by Lin-Jay Harry-Voglezon?(American International News Correspondent)As the debate for comprehensive immigration reform gains momentum and some kind of legislative response seems imminent, the plight of teachers recruited from the Caribbean during 2001-2006 period is growing.At the rally held at Capitol Hill on Wednesday, March 20, to highlight the Caribbean-African position on prospective amendments, representatives of the more than 1000 Caribbean teachers and their children aired their grievances.Later, contingents delivered two documents to Senators, including Eric Cantor (Republican) and Kirsten Gillivrand (Democrat). The documents amounting to 57 pages of documented discontent,Discount NFL Jerseys, explanations and suggestions was titled “ Broken Promises: the story of Caribbean International Teachers in New York City’s Public Schools” and? “ Dream Deferred: Black, Invisible & Documented: The Plight of Caribbean Immigrant Youth”.Ms. Judith De Four-Howard, teacher of Crotona Park West,Cheap Wholesale NFL Jerseys, a K-8 school, and representative of the Coalition for Educational Justice addresses the rally. To her left in front row, is Mr. Alden Nesbitt, from Trinidad and Tobago, son of a recruited teacher. He also addressed the rally.According to Judith De Four-Howard,Cheap Jerseys From China, a recruit from Trinidad and Tobago, and representative of the Coalition for Educational Justice, Caribbean teachers “came from very comfortable situations” to one where they cannot realize “ even their level of creativity, not even their level of productivity, not even occupational mobility.”Besides, “they have lost freedom, social standing, become financially unstable and financially disadvantaged.” This is so, she said, because the teachers are wrongly classified as unskilled labour (EB3) under the immigration law rather than as professionals (EB2)and there are no means of redress.The transition from Caribbean recruited teachers to permanent American residents and citizens is therefore stymied in a complex? bureaucratic process, incurring “prohibitive legal fees…and constant threat of termination and deportation,” as happened in 2004 when 200 teachers received letters of termination from the Department of Education on the expiration of their visas.It took the intervention of Congressman Major Owen to avert expulsion.According to the “Broken Promises”, one document of the grievances authored by the Association of International Educators and The Black Institute, at the time of recruitment the teachers were promised “New York State certification, Master’s degrees, housing assistance and ultimately, a pathway to permanent United States residency for themselves and their nuclear families”.These promises were never met by the New York City Department of Education, it states, although the teachers remained in the school system “teaching in areas where there are teacher shortages – often in low-income, low-performing schools.”The promises, said De Four-Howard, made Caribbean teachers take calculated risks to uproot themselves from the Caribbean but the hardships are unacceptable.The dilemma of the teachers inevitably extends to their children. The other document, “Dream Deferred”,Cheap Jerseys Outlet, noted that “many of their children have ‘aged-out’ of their legal immigration status as they are no longer dependents under their parents’ visas…Because the parents did not receive green cards by the time the youth reached age 21 they’ve lost their status”.And since most of the children arrived in the US after age 16 they cannot qualify for the Presidents’ Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme (DACA).So the children cannot legally work, are barred from obtaining driver’s licences or state identification, have to qualify as F-1 international students to continue their post-secondary education, prohibited from accessing scholarships,Wholesale Jerseys, grants and any form of public assistance, disqualified from their parents’ health insurance but cannot have their own, and are subjected to “stop-and-frisk” and deportation.While an F-1 visa legalizes the students’ status the cost of attending college doubles as they are required to “pay out-of-state tuition rates”. These additional costs are also burdensome to the families. Alternatively, the students could remain with their expired H-4 visas, pay in-state tuition rates but risk deportation.One condition of the F-1 visas is that its holder must return to his country of origin. To become a permanent resident therefore, depends on whether an employer is willing to sponsor him, whether a family member, preferably a parent, would petition on his behalf,<a href="http://www.nfljerseysc

