Guyana Consulate: Guyana Awards (Canada) 2007

Posted May 24th. 2007

Guyana Awards (Canada) 2007
Congratulations to the 10 Award Winners!

The Guyana Awards Committee is honoured to announce the ten winners of the prestigious Guyana Awards at the upcoming Awards Gala on May 26, 2007, Guyana's Independence Day, at the Sheraton Parkway Hotel in Richmond Hill.

Following a rigorous process of evaluation of the many nominations submitted, an independent panel of distinguished judges has selected the following winners:

1. Youth Award - Academic Excellence: Trisha Punit

2. Business Excellence Award: Laparkan Trading Limited

3. Lifetime Achievement Award: Sister Hazel Anne Campayne

4. Community Service Award (Individual): Dr. Vivian Rambihar

5. Leadership Award: Frank Fernandes

6. Special Achievement Award: Dr. Suresh Narine

7. Academic Excellence Award: Dr. Vishnudutt Chris Lakhan

8. Media Award: Pride News Magazine - Michael Van Cooten

9. Community Service Award (Organization): Guyana Berbice Association (Toronto)

10. Exemplary Service Award: Human Concern International - Toronto

The Awards recognize the special contributions of distinguished individuals and organizations in the Guyanese Diaspora toward the promotion and development of Guyana, Guyana's heritage and culture, as well as acknowledging the achievement of excellence by Guyanese individuals and community organizations. The high calibre of this year's awardees will, no doubt, instill a greater sense of pride in the Guyanese Community and provide positive role models for our youth.

This year's Awards Gala - the premier event in the Guyanese Community - includes a special programme of entertainment featuring Byron Lee and the Dragonaires and Victor Shim. The Gala commences at 6.00 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and presentation of the Awards, then on to celebrating in true Caribbean spirit to the exhilarating sounds of Bryon Lee.

The Charity of Choice for 2007 is St. John Ambulance - Toronto Branch, which has provided emergency services to the Guyana Independence Festival for several years.

The Guyana Awards Committee invites you to celebrate with the "Who's Who" in the Guyanese and wider Toronto communities including several dignitaries, government officials, members of the Toronto diplomatic corps, past award recipients and representatives of Guyanese organizations and businesses. The Guyana Awards Gala is the official kick-off of the annual Cross Canada Guyana Independence Celebrations, launching a program of events across Canada and culminating in the 3-day Guyana Festival from June.22-24.

Tickets are available at $100 per person and can also be bought by tables of eight. For information and tickets, contact Beverly Shim-Chim (416) 326-5121 or Anna Punit (905) 686-4711.

There will be several door prizes including air tickets to Guyana and the Caribbean donated by Caribbean Airlines.

The Awards Committee would like to acknowledge its corporate sponsors: Moneygram International Money Transfer, TD Canada Trust, Royal Bank of Canada, El Dorado Rums, Atlas International Freight Forwarders Inc., Sheridan College, Dr. Nar Daljeet & Associates, CGX Energy Inc. The media sponsors for this event are Guyana Current, Pride News Magazine, Caribbean Xpress and Shabnam Radio.

TRISHA PUNIT - YOUTH AWARD

Trisha Punit is a role model for our youths. She has excelled from a very young age, achieving recognition for both academic excellence and exemplary community service. For several years, Trisha has volunteered her services to assist the annual activities of the Guyana Independence Festival in Toronto, as well as many other events within her local school community of Pickering, Ontario.

In addition to going to school and being an active member of numerous clubs, Trisha also finds time to play the piano, learn sign language and tutor her peers - all while ensuring academic success. She graduated from high school as an A+ student, was an Ontario Scholar for her outstanding academic achievement in secondary school, and was the recipient of the 2005 International Order of Daughters of the Empire (I.O.D.E) Award for her outstanding contribution to the community.

Having just completed her second year, Trisha is in the top 10% of students in the Bachelor of Commerce Specialization in the Accounting program at the University of Ottawa. With such great grades, she holds the honour of being on the Dean's List and a member of the Golden Key Community, an organization for students with outstanding grades. A teaching assistant at the university, Trisha works hard to succeed in school but also finds the time to volunteer for special events and holds executive positions on both the Marketing Association and Accounting Club at the university. In addition, she inspires others by being a mentor for first year university students. In this role, Trisha assists students in adapting to university life by helping them to learn course material, empowering them to get involved in the community, and assisting them in developing transferable skills such as time management and communication.

Trisha is an ideal example of a well-balanced youth who not only preaches what should be done at university, but also uses herself as an example to show that it is possible to achieve outstanding grades while also having a personal life and giving back to the community.

LAPARKAN TRADING LIMITED - BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

The Laparkan Trading Limited - established in 1983 in Toronto as a small personal effects shipping operation by three Guyanese entrepreneurs: John La Rose, Terrence Pariaug and Glen Khan - has become a household name in the Guyanese and Caribbean communities as a leading shipping company. Laparkan's operations have expanded geographically with a wide network that spans Canada, the USA, Latin America, the Caribbean and the United Kingdom, employing several hundred people in 17 offices in major US and Canadian cities and 26 locations in the Caribbean. Laparkan provides an invaluable service to the Guyana Diaspora and to the development of Guyana and the Caribbean. The company's successful expansion operationally and geographically since its establishment almost 25 years ago is testimony to its vision, high business standards and organizational excellence.

In addition to the shipping and cargo operations, Laparkan has diversified into air freight with Laparkan Airways, an IATA registered cargo airline, operating one of the most reliable air freight services between Miami, Georgetown and Trinidad. Laparkan also boasts one of the most extensive ocean freight services in the Caribbean, thereby advancing regional integration. The company operates two integrated air and ocean transshipment regional hubs located in Panama and Trinidad, and has also expanded into an effective Caribbean-wide money transfer business.

In accordance with the principles of good corporate social responsibility, Laparkan makes a significant contribution to the development of Guyana by shipping medical and other supplies at subsidized rates, sponsoring community events, offering educational awards and grants, and generously providing their services in time of need, such as during the 2005 Guyana Flood Relief efforts. Through its network in Canada, Guyana, the USA and the Caribbean, as well as its partners and customers, Laparkan contributed tens of thousands of dollars for the free shipment of medical and other flood relief supplies to Guyana. In addition, Laparkan provided financial support to many community-based initiatives for flood relief and donates to various charities that provide food, clothing and shelter for the less fortunate.

SISTER HAZEL CAMPAYNE - LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Dr. Hazel Campayne has dedicated her life as a tireless advocate of social justice, human rights, peace and democracy in Guyana, the Caribbean, Canada and internationally. She has earned the reputation of being a true patriot of Guyana with an indomitable spirit, who made great sacrifices - at the risk of her own personal security - to promote peace, justice and democracy in Guyana. Dr. Campayne never faltered in her commitment to these principles even after she left Guyana in 1980 to join the Guyanese community in Canada, where she was a founding member of the Canada Guyana Forum which champions the cause of social justice for Guyanese in Guyana and in Canada.

Dr. Campayne's career in Guyana as an educator can only be described in superlatives. As the Headmistress of St. Rose's High School, Sister Hazel (as she was fondly known) was highly respected as a strict disciplinarian and talented educator who inspired her students to strive not only for academic excellence but also for the highest levels of achievement in other aspects of life, including community service, sports and culture. In the 1990s, through the Canada-Guyana Forum, Dr. Campayne was instrumental in implementing the Education Renewal Project that established an educational programme for youth in the Tiger Bay area of Georgetown.

In Canada, Dr. Campayne was recently appointed by the Ontario Government to the new Ontario Bicentenary Commemorative Committee on the Abolition of the Slave Trade. She is a member of the National Diversity Committee and the coordinator for the local parish group of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, an international organization promoting development and social justice. Dr. Campayne is a member of the Ontario Black History Society, the Women's Inter-Church Council of Canada and the Ecumenical Network for Women's Justice, and was a member of the delegations which monitored the historic 1992 elections in Guyana and the 1994 elections in South Africa.

An accomplished academic with a Doctorate Degree in Theology, two Master's degrees, two post-graduate certificates and a Bachelor's degree obtained in Canada, England and Jamaica, Dr. Campayne has been awarded several national and international scholarships and other accolades. In 1975, the United Nations International Year of Women, she was honoured as Woman of the Year by the Rotary Club for her work in Education, especially with Youth.

An alumnus of Bishop's High School, Dr. Campayne is originally from Port Mourant, Berbice.

