmas. However, I was amazed at the new developments. I wish I could bring back the wonderful time since my birth 1946 to the time I left 1964 but it is lost and if you try to imagine it again, it is only fogged up with the trash, animals wandering around, all the beautiful lilly ponds replaced with junk and garbage and people living squalidly. My old school, Bedford Methodist School in total shambles, my still on-going Central High School has somewhat deteriorated as well as the surrounding area. What has happened to Guyana? If anyone reading this and remember me from both schools when my name was Bibi Alli and my family called me Zell, please get in touch. I went to my best friend’s home in 61 Cummings Street, Albertown, but that house is no longer there. Where did they go? Their name is Sue-Ling and my friend’s name is Rosemary.
My e-mail is :Bibi_chapman@yahoo.com
My former name was Bibi Alli.
I just posted a mail, if you wish to reach me anyone who knows me from 24 Agricola Village, EBD, and I referenced the schools in my blog, please send me an e-mail to: Bibi_chapman@yahoo.com
Thanks.
to guyaneseonline@gmail.com
date Mon, Mar 7, 2011 at 5:08 PM
subject Thank you!!
Dear Cyril,
I left Guyana in 1967, and never did I keep in touch with what is going on in Guyana like now, since I requested your newsletter. Bravo!! You are doing a great service to your fellow countryman and for this I want to say a big “Thank You.”
I guess I am at an age with a little more time on hand, hence, can spend more time on the computer. I really, really do enjoy reading your articles and can’t wait to see what is in my mailbox when I wake up in the morning–you make my day.!
I feel pride when I see the progress made in Guyana and only wish the Guyanese people the very best life has to offer. I wish you all the best as you continue to serve your fellow patriots. You are doing a great job and we love you for that.
Wishing you a blessed day and God’s speed.
Yours Truly
Sylvie Kierstead (DaCosta)
Hello Sylvie:
Thank you for your e-mail and your kind words of encouragement.
I left Guyana in 1966, and I do know your feelings regarding the sense of loss one feels at sometimes in relation to the country of our birth. It was for this reason that I decided to share my research and readings regarding Guyana and other subjects with others.
I my glad that the Blog website as well as the newsletters have been well received by thousands of Guyanese and their friends around the world. It is indeed hard work but I get my satisfaction through knowing that my work is appreciated.
Thanks for your thanks!
Cheers
Cyril
Cyril
great work … I will ask HRH QE2 to knight you in this her JUBILEE year…
SIR CYRIL BRYAN….hey we have to keep her busy !
We can then replace Queen Victoria (first to free slaves)
with a statue of SIR CYRIL BRYAN in front of the LAW COURTS !
Our history is in the making my brother …
HISTORY is being re-written today….
I used to say “history was written by the victors”
I now say “history was written by the “victims”
Now history is written by “visionaries”..like ourselves…
congratulations to you and your bloggers…
kamptan
My fellow Guyanese, after publishing my blog on February 16, 2011 – re my visit last year 2011 with my daughter to Guyana, I have some wonderful and great news to report, the long-lost friend Rosemary Sueling’s cousin who is a regular visitor to this site read my request in seeking the whereabouts of Rosemary Sueling and responded immediately, copying her mail to Rosemary and I am so delighted and privileged to be attending Rosemary’s 65th birthday and reunion party at the end of July in Canada where she lives with her family.
The opportunity that Cyril has created for us to reach the unreachable proves the most important and hard work that has been put into this newsletter and I would like to thank you and your readers immensely for the wonderful contribution and results that this newsletter generates. Thank you Cyril. May God bless you and for Guyana to flourish. My desire is to once more return with my son as he needs to see his roots too.
Hello Bibi: I am glad that the Guyanese Online was able to help you to find your friend Rosemary Sueling. It is my pleasure to be of service to you and all Guyanese in the Diaspora in re-connecting with our long-lost family and friends and the beauty of our wonderful country – Guyana. Regards.. Cyril
bibi and cyril
I salute you both ! in GREATEST RESPECT ..
your exchanges “moves mountains” wonderful to read…
thank you both for the inspiration GUYANA needs.
kamptan
Keep up the good works Cyril, I will always be a proud Guyanese.
I am roped and hog tied here in Canada but would love to return as soon as I can.
I usually visit Guyana twice a year. I am looking for potential business opportunities so that I can visit more often.
There is simply no place like HOME
nizam
“business opportunities” abound in GUYANA ..
my brother RUPERT DE CASTRO arrived in CANADA in 1963
penniless … today he just gives free advice to anyone who has the desire for wealth creation..HE MADE IT “moneywise”..
yes in real-estate…feel free to contact him or me if you wish !
kamptan (compton de castro) doncomdecastro@yahoo.co.uk
Great Job Cyril
I wish others thought about their Native Land in a positive way as you, myself and others think of our country. I would never lower my talks about my country or bring it down such as others who came abroad and forget where they have came from. Culture is great but, it can ruin a nation. That is for others who hypothetical wanna be, as per say, so called foreigners. You are most likely to be SUCCESSFUL when you are YOURSELF!
mrs joseph
excellent synopsis … I try to remain “positive” on GUYANA
sometimes even considering myself an “alien” but it is people like us who can “influence” change in DE FATHERLAND but the
change will have to come from “inside” GUYANA.
what happens in the ROW (rest of world) will influence the neccessary change but “interferance from outside” can also
distort the change that is neccessary….GUYANA is in its embryonic stage of development so change must be
evolutionary…not revolutionary !
