In March, 2010, Margaret Clemons, Lesley University’s Associate Provost, Dr. Gene Diaz and Dr. Mitchell Kossak, Expressive Therapies Division Director at Lesley University traveled to Guyana to meet with the Minister of Human Services and Social Security (Priya Manickchand) to discuss the possibilities for collaboration between MCF and the government of Guyana. On behalf of MCF, Margaret Clemons presented Minister Manickchand with a check for the establishment of a scholarship fund for victims of violence currently living in the Ministry’s orphanages and shelters.
In addition the group met with Dr. Brian O’Toole, Director of Nations Schools and Nations University whose outstanding charitable works in Guyana’s underprivileged community make a future collaboration with MCF likely. The group also visited with Doris Roos, Director of the Child Protective Services of UNICEF, and Margaret Kertzious, Director of the Help & Shelter organization in Guyana. Margaret Clemons, on behalf of MCF, presented Help & Shelter with a contribution for their outstanding work in defense of women and children in Guyana. Meetings also took place with stakeholders at the Ministry of Education, Audrey Benn, Program Officer of the Women’s Policy Group at the University of Guyana as well as a number of education consultants to the Ministry of Education.
