Latest update October 6th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 04, 2016 News
By Rehanna Ramsay
A genuine desire to serve her community is essentially what catapulted 19 year -old Maxine Welch, into the Local Government Elections and later to the Deputy Mayorship of Lethem, Region Nine.
In fact, Welch said that as a child she dreamed of a career in politics and would often ponder on measures to serve her community.
She definitely has politics in her DNA. “My grandmother and both my parents were involved in politics and from a very young age I saw myself doing something similar for my community,” she said.
However Deputy Mayor of Lethem never really crossed her mind since the area was only recently upgraded to the status of township.
“But I like a challenge,” the teen quipped.
Welch said that the desire for community service grew while attending Primary School in Lethem. At the successful completion of her Grade Six Assessment Examination, Welch was awarded a spot at St Rose’s High School, one of the top secondary schools in Georgetown. The youngster left her beloved Lethem and ventured into the city to acquire her secondary education.
Welch said that her stint in the city was “cut short,” and she returned to Lethem to complete her secondary education at St Ignatius Secondary School.
Soon after completing her secondary school, the youngster knew exactly what she wanted to do and sought work at Regional Democratic Council (RDC). There, she secured employment as an Administrative Assistant.
It was there too, that the teenager received the niche she needed to begin her political career. “Some of the people who definitely inspired me are the Regional Executive Officer (REO) and Assistant REO in Lethem,” Welch added.
And while filled with excitement at the thought of representing residents of Lethem at the level of Local Government, there were times, Welch admitted, when she needed motivation on the campaign trail. To that end, the young leader said that the encouragement of her fellow Councilors, “definitely helped.”
She noted too that a significant amount of prayers were presented on her behalf. “I am a believer in God and therefore I cannot forget to thank the Almighty and Pastor Olive D’Aguiar who continually prayed for me throughout the process,” she added.
The Deputy Mayor is also grateful to the APNU–AFC coalition and her many supporters in the Constituency.
Welch was voted into her seat by residents of Constituency Three in Lethem. These include Moco –Moco, Manari – a section of Tabatinga Bridge to Third Street. But while she remains enthusiastic about this new venture the 19-year -old wants most of all to make her family and friends in the Municipality (her biggest supporters) very pleased with her efforts and service.
Although she is like any fun-loving, ordinary teenager, Welch is optimistic that her youthfulness, passion and drive will be a plus in her work with the Lethem Town Council.
She said her work at the RDC as the Administrative Assistant will certainly help as she seeks to fulfill her duties as Deputy Mayor.
“I am honoured to represent the residents of Lethem and I hope to serve in their best interest,” Welch stated.
She has already started consultations with persons in the Region. “I am seeking to identify their needs and I am also talking to residents to see exactly what can be done to cause development in the Region.”
Welch believes that Lethem is a hidden gem with many untapped resources and the potential of being Guyana’s next great metropolis. The new Deputy Mayor is specifically interested in the development of youth and education in Region Nine.
And although she plans on pursuing her studies at the Tertiary level, the teenager is channeling all her efforts towards serving in the capacity of Local Government authority in the Region.
“I absolutely plan on furthering my studies at the University level. It will definitely involve Political Science but that will have to wait a few years until I am finished serving my term on the Council here in my hometown of Lethem,” Welch declared.
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