A safe haven for the vulnerable…$82M ‘BAL Nivas’ eagerly anticipated

Mar 09, 2014 News

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By Rehana Ashley Ahamad

It was intended to be predominantly a safe haven for children, but when it becomes operational later in the year, BAL Nivas will be a sanctuary for every vulnerable person who needs the services offered.

At an estimated cost of $82M, the facility, which is located at Ankerville, Corentyne, Berbice, has the capacity to house comfortably, some 60 persons.
It is being constructed by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, but do note that the doors of BAL Nivas will be opened to persons from all walks of life, regardless of their race, religion or creed.
According to the recently elected president of the Sabha, People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, BAL Nivas will hopefully become fully functional by year end. She said that the establishment of the home had been in the making for quite awhile, and after being granted a plot of land by the Government of Guyana, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha began to aggressively push for the venture to become a reality.
BAL Nivas was able to materialize after a series of massive fundraising events. Some of these include the three unforgettable mega concerts featuring Bollywood’s singing sensation, Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, and India’s legendary and most melodious duo- Alka Yagnik and Udit Narayan.
“We have also gotten tremendous support from our New York Chapter…about 5000 US dollars, and we have individuals and families who donated, as well as a few Mandirs like the Minnesota Mandir and so on. The shows we did also received sponsorship from several businesses, so indirectly they were also supporting the initiative…and of course, the people who attended the event.”
The building design for BAL Nivas was unveiled in May 2012 by His Excellency, President Donald Ramotar and Nigam, who subsequently performed here at a concert to commemorate 174 years of East Indians’ arrival to Guyana.
A few months later, after a mini tendering process, Kascon Engineering Service out of Berbice was awarded the contract and construction of the multi-million-dollar home for the helpless commenced.
Dr. Persaud, during an interview with this newspaper, explained that the facility is not one which is intended to be a permanent home for the helpless, but one which will lend tremendous assistance to the vulnerable in order to have them be successfully integrated back into society.
“It would entail lots of dedication from the residents, because we don’t want them to just live there; we want to help them and equip them to get back on their feet.”

Dr. Persaud said that BAL Nivas, a two-storey edifice, consists of three major wings, with a total of 12 large rooms. The building is also facilitated with several toilet and bathroom components, a main kitchen area, a full-fledged library with computers and other modern necessities, as well as a room where healthcare activities will be conducted.
In reflecting on the genesis of BAL Nivas, Dr. Persaud said that over the past few years, she has personally received a number of reports from the Berbice area, where children are being abused, but because of the lack of needed services, the victims are sometimes forced back into the torturous environment from which they came. As such, the intention for BAL Nivas is that it encompasses all the necessary resources to assist residents facing all sorts of social problems.
It was to this end that BAL Nivas was originally supposed to be a children’s home, but after examining some of the major issues affecting the residents of Region Six, Dr. Persaud said that the focus of the home was extended to serve particularly women, children, and young boys.
Described as a safe haven for the vulnerable, BAL Nivas will provide a relatively comfortable living environment for anyone in need of the services offered, and although the operations of the home would cater for everybody, specific emphasis will be placed on the development of youths and the empowerment of women.
The shelter also has a mandate to work extensively in the implementation of programmes aimed at making women more independent and confident, so that they can be able to proficiently provide for themselves and children if they have.
Dr. Persaud said that in addition to being placed in the safe environs of BAL Nivas, persons there will also benefit from a number of self-development programmes, which will be spearheaded by a team from the 40-year-old Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha.
These include literacy and skills training in several areas, psychotherapy for abused and suicidal persons, as well as counseling on how to be a good parent.
In this regard, the Sabha plans to partner with the Child Care and Protection Agency, and by extension, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, as well at the National Family Commission. The operations of the home will follow directives from a soon to be established Board of Directors, comprising persons from all stakeholder entities.

In addition to addressing the prevalence of incidents of violence and suicides in Berbice, Dr. Persaud said that those suffering from drug abuse, such as alcoholism, will also receive the assistance offered by BAL Nivas.
“We are not only going to help the victims, but we are also going to work with the other parties as well…We want to widen our network,” Dr. Persaud said.
She added that after completing the programmes, persons will receive certificates from the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, which will help them in securing jobs and eventually build on their livelihoods.
“BAL Nivas will also create employment for persons living in Berbice…We would have to have an administrator, a cook, maybe two cleaners, and a general assistant,” the Sabha’s president pointed out.
She said that while the actual building for BAL Nivas is complete, some additional components, which exclude the aforementioned costs, have been added to the plan. These include the creation of a walkway, the construction of a fence, and some other recreational amenities. These are apart from the home’s operational costs.
To this end, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s president said that the organization is in need of donations, and is therefore encouraging Guyanese to come forward and assist in the humanitarian venture.
Thus far, Dr. Persaud said , a number of satisfied Berbicians, during a tour of BAL Nivas, have volunteered to spearhead a telethon in an effort to raise funds which will go towards the purchasing of hollow blocks.
MISCONCEPTIONS
Dr. Persaud asserted that although many people might have the perception that the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is a wealthy organization, this is not the case.
“We are not a rich organization as people may think. Yes, the Dharmic Family does consist of people with expertise, but we also have a wide membership, and we depend on the generosity of Hindus all across the country.”
It is no secret that the Sabha is known for hosting spectacular Indian cultural events, many of which have featured renowned Bollywood personalities, but Dr. Persