ERC EMBRACES REMOTE KONASHEN COMMUNITY IN CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) continued its holiday outreach on Tuesday, December 17, 2025,  with a toy distribution exercise in the remote hinterland community of Konashen, in Region Nine. 

The initiative saw Commissioners and staff of the ERC engaging children from the Konashen Nursery and  Primary Schools under the Konashen Benab as part of the Commission’s ongoing commitment to fostering  unity, inclusion, and goodwill during the Christmas season. 

Commissioners Ashton Simon, Reverend Rodwell Porter, Norris Witter and Deon Dick (Ras Khafra), led  the exercise and personally distributed toys and educational items to the students. The visit provided an  opportunity for meaningful interaction with children, teachers, and community members, reinforcing the  ERC’s mandate to promote harmony and good relations among all Guyanese, including those in hinterland  and remote communities. 

The distribution was met with enthusiasm and excitement, as children eagerly received their gifts in a  festive atmosphere marked by warmth and appreciation. Teachers and community representatives  expressed gratitude for the Commission’s presence, noting that such engagements serve as an important  reminder that hinterland communities remain an integral part of the national fabric. 

Gratitude is extended to His Excellency, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed  Irfaan Ali, for donating a portion of the toys distributed during these exercises. 

The Commission is of the view that initiatives such as these go beyond the act of giving, as they help  strengthen bonds of understanding and reaffirm shared values of respect, inclusion, and togetherness. 

The Konashen exercise forms part of a broader series of community engagement activities being  undertaken by the Commission during the holiday season, aimed at spreading messages of peace, unity,  and goodwill.