The Christmas Spirit

Dec 24, 2008 Features / Columnists

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Peter R. Ramsaroop, MBA

INTRODUCTION:

Tomorrow is Christmas Day.  We will all celebrate in some way regardless of our religious beliefs.  The season has not been an easy one.  We are faced with less money in our pockets; we have had to bail out water from our yard and homes and our families abroad have not been able to send as much as they used to.
One overseas Guyanese sent me this email that really brings home the reality of the season:
”I am a Guyanese living in the USA and yes this economic crisis has really hit us hard. People everywhere are suffering huge amount of losses, like jobs, homes, self esteem not to name a few and like you said the remittance family back home expect is not there. I read your dos and don’t (Column -21 Dec 08) and could not help but thinking how so true you are. As a Guyanese I look forward to celebrating Christmas regardless of how challenging the year was. I still hold that tradition and I did follow most of your guidelines in order to keep the tradition of having my Guyanese Christmas, yes I got my pepper pot, black cake etc (and I did not need a bailout package) the folks home did not get their “lil small piece” but I promise them when the tax return check comes in. So again you have yourself a merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous 2009.
The US Government gave a major bailout to major industries that ultimately kept jobs for millions prior to Christmas.  We were hoping and wishing for Christmas, our President and Parliament would have reduced the VAT to eight per cent as the population Christmas present.  It can still be our New Year present.

HELPING EACH OTHER:
I am sure many of you have helped your fellow citizens this year.   Our organization, Vision Guyana, has helped as many as we could in 2008.   We provided assistance to the needy throughout the year, not just at this season.
Our investment in young farmers has paid off.   This year we had a micro-loan program where we loaned farmers money to invest in farming.   They had six months to repay their loan.   Some paid it back in produce and some paid it back in dollars.
One farmer, who lives on the East Coast, this week, brought the payment after their six months period ended.  I know their hard work was washed away be the rains and the lack of proper maintenance of the drainage system.   At no time did they complain that they cannot repay.
This Christmas week as they brought their money to pay back, we told them it is their Christmas present.   I do not have to tell you the joy in their eyes.  They are a hard working family that kept their commitments in spite of their losses. That is the spirit of our entrepreneurs in our nation and we must continue to foster.
The bank accounts we have opened for the newborns of underprivileged families have brought smiles to many parents.

PARTNERSHIP:
The spirit of giving is not just at this time of the season but should be throughout the year.   I want to commend a few organizations that Vision Guyana partnered with to help the underprivileged in our nation.
We worked alongside the Mark Benschop Foundation to assist residents in the Berbice area in their quest to help single mothers.  We assisted the foundation in providing help for the family whose breadwinner was killed by the police without cause and other programs.
This organization must be commended for the work in improving the lives of many young people by providing educational courses.
Thanks to Computer High Tech for providing needed equipment to a disabled individual and overseas brothers and sisters who have contributed significant dollars to help the Dharm Shala and other programmes, and the assistance to Ms. Zena Bone in her programmes to provide thousands of toys and clothing to the residents in  the Pomeroon.
We will continue to invest in the economics of our young people and in education help in areas of mathematics and science.   The other assistances are many to list here, but our ultimate goal is to improve the well-being of our citizens all over Guyana.

THE REMAINING DAYS OF 2008:
I challenge every employer to be very fair with your employees.   If you know you have had a great year, then please reward your employees with a fair bonus if they deserve it, if not at least give them something extra in their pay check.   With our nation’s economic woes, we must realize that without that extra pay, most employees will not be able to buy that extra something for their loved ones.
The public servants are the most challenged at this time of the year.   With their pay already at the lowest level they struggle to provide for their families all year much less at this time of the season.
I call on our President and Parliament to look closely at our nation; it is not about defending the expenditures of $1.7B on drainage but looking at if the expenditures made a difference.  Since it has not, then a review of who got all that money and why the results are so poor, is needed.
The government needs to stop making excuses for the sugar industry and the failures, and accept the fact that it refuses to take ours and other expert advice and diversify out of sugar.  In the remaining days of 2008, it is our hope that they will review the economic crisis facing our nation and provide the stimulus governments around the world are giving to their citizens this season by the reduction in taxes in order to stimulate the economy.

CONCLUSION:
During the Christmas season, our thoughts turn to the source of joy and hope born in a humble manger on a holy night more than 2,000 years ago. Each year, Christians everywhere celebrate this single life that changed the world and continues to change hearts today.
The simple and inspiring story of the birth of Jesus fills our souls with gratitude for the many blessings in our lives and promises that God’s purpose is justice and His plan is peace.  At this special time of year, we give thanks for Christ’s message of love and mercy, and we are reminded of our responsibility to serve.
Guyana is blessed to have fine citizens who reach out with a compassionate hand to help brothers and sisters in need.   Until next time “Roop”

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