DR. VIVIAN RAMBIHAR - COMMUNITY SERVICE

Dr. Vivian Rambihar was born in 1951 at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, attended Queen's College, then came to Canada in 1970 as a Guyana Scholar after a year teaching mathematics at Q.C. He completed a B.Sc. at the University of Toronto in two years and graduated at the age of 23 from the innovative McMaster Medical School in 1975 where he completed Internal Medicine and Cardiology training, followed by sub specialist training at Toronto General Hospital.

With more than 25 years of cardiology practice in Toronto, Dr. Rambihar has been actively involved in research and community health promotion throughout his career. His research suggests that as immigrants we are at increased risk for health problems and need to be proactive now. Recognized around the world for his pioneering health and health promotion ideas and practice, and a dedicated activist for the health rights of ethnic communities, Dr. Rambihar created an innovative grassroots community program to reduce health risks in ethnic communities. In 1993, he implemented a multicultural cardiology project to address the excess risk of heart disease in South Asians, Native peoples, Hispanics and people of African origin. He has also pioneered the concept of ethnicity and health, particularly heart disease and diabetes.

Returning to his roots in Mathematics and the developing world, Dr. Rambihar introduced the new ideas of chaos and complexity science to medicine, peace, health and development, the first in the world to do so, and initiated a global heart project. His innovative ideas are contained in his book Tsunami, Chaos and Global Heart - Using chaos and complexity science to make a better world, the full text of which is available free of charge on the Internet, with a section on Heart Health starting on page 117.

Dr. Rambihar has served as an executive member of community organizations including OSSICC (Ontario Society for Services to Indo-Caribbean Canadians) and the Indo-Caribbean World newspaper. He supports several Guyanese community organizations and events including Last Lap Lime, Queen's College, University of Guyana and other alumni groups, tirelessly advocating the use of social occasions for health promotion.

FRANK FERNANDES - LEADERSHIP AWARD

Frank Fernandes is a successful entrepreneur who owns and operates two businesses and yet has effectively managed to play a leading role in community life, winning several awards in recognition of his leadership, innovation and service to his community. Born in Georgetown, he is an alumnus of St. Stanislaus High School who migrated to Canada in 1966.

His exemplary leadership qualities are amply demonstrated in the many senior positions he has held: current Chair of the Board of Directors of St. John Ambulance -Toronto, former President of the Rotary Clubs of Vaughan and Scarborough Bluffs, Co-Chair of the Scarborough Community Safety Audit Committee, Chair of the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club Toy Ride, member of the Scarborough/Toronto Community Safety Council, and co-founder of the Motorcycle Ride for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

As Auxiliary Superintendent of the Toronto Police, Mr. Fernandes - a volunteer in the Toronto Police Auxiliary since 1971 - is its second highest-ranking auxiliary officer. Through his positions as Auxiliary Superintendent and in the St. John Ambulance, he has been instrumental in organizing the services of volunteers of the Auxiliary Police and St. John Ambulance at several Guyanese community events, particularly the annual Guyana Independence Festival. As a highly respected community leader, Mr. Fernandes has successfully built bridges between the local communities and the police service, and is a role model for the high standards of excellence in volunteerism and community service. The Patron of the Alliance of Guyanese Canadian Organizations (ACGO), Frank Fernandes tangibly demonstrated his dedication to Guyana during the 2005 flood crisis.

Mr. Fernandes has been honoured with several awards: the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal; the Bicentennial Award: Order of Merit, Scarborough; the 2003 Ontario Volunteer Service Award; Order of St. John Medal; Ontario Auxiliary Police Medal for Good Conduct and Loyal Support to the Community; Paul Harris Fellowship Award by Rotary International; Scarborough Chamber of Commerce Special Community Service Award; City of Toronto/Scarborough Race Relations Committee Award for the promotion of racial harmony; Leadership Award-Toronto Police Service; Community Leadership Award from the ACGO; Roots-Humanitarian Community Service Award of Excellence for promoting racial harmony and community service.

DR. SURESH NARINE - SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT

Dr. Suresh Narine is a world-renowned Scientist and Professor who currently teaches and conducts his research at the University of Alberta. A sought-after speaker at national and international scientific conferences, he has been presented with numerous awards and merits, including a Growing Alberta Leadership Award for Innovation, the University of Alberta Students' Union Award for Leadership in Undergraduate Teaching, the Trent University Distinguished Alumnus Award, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Chair Award. Dr. Narine was appointed a Professor at the age of 28, has written two seminal textbooks in the area of lipid crystallization, and authored numerous scientific publications. He is the Director and Founder of the Alberta Lipid Utilization Research Program, a $12 million research program over the next five years, assembling the largest team of scientists in the world in the area of lipid utilization.

