– Yvette Herod is a ‘Special PersonBy Neil MarksWhen Yvette Herod talks about the Toucan II Multi-Purpose Club being a sanctuary for “hundreds” of children from the twin villages of Buxton/Friendship and other nearby communities, she is not exaggerating.Literally hundreds have passed through the club and have gone on to make something good of their lives – and Herod is justly proud. For the record, she can easily name them.It is exactly the reason she thought of the idea to set up the club some 15 years ago – to serve as an escape for youths who would have otherwise had nothing to do, and would end up,Wholesale Jerseys, at best, “idling.”Her interest in developing the community’s youth springs from her own strong, well-rounded background in music, community involvement and education. And it is all grounded in a village which was once highly regarded as a cradle for academic high achievers.The Buxton community, which has since merged with Friendship village, was classified as a haven for criminals during one of the most violent periods in Guyana’s history, after five dangerous men escaped from the country’s main jail in February 2002. The Army would move in to “take over” the village, and it was gunfire “day and night” as Herod remembers it.However, amidst that prolonged period of turmoil, she kept the Toucan II Multi-Purpose Club going, and indeed, her long involvement in community development activities would lead to her become one of the facilitators of peace talks to restore order in the community.Indeed, the club’s facilities would also be used to assist other members of community when one of the worst floods in recent history would engulf the coastland.For Herod, the club has achieved much and she aspires to see it play a greater role in helping the community’s youth.EARLY LIFEShe was born Yvette Veronica Alison Herod, to parents George and Sybil Herod, just over 60 years ago at Friendship. Her father was a porkknocker who would often head out to the interior to seek gold and diamonds. But George was also an avid farmer. So, no matter where he went, he would set up a farm and it came in handy for periods when heavy rainfall did not allow seeking for precious minerals.Sybil,Teemu Selanne Ducks Throwback Jersey, meantime, took care of the children, and also tended a garden. A thrifty woman, Sybil also got involved in craft making as part of the Buxton Women’s Institute. It was one of many such institutes in the village geared at providing a means of livelihood for women and girls. Yvette was one of 12 children born to George and Sybil.She grew up in disciplined surroundings, where children were expected to be respectful to their elders as almost a matter of ritual.Something else that also seemed a ritual was for young people to gainfully occupy their time. There were all manner of clubs, groups and institutes that one could join – and you had to.Yvette grew up hearing of the legend about Buxton people stopping a train. But she is quick to add some clarification, as told by village elders, that it was the women of the nearby village of Friendship who organized the protest, and others from Buxton then joined in. The story goes back to 1862 when villagers, armed with varying weapons – such as cutlasses and axes – laid on the railway tracks to stop a locomotive. The intention was to petition the governor, who was on the train, to abolish a repressive tax that was imposed on the properties of several villagers.The story is held up as the one that has given Buxton the face of courage, and Yvette was ever cognizant of that. She was proud to be part of such a village.In her time, Buxton was regarded as the educational capital of Guyana, with three secondary schools – Buxton Government, County High School and Smith’s College.After her early schooling – attending Ms McKinnon’s Nursery and St Anthony RC (now Friendship Primary) – Yvette was enrolled at the County High School, which was founded in 1956 by Sydney Evanson King, more familiarly known today as Eusi Kwayana, one of the most respected village leaders in Buxton, and who was also the school’sprincipal.As a young girl, after school, Yvette could not be seen idling. Indeed, it was the case with most if not all of the community’s youth. There were too many activities for them not to get involved in any.Apart from helping with the family’s garden, Yvette got involved in sewing, but one day her mother asked her if she would like to get involved in music. Yvette was very interested. Over time, she took lessons at various music lessons held in the village and developed a love for classical and folk music, as well as the singing of national songs. She also learnt to play the piano.But besides music lessons after sc