EMPHASIS continues to be placed on the distribution of village grants to Amerindian communities by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs which to date has disbursed $22.2M in the fulfillment of another promise made by President Bharrat Jagdeo to ensure the living standards of Amerindians are raised and they are integrated into society like all other Guyanese.

During the National Toshaos’ Conference in October last year, $150M was allocated for further enhancement of Amerindian communities through either socio-economic activities or capacity building.

Some one hundred and thirty nine communities were identified for the grants of which 95 have already submitted their proposals. Thirty-eight communities are in the process of executing their projects. Allocation of the grants will be based on the geographic size and population of each community.

Senior Project Officer of the Ministry, Haroon Khan said that the executed ventures are successful and fruitful for the respective communities. He said Kabakaburi in Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) has established a village shop and is in the process of building a guest house. Khan said when he visited the community earlier this year; he was amazed of how well the shop was progressing.

He said the guest house will attract more visitors to the community because of access to better facilities and amenities.

In the area of building capacity for residents, Wiruni along the Berbice River has developed a skills training programme in furniture and craft-making. Wiruni has purchased a generator at a cost $500,000 to power the Wiruni multi-purpose building.

Toshao of Wiruni, Rohan Fredrick, said wood working will be one of the activities to receive focus because the community produces its own lumber and many of the residents are skilled in craft-making.

Many electrical tools have already been bought and the craft products will be sold to provide a livelihood for the residents.

Difficult terrain and demand for community development officers in the Regions have been attributed as factors affecting some communities handing in their projects. Amerindian development remains a priority to the administration and each year several interventions are undertaken to forward community development and improve their living standards.