Nothing in life comes easily, and that explains the drive I have always had to excel and succeed – Vanelda Harris

Great dreams do come true, but you must be willing and ready to fight against all odds. But too often, we tend to focus on the odds along our path to success. 

Vanelda at the Camal’s International Home for the Homeless, in Corentyne, Berbice

But most times, our mind tends to find whatever we are looking for. If we seek out excuses to fail or justify our decision not to push forward, we will find them – in the form of setbacks, constraints, and limitations. 

But if we obsess about finding a way past any of these restraints and breaking through to the level of success we set out in search of, we will discover these solutions.

One person who has been breaking through setbacks and major constraints is Vanelda Harris. While others might share the same level of success as Harris, hers is special given some of the peculiar challenges she faced during her childhood.

Vanelda Harris

Looking back on her childhood, Vanelda was born on 30th November 1995 at the Medical Arts Centre to Karen and Winston Harris. She is the third of four other children and grew up in South Ruimveldt Gardens, Georgetown.

She attended the Tender Care Day Care and then went to St Gabriel’s Nursery and Primary. In 2007, she was the top student of the school and was awarded a place at Queen’s College. As the Best Graduating student, she was also awarded the Anne Blue Scholarship Award. 

“I can vividly remember my childhood days hopping on my bicycle every afternoon after school, whenever I got the chance to and riding around my street. In the evenings, after completing my homework, I would put on my elder sister’s high heels and play teacher. I had all the dining chairs lined up and created my own classroom.”

She continued, “That actually helped me to make revision more enjoyable, and my father decided to make me a huge blackboard just like the real ones in school. I was overjoyed.” 

Looking at Harris’ life now, to her formative year, one might think that she grew up with a gold spoon in her mouth, but this is far from the truth. The 25-year-old confessed that her parents made lots of sacrifices to ensure that she and her siblings got all that they needed.  

I didn’t come from a rich family, but from a very young age, I saw my parents work hard to provide for us. There were many times that they could not afford to purchase the textbooks I needed for school, but they always found a way to make things work. I was taught from a very young age that nothing in life comes easily, and that explains the drive that I have always had to excel and succeed.

She further added that her parents taught her the value of hard work, sacrifice, determination, and discipline. Those qualities, she said, are important to achieving anything you want in life. 

With this upbringing, I have always pushed myself even when I feel that whatever I’m attempting is not my strength, and I have doubts. I only believe in doing my best and giving yourself credit for even trying. I can tell you that I have surprised myself many times by doing things that I thought I couldn’t.

Vanelda, right after graduating from high school, landed her first job at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI). She noted that this was necessary due to the fact that her parents could not have afforded her tertiary education. 

“I have always been very determined to further my studies despite challenges. I actually completed my Advanced Level (A-Level) studies while working a full-time job since I wasn’t able to attend sixth form. I can tell you that it wasn’t easy at all, especially after working long hours,” she shared.

Besides, this budding professional will soon be graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Politics and International Relations with Honours from the University of London. 

She also received professional training and gained experience over the years in many areas, including Banking, Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), Media, and Senior Management. 

On Vanelda’s part, she wants to be the voice for the voiceless and represent those who cannot represent themselves. 

 According to her, “It has always been my passion to serve the people of my country. I have witnessed firsthand the suffering and plight of many people across our country who lack basic resources and opportunities. I want to make people’s lives better and will do so with all the power that I have.” 

When asked what are her favourite things about Guyana, with a smile on her face, Vanelda cited our multi-ethnic and multicultural people, who are very warm and welcoming. 

We are so diverse, and I love to see our different peoples when we all come together. I love that we embrace each other and are enthusiastic about our different cultures. When we celebrate our national cultural holidays and even the different types of cultural weddings and events, it is the most beautiful sight to see our different races and people from all backgrounds celebrate and indulge with each other. We can never be bored in a land of six peoples that each has their own unique things that contribute to making Guyana so beautiful. Not forgetting the many delicious foods that we enjoy from each other.

Reflecting on Guyana, she said many issues are plaguing our country. As such, when asked if there was anything she can change, Vanelda explained that it would be the inequality that exists in opportunities and services provided for people when it comes to essential needs such as healthcare and education. 

She noted that it would help develop our country overall and eliminate the idea that people need to live in the city to have a better life or get fair opportunities. 

The quality and standard just aren’t the same in many parts of our country when compared to the city. There is no reason why people living in the hinterland should not have the same quality of service or benefit from the same standards provided in the city. This in itself is an inequality, and if I could, I would ensure that steps are taken to improve and develop facilities and provide the necessary resources so that we can have a level playing field across our country. No matter where a person lives, we know that people all across the country are able to benefit the same.

Notwithstanding the challenges she faced, this 25-year-old young lady attributed her success to family and close friends. She noted that without them having her back, she would not have made it thus far. 

There are many ups and downs that people don’t always know about, and without their support, I would not be as strong as I am today. My well-wishers also play their part. I have received support from many strangers who would just reach out to me with prayers and words of encouragement, and this means a lot to me. I feel truly blessed.

In her free time, she would normally binge-watch Netflix series. If she is not doing that, she enjoys taking long drives out of the city where it is less hustle and bustle, just relaxing in the calm and quiet of beautiful mother nature. 

Her dream is to see a united Guyana where all of the people can live as one people, one nation with one destiny, as our motto says. 

Racism and hatred that divide our people should have no place in our society. Regardless of background and race, the texture of hair or colour of skin, we are all Guyanese, and our country is made up of all kinds of different people hence our multicultural society.

She also intends to become a policymaker in the National Assembly, where she can positively contribute more to progressive changes for the development of Guyana.