Change peacefully…
enjoyed your comments
kamptan
966 Jazz,is a historic Jazz venue in the Republic of Brooklyn,that continues to promote and promulgate the Jazz tradition,on the 22nd MAY,it will come alive with the music of Maxie Gouevia ,some renditions of Karibbean Jazz,known in Guyana as Kreolic,will fill the air.On Piano will be Frankie Mc Intosh,known as the maestro,Mr Jeff Grannum on Alto Sax and Rashid Thorne on drums,Menes De Griot and the Shanto Family on hand drums and percussions.Poetry,masqurade dance,storytellin,hip hop,and more.Bring the family,walk with your drums and shac shac,and be part of the drum circle,call a friend and make it a date.
Celebrate Guyana 45TH Indepedence with Shanto and friends,on 22nd May 2011,966 Fulton st,bt,St James and Grand.
Well it nice reading about people relocating their lost friends. I am tryin to contact one Andrew Lloyd Hansraj that used to live in Spring Garden Essequibo. Anyone with information please email me at : sweetguy20072000@yahoo.com
Thank you for creating this site, it is much needed to keep our culture alive. I am 2nd generation Guyanese (born in the US). As a younger person with an interest in learning more about our history and culture I genuinely appreciate your efforts! I started an online community to help Guyanese and other South Asian (Indian origin) women plan their weddings, so they can talk with one another and share info. Please visit if you have a chance, and share my website with anyone you know who may be interested in joining: http://www.desibridemagazine.com. I will help spread the word about your site also! Thank you, Saniya.
i heard that there was a lot of tropical forests is that true???< Jade
Yes.. Guyana has tropical forests… Cyril
I am from the fourth generation – grew up in the 80. Love the history of Guyana. I migrated in my mid 20s. I have a lot of problems about how the Government is running the country after living in the most advanced country in the world it makes me realise that Guyana is so far behind. I rather Guyana was still under the British, where law and order of the government and citizens in placed first.
There are so much proverty in both the urban and rural areas. I had the opportunity to visit some small villages. My heart hurt and I walked with tears in my eyes. No education!!! So uncilivised. The poor people have huge hearts. I am praying for Guyana strongly. My heart goes out to the new generation of today. Guyana is so broken and may never be fixed in this life time. I am ashamed to take my friends back to visit the country I called home. Not much to see or learn from.
The few things that bring joy to my heart are the beautiful sunsets, the full moon, the dark starry nites, warm breeze and all the beautiful flowers that bloom. I guess mother nature is not controled by any one. That is priceless to me.
Hello all,
I especially want to let Mrs. Joseph know that I am not bashing GUYANA cause it is my birth home. I was just making a statement about what happened. I left Guyana to come to the US to further my education which did not happen as I wanted. I had a good life in Guyana but could not live there for anything now. I went back home five times and the last time was to assist my sister who had heart surgery here in the States and could not travel alone.
I went to the rain forest and Kaiteur Falls which I had never seen and enjoyed myself emencelly but would not do it again because I do not like small planes. I would rather do other sightseeing areas. My sister and daughter still live there and my brother visits two to three times a year. I have been in the US for 45 years. I have a lot of relatives in Canada and have been there about four times.
Cyril, I enjoy reading your newsletter, keep up the good work, stay healthy and God Bless.
No one really cares about any one private lives. I think when some one speak about hand outs that really depends on who you talking about. We are the ones who really make believes that living abroad is easy. I witnessed to a lot of stupidity in the past. Giving uneducated people the wrong impressions. So when some one look forward for handout it’s because of your own impression. Needless to say they brag and boast of their life overseas. Just not to think they make a couple hundred dollars per week.
I see my Aunt Pam has posted about Guyana. My name is Charlotte Worrell, I don’t remember much about Guyana – as the last time I was there was for my father, Claude Worrell’s funeral. I’m seeking any information/stories about Claude Vibart Worrell and his family. If anyone has any to tell – I’m listening!
Guyana – at times my ‘home’ country makes me proud other times it is not something I cared to share with others.
When we arrived in Canada in the early 80′s for a better life … things as I remember them in Guyana were the best for me as a child … now I cannot fathom ever living there again.
My parents traveled back and forth to Guyana yearly and the stories there always coming back with are the same-”money talks – US $$$” even more so than before … this is what the people want and will do anything to get.
We now have in Guyana anything you desire/need and want as we can in Canada today 2011 – Guyana have everything. Not like in the 70′s when what was an apple or piece of chocolate. These items were unheard of unless someone is visiting from ‘outside’.
So, regardless of stories / suffering / politics etc … the bottom line is that my generation will not be able to survive in Guyana today. Regardless we can visit and treasure the full moon / starry nights / sunsets and sunrises as someone mentioned in his email above.
Today Guyana is not a country that my child i know for fact will be able to survive in – this North American attitude and lifestyle is very hard and difficult to forsake for kids these days.
That is all I wanting to share, some thoughts and feelings as a Guyanese growing old in North America/ Canada and seeing how the ‘WE OWE THEM’ generation is excepting everything from their parents old or young today.
J.
Mother nature is a blessing!!! the beauty of a full moon or rising of the sun or a golden sunset is beyond one’s imigination. The real North Americans travells as far to see something so beautiful. Because of where the advance people go to study the dark starry nights etc. we can all be educated by what they discovered and put it into hard copies, movies etc. when someone says ” oh my child cannot go back to Guyana to live” is so narrow minded. What if he or she commits a crime and the court system believes that, the person should not live in their country anymore and sent them back to their country respectively I wonder if they have a choice ??? most of all I saw that happen over and over. Where people says oh I or my kids cannot go back to guyana to live and guess what they are there. One never knows. Be smart the the unreal can become REAL!!!!