The garbage collection system in Linden, which for a long time had been severely challenged by inadequate equipment,Wholesale Jerseys, was recently boosted with the purchase of two new compactor trucks at a cost of some $7M.The trucks were purchased from funds released for the 2009 $10M subvention.Town clerk, Patrick Inniss, is advising persons to equip themselves with some kind of garbage receptacle so that pick up by the trucks would be easier.Inniss said that by law each residence or business place should have receptacles for their garbage. He noted that if this is done, apart from alleviating the stress of garbage collection by the municipality,Cheap NFL Jerseys, the town would be a much cleaner place.For a long time, certain locations in Linden, especially areas around the Mackenzie Market and the Linden/Georgetown bus park, have become virtual dumping grounds.Many vendors and market stallholders dump their refuse around these areas indiscriminately, with the result that cows and other animals have ‘field days’ rummaging through the stinking piles.Another popular dumping ground for refuse is none other than the much touted ‘river front’, which is the area around Co-op Crescent, a facility converted from a former ‘shanty town’ which was dotted with make shift stalls and a nauseating garbage heap, to the present facility by the Linden Economic Advancement Fund.While the present River Front is a far cry from what it used to be,NFL Jerseys From China, judging from the scant respect shown by some persons who throw their refuse over the rails, it won’t be long before the area is transformed into a huge dumpsite.And these perpetrators unashamedly contend that there are no garbage receptacles in the area.However this was not always the case, as when the river front was first established several refuse receptacles were placed at strategic points,Wholesale China Jerseys, with signs that advised persons to ‘pop it, don’t drop it’!Even the benches that were later installed have this admonishment conspicuously displayed on the backs.These receptacles were however stolen or damaged, according to Town clerk, Patrick Inniss, who said that the council is now looking at ways to have them replaced.The consensus among concerned residents,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, was that the receptacles had better be replaced sooner rather than later,China Jerseys For Sale, as any build up of garbage along the riverfront,would present a huge challenge for the municipality.This was confirmed by a senior official of the council who said that cleaning the riverfront, proves to be quite a challenge for workers, who have to skip huge boulders and contend with the tide.Informed sources have indicated that the municipality currently has a few persons before the courts for littering. This was confirmed by the council official, who further declared that any person found guilty of this offence will likewise be placed before the courts. (Enid Joaquin)

Residents of St Cuthbert’s Mission in the Upper Mahaica River were up to yesterday deeply disturbed over the fate of a young member of the community who has gone missing since Friday April 27 last.Jermaine Dundas,Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping, also known as “Cow”, 23, was part of a group of men who travelled from St. Cuthbert’s Mission to Little Biaboo Creek,China NFL Jerseys, 50 miles north of the village ten days ago to sell logs.According to reports, after they had finished their business Dundas and his companions attended a wedding at Little Biaboo.Around 4.30 hours the next day when the others were ready to leave,Cheap Jerseys China, his companions said, they failed to locate him.They later found a jersey and a pair of slippers which he was wearing at the wedding under a house where they had sought lodging.They also found his haversack with all his other clothing inside,NFL Jerseys China, undisturbed.The five persons reported his disappearance to the Mahaica Police Station and then subsequently to the Police Station at St. Cuthbert’s Mission.They were arrested, interrogated and then released.Toshao of the village,NFL Jerseys Cheap, Luke Simon, said that the disappearance of Dundas was very disturbing to the tightly knit community.“He is the second of two children for his parents and they are now at their wits end trying to determine what to do next,Agustin Marchesin Jersey,” he said.Simon disclosed that a search party had sought to find Dundas but had been unsuccessful.Simon said that he is travelling out to Georgetown from St Cuthbert’s Mission today to seek assistance from the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and other Officials to get a more intensive investigation going to determine what has happened to Dundas.

“If yuh play with fire,Cheap Jerseys, yuh gonna get burn” is a term that two-year old Akeem Thomas of Region Seven is not yet able to comprehend. He therefore continued to play around a burning garbage heap despite his mother’s warning.An injured Akeem Thomas taking a nap in the Pediatric Ward of GPHCAccording to Felicia Cummings,NFL Jerseys Supply, she was on her way to remove the child from near the fire when he stumbled and fell palms down on the burning heap. He was unable to get up and by the time his mother rushed to his assistance,Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale, there were materials stuck onto his right palm.“When I picked him up,Wholesale Hockey Jerseys 2018, I tried to brush off the stuff that was in his hand,Cheap Jerseys From China, but it just mek it worst. The whole skin from inside his hand just tear off.”The child was treated at a health facility in Region Seven before being transferred to the Georgetown Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was treated at the Accidents and Emergency (A&E) Unit before being admitted to the Children’s Ward there.The woman added that a Pediatrician of (GPHC) has said that while the child would be fine,Jerseys NFL Cheap, his palm will take a while to heal.

