Caribbean L 12 ife, SEPTEMBER 3-9, 2021
State Senator Kevin Parker with students fl ashing big smiles, showing off
their backpacks stuffed with school supplies. Kevin Parker
Sen. Kevin Parker readies students
with back-to-school supplies
By Tangerine Clarke
State Senator Kevin Parker partnered
with agencies during a day of celebration
to prepare students for the classroom,
giving out backpacks stuffed with supplies
and PPE for a successful start of the
new school year.
Many students from across Central
Brooklyn attended the 14th Annual Harvest
Fest Back-To-School – ‘Brooklyn
Style’ gathering held on Saturday, Aug.
21, at the Paerdagat Park in the 21st
Senate District, which is represented by
Sen. Parker. The students were eager
to return to the classroom, after being
taught virtually due to the coronavirus
pandemic.
With the help of donors such as,
EmblemHealth, Spectrum, Target, DSW,
Brooklyn Kappa League, Sesame Flyers
International, Inc., and Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority Inc. Delta Rho Omega
Chapter, 1500 backpacks were handed
out to students who lined up for the educational
tools.
“The Annual Harvest Fest – Back-To-
School Celebration is one of my favorite
events. We’re dealing with a global pandemic
and a high level of uncertainty
in our everyday goings,” stated Senator
Parker.
“People have lost their jobs. Some
are facing food insecurity, and for some,
school is starting very shortly. As I help
my constituents through all of these
issues, we must continue to ensure that
our students are taken care of as well. I
still remain steadfast in my duty to make
sure that our students are as prepared as
they can be”, concluded Senator Parker.
During the hours long event families
were treated to complimentary meals
from Silver Chicken & Waffles, and
treats from Build A Better Tomorrow.
The event included arts and crafts, live
entertainment and cultural art performances
by Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy,
as well other local organizations.
Guyana, India and Oil
production is on a strong upward trajectory.
According to the U.S. Department
of State, at-year end 2020, ExxonMobil
(the largest oil company operating in the
Caribbean country) reached production
of 120 thousands of barrels per day and
plans to expand production to 750 thousand
barrels of oil per day by 2026.
Beyond the decline of Venezuela’s oil
industry, rule of law is tenuous in Caracas,
while many basic staples are unavailable,
and the regime is heavily implicated
in criminal activities. Moreover, over five
million Venezuelans have left the country,
sparking what is Latin America’s worst
refugee crisis.
Third, while Venezuela struggles to be
a reliable business partner, Guyana’s oil
industry is new, run by Western companies,
which have the most up-to-date
technology and competent management
and worker teams. The Guyanese government
is also seeking to maintain a
transparent process of selling oil, preferring
an open system over striking bilateral
deals. Moreover, the government’s
efforts to invest the money back into the
economy and society are going to help it
be a more reliable business partner. And,
unlike Venezuela, expatriate Guyanese
have returned to their homeland to work.
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