In regards to people who think that they cannot survive in another county or their child cannot survive they need to think out side the box. The facts are every one who migrated to another country has the same dreams and goals. For a better life for the future generation.
It is needless to say how stupidity play out in one mind by saying my child cannot live in another country espically where their true roots are planted. People have this thing in their head ” I cannot go back to live” . I have a really touching story to share. I was vacationing in Barbados where I met a retired Judge who left her native country, the great America, and choose to gain residence in Barbados and so proud to say its was blessing. I had a long interesting conversation and was so eager to see Guyana. Interestingly enough we made friends quickly. The following year she and I met in Guyana for a short stay. Well amazingly How God works. That lady was so proud of the people she met on her visit. And had many good reasons to be proud of.
It did not end there …She belongs to a ministry group and introduced many more American/ North American (or the real north Americans) to visit Guyana. It was beyond how they felt by just watching the sun setting over the river from their hotel balcony. The true North Americans are gracious, understanding and kind people who do no take life for granted and be more grateful for what life has to offer or thrown at them.
One thing should be clear as of who call themselves North Americans. A child parents must be born in North America and that child is a North American from a Guyanese back ground. Some people are very confused and called themselves what they think they are but are really not. Its like an Italian born American, their grand parents came from Italy. So people do not forget, read up on history be smart educate yourself .
I’m very glad I was introduced to this site. I enjoyed reading all the comments. I’m Guyanese and left my country in May 1972 to work in Zambia, Africa. I visited Guyana several times, my last visit being 1996. I enjoyed all my visits. I have been residing in Canada for 30 years. I lived and worked both in Georgetown and Mackenzie. I travelled to Georgetown quite frequently to visit my Mom and always booked my ride with “CHARLIE BROOKER”. He was very popular and many people used his transport from Mac City to GT and back. It would be appreciated if anyone reading this can help me to make contact. My e-mail is jfoster37gaskin@gmail.com
Hello Cyril,
Good work here – congratulations! I tried to send my reactions to the article on Ms.Holder’s condition and the urgent need there is for treatment, not being fully acquainted with these electronic gadgets I am not sure that it has reached its intended destination, but my prayer is that GOD continues to guide, guard and prompt all those who are involved in this recovery mission as HE feels fit.
This is an honest, apolitical position – one human being expressing caring for another.
With every good wish,
Yours,
Maude.
Dear Cy,
Your entries keep getting better and better with each publication. Keep your unique masterpiece going.
Your Blog is a gem of rare quality among blogs I have seen and read. Congratulations and Best Wishes.
Ram Tiwari.
Hello Ram:
Thank you for your compliments.
I am glad that my work is appreciated.
All the best to you as well!
Kindest regards
Cyril
People complaining of how bad Guyana is. You ALL have family there, how are they bringing up their children and grand children both females and males? How are your fathers, brothers and uncles treat the women in their household and the general community? Why is your sister, niece, granddaughter feel that it is ok to dress and behave like women who have NO RESPECT for themselves and those around them?
Why do ‘they’ feel that they can liter the street AND complain how the streets are dirty? How can you not upkeep your house but complain that is has not stairs or windows?
Why are you sending money to ‘the family’ when YOU KNOW that they are misusing it? I can go on…………………… Don’t lay the blame at the Government’s door, we the Guyanese people ALLOW these immoral behaviors to continue by colluding with ‘the family’ and their unacceptable (slack/ worthless) behavior.
Right now in Guyana, they are many hard working people who are making a living legally but they get PUSHED about by “the BOYS” who are purely greedy and want to amass money ‘by any means necessary’…..
Guyana is a beautiful and wealthy country who needs honest people to develop it worth. It is happening, s l o w l y, but change is going to come because ‘the man outside the country’ is waiting to swoop and take control, then we will have something else to complain about.
Money is in Guyana, see ALL those newly built houses along the highway. Also you should take a detour in some of those villages and you will be surprise how many houses are being built NOT only be returnees but Guyanese who have never left the country.
Go visit Guyana, no it is NOT the same as you left it, if it was you would complain also, go see with different eyes. Go visit as a project and return to your home with additional information that leaves you inspired. You can. Yes you can.
Be good to yourself and ask you people in Guyana to DO THEIR BIT TO MAKE GUYANA A PLACE WE all CAN BE PROUD OF.. I cannot wait for my next visit in four months and appreciate what it have to offer before returning to the West and All IT HAVE TO OFFER!!!!!
Guyana for EVER.
AMD….
very positive input indeed…more please…
kamptan
Hi Bibi,
I was reading your blog and you mentioned you used to live in Agricola Village.
My name is Joan Persaud nee Baharally I also used to live at 26 Public Road
Agriola Village.EBD.
I now live in Calgary Alberta, My uncle used to own Sonny’s Shop.
My email address is joanpersaud@hotmail.com
Take care.
Hello:
I recently set myself up to receive the guyaneseonline updates. As a Guyanese living abroad I find it very informative and a means of keeping up-to-date on the current affairs in Guyana. Thanks for initiating this venture, very good job and keep it up.
Desiree Price
Hello Desiree:
Thank you for joining as a subscriber so that you get everything we send out. As you know, the newsletter is published monthly around the third week. It was put on the blog today, so you should get it.
Kindest regards
Cyril
I would like to get in contact with Cyril Bryan
Hello Armond:
You could write me at guyaneseonline@gmail.com or cybryan@gmail.com
In the meantime I sent you an e-mail from cybryan@gmail.com
Regards
Cyril
Great work.
