Organizing Guyanese Abroad

In two previous – End of the Year/New Year pieces I touched on the significance, indeed almost the vital life-line, of REMITTANCES from Guyanese citizens domiciled overseas, sent back to relatives and organisations in the Guyana homeland.

Recall that I mentioned the International Fund for Agriculture Development – IFAD’s Financing Facility for Remittances which mobilizes and oversees how the taxes/commissions/surpluses from remittances are used to finance agri-projects in the recipient developing countries.  Of course, I had to mention just the old-time Guyanese Caribbean goodwill/guilt and duty to send money and other necessities to those left in their countries of origin.

Today I touch on how GUYANESE, especially, organize themselves in their (new) adopted “homes” to assist “back-home” in more structured ways.

ORGANIZING GUYANESE FOR SHARING THE LOVE
It does consist of LOVE.  But add to that concern, commitment, patriotism, and yes, even PITY.

Let’s face it, Guyanese immigrants, and millions of other nationalities who settle in more developed societies, all retain feelings and kinship for those behind – by choice or circumstance.  Even if the home-based relative or friend is financially secure or comfortably off, familiar connections and emotional/commitments remain.  So, whether because of financial needs, or the promotion of enduring professional, community and nationalistic ties, the immigrants bond together to remember, practically, the folks in the home-land.  But just HOW do Guyanese do this?

I now borrow from the preliminary work of Guyanese DR. LEAR MATTHEWS, who has been studying how Guyanese in the Diaspora organize, mobilize, support and execute both assistance and connections.  Just two excerpts from his Brief: (1.) Diaspora   connections involving Hometown Associations (HTAs) is a growing phenomenon among English-speaking Caribbean immigrants.  HTAs are organizations that allow immigrants from the same region, village, town or previously shared institution, to maintain ties with and materially support their place of origins.
THE GUYANESE EXPERIENCE
Although forms of transnational practices are not new among immigrant populations, a recent report affirmed that approximately 30% of Guyanese residing in the United States who send remittances are involved with these organizations, about 200 of which exist in the U.S. and Canada.  Formed on the basis of members’ interests and shared experiences, they are variously described as Professional Associations: Alumni Associations; Civic Organisations; Medical Missions; Political Groups; Cultural Organisations; Community Development Programs; or Disaster Relief Groups.  Economic hardship, the desire to “give back”, to improve relationships with the home country government, and access to the internet as an organizing tool, appear to be the motivations behind this growing trend.  There is a view that mature, middle-age adults develop a wish to establish a foundation for the next generation and volunteerism becomes an expression of generosity.  Indeed,  membership of these HTAs is voluntary and remains the purview of the more “settled”,  permanent, mature immigrant, who would not only like to continue ties with Guyana, but contribute to its development.”

Matthews also explores some challenges and questions regarding Guyanese organizations overseas (2.) “Notwithstanding the increasing number of these organizations, dedicated participants and the enormity of financial resources they transmit, a major challenge is the difficulty of attracting new members.  This transnational phenomenon also shapes opinions about the role of Diaspora contributors.  To what extent should government leverage the use of collective remittances for infrastructure and community development efforts?  To what extent should HTA’s have a voice in institutional and nation-building?  Should members and contributors be a voting constituency?  In this regard, in the campaign for Guyana’s upcoming general elections, candidates heavily court support for immigrants in North America and Hometown Association s have been at the forefront of promoting their endorsement.  Recognizing the significant contributions of expatriates, a leading candidate pledged to establish a Department on Diaspora.”     

This contributor shares the latter view:   that any Administration in Georgetown should also organize structurally, governmentally, to maximize opportunities from its overseas human resources.  But more on that next time