At 35 years of age, despite his numerous responsibilities, Dr. Narine still finds time to contribute to Guyana as the Director of the Institute of Applied Science and Technology and in numerous other public services. Lately, he has been catapulted into the limelight in Guyana as the pioneer of the introduction of biodiesel technology and investments into Guyana. He established a commercially viable biodiesel production facility in the northwest district of Guyana, garnering an investment of $4 million and creating employment for 180 people - a boost to Guyana's development. In 2005, Dr. Narine raised funds at the University of Alberta and in Edmonton for flood relief and personally took medicines and other aid to Guyana. The author of Guyana's Agro-Energy Strategy, Dr. Narine spends a significant amount of time in Guyana assisting in the Science and Technology Sector, while still performing his duties as a Professor and Director of the Lipid Program at the University of Alberta.

Originally from the village of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, Dr. Narine attended Providence Primary School and Queen's College, then Trent University and the University of Guelph. He is the proud father of 6-year-old triplets: Vandana, Rudra, and Geetanjali.

DR. V. CHRIS LAKHAN - ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Dr. V. Chris Lakhan, a Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Windsor, is an internationally recognized and accomplished academic and educator who was cited in 2007 by the International Biographical Research Centre, Cambridge, England as one of the 2,000 outstanding scientists of the 21st century. He specializes in the development of computer simulation models, and the use of geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) techniques to study and predict the dynamics at work in coastal and other natural environmental systems. Most of his models and techniques are applied to the study and management of environmental and natural resources.

Born in Fyrish, Corentyne, Berbice, Dr. Lakhan is a graduate of the University of Guyana who won a Canadian Government Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue graduate studies at the University of Windsor. He obtained his Ph.D in 1982 from the University of Toronto where he was awarded Open Fellowships for academic excellence for four consecutive years.

A professor for over 20 years, Dr. Lakhan has won teaching awards in both the Faculty of Social Science and the Faculty of Science, and from 2003-2006 served as Chair and Member of the Ontario Graduate Scholarship Committee in Earth Sciences, Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Training. He has supervised and co-read 84 undergraduate theses (8 focusing on Guyana) and 47 graduate theses (13 concentrating on Guyana). Dr. Lakhan's pioneering research in earth and environmental sciences has been published in all of the world's major coastal journals and he has edited three books for the world's largest scientific publisher as well as authored 11 books. He has published in international journals an encyclopedic collection of scientific publications on Guyana. His academic excellence, research skills and intellect are highly recognized by all of the international journals in his field, and his services are frequently sought for refereeing academic papers and speaking at conferences and professional associations. Dr. Lakhan is currently Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Indo-Caribbean Research.

Dr. Lakhan is also a Certified Environmental Consultant, Specialist and Inspector, a Certified Geographical Information Systems Professional and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. He is a recognized world authority for his publications on coastal modelling. For the last two years, Dr. Lakhan has served as a member of the International Organizing Committee of the Eurocoastal Littoral Conference held in Aberdeen, Scotland and Gdansk, Poland.

PRIDE NEWS MAGAZINE (MICHAEL VAN COOTEN) - MEDIA AWARD

Michael Van Cooten is the founder, publisher and editor of Pride News Magazine, Canada's foremost ethnic newspaper serving the African Guyanese and Caribbean community in Canada. The newspaper has been at the forefront of providing high quality coverage of news and events relevant to the Afro-Caribbean community and has effectively served to promote the special interests and culture of the community

The inaugural edition was published in January 1983 as Caribbean Life Magazine, later changed to Pride News Magazine. The vision of Pride News Magazine is "to act as a catalyst for the advancement, empowerment and happiness of peoples of Caribbean and African heritage" by providing positive, inspiring stories about the successes, achievements and accomplishments of its target communities. Commonly referred to as "Pride", the newspaper provides a significant link for the Guyana and Caribbean Diaspora to news and views from "back home", and often acts as a "watchdog" and social conscience to protect the rights of community members.

In addition to nurturing many young, promising journalists who later progressed to highly successful careers, Pride donates thousands of dollars in sponsorships to deserving non profit organizations and has been generous in providing free advertising and coverage for community organizations which could not afford the costs.