Hi Cyril,
Seasons Greetings to you, hope you were able to enjoy some ‘jinja beer’ or mauby! This is the first time I’ve seen this blog and I enjoyed reading all the comments. I recently befriended Joe Persaud who was kind enough to post all of his wonderful books all the way to me in Australia so I could enjoy them. I especially recommend ‘Across Three Continents’ if you are interested in the history of the indentured labourers from India.
My memoir titled ‘Walk Wit’ Me…All Ova Guyana was published this month by Balboapress.com, also found on Amazon.com, it’s an account of the first twenty-one years of my life growing up in Guyana (from 1947-68) and includes the preservation of our vernacular. I was Helena DaSilva before I married a Martin. Nuff laughs and a worthwhile trip down memory lane!
Keep up the wonderful work Cyril and thanks for allowing me to tell my fellow Guyanese about my book.
Cheers and all the very best for 2012
Helena Martin (DaSilva)
Hello Helena:
Thanks for your e-mail and the info on your book. Please send me some more info on it and where it could be bought so I could include it in the January 2012 Newsletter. regards, Cyril
Hello,
I came across your site before and though I would check it out and I finally and am now following it, I have some questions to ask about a few things, is there a way I may do so without my words being published on the site?
Hello Samuel:
You could contact me personally by sending your e-mail to guyaneseonline@gmail.com or cybryan@gmail.com
Your private e-mail to me will NOT be published.
Regards
Cy
GUYANA- THE BEST AND CHEAPEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD TO LIVE
MY GUYANA
(Part I)
The land of many waters is my forever Guyana
Sandwiched between Brazil and Venezuela
Also called the land of six peoples
Although some behave like weevils
Including the Blacks and Indians
And our neglected Amerindians
We live on the flat coastlands
From Point Playa to Springlands
Mesmerized by racial politics
Still using the race card tricks
It appears as if we’re bloody cursed
With some of us stuck in reverse
Just to stay sober and keep alive
Whilst some are in forward drive
Some myopic and so stubborn
Some hope for newborn morn
My Guyana is Raleigh, Sir Walter
The fearless Elizabethan explorer
He sailed up the Orinoco
Hoping to find El Dorado
Around campfires his saga is told
How he came looking for our gold
Dr.Walter Rodney is in My Guyana
The stalwart historian, and teacher
He cleansed their eyes of many from boo-boo
And on Bent Street he met his tragic Waterloo
My Guyana is Cheddi Jagan
Who showed the world he can
After 28 years in theopposition
To the infamous Machiavellian
He found peace and sanity
And brought back democracy
Eventually we got independence
After bitter struggle so immense
With Forbes Burnham the dictator
Who became misguided later
But I’m thankful to that Kabaka
When I couldn’t take the pressure
I left Guyana and came to the USA
And then later settled in Canada
(To be continued)
(225words,46lines)
MY GUYANA
(PartII)
My Guyana is cricket also man!
With Basil Butcher and Soloman
The star batsmen from Berbice
When Guyana was at real peace
Rohan Kanhai in cricket held the spot
With his famous falling hook shot
Who sometimes unfortunately ran out of luck
An overnight’s batsman got bowled for a duck
This wasn’t for his fans a very good scene
Much to the chagrin of the whole Corentyne
My Guyana is Ted Braithwaite as a teacher
With his novel, To Sir with Love as a writer
Sydney Poiter’s portrayal of kids bad and loud
Ted’s English experience made us very proud
It also includes JWChinapen teacher and artist
His Albion Wilds at that time ‘twas the best
And not forgetting the late great dynamic
Revealing to us of politicians so slick
He turned the darkness into light
Martin Carter’s poems were right
With his Poems of Resistance so powerful
Uniting a people and making it so crystal
Who literally planted the struggle and need
To fight bad politics, racialism and greed
My Guyana is honored to have great boons
The likes of the lordly Cedric Vernon Nunes
And the wisdom of the late J R Butchey
Teacher and councilor with humility
Philip Moore our famous artist
His art was on all visitor’s list
With his art and sculpture so unique
Making Guyana reached its peak
What would Guyana be great Scot
Without Stalwarts like Derek Walcot
The Daybydeens, Bhagwandin a fine man
Indomitable A J Seymour, Clem Seecharan
Nesbit Changur country western singer
Whose Tain the Beginning a bestseller
Made us laugh and cry some in shock
That we’re alive through all that havoc
(276 words, 46 lines)
(To be continued)
I have been surfing online greater than 3 hours as of late, but I never discovered any attention-grabbing articles like those on your site. It’s beautiful value enough for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made excellent content material as you did, the internet might be a lot more helpful than ever before.
MY GUYANA
(PartIII)
So when you are being political
Sowing seeds of distrust so hateful
Joining the highbrows helping
To divide us and keep on ruling
Know ye well! fellow man we are
Good peoples we don’t think of war
Living in small towns and tiny villages
Enjoying the same salty sea breezes
Once never divided living like chums
Not by race or politics or bully hoodlums
My Guyana is for all the six major races
The Amerindians who made the first traces
The sons and daughters of the blacks
Who came after camouflaged attacks
Of the slaves uprooted from Africa
To build the plantations of the bakrah
And the East Indians shipped from India
These are the people who made Guyana
These coolies really deserve our cheers
What it is today built by these pioneers
And they all have a democratic right
To govern peacefully in this fight
In my Guyana you positively move forward
Throw off our shackles but keep up our guard
Stop and think not of the race card game
And neither the old ever blame game
About the past we cant do anything
But from it we can learn something
Take the good dump the negative
And move forward think positive
Like when we were British Guiana
When we fought the bad bakrah
We thought bad things would cease
And all the races would live in peace
When all the religions were respected
Not where some men were subjected
When we all used to work together
Played and laughed with one another
And sometimes loved each other
Yes that’s my kind of Guyana
239 words 46 lines
(To be continued)
Dear Cyril,
I tried to contact you under the email guyananeseonline@gmail.com, but it bounced! Is there a different mail address I could use?
