The Student World Assembly would like to extend a warm welcome and best wishes to our chapter in Guyana. Mr. Jefford Edison, the chapter officer, contacted us to let us know that despite difficult circumstances in his country, he and his chapter are still committed to engaging their fellow students and encouraging them to participate in our efforts.

According to the International Federation of the Red Cross, in January 2005 Guyana suffered severe flooding produced by torrential rains. The resulting damages caused several areas of the country to be declared disaster zones.

Mr. Edison stated that a seawall in his country has been breached, which was the cause of the flooding, and that the students in his chapter have been working diligently with national recovery programs to give aid. He also stated that the natural disaster has had a terrible impact on their national economy and that the University of Guyana alone, the university that they all attend, has lost over $300 million in books, equipment and furniture.

The University was established on April 18, 1963, over 40 years ago, and it has a current student population of over 5,000 who are studying for their undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide range of programs: from agriculture to medicine, the law and the sciences, to name only a few of the disciplines.

To offset the massive cost of rebuilding and replacing lost items, the University is currently accepting donations to assist them in repairing the damages and for the replacement of lost equipment and books. They have created a list of books that were lost or damaged at their website, www.uog.edu.gy, and provided contact information for any other donations.

It is the dedication of the Guyana Chapter of Student World Assembly to helping those who have suffered in their country that personifies all that SWA stands for and we would like to commend them in their efforts and wish them all the best in assisting their country, and university, to a full recovery.