Latest update November 29th, 2024 1:00 AM
Humanitarian Mission donates house to a needy family
ROSE HALL TOWN, CORENTYNE – Humanitarian Mission 2008 kicked off yesterday at Rose Hall Town on the Corentyne. The New Jersey Arya Samaj, in collaboration with the Guyana Central Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission, handed over the keys to a newly constructed home to Iris Latchman and her family of Rose Hall Town.
The $700,000 two-bedroom concrete flat was completed last month and built by the Mission.
Iris Latchman, 60, of Rose Hall Town on the Corentyne, had no place to live after the shack she called home crumbled to the ground on a windy day last March. During an interview in April she had said, “Me know it woulda fall, and the day me sitting by me daughter house and about ten o’clock it fall flat. Me lose everything me had.
“Some people help me buy back kerosene oil stove and one-one thing.”
The woman was taken in by her eldest daughter, Camille Latchman, and lived in the quarters below her. “We put two zinc sheet and so on and we try to mek it a home for now, because we ain’t got nowhere else to live.”
She is grateful to the Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission. “Nobody ever help we like that. Me so glad they helping we.”
A New York-based family also donated a television set, a bunk bed and other items to make life a bit easier for Iris Latchman and her family.
Yesterday, Minister of Human Services, Priya Manickchand, who journeyed to the Ancient County to be a part of the occasion, lauded the efforts of overseas based organizations such as the Arya Samaj that work for the betterment of those they left behind.
She singled out the head of the Humanitarian Mission, Pandit Suresh Sugrim of New Jersey, who, though on vacation, travelled to Guyana to reach out to those in need.
A very humble man, Pandit Sugrim said the success of the Mission over the years was all as a result of the generosity of a number of organizations and the help from members of his team.
He appealed to persons to strive to lend a helping hand, even if it comes in the form of care and compassion.
He acknowledged that though his team cannot change the world, the members are striving towards making it a better place. He indicated that his group is prepared to continue working with the Ministry of Human Services and all other organizations.
Though based in Berbice, their altruistic nature is felt across the country. Soon those in Buxton, East Coast Demerara are to receive their share of the pie.
Food for the Poor also joined forces with the Humanitarian Mission. Director of the body, Leon Davis, handed over six sewing machines to the Mission, and later this week some bicycles will be donated.
Food for the Poor would also construct three houses for needy families in Berbice through the Humanitarian Mission.
Food for the Poor is the largest charitable organization in Guyana. “We are always looking for partners.” Mr. Davis said.
Through Food for the Poor, the children at the Camal Home for the Homeless, at Albion on the Corentyne, would be sponsored by families overseas. The same would soon be done for those at the Joshua Home.
At the Camal home, Food for the Poor, after discovering that the children were taking their baths in the yard, pitched in to change the situation. It was only last year that the Humanitarian Mission constructed a $500,000 septic tank and other paraphernalia for those at the Camal International Home for the Homeless.
Back then, head of the home, Carmen Kissoon, had said the facility houses 40 children between the ages of one and 18 years old. This year the Humanitarian Mission is focusing on empowering persons.
And representatives of the Mission handed over, on behalf of the Hutson County, a Citation to Minister Priya Manickchand in recognition of her outstanding contribution to society.
She also received a special Senate recognition certificate. Mr. Leon Davis was also given a Certificate of Recognition.
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