Pride has been the recipient of several awards since its inception including awards from the United Way, the Jamaican Canadian Association and the Toronto Bathurst Lions Club.

Pride's founder, Michael Van Cooten, initiated the African Canadian Achievement Awards in 1985, described by the Toronto Star in February 2007 as "one of the country's most prestigious award events". These Awards pay tribute to the exemplary contributions of members of the African Caribbean and Canadian community and foster a sense of pride and dignity within these communities. Born in Guyana, Michael Van Cooten migrated to Canada in 1972. He is a seasoned entrepreneur and journalist who held management positions at the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Sun and has established many small businesses.

GUYANA BERBICE ASSOCIATION - COMMUNITY SERVICE

The Guyana Berbice Association (Toronto) Inc. is one of the oldest Guyanese community organizations in Canada. It was formed 25 years ago in Toronto by a small group of Guyanese, led by the late Rupert Sue-Wah-Sing, who recognized the need for an organization which brought together Guyanese in Toronto and across Canada. With chapters in Toronto, Guyana, New York, Washington, D.C and London, England, the GBA is a registered non-profit, non-political organization boasting a large, dynamic and diversified membership that is truly representative of the peoples of Guyana. Over the years, the chapters have maintained links through regular reunions and international co operation on projects aimed at helping Guyanese. In 1992, GBA International, comprising all its chapters, was awarded the Medal of Service by the Government of Guyana in appreciation of the association's community service and charitable work in Guyana.

The GBA has donated an ambulance, medical and dental equipment and supplies to the New Amsterdam Hospital. The organization currently supports three charities in Guyana: the New Amsterdam Special Needs School, the Ruimveldt Children's Centre and the Howell Orphanage in Berbice. The association has also supported sports teams in Guyana by providing medical equipment and supplies. Notably, the GBA contributed generously to the Guyana Flood Relief efforts in 2005. Its members have volunteered on the Guyana Independence Festival Committee since its inception as well as the ongoing Hospital Bed Program. GBA members have also spent months in Guyana volunteering their professional services in the health care and education sectors.

In Canada, the association awards annual bursaries to youth and organizes social activities for its senior members and youth. Its fundraising efforts have supported several Guyanese children requiring financial support for medical treatment in Canada. The GBA has also extended its generosity to the tsunami victims and contributed to hurricane relief in Grenada, Jamaica and Haiti.

The Guyana Berbice Association continues to be guided by the principle enunciated by its first president, Rupert Sue-Wah-Sing: "If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain." The GBA (Toronto) website is www.gba-to.com.

HUMAN CONCERN INTERNATIONAL - EXEMPLARY SERVICE

Human Concern International (HCI) is a Canadian non-profit organization whose assistance programme is dedicated to the alleviation of human suffering through sustainable development projects and emergency relief assistance programs that foster self-reliance and preserve human dignity. HCI contributes to the world community and reaches out to those who are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, regardless of religion or race. To date, the organization has contributed over CAD$55 million in aid for relief and development projects to 25 poor, disaster stricken and war torn countries. HCI has regional offices in Afghanistan, Guyana, Kashmir, Lebanon and Pakistan, and long-term partners in other countries and regions.

HCI has sponsored over 2,000 children by providing medical, educational and other basic needs assistance. The organization has supported relief efforts during the tsunami disaster, Hurricane Katrina, the earthquakes in Pakistan and Indonesia, drought victims in the Horn of Africa, the Somali crisis, Darfur, the Manitoba floods, and the ice storm in Quebec.

For over a decade, HCI has contributed to development projects and emergency relief in Guyana, particularly during the 2005 floods. Major activities include the family assistance program, child sponsorship, a medical outreach program, provision of medical supplies to hospitals and health centres, an orphanage welfare program, and micro loans and enterprise programs. HCI also works with local organizations to implement community-based projects. HCI, in co operation with other charities, organized a fundraising drive in Toronto to provide financial assistance for eight Guyanese children to travel to India for heart surgery.

During the 2005 Guyana Flood Relief efforts, HCI organized fundraising events in Toronto and financed the shipment to Guyana of pharmaceuticals and other medical relief supplies valued at $1.5 million. HCI's most recent assistance to Guyana is a medical aid package to assist the sick and malnourished, valued at more than half a million dollars.

In Canada, HCI supports Student Exchange Programs and prestigious scholarship programs at Canadian Universities and continues to provide assistance to the needy and to food banks, women's shelters and children's hospitals.