Location: Bartica, Essequibo
Classification: Commemorative Monument
Period/ Year Built: 2012
Historical Background / Description: The Monument of Hope is located on First Avenue, Bartica. It was unveiled on December 13, 2010, in honour of the 10 men and 2 police officers who lost their lives when gunmen on February 17, 2008, opened fire on the then community of Bartica, mainly focusing on the Bartica Police Station and the Transport and Harbours Department wharf.
The monument was unveiled in the presence of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; Canadian High Commissioner, Mr. Francois Manotour; Bishop of the Anglican Diocese, Reverend Cornell Moss; Pastor Ovid Benjamin; Regional Chairman, Mr. Holbert Knights; Mr. Patrick Sherdian; the Guyana Police Force; the relatives of the slain men along with other residents of Bartica.
The black marble memorial which was described as “a Symbol of Hope” by Reverend Moss was designed in Canada and built in India. It measures 3.96 metres (13 feet) in height, and weighs 8,618.26 kilograms (9.5 tons). Inscribed on one of the plaques installed on the memorial, are the names of Dexter Adrian, Irving Ferreira, Edwin Gilkes, Ronald Gomes, Ashraf Khan, Deonarine Singh, Errol Thomas, Abdool Yasseen, Lance Corpal Zaheer Zakir and Constable Shane Fredericks. The land, on which the monument was constructed, was donated by the Anglican Dioceses of Guyana. The monument was donated by Mr. Patrick Sherdian and Guyana Gold Fields Inc.
