GNCPP hosts Atlanta-based Guyanese donor on fact-finding mission

Mar 02, 2014 News

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By Zena Henry

Fifty-six year-old Nabaclis-born Eslene Richmond-Shockley started an Atlanta- based $25M charity, Caring for Others Inc. with $25; now on a fact-finding mission here, she is seeking to give back immensely to her homeland.
The Guyana National Council on Public Policy (GNCPP), led by Dr. Philip Mozart Thomas, hosted Ms. Richmond-Shockley, founder and Head of the Atlanta, Georgia, USA-based Human Services Organization.

Caring for Others Inc. has mobilized prominent individuals and leading American Corporations to assist the needy in many countries — from Nigeria to the Philippines to Antigua and elsewhere. Ms. Richmond- Shockley explained that the organization seeks to “alleviate poverty around world one family at a time.”
Returning to Guyana 13 years later, Ms Richmond Shockley said she is “appalled and disgusted by the level of poverty”. Her mission here is to assess the ways in which she could render assistance.
“I am on a fact-finding mission here in Guyana to see what are the needs and level of poverty.” She said it is even more disturbing to her, “…since it is my home. Poverty in Guyana is heartbreaking.” Ms. Richmond-Shockley explained that, “I am not here for politics or for social media. I am just here for the needy and to see how I can help.”
On this trip, Ms Richmond-Shockley said she partnered with the United Nations Association of Guyana. With Justice Donald Trotman, she said they were able to distribute products to East Coast communities such as Haslington, Enmore, Golden Grove, Nabaclis, Cove and John and Victoria. But what was brought in was not enough for everyone in need. This Ms Richmond-Shockley said gave her even more impetus to do more for the people.
Caring for Others Inc brought into the East Coast communities what Ms Richmond- Shockley described as household effects; bed sheets, towels, clothing, shoes, rain boots and underwear.
“Everything we have at Caring for Others is brand new. We do not bring in used anything; we don’t give anybody used products. The thing with our organization is that we exist to help those without the basic necessities to live with dignity; and to help those people we must help them with dignity.”
The organization has a wide range of donors ranging from clothing and food producers to banks and other corporate institutions.
Ms Richmond-Shockley said she came from humble beginnings.
“We grew up extremely poor in Nabaclis, and after losing my parents at a young age, without much help, I managed to go to the United States to study. I was luckily able to overcome the obstacles in my way. I worked in the corporate arena. Today, I work for myself with one of the largest charities in Atlanta, and I am just here to help.”
Ms Richmond-Shockley said her calling came from God. She said she could have returned to the corporate world, but her interest went into looking out for others.

“I started this organization with twenty-five dollars and grew it into what it is today, with kind donations valuing twenty-five million dollars today.”
The organization started 13 years ago and it was really to help persons in her community during the Christmas season. Her task is to travel the United States soliciting donors who can donate and are also able to see where their donations are going and what they are doing. The former resident of 35 Nabaclis Public Road said she has a full volunteer service.
Dr. Thomas of the GNCPP will coordinate local efforts and charity work to be done since Ms Richmond-Shockley will not always be here in Guyana.
Accompanying Ms. Richmond-Shockley during the first three days of her home-coming visit was Atlanta’s City Councilman Kwanza Hall, representative of that city’s bustling District Two. Mr. Hall while on the road to being the state’s Mayor is Caring for Others Inc.’s goodwill ambassador. Invited by Ms. Richmond-Shockley, the Councilman has now pledged to explore the possibility of proposing the twinning of Atlanta and Georgetown, as well as identifying possible partnerships between appropriate Georgia and Guyanese charities.
Councilman Hall, whose father was an ally of the late Civil Rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was here in his private capacity to manifest his interest in the GNCPP’s Think Tank programme for 2014 and beyond.
GNCPP stated that previous difficulties with administrative procedures here had temporarily influenced Ms. Richmond-Shockley to discontinue charitable donations to her native Guyana. Dr. Thomas, however, had no difficulty in persuading the Guyanese patriot to reconsider her decision, which she willingly has done.
Besides early assistance with the establishment of a network of GNCPP-inspired Church Pantries for the underfed, Caring For Others Inc. has already listened to requests from charities on the East Coast Demerara and from a number of Faith-based organizations which attended an outreach session convened by the GNCPP. Requests from a group working with former prison-inmates were also entertained.
Ms. Richmond-Shockley is also to assess needs in Region one. Her first encounter, however, was with the Executive of the Guyana Relief Council, where a significant presentation was made by GRC Chairperson Yvonne Hinds. A partnership is to be established very soon.

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