To rekindle the art of reading, enhance writing skills, and allow another adventure into the industry of literature, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) sponsored a five-day creative writing workshop, organized by Writers in Concert (WICK).Inge Nathoo, Secretary General, UNESCO Commission Guyana, yesterday, at the opening of the workshop held at the Georgetown National Library, informed the 45 participants,China NBA Jerseys, comprising youths and adults,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, that literacy is at the heart of reading and writing.“Literacy is a human right, a tool of personal empowerment and a means for social and human development,” she stated.Nathoo asserted that one of the more important traditions birthed by UNESCO is the World Book and Copyright Day. The organization is involved in other programmes including World Poetry Day, and World Storytelling Day.She noted that every opportunity that is afforded in the world of writing must be utilized to the optimum.“The fact that persons have signed up for this workshop is an indication of a positive thrust in their development as custodians of ideas and agents of change. Persons can make a difference through their writing,” Nathoo stated.“The workshop is anticipated to be the stepping stone into the world of writing for participants who want to continue writing,” President of WICK Petamber Persaud indicated.“The opportunity is there for them to remain in contact with their group’s facilitator who would continue to help develop their writings and exchange ideas.? In addition, after the conclusion of the workshop writings they would continue to undergo scrutiny so that well written pieces would be available.”According to Bibi Ali, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Development), Ministry of Education, the workshop is important as it focuses on language development, and language is man’s major form of communication.She stressed that the ability to write thoughts and feelings in the various formats is a skill that everyone must develop and maintain for effective communication.“Writing allows greater clarity and appreciation of each other’s effort to communicate. From an educational point of view the benefits of being able to write creatively are tremendous and can serve several functions including: entertainment, foster artistic expression,Cheap Jerseys For Sale, and stimulate imagination,” Ali noted.She continued: “While writing certainly should be enjoyable, and children should have opportunities to choose their own subjects and methods of writing, the importance of creative writing in developing children’s cognitive and communication skills cannot be underestimated.“Great poets, playwrights,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, and novelists in Guyana and beyond have been able to arouse readers’ emotions and imaginations and encourage persons to explore hidden feelings. This is owing to their ability to express thoughts, feelings and emotions in an imaginative, unique and poetic way.”Ali posited that if one were to read the work of Martin Carter, Naipaul,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, and Shakespeare,Jerseys NFL Wholesale, he or she would see how unique they are, even though they are equally compelling.WICK was officially registered this year as an entity. It seeks to ignite the landscape of Guyanese literature.

– car found at seawall Police are investigating the disappearance of a young doctor and his girlfriend.Twenty-seven-year-old Dr. Samsundar Lakeram,Wholesale Jerseys Cheap, called Sarwan, who is attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, and his 25-year-old fianc?e, Radica Devi Dwarka, a clerk at the same medical institution,Wholesale China Jerseys, were supposed to have returned to their respective homes on Saturday evening, but never did.The car they were using was found abandoned yesterday morning on the Georgetown seawall, a few yards from the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Eve Leary.The missing woman’s parents, ‘Chato’ and Whelema Dwarka, are still hoping that she will turn up alive.The clothes the two missing persons were wearing were discovered in the abandoned vehicle.The couple’s cash and other important documents were missing from the vehicle.Detectives believe that whoever is responsible for the couple’s disappearance abducted them, stripped them of their clothing, and then took their vehicle to the Eve Leary seawall, where they abandoned it to throw investigators off track.It is believed that the couple was abducted sometime after midday on Saturday, but up to late yesterday afternoon, family members had received no call for ransom.They claimed that it is very unlikely that the couple would have disappeared without informing relatives, since the two were scheduled to be married soon.They also dismissed suggestions that the couple might have gone into the Atlantic Ocean for a dip, since, according to relatives, neither of them could swim, nor would they undress at that location during the day.According to sources, the couple’s car was seen parked on the seawall near the CID headquarters since at about 18:00 hours on Saturday.Yesterday, several relatives from both families launched a search for the missing couple, combing the entire seawall area from Kitty to Kingston without success.Police ranks search a section of the Kingston Seawall for the missing couple.Speaking with this newspaper yesterday, the missing woman’s mother, Whelema Dwarka, said that her daughter, who resides with her at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, was picked up by her fianc? to go to the city.“He pick she up at about 10 o’clock. She said that they were going to buy a cell phone and fix a laptop computer,” Dwarka said.She added that when her daughter left the house she had $30,000 on her person, but there was no trace of the cash, although the missing girl’s purse was found in the abandoned car. Neither was there any sign of the laptop computer or the cellular phone they had supposedly purchased.Dwarka said that her daughter’s bank cards are also missing.“She was going to give me the money, but I told her to keep it and give it to me later,” the woman said.The doctor’s relatives also informed that he, too,Wholesale NBA Jerseys China, had left his home at Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara, with a quantity of cash,Cheap Jerseys China, which is also missing from the items recovered.He is the second son of a prominent hardware store owner.Whelema Dwarka said that her daughter, a former employee of this newspaper, would normally return home at about 20:00 hours whenever she went out with her boyfriend.However, when she failed to show up on Saturday night, her mother became worried and contacted her boyfriend’s parents to ascertain if they knew of the couple’s whereabouts.But none of the family members had a clue as to where the couple was.Calls were made to their cellular phones,Cheap Jerseys Online, but no one answered.According to Dwarka, yesterday morning,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, the doctor’s father and other family members picked her and her husband up and took them to the city to carry out searches for the couple.They eventually stumbled upon the car on the seawall, and immediately alerted the police.Investigators found no signs of a struggle, since the couple’s clothes were intact and there were no visible signs of blood.“We believe that they were ordered to strip so as to make it more difficult for them to escape from their abductors,” a police source told this newspaper.Shortly after the investigations commenced, as senior detectives converged at the CID Headquarters, it was reported that the doctor’s father had been informed by telephone that the couple was being held in a hut.“But by the time he go to ask where, the phone went dead,” a relative said.By afternoon yesterday, the search had been extended to other parts of the city, and had even moved to the East Bank of Demerara.But there was still no trace of the couple.“There is no reason for the