Thanks!
Sharon Maas
Sharon Maas:
The guyaneseonline@gmail.com should be OK
You could also contact me at cybryan@gmail.com
Regards
Cyril
poetic indeed …but too sentimental for me !
however 2nostalgic2
kamptan
Thanks, Cyril! I resent the mail to both addresses. The guyaneseonline one bounced again, but the other seems to have gone through OK.
Sharon
Hi Cyril – I was able to read your “blog” today. Having put it aside for many many weeks. It was interesting to read what others had to say. I am searching for a friend of mine, a Patricia Williams (she worked at the Income Tax office). I left Guyana in 1966. We met and then regretfully lost touch of each other.
Thank you to anyone who can help me. My Name was – Jacqueline Williams in those long ago days.
I was born and raised in Guyana. I left Guyana in 1962 and have only gone back 3 times. It has been over 30 years since my last visit. I lived in many states in the United States and currently reside in Las Vegas, Nevada. I am interested in receiving Newletters and other information pertaining to Guyana. Thanks, “Mo”
Hello Maureen:
You have now been added to our main mailing list.
Thanks for your support.We hope you enjoy the newsletters and Blog entries.
Cyril
Hi, My mother left Guyana in the 50′s. She live in 79th village. Do you remember a highschool principal with the name Jane King – that was her maiden name.
I returned to Guyana for a visit for Christmas, December 2011(1st Christmas in 30 years). I stayed for 2 weeks and I had an enjoyable time. I think those who are complaining, are the Guyanese who went with high expectations; you have go with an open mind. Of course nothing stays the same, and times have become tougher all over the world and Guyana is no exception. I see slow progress in a positive direction and the only thing I see that needs immediate attention is the trash around the Beautiful Garden City. I stood and watched workmen clean some up, and within the next five minutes, someone was throwing trash in the same place. They need to arrange and maintain a weekly schedule for removal of trash and residents should be aware.
I have travelled to many countries in the Caribbean, and I must say that there is still no marketplace like Bourda and Stabroek Markets. Fresh vegetation of all kinds, fruits of all kinds, fresh fish and meat. I also enjoyed talking with some of the vendors. coconut water in abundance and the vendors really make you feel welcomed. I enjoyed traveling around in their local transportation and mingling with ‘my fellow Guyanese’. The ‘welcome’ at the airport (masquerade band, steel pan and refreshments) set the tone for the rest of the season.
Early morning jogging in the National Park was something my husband really enjoyed. Dining out to creole foods was different from the American experience at Christmas time. Looking forward to returning for another Christmas in Guyana!!
thelma
interesting and so TRUE !
my experience was similar …
traffic and pedrestians mingling in stabroek market square…
have they never heard of BUS and TAXI terminals…!! situation even worse when the GODS are sitting in parliament !
agree
if ones expectations are too high one becomes disappointed..
my previous stay in GUYANA was third a lifetime ago…30 years!
GT is certainly more populated but like any city a “population” explosion can be disasterous !
I remain optimistic for change in GUYANA as I noticed the “desire” ever present…
forever the optimist and I share your sentimnts
kamptan
doncomdecastro@yahoo.co.uk
I agree with most of the comments & submissions.
We all came out of British Guiana for some reason or the other, but we cannot dwell on the some of the reasons forever. Think of the great times we had during our time back home, because they will never return.
It took me 20 years to return and I was very disappointed when I could not find any of my friends in Kitty. I was able to see a few of my co-workers at water works (GSWC) next to the zoo.
I visited Guyana last October, 2010 and would advise anyone if you return home, visit the Kaieteur Falls and the Interior. Kaieteur is breathtaking, and I was able to jump on top of the first boulder as the water was low.
I was fortunate to visit the entire Courentyne up and down, took the speed boat to Suddie as I was following the 5 stage cycle race, saw a few cyclist like Hassan Mohammed who is now the National Cycling coach, had a few beers like old time.
For those who can remember the old cycling days and the cycling clubs, well I was one of the founder members along with Claude Baptiste from David Street, Kitty to form Kaieteur Cycling Club. We use to promote grass track races in Long Road, was fortunate to be on the Cycle Federation, rode upright races on most of the tracks in Guyana. Some of our members were Kenneth Joseph, Aubrey Gordon, Randolph Toussaint and many more.
I remember the days when Barry Massey & Pirate Alexander were promoting track events, and I was fortunate to see the Late Barry Massey in 1984 @ the Olympic games here in Los Angeles, California. Eon Dornellas was here representing Canada at these games.
Here we now have the North American Guyana Cycling Federation led by Guyanese National champion, Neville Hunte. This organization recently held their 2nd Cycling Reunion Dance in Brooklyn, NY. and I was there and met cyclists who I have not seen for over 30 + years. Aubrey Gordon, Victor Rutherford, Desmond DeCaires, Kenneth Joseph, Bruce Camacho, Stanley Boyce and many more.
If you have family visit them and see the progress in Guyana, including the streets and the sites, some regrets being the sea walls that really need some work.
