Greetings to all  CHS-JCCSS grads, teachers and families, on the coming of the New Year, 2009.  I would like to take this opportunity to wish you peace , good health, happiness and a prosperous New Year.

As we come to the end of 2008,  we have great reasons to  look  forward  and be prepared to embrace the big challenges in the year 2009 

The Alumni  planning committee has four events planned for 2009:

** Two picnics in the park, one in New York, one in Canada

**A cricket match in NY

** A cruise in November leaving from Cape Canaveral in FL

 As soon as the events dates are confirmed, Rishi will have them blogged.  I do realize that many of you will have to hand in your vacation schedule at a specific time, but please be patient. I am waiting for answers put on hold due to the holiday season.

**Last but not least, we know that many Alumni are interested in finding their ancestral roots. We can help you on your “voyage” of discovery.

At this time, in saying goodbye to the year 2008,  we reflect on all that has taken place in our lives. In my lifetime here in the USA, I think that this is  a historical year —with two momentous events: the recordable financial crisis and the great  Presidential election.

We remember each experience for the good that has come of it, and the knowledge we have gained.  We reflect on all  the hard work and the efforts we have made, the goals reached , the tears shed in the loss of lives–loved ones and friends, the joys of making new friends and reconnecting to old classmates , the laughter and the happiness shared through the exchange of thoughts on the CHS website.

As we reflect on the various ventures in the past year, be it happy or sad, we also need to think of the new coming year  with optimism, to celebrate life with thanks and appreciation as we cross the threshold into the beginning of 2009.

The New Year is  a time for change , hope and renewal. Amidst it all, may our common fund raising achievements also bring to fruition hope and fulfillment to the students of  CHS-JCCSS, our old school of glory.

 With God’s blessings,   Happy New Year CHS Alumni & family. Looking forward to meet and greet everyone at our planned events.

Beauty

CHS-JCCSS Social Events Committee

CANADIAN TEAM:

Dee (Sheiker) Baldeo

Sher ( Moti) Goordat

Syd Latchana

Birgoon Balkissoon

US TEAM:

Beauty(Rawana) Ramotar

Paul Erriah

Aslim Khan

Loretta(Young)Latchmansingh

Rohilya Persaud

Pam Kumar 

Dear Rishi and CHS associates,

Greetings, best wishes and prayers for a very happy and God blessed New Year, 2009,

Fr. Joe Chira, SJ

Kerala, India

…to new and old friends in the CHS Family

By David Ambler

I have learned over the past 18 months or so the value that most CHS graduates place on keeping in touch with each other. The Reunion event in August was a resounding success and I was happy to be part of it, not least in my unpaid role as PA to one committee member! Having worked in Guyana for a couple of years and having since then had long acquaintance with many in the Guyanese diaspora I think I have managed to immerse myself to some degree in the Guyanese psyche and way of doing things. The CHS Reunion project is one such “Guyanese” example of how to engender ongoing comradeship amongst a widely dispersed band of former pupils.

Undoubtedly the movement to keep the CHS name alive through events such as the Reunion and the ongoing wider communication arena of this website is a testimony to the will and committment of the majority to do so. I hope it will continue for many years and I also hope I can renew the many friendships made through my own links to CHS. Nowadays I have far more friends and acquaintances amongst the CHS family and the wider Guyanese community than I have amongst my own roots. 

But this Christmas, influenced in some measure by your own example of togetherness, I have made the effort to and been partly successful in tracking down a handful of relatives I had not spoken to for up to 40 years. Thank you for providing the impetus-by-example for me to do this. I wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year. We will be spending Old Year’s Night hosting one of those long-lost relatives I mentioned above, a nephew and godson I hadn’t seen for over 10 years until I found him on the internet a few weeks ago and who was overjoyed that I got in touch. There’s definitely something to be said for keeping the family alive! It’s what brings a lot of joy to some lives, a bit like the CHS Family!

David Ambler

Dear Friends,

As I leave for four months in Guyana on January 1, I would like to share with you another  situation at the place , Black Bush Polder,Corentyne, Guyana,  where we implement our program of Domestic Violence and Suicide Prevention. See article below regarding flooding.

The present flooding will cause more problems for the poor living at this  place, which will make our work more challanging. A Canadian/Caribbean NGO will also assist us to build greenhouses for Hydroponic and Organic farming, suitable for flooded areas..

Most of Guyana is below sea level, the capital city, Georgetown, is six feet below sea level.  In  the days of Dutch occupation of Guyana, they built a six foot wall around the city, to keep out the ocean. .  Along the coastline, mongrove trees were planted  and the silt from  the quick-sand like seashore, build a natural dam among the roots of the mongrove, that serves as a sea defence…Excess water drainage to the Atlantic Ocean takes  place  by gravity, at low tide, manual ‘ koakers or sluices ‘ are opened and the excess water goes into the ocean, but silt build up is a problem for properly operation of koakers…Only recently, mechanical pumps were used..

Guyana receive a  regular amount of rain for May/June, but now the rains seems to come throughout the year and in heavier downpour, thus flooding remain for longer periods and destroying crops…

Our program implementation takes  place at this place , Black Bush Polder, a rice farming community of 3000, where five youth attempts suicide and one completed suicide occur, almost every month…We plan to continue with our  program to build sports facilities and provide peer counselling , leadership and suicide intervention training for the youth, as well as Hydroponic and Organic farming and a literacy program.

Stay well and a Peaceful New Year to you and your family…

With warm regards,

Vince

In the past week the CHS-JCCSS website received 1,124  visits from the following 11 countries: Bahamas | Canada  | Colombia | Fiji |Germany|Guyana | Mauritius | Netherland Antilles | “Not Set” | USA | UK |[Source: Google Analytics]

Note that there is an extra second in this year ( a leap second ). Please make good use of it!! 

I wish all a blessed holiday season.

I have to share with all the sad news that my eldest brother, Filbert Peters, an ex CHS student who opted for the Apprentice Training Center at Port Mourant, from where he graduated in 1964, passed away on Christmas morning at age 65. Arrangements are still in the works and I’ll share the info as soon as they are finalized.

I’ll be in touch….

I now have the arrangements:

Abel

The US$40M Bridge was commissioned yesterday by President Jagdeo.  One Berbician was heard to comment:  thank God me live to see this.[SinglePic not found]

May the Yule fire keep you and your household warm and fill all hearts with peace and contentment … my wish for you …

Please post the following song in gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of CHS graduates.

Julius 

Season’s Greetings and the best to all of you. Look forward to seeing everyone again at the event being planned for next Summer in Toronto!

David and Celia Jaipaul

Class of 1966