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….as UCCCI concludes school competitionsThe Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (UCCCI) has installed two beach preservation billboards and fifty (50) ‘clean beach’ signs. One billboard welcoming visitors was placed at the entrance to the beach and one billboard thanking visitors for keeping the #63 beach clean was placed at the exit.Winners of the essay and debating competitions with officers of USAID,Eric Rowe Patriots Jersey, GEP and UCCCIThe clean beach signs were installed along the busier stretch of the location, spaced out at approximately 150 feet. This activity was accomplished with the support of the United States Agency for International Development/Governance Enhancement Project (USAID/GEP) in an effort to sensitize the public about the need to preserve the No. 63 beach,Hines Ward Steelers Jersey, which remains one of the main tourist attractions in East Berbice.According to UCCCI President,L.C. Greenwood Steelers Jersey, Vishnu Doerga, the placement of these billboards and signs is part of a wider awareness campaign,Taylor Gabriel Falcons Jersey, which includes the creation and airing of two Public Service Announcements and workshops to be held with the target audience on future steps.The No. 63 Beach area is a highly valuable resource to the local community and visitors.The area is used for various activities including tourism,Tevin Coleman Falcons Jersey, recreation and wildlife habitat. Thenatural beauty and abundance of diverse natural resources make the area highly desirable real estate to both humans and wildlife. The location includes the area stretching from Village No. 65 in the south to Village No. 54 in the north. The beach is considered one of the longest stretches of natural beach in the Caribbean, being approximately 8.5 Km in length.Doerga thanked USAID/GEP, the Beach Management Committee, the Region 6 Administration, the #52-74 NDC and the local community for their support in tackling this issue which seeks to preserve the beauty of the #63 Beach for generations to come. This event coincides with Tourism Month.The Chamber also handed out cash and trophy prizes last Friday to winners of the School Essay and Debating Competitions. Essays were screened by HMs of respective schools, shortlisted and submitted to the UCCCI.Out of a targeted student population of 5000-plus, a total 59 essays were submitted by the primary schools and 109 essays by the secondary schools.Upon receipt of the essays, the UCCCI invited 4 judges; three of whom were former teachers – Mr. Bhawase Harripaul (former Head Teacher – Primary),Merril Hoge Steelers Jersey, Ms. Anita Ragnauth and Mr. Seeraj Seepersaud (former teachers Secondary School) and Dr. Bart Sackrule – Retired Sociologist from Canada.The essays were distributed to the judges by order of primary school to Mr. Harripaul and Ms. Ragnauth and the secondary school to Dr. Sackrule and Mr. Seepersaud for their assessment and selection. Each essay was read by the respective judges and the selection was agreed upon by two judges in each category.The results were as follows:Student’s NameSecondary SchoolPlacementAleshia FebruarySkeldon Line Path 4 C1stNelece Alyassa JaundooSkeldon Line Path 5 A2ndOneefa MurraySkeldon Line Path 4 B3rdPrimary SchoolTia ValzCorriverton 6 C1stMahendra ChaitnarineSkeldon 6 C2ndLamisha PillaySkeldon 6 C3rdTagore Memorial Secondary copped first place in the debating competition with Skeldon High and Skeldon Line Path Secondary placed second and third respectively. Each school proposed the moot once and opposed once. Student and teacher populations of the participating schools seemed energized and involved with the entire process. At the end of every debate motivational talks were held to further press for the students to avoid early sexual activity and focus on academics.The prize-giving ceremony took place on Friday November 4,Devonta Freeman Falcons Jersey, 2011 at the UCCCI office, with USAID Democracy and Governance officer, Dhanmattie Sohai,Dave Robinson Packers Jersey, GEP Civil Society Coordinator Ruth Lee and UCCCI President Vishnu Doerga, addressing the winning students, schools,Brian Poole Falcons Jersey, parents and invited guests. Prizes including trophies and cash incentives made possible by USAID/GEP. |
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