Guyanese in the United Kingdom – Survey Request
A graduate student in the Netherlands – Elaine McGregor – is doing a study on Guyanese in the U.K. She has asked Guyanese Online to post a notice that requests interested persons to take part in a survey. Full document here > Guyana in the UK -Survey Request. Here is an excerpt :-
I am currently doing research for the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands which looks specifically at the Guyanese community living in the UK. The aim of this study is to consider they ways in which Guyanese residents in the UK are engaged with Guyana, as well as the reasons why some of those individuals send money to the country. I would therefore invite any readers who were either born in Guyana or who have Guyanese heritage to consider giving 20 minutes of their time towards this study by completing the following survey:
Comments
How strange that this university should be interested in the Guyanese community in the UK and not in the Netherlands itself.
The folks in the Netherlands already know how the Guyanese are doing in their country. It is not strange to want to know how they are doing in the UK. They most likely want to find out if they are doing better in England. The Guyanese that live in the Netherlands that came from New Amsterdam which was the capital of Guyana during the Dutch occupation before the British take over are doing well and they are treated well by the Dutch. It is good data to have and to make comparisons with. In the US and Canada, Guyanese are doing very well financially and most of them sought higher education. Some of them send money to Guyana to help their families or to buy property to their retirement. I own a business and employ some Guyanese and they can’t wait to return to Guyana to retire there in the country side. They feel that they could live a good life on their social security income. That is income when you retire and has reached the age of 65 plus.
Maragret Grenardo June 18 10.13
I cannot understand why this survey has to be carried out from the Netherlands why you or your company do not come to the United Kingdom and conduct the survey Guyanese people in United Kingdom is doing very well for themselves. We send money home to our families who are less fortunate that ourselves. Most Guyanese in the United Kingdom would very much like to go back home to settle after leaving there for so many years but at present the situation in Guyana leaves a lot to be desired.
Dear Rosaline and Margaret, I am sorry for the delay in responding to your comments. I am a British Citizen doing a Masters at a Dutch University. The survey is based on a thesis topic that I have personally chosen to look into. I have been in London doing surveys but am currently based in the Netherlands because of my studies. If you would be interested in meeting to discuss further please do feel free to email me: e.mcgregor@student.maastrichtuniversity.nl. I think Ann makes a good point, it is interesting to have data to compare however the main purpose of this research is to look into the ways in which Guyanese people in the UK engage with Guyana. I am not aware of any Dutch studies although much is considered in terms of Suriname which makes sense given their colonial ties. I will be back in London from the 12th July 2012. Kind regards, Elaine McGregor
Have no fear if you want to return to Guyana to retire. The City of Gerogetown is bustling with activity and liveliness. I spent a week in July 2011 and there was never a dull moment. Walking down the streets of the City of Georgetown Guyanese have not lost their friendliness and charm. If you did not say a word to people on the steet they would say a word to you. There were no over-fed and under nourished people, instead I saw healthy, happy slim and trim ladies adorned in the two-piece tailored suits, and others riding their bicycles with big smiles on their faces. There was an abundance of fresh food in both Bourda and LaPenitence markets. The was no shortage of transportation in the city to the other regions. From what I gather most of the development is taking place in Berbice, so on my next trip I hope to pay a visit there and see for myself. Time and effort will heal the wounds inflicted on our great country in the future. Seeing is believing, so make that trip you have been planning for sometime.
Lynette Andrews-Baker