The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) on Friday August 21, 2026, concluded the Berbice leg of its Harmony Tour, taking 49 participants, including 46 children accompanied by parents and guardians, through New Amsterdam and surrounding communities in Region Six, East Berbice Corentyne.
The Commission was represented by Commissioners Reverend Rodwell Porter, Mr. Deon Dick (Ras Khafra), Mr. Norris Witter and Pandit Krishn Sharma, who joined participants throughout the day’s engagements and engaged with them at the various sites.
The religious component formed an important part of the tour. Participants visited the New Amsterdam Central Jama Masjid, Cumberland Shri Krishna Mandir, Church of the Nazarene and the historic Cumberland Eidgah, open-air mosque, where they were introduced to different religious traditions and learned about beliefs, practices and customs from members of the respective faith communities
At each place of worship, participants were briefed on the appropriate courtesies before entering and were encouraged to ask questions respectfully and listen to explanations of traditions that may have been unfamiliar to them.
For several of the children, the experience provided an opportunity to enter places of worship belonging to faiths other than their own.
Addressing participants during the tour, Commissioner Reverend Rodwell Porter emphasized that meaningful relations among Guyana’s diverse communities begin with a willingness to learn about each other.
According to Commissioner Porter, “Harmony is strengthened when we take the time to understand the people and communities around us, their beliefs, values and the histories that have shaped their lives. Today, these children had the opportunity to step beyond what is familiar, to enter places of worship and heritage that may be different from their own, and to listen, ask questions and learn. It is through experiences such as these that we move beyond simply knowing that we are different to genuinely understanding and respecting those differences, while appreciating the shared humanity that binds us together.”
The tour also explored significant chapters of Berbice’s history and heritage. At the Indian Arrival Monument at Palmyra, participants learned about the arrival of Indian indentured immigrants in Guyana at Plantation Highbury on the Berbice River.
At Mission Chapel Congregational Church, participants explored an important chapter of African heritage. The group also visited the Church of the Ascension, learning about the Portuguese heritage associated with the Catholic community in New Amsterdam. At the New Amsterdam State House, participants were introduced to the building’s colonial history and its subsequent role in independent Guyana.
The Region Six route brought together faith, immigration, national memory and culture, reflecting the wider purpose of the Harmony Tour, to provide young Guyanese with opportunities to learn and to appreciate the diverse histories that together form the national story.
Parents, guardians and children expressed appreciation for the initiative, with several participants noting the value of being able to experience places, traditions and histories that they may not otherwise have encountered.
The ERC extends its sincere appreciation to the Regional Democratic Council of Region Six for their support in facilitating the tour and ensuring the safe movement of participants throughout the day’s activities.
The Commission also expresses gratitude to the religious leaders, heritage representatives, tour guide Mr. Paul Waldron, and institutions that welcomed the group and generously shared their time, knowledge and traditions.
The Berbice leg marked the conclusion of the ERC’s Harmony Tour 2026, following its earlier engagement in Essequibo and other Harmony Tour activities in Demerara.
