Press Release for "BFMACC" 2nd Anniversary - August 4th, 2020
PRESS RELEASE FOR "BFMACC" 2nd ANNIVERSARY - AUGUST 4TH, 2020
BUXTON/ FRIENDSHIP MUSEUM, ARCHIVES & CULTURE CENTER (BFMACC)
(Supported by The Friends of Villages Museum & Archives Inc., a non-profit organization in the USA)
EMAIL:
Tel: 502-1970
Greetings, We trust that all is well as we combat this monster of a pandemic, caused by COVID-19. It has become a daily ritual for us to follow all protocols of washing hands, social distancing and other directives & medical advice handed down to us by our respective Governments to keep us safe, healthy and alive. At a time when we need each other’s support. It is also a time for us to reflect on the way we used to live and go back to using some of our basic herbs, vitamins and most of all building up our immune system. Please let us all try to stay safe and healthy. Also, we offer our condolences to all those who have lost loved ones and wish all those who are hospitalized or quarantined, speedy recovery.
On August 4th, 2018, we had a grand opening of "The Buxton / Friendship Museum Archives and Culture Center" located at Lot 35 Buxton Middle Street (Lower Level) Buxton Village, East Coast, Demerara, Guyana. With the declared Emancipation of slavery in 1838, the Village Movement was spreading. The pioneers, both male and female, were still able to save enough money to buy Plantation Orange Nassau later renamed Buxton. Friendship Village was later purchased and the combined area became Buxton /Friendship. The purchase of Buxton / Friendship and other villages set the stage for the formation of the Cooperative movement in Guyana. Located in a historical village on the East Coast of Demerara, such a museum has much more meaning, since it embodies not only a Museum but an Archive with a cultural mandate. What is also significant about BFMACC is our Mission of “rekindling the ancestral fortitude which can promote resilient entrepreneurial contributions in molding the socioeconomic fabric of the villages and nation of Guyana.” Towards this mission we co-sponsored and sponsored Economic Development seminars. It is our duty to preserve historical documents, memorabilia and historical artifacts for future generations.
To bring you up to date, the museum is temporarily closed to the public due to the pandemic. However, we donated masks to the Health Center in Buxton / Friendship Village, for the elderly and chronically ill. The distribution was coordinated by the doctor on site Dr. Moore-Thorne; along with another distribution to pensioners which was coordinated by the Buxton Post Office, Post Mistress. The masks were made by Primo's Garment Manufacturing Est. in Buxton.
The 1st Anniversary Celebrations of the Buxton/Friendship Museum, Archives & Cultural Center (BFMACC), held on August 3rd & 4th 2019, in Guyana was a tremendous success. Your generosity, encouragement and support greatly assisted in opening the doors of the Museum and Archives. We were able to hold several exhibitions and hosted many visitors. We also secured a limited grant from the Government of Guyana which enabled us to place a sign on the main road, along with other enhancements and expenses for the museum. The street leading from the main road is now paved.
To date, BFMACC has attracted numerous visitors, both locally and from overseas. In addition, students from many schools in the district visited the facility as part of their civics and social studies program, while students from the University of Guyana visited as part of their research projects. Some also participated in our Young Visionaries program and assisted in enhancing the Museum collections of artifacts from the village.
Mr. Deon Abrams was the featured speaker at the First Anniversary celebration at the Museum compound on August 3rd.2019, while Dr. Barbara Josiah was the keynote speaker, for our First Annual Dinner & Dance in Guyana on August 4th 2019, which was held at the Tipperary Hall in Buxton. In continuing the celebrations, November last year The Friends of the Villages Museum & Archives Inc. held its First Biennial Special Awards Dinner & Dance at the Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center in Laurel, Maryland USA. The keynote speaker for this event was Dr. Nigel Westmaas.
In keeping with our mission and vision, we formed the Young Visionaries in 2015 that has mandate to carry out that legacy of BFMACC and are continuously being educated to such effect. This education of the Young Visionaries is ensured with their attendance at Summer Programs at Walter Roth and the National Museum along with annual programs by the 3rd year class of Social Work Students from the University of Guyana who volunteered at the Museum and worked with the Young Visionaries. These youths are the legacy and the future life of the Museum & Archives. It is their duty and that of the other youths in the village to protect and ensure its continuity. The Young Visionaries held a successful two day Farmers Market. Working with other Board Members, the brain child of this Market was Bro. Ascari Campbell , who is BFMACC security officer, a board member of the Young Visionaries and has been engaged in Agriculture the in the compound of the Museum since it opened. He is also educating our Young Visionaries in Agriculture. (Correction to Chronicle article June 13,2020)
To date, we are very pleased with what has been accomplished and look forward to your continued support as we seek to build on the foundation established and work towards long term functioning and sustainability of the BFMACC. We thank the Government and all other contributors for their generous support and contribution of cash, in-kind support, as well as the donation of artifacts and historical documents.
As we celebrate another milestone in August 2020, we ask that you commit to safeguarding your health, further enabling us to preserve our history and culture thereby enhancing our Mission and Vision.
Stay well, stay safe.
Sincerely,
Keith Easton (for BFMACC)
Founder & President, FVMA