Miss the good old day, and all my friends from Kitty..
Nehru Sheow
nehru (wonder what your parents had in mind naming you NEHRU
mahatma has a much sweeter message….
hey only joking ! seriously a very nostalgic read indeed
kamptan
doncomdecastro@yahoo.co.uk
I agree with the sentiments of all our Guyanese compatriots who found the time to give expression to their feelings since they left the dear land of Guyana. Some have left in the early 1960′s and others after Independence. We have indeed missed the land of our birth and as the saying goes you can see the light only in one place where you were born, as a baby you opened your eyes to see the light in the land of Guyana. we have all left our homeland for several reasons and because of the courage and determination to live and struggle and to accept life’s challenges we have made it wherever we are today. My last visit to Guyana was in September 2011. I deceded to visit the Essequibo coast for the first time. I was born in Campbellville and grew up there until the age of 19 years when I went to India to study medicine. I love the waterways and the trip to Essequibo. I also visited the homes constructed by the Charity mission Habitat.Guyana will always be with you no matter where you go. Your families and friends do mean a lot to us, but they too have since migrated somewhere. I attended the Campbellville Govt School and later the Guiana Oriental College. My friends are no where to found in Guyana today. My first cousin who attended the Campbellville Govt school is always around to comfort and cheer me up whenever I do visit the country. She is Raj and is in charge of the Sherrif enterprizes on Sherriff street. All our hats off to Cyril for creating this facility for us to blog on as we can still be in touch with our near and dear ones. My e mail is Cyril_balkaran @yahoo.com.Cyril.
cyril
interesting read
stay connected
kamptan
Hi Cyril,
Super job. I only just became aware of this site and I’m wondering if it would be possible to reconnect with some (old) schoolmates. I graduated from BGET (Trust) in 1958 and immediately left for New Amsterdam to work for Royal Bank of Canada. Names that readily come to mind are: Doreen Persaud, Leila Sharma, Indra Singh, Alphonso Cuffy, Lillman Dwarka, Winston & Julian Rhodius to name a few. (note I mentioned the gals first!)
Julian Rodrigues
jrod@gmail.com
julian
I echo your sentiments …and take it further..
GUYANA shows its desire for change and change it must or “DIE”
the change will take some time yet as a minority government
usually takes longer….as PER UKPLC
change will eventually come from WITHIN with outside influences like ours of course…and thanks to cyril for this “forum” for change !
kamptan de castro …feel free to e mail
doncomdecastro@yahoo.co.uk
in andalucia south spain
julian
am in touch with Bryan Rodrigues …maybe u r a relative or from a similar CLAN
kamptan
compton de castro
doncomdecastro@yahoo.co.uk
dear guyanese on line
just returned to UK from a visit to de fatherland via Barbados….
after a 30 year gap.
1. Why no direct flights from GT to UK. ?
2. Why the GUYANA brand name is not being exported. ?
3. Why do I have to buy most products manufactured outside GUYANA ?
feeding others unemployment/economy.
4. “organised chaos” in downtown GT …traffic mixing with pedistrians.
where are the bus taxi mini cab stations/locations.?
5. why export “raw materials/products” when it can be converted to “MADE IN
GUYANA” end product….
6. why are there so many “old fogies” still in politricks…status quo !
7. why is GT “littered with rubbish” !
and the list goes on and on !
“wake up GUYANA” or the world will leave you asleep/behind.
and I do not wish to vote in elections as am a non resident of my beautiful GUYANA and its peoples.
world traveller retired
compton de castro
it was a pleasure when guyaneseonline was born. it brings us up to date with all the latest news in guyana
Dear Guyanese Online
I am back in Spain after a flying visit to GT and Lethem (bon fin Boa Vista)…border with GUYANA and VENEZUELA.
I am “not” a political activist more a political aware person
so this comment will be very “debateable” “contraversal”
I thank you in advance for this “forum”….
1. GUYANA needs to move forward with the changes neccessary
for people like me to return “domiciled” permanently.
2. I see many politicians who have the “desire” to change
so I remain optimistic for the future.
3. question
as a non domicile of GUYANA I feel it is unfair for me to have the right to exercise my franchise “VOTE” in local or national elections.
just three of the most important issues that remain with me after my short visit…
I will comment further after reading the blogg as my “opinion”
needs the publicity and I am sure many others may have similar feelings about their country of birth “Their FIRST LOVE”..hopefully their “LAST”…
I listen to my “heart and mind” and decide with both.
I will return to GUYANA “eventually”.
Once again thanks for your “forum”
compton de castro
in Andalucia south Spain
A friend introduced me to this site and it is truly amazing to read the different stories about Guyana. I left Guyana in 1964 and have never been back, in a way, I prefer to remember Guyana how I left it. Great People, Vibrant Economy & Racial Harmony. It’s a great place to call home! I would love to hear from a few friends.eg. Jean Bourne worked at Demerara Tobacco, Patrick Persaud worked at Fogarty’s and later at Pegasus Hotel. Cheers!
Hylton Fernandes.
My e-mail is; hyltonf@videotron.ca
hylton
my guess is you may be a relative of the CHRIS Fernandes Clan….
introduction
compton de castro of SPAIN and UK among other places.
met up with Chris in GT on my way to Lethem and his hospitality says it all….GUYANESE are always welcomed in De Fatherland…
GUYANA for me shows the “desire” for change but with a minority
government this wont happen for some time yet….
hey I am looking at GUYANA in the mirror …
change must come from within but with the influence of people like us “outsiders” even “aliens” in todays language !
would love to exchange “opinions” with as many “aliens” as possible…in the hope and wish for change !
cyril log is an ideal “forum” for such influence.
kamptan
My grandfather named me Nehru after Jawarlal Nehru, the prime Minister at the time, Mahamat Ghandi was his father.
thanks for the historical input
message has not changed
kamptan
Greetings from the Windy City (Chicago, IL.) USA – My mother was born in British Guyana in 1930, May 24th – She was one of two girls attending high school back then. She lived in 79th village and went to high school in Springlands around 1945. It was she and her best friend Jane King – Jane King later became a high school principal – but because she probably married – we can not locate Jane King. My Mother is 82 and I would like help trying to locate Jane King who would have been a similar age. Mother’s last name was Chung-Tiam Fook – Her father was Charles and her Mother was Indian (sukya) was her name. They owned the Palladium Theater in 79th village until her father died when she was 8yrs old. Then her Uncle took over the theater, so we’re told. He father also sold refreshments that they made (like sode drinks?) I know many of my relatives are in Canada – but is there a year book from the mid 1940′s that would show the students names to help us find Jane King. Thanks for any info – Warmest Regards, from Kathleen’s daughter Kelly
It is amazing to learn that close to one million people of Guyanese ancestry now reside in the major countries the world over. This phenomenon has its origin in the pattern of outward migration that the forces of national instability created in the year 1961 and onward. The country that Britain was responsible for was to be rid of a Communist regime under Cheddi Jagan and his PPP who were promised Independence from Britain should they win the general elections of 1961. Lo and behold the victory that was given to Cheddi in 1061 was a massive one and Britain failed to honour the promise of Independence, instead they brockered an agreement with the USA under the late John F Kennedy to withold the promised Independence and instead set in place a plan to destabilze the Government of Cheddi Jagan and the rest is well known to all those Guyana lovers who had to leave British Guiana then. The migration occured in waves at periods that can be described as follows. The Pre independent exodus of 1961-1964. During this period the following events led the road marches and whipped up a political frenzy that created massive crowds of people that roamed the streets in Georgetown and protested the 1962 Budjet that was named the Kaldor Budget and was presented to the National Assembly by the then Finance Minister,Mr Charles Jacob Jn. The august opposition parties then were the PNC under the LFSB and the UF under the business tycoon Peter D’Aguair of the D’Aguiar’s Imperial House. It was not any fun to see these crowds nor was it any more fun to hear the inflammatory speeches by the Orator LFSB and thye ignomous businessman of Portuguese ancestry. It was downright frightening night after night to see,hear,and read what was supposed to be the anti-budget arrangements that lasted for 80 days and nights. The country was under siege and Jagan was adamant not to withdraw this budget that was called the anti working class budget. The fear Syndrome had hit home and people began to run with their families out of BG.Fist it was the rich and famous, then it was the upper middle class Indians, then it was the peace loving and upper middle class Africans and until the 1964 general elections under Proportional Representation the exodus continued unabated. Next time we shall talk of some events that created the will for those who still believed that they can reasonably see changes in the minds of the 3 political stalwarts of that time, Cheddi,Forbes and Peter ! Have a productive day folks! my greetings to our Editor Cyril Byran, we love you ! God’s Blessings to you and your family!
Thanks for your history lessons according to you. However the country has not changed much since then as people like you are still in charge… people who are reliving the past. Today some 70% of Guyanese in Guyana are under 50 years old. This is your history and NOT ours. We know about the CIA and US getting rid of the Communist Jagans at all costs. We know about D’Auguir being double-crossed and Burnham -rigged elections and all the rest. However how is the PPP different -still using Burnham’s constitution, still controlling the radio waves with one station PPP controlled; still getting rid of opposition and stifling progress of Afro Guyanese.
If things do not get better for poor people you will see more unrest and crime. This Ramotar government is really a Jagdeo clone as Jadgeo controls everything from his Pradoville palace. Jagdeo wants unrest so he could shoot Afro Guyanese. But it is no longer a strictly Afro-Indian situation as everything and everybody mix-up.. It is about $$$ and the tiefing government that is denying the rights of people especially in Georgetown-Mahaica Region which they lost in the elections. They have cut the money for the region – the largest, by over 60%. Look for trouble ahead.. if things don’t change fast. There has to be BALANCE and FAIRNESS or Guyana is doomed!
The history of British Guyana during the immediate Pre Independent Guiana from 1961-1964 laid the ground work for the Political Freedom granted to Guyana in 1966, May 26th.that is 46 years ago. It may not matter at all what happened to British Guyanese people then but the immediate post independent period 1966 to 1968 laid the foundation for what was to become the mass exodus from the Independent Guiana and Cooperative Republic of LFSB. The next period of 1968-1972 is fraught with economic and security dangers for a people living in despair and in mental depression and in other illnesses for which a cure was always in the distant future. Rumour mongering had replaced the official news papers and the Caribscope television of the Caribbean region looked to make publicity of everything that was dark and inside of Guyana like the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of Vincent Teekah, the one time Education Minister and confidante of the late LFSB. 1972-1982, during this era long lines were the order of the day and Guyanese were made the laughing stock of the region. They slept at airports awaiting the next flight home. The shopped in other Caribbean countries and were lucky to be landed in places like Barbados! They traded in all banned commodities and secored a tax or customs slip at airport in Timeheri to ply their trade on the streets of Georgetown not to mention the role of the GDF in seizures of all stocks that were banned and found in the Stores of Georgetown later to end ut in a place named Guyana Stores and operated by the then Government! 1982-1992 saw the last years of the ruling elite. Hamilton Greene was there also to share the largesse of the ruling elite and so were the Luckoos,the Shahabudeens, the Sase and Steve Narains, the man Sony Ramphal who gave Guyana and LFSB the first Presidential model of a Constitution that was never tried anywhere in this world . It was for the Guyanese people and their first executive president LFSB. God’s Blessings!
