Children's Road March a success, despite the rain
By Miranda La Rose
and Oscar P. Clarke
Undeterred by persistent showers yesterday morning, thousands of children from various regions throughout Guyana for the sixth annual Fernleaf Children's Road March. From as early as 0745 hrs children, teachers, parents and guardians began assembling at Independence Park where overnight rain threatened to wash out the parade. And while the rain might have washed out some of the colours of the costumes, because they were not waterproof, it certainly did not dampen the high spirits of the children, who, when the organisers suggested a postponement vociferously opposed it. Despite intermittent showers in the morning and thereafter a continuing steady drizzle, which delayed the 1000 hrs start, the organisers got the show going at about 1145 am with Chief Education Officer Ed Caesar and Fernleaf officials leading the parade. Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Gail Teixeira, was also in the pouring rain without umbrella. As the children moved west into Middle Street to the rhythms of latest soca hits the rain eased and there were sighs of relief. The catchy tunes such as "Soca Twist", "Kitty Cat", "Big Truck", "Ride me rhythm" and "All aboard" and others sung by popular Caribbean performers such as Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires, Allison Hinds and Square One moved the parade along the route. President Bharrat Jagdeo was among the many spectators at the corner of Camp and Church streets. In brief remarks, Jagdeo told Stabroek News he was delighted that the activity was taking place and said he hoped the children were not going to get sick on account of the weather. Students of Stella Maris dressed in Fernleaf costumes led the way. They were followed closely by Sacred Heart Primary in red and white outfits with multi-coloured pom-poms. As the children made their way along the route, west along Middle street turning south into Main street, crowds of spectators many with umbrellas, lined the route to view the cultural splendour which has become the annual showpiece of the Children's Mashramani competitions. On the road march too were a number of nursery schools. Coordinator of the Allied Arts Unit in the Ministry of Education and Convenor of the Children's Road March, Desiree Wyles-Ogle, told Stabroek News that even though they tried to discourage the nursery children from taking part they insisted. Among the nursery schools taking their messages to the adults, policy and decision-makers were Smythe Street, Stella Maris, St Agnes, Turkeyen and Prospect. The nursery schools joined the parade at Camp and Church streets. Covering the entire route took about two and a half hours. The organisers estimated the numbers to about 3,000 children. The messages were many and there were some 35 schools and several organisations. Among the organisations were Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, the Kitty Tots and Teens, the Ministry of Education Craft Production Centre, the Christian Children's Fund and Z-BRA Children's Network. The National School of Dance and the Carnegie School of Home Economics were also colourfully attired and entertaining. Apart from the public schools a number of private schools also took to the streets. They included Marian Academy with 'Unite in the Preservation of the Environment', City College with 'Keeping the Lamp of Knowledge Burning', the Guyana Education Trust College showcasing 'Splendour of the Kanuku Mountains'. Sacred Heart, St Agnes Primary, St Angela's, Winfer Gardens, St Sidwell's and West Ruimveldt Primary were among the more impressive contingents coming from the primary schools with large numbers. Among the schools with smaller contingents were Comenius, St Winifride's, St Stephen's and Ketley primaries. St John's College, would-be contenders for the prize in their category, lead the way in the secondary department. Others giving good account of themselves were Dolphin Secondary, South Ruimveldt Secondary and St Mary's High. While this year's Mashramani theme is 'We Mashing as One in 2000' the common sub-theme running through most of the participating contingents were preservation of the environment and sustainable development, unity of the races, education and development, the Guyana/Venezuela Border dispute and opposition to social ills such as drug abuse, HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy. The Children's Road March culminated with the end of the rain which made the going easier and brought even larger crowds as the children wended their way down Camp Street into Camp Road and finally into the Eve Leary ground. The stands were crowded and the ground itself swelled as the children in their array of colours entered the wet ground. Everyone with whom Stabroek News spoke said that they were pleased that the event had come off successfully in spite of the rain. Some, however, questioned why some of the leading secondary schools in the city had not taken part in the annual event. The results of the Road March competition were not announced at the end of the parade as is customary and are expected to be announced later.
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