I was born in St Lucia in 1946, the fourth of six children. I attended Roman Catholic boys’ primary and secondary schools, then teachers’ training college. I was a teacher for 4 years in St Lucia, then I came to Guyana in the 1960s. At the time, both my parents were working with the Demerara Bauxite Company. In fact, I have two sisters who were born in Guyana. I joined the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and stayed in the army for 27 years, leaving with the rank of Warrant Officer Class II.
I completed a degree in Political Studies from Cuba in 1972, whilst in the army. My military honours include a State Warrant in 1970, Border Defence Medal in 1974, Military Efficiency Medal in 1980, and a Military Commemoration Medal in 1990.
At the Government Technical Institute, I attained a Certificate in Electrical Installation in 1984, and a Certificate in Refrigeration Services in 1986. I currently hold an Electrical Contractor’s Licence. In addition, I completed a Certificate in Conflict Resolution, by distance learning, from the American University of Peace Studies in 2006, I am about to complete a Diploma in Counselling, and I am enrolled for a degree in Strategic Management, to begin in January. I am self-employed, and work in both the refrigeration and security fields.
I would say that I am a man with great ambition, and I like to take an example from people around me who are successful, and who have high self esteem. I manage myself well under pressure. But my greatest motivation is my family. I am committed to maintaining a strong family and family values, and to my Christian faith. I am active at my church, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Brickdam. I am married, with four children. My parents returned to St Lucia in their retirement. But apart from my immediate family, I have to think of whoever is around me. There are people out there suffering. We have to see them as our greater family, and help them when we can.
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