Lindeners launch “One Mile Primary School Rebuild Project”

The Linden community on Saturday launched its “One Mile Primary School Rebuild Project”, which will see the school located at Wismar being reconstructed by residents.

The school was burnt by arsonists during the month-long protest over an electricity tariff increase in the mining town in August.
The launch held on the lawns of the burnt out school was attended by Opposition Leader David Granger, Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon, regional councillors, representatives of donor organisation, the Linden Fund USA (LFU) and students of the One Mile Primary School.
A cheque of US$ 1300 was handed over to the Linden Relief Project by the LFU, to aid in the rebuilding process.
Granger told media operatives that the coalition, the A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) is totally against the act of arsonists who burnt the school, and at a time when Lindeners were involved in a legitimate and peaceful protest.
He said that education should always be placed outside of politics, while noting that the destruction to the school is not only the destruction of a building, but the destruction of a promised future for young people.
“I’ve always felt that we should show solidarity with the people of Linden, now in particular with the people of One Mile, because what happened here is a crime against the future of this community, and we must ensure that we find the culprits. We’re committed to helping build back the school. I’m very proud of the Lindeners, the people of Wismar who came out to build this school by self-help.
It’s a signal that the people will not give up, they’re not intimidated, they’re not afraid and they are concerned about the future of their children,” he noted.
Granger said that the APNU has already contributed a sling of cement towards the project and pledged to continue to support the initiative that will enable the students to access a proper education as soon as possible.
During an interview last Saturday, Solomon had expressed a willingness for the government to come on board to assist in the rebuilding process, noting that he is encouraging a collaborative effort in the drive and had previously engaged Education Minister Priya Manickchand.
He said he understands that the government would have to wait until the reading of the 2013 budget for works to be considered, however, the placement of over 900 pupils of the school who have been placed at various schools at Wismar, cannot wait, given the willingness of public-spirited citizens and donors, who have already come on board with assistance for the project.
“We’ve so far acquired just about Gy$ 10 million in cash and kind from different donors. Some families and individuals have distributed materials, including blocks, stone, sand, steel, boards, and all these have been collected. Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Incorporated has also been generous to us and the community.
“We cannot afford to wait until three years, we have 900 pupils grouped in a very small environment, it’s a disservice to education, so we’re going to push this programme forward and encourage the ministry for them to come on board and play their part. We encourage a collective effort between the ministry, the RDC and other stakeholders,” he said.
He further noted that based on the design of the work programme, the project is estimated to be completed within 18 months.
Works on the foundation of the school began last Saturday with the help of residents in the community.
Since the commencement of the new school term in September, students who attended the One Mile Primary school have been housed at locations across Wismar, including the Block 22 Multi-Purpose Hall, Wismar Hill Primary and the One Mile Nursery School.