Source: Guyana Chronicle
Date: December 17 2011
The Moray House Trust was launched at the de Caires family home at Lot 239 Quamina and Camp streets, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown on Tuesday. It represented a signal tribute to the legacy of the late Attorney-at-law Mr. David de Caires, founder of the independent Stabroek News newspaper.
The commemorative launch formed the highlight of a three-tier programme which also accommodated the 14th Anniversary commemoration of the life of Guyana’s celebrated national poet, Martin Carter, and the launch of a book, “Growing up in British Guiana: 1945-1964”, written by retired Major General Joseph Singh.
Evening of elegance
Organized by the de Caires family and Trustees and Board of Directors of the Moray House Trust (MHT), the programme was literally an evening of elegance chaired by former Trustee Dr. Yesu Persaud.
Things got underway with opening remarks by widow Mrs. Doreen de Caires and a tribute to David de Caires by his daughter Isabelle. Reflecting on the life and work of the great cultural icon, Mrs. De Caires noted: “Our society has been greatly enriched by his (David’s) work.”
Although better known for his role in founding the independent Stabroek News publication, the Directors noted that Mr. de Caires had a strong and abiding interest in literature, the arts, music and sport.
“His contribution to the cultural life of Guyana, though modest, was symptomatic of his belief in the need to nurture the cultural and intellectual life of a nation in danger of losing its most precious resource – its people – through mass migration,” they said, adding, “His family and friends now pay tribute to him by forming this Trust.
Visionary work
The main work of the Moray House Trust is to provide sanctuary for cultural and artistic expressions, and the exchange of knowledge and ideas. And in broad outline, it is a private, non-partisan, non-profit cultural initiative designed to foster national pride in Guyana’s diverse heritage; to enable all forms of artistic expression; to promote conservation, civil liberties and sport in the Guyanese society; and to stimulate the sharing of knowledge and ideas within a vibrant sphere.
The vision of the Moray House Trust, among other things, is to: Preserve and extend Guyana’s cultural heritage, and to promote more opportunities for current and future generations to engage with it.
At the ceremony, the Moray House Trust Logo/Plaque was unveiled by the de Caires family, after which a bouquet of flowers was presented to Ms. Vanda Radik, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Moray House Trust. Other Members of the Board are: Dr. Paloma Mohamed, Colin Cholmondeley, Nadia Sagar, Clinton Urling, Nisa Surujbally and Mrs. Cathy Hughes.
Trustees are: Mrs. Doreen de Caires, Isabelle de Caires, Dr. Yesu Persaud, Major General (R’td) Joe Singh, and Andaiye.
The facilities at MHT are available for events, including: cocktail parties, lunches and dinners, tea parties and other social functions; business meetings; workshops, training presentations and lectures; youth groups and student meetings. “We want young people to colonize the space here,” Ms. Radzik commented.
Celebrating Martin Carter
This segment was chaired by Ms. Vanda Razdik. Hosted under the theme “Celebrating the Power and relevance of Martin Carter’s work for all seasons and generations”, it opened with Dr. Ian Mc Donald’s tribute to Martin Carter in which he noted that it was very appropriate that the launch featured the venerated poet, especially since those two gentlemen had a very close connection. Dr. Mc Donald also congratulated the de Caires family for initiating the idea of the Moray House Trust, and those who worked to bring it to fruition.
There were also choice poetic presentations by promising Guyanese youths, including: Maryam Bacchus of Queen’s College, who did one of Martin Carter’s pieces, “Not I with this Torn Shirt”; Kojo Mc Pherson; Rochelle Christie; Tivia Collins; Kencil Banwarie; Chontelle Sewette, and Jamilia Whittaker; and a video presentation, “Looking at Your Hands”, by Dr. Paloma Mohamed.
Introducing a new book
The curtain came down with the introduction of Major General (R’td) Joseph Singh’s book “Growing Up in British Guiana: 1945-1964”. The book captures the varied and exciting experiences of the author growing up as a child in British Guiana. Introduced by Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, who hailed it as a labour of love, the book is the most recent of five publications by Mr. Joe Singh, whom Dr. Roopnaraine acknowledged for his many sterling contributions to the nation.
The retired Major General read a few spirited and animated passages from the book, and concluded, “This is a way of telling my grandchildren where they came from.”
The book is currently on sale at Austin’s Book Store on Church Street, Company Path, Georgetown at a cost of $1500.