The Season’s Challenges: GAWU’s 2008 Christmas Message of Hope

What a momentous year 2008 was! Depending on a particular Guyanese citizens perspective and position on significant events both locally and internationally, the year might rate as one of great achievements, disaster, much hope and devastating challenges.

Before offering a brief review of a significant year, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) joins the Christian community in the observance of the year-end Festival of the Birth of their Saviour, Jesus Christ. The Birth celebrated on one day, December 25, within a period which ushers in a new calendar year, also ushers in eternal hope for mankind, Christian or not. The belief that God assumed flesh to walk amongst men of many continents, offers a future that the greatest gift promised and promises.

To GAWU, it is no wonder then that this Christian Festival, CHRISTMAS, touches all ethnicities both with its universal message of hope and the unique Guyanese/Caribbean style of celebrating – with prayers, worship, specific foods, steelband and masquerade sounds, annual year-end customs and the beautiful exchanging of gifts – by family, friends, workmates and charities.

All this tradition of Christmas will be maintained by the same spirit which enabled Guyanese to weather the storm of high prices for fuels, additional protectionism by the world’s powerful economic blocs and organisation, the financial and economic crises in the USA and our own local challenges.

Guyana’s 2008 saw the effects of global climate change challenging our central Government and local authorities. The whole year saw the disagreements between government and municipalities, some regional authorities and, of course, the Parliamentary Opposition. But 2008 also witnessed significant triumph by our Security Forces in their on-going quest to make the nation safe and secure. Unions continued their struggles for their members’ rights and improved conditions. Then rains and floods, reminiscent of 2005’s unprecedented disaster, came down upon us in December.

However, like the Christian Saviour’s advent, once again, Government and citizens are collaborating to confront a common enemy’s assault. Just as the Christ Child’s coming touched all, so must Guyanese bury political and other differences to fight the floods of discomfort and loss.

The human spirit is indomitable. Events such as Christmas inspire, hope and joy – especially in the Guyanese heart.

GAWU wishes all Guyanese – specially its immediate staff and members a happy, sober and pleasant Christmas and pledges to work for a better, happier successful New Year.