Mr. Balkarran you seem to be an intelligent man, however you are stuck in the past and unable to be fair and see that the PPP , especially under Jagdeo,, have used the same Burnham constitution to suppress freedom and empty the treasury e. g NICIL. The PNC could not steal and sell out the country to their friends… They formed co-operatives which have now been disbanded and the lands sold cheaply to the thieves. The real situation is now being revealed.
Burnham screwed up royally by going socialist .. but did the PPP change the trends, and heal the racial divide.NO!. You, like them, are a racist it seems, who feels that Indians who supported Burnham should not have been there. What about the Afro Guyanese who support the PPP?
Your long boring diatribes are a pain to read as you keep repeating the same anti PNC 28-year crap. Talk about today and the PPP murders of hundreds of Afro Guyanese and the destruction of our institutions as they milk the country’s resources for personal gain. Let us get your opinion on these matters.
Stop taking advantage of this forum – talk about what is happening now and contribute to solutions… people are still leaving GT in droves… why are they still leaving, if the PPP were doing such a great job? We do not want to hear why they left in Burnham’s day… We know… our parents told us that whole story.. Get real and relevant, if you are capable… Mr. Balkarran
GTrealist
excellent “rebuke” …I hope comrade Balkarran takes it on board…
I accept history “factual” and “fiction” but I can only learn from “history” and not repeat it !
The true History is more written by the “Victims” rather than the “Victors” …every story has “two sides”..
I read both but believe neither !
History is being written “today” and “tommorrow” not “yesterday”…please lets all be as “positive” as possible so that we may move forward…
I have decided to only answer the “recent” bloggs now to demonstrate my attitude towards the “past” !
Hey I enjoyed “history” as a subject in my formal education…
especially HENRY VIII…but it fed my male machoistic ego …
My favourite was CHARLES 1st and Cromwell…
The KING said “my power comes from GOD”
Cromwell said thats blastfeamous … the KING lost his head…
literally !! ha ha !
On GUYANA s history I consider myself “educated” but will leave an open mind to as my opinion can change !
I am still learning !
thanks for reading this “long” epitath as I am a man of simple words with a lifestyle just as simple !
I thank you and others and Cyril for affording us all the oportunity to “express” our opinions…FREELY
FREEDOM once obtained-granted ..it should never be surrendered !
or sacrificed ! many have given their lives in the past so that we can all enjoy that “FREEDOM” we have today…
REVOLUTION of THINKING
thank you all
Compton (kamptan) de castro
doncomdecastro@yahoo.co.uk
Andalucia southern spain-
The History of a people in evolution will one day be written by some unbiased and independent author of Guyanese fame, and those who have doubts of the political and social evolution of this country of 83,000 square miles on the South American Continent, should see two films that were made by BBC Editor GUS Macdonald and released on BBC Prime time in January 1969 in time for the Commonwealth Conference of that year at Marlborough House. FILM 1. The Making of a Prime Minister and FILM 2, The trail of the vanishing voters! Good night folks!
cyril
will certainly try to get hold of the two BBC films by GUS Macdonald…have made a MUST VIEW in my diary….
my brother 1969 is a “looong” time ago …. I enjoyed the
calypso queen “miss chapman” version of “history” …
her song “nancy” was indeed a revalation to our younger
generation…check it out !
I did enjoy your final words and echo it !
good morning !
kamptan
The Plurality of the Guyanese people is what makes us a rainbow country. Politics aside, the ordinary people would like to live in love and unity and in love and harmony. We have always been a hospitable and charming people. The economy and the people have remained poor due to lack of a desire to move away from the ethnic divide. The way ahead will remain one of challenges but we must endure and keep faith that another day will dawn and things will get better. This is not wishful thinking but is real for those who will think and act positively at all times. Remember Rome was not built in a day. and rebuilding a nation devastated by the storms of anger, hatred and jealousy will take time. The healing must begin from within. The potential of the Guyanese people to endure is tested in times of economic despair, natural and human disasters and the inability of their leaders to become STATESMEN!
my dear brother
words of wisdom indeed!!
did not like the last word however as it has too much of an AMERICAN
flavour…..
STATESMEN are not always good leaders….
JESUS MOSES GHANDI MANDELLA to name a few…were not “statesmen” but BORN LEADERS…
GUYANA leaders may be here already or even in their embryonic stage of development of the leadership skills ….of that I am certain….GUYANA is changing and will change….hopefully for the better….and not for “changes” sake !
I thank you for your input above and share your “hope” for GUYANA s future generations to come !!
peace and love
kamptan
My brother, Robert Frost, a great poet once wrote” The lives of great men do remind us that we can make our lives sublime. and departing leave behind us footprints on the sands of time. Do have a pleasant day and continue the dialogue for the benefit of our citizens and bloggers!
cyril
I thank you for the “invitation” …it is always a pleasure to receive kind words
of encouragement even in the far off “andalucia” south Spaña…the internet is changing the way humans behave (interact) with each other even in negativity
…it is a more formal way of communicating where the “writer” has a certain amount of “annominity”…prejudices then become secondary and not an issue !
“my world” will become “our world” and as BOB MARLEY sang “ONE WORLD”
“ONE LOVE” etc etc
forever the optimist
kamptan