Setting the Records
Straight - High Dam Community and Health Centre
The High Dam Community and Health Centre, was an
Independence project for which MEGAN HULDAH (WALCOTT/SANCHO) NACIMENTO,
popularly known as PRECIOUS, Member of Parliament; Government Chief Whip; Secretary, East Demerara Region, Lilliandal - Abary;
Chairman, West Mahaicony Village Council; Justice of the Peace; Commissioner of
Oaths to Affidavits; Community Development Worker; and Candidate, for General
Elections, 1968 - 1983. Ms.Nacimento received 1966 Independence Medal for the
High Dam Community and Health Centre project.
Origins of Project
Mr. Forbes Burnham, the Leader of the PNC, challenged PNC
group leaders to propose viable projects that would be beneficial to their communities.
Ms.Nacimento imagined a Community and Health Centre would be a desirable
project the community at High Dam, in the Mahaicony district. Simply because of
her experiences, when pregnant; along with other females had to walk about half
of a mile to the former health care facility at Fairfield. Thus, Ms.Nacimento
approached Mr. Norman Percival, her step father, and they discussed the probability
and necessity of such a project. Mr. Norman Percival donated the land on which
the building was constructed.
The project was approved in 1966. However, it did not get
off the ground until 1968 when Ms. Nacimento was appointed Community
Development Worker in the Ministry of Community Development. She was
instrumental in getting the residents of High Dam and neighboring villages to
make their contributions as Self-Help, in conjunction with Government
contribution to complete construction of the building. This building is still
useful. It is serving the community in 2013.
I would like to acknowledge the efforts of all of the
people who participated in the completion of the project during my leadership.
I would like to name everyone but my memory refuses to cooperate. However, I
can recall Farinha, Robertson, GilGeours, Rutherford, Pompey, Balkarran,
Simpson, Hughes, Byrne, Chichester, Percival, Nobrega, and others.
Yours Truly,
Megan Nacimento (Precious)
Brooklyn, NY
August 01, 2013
No comments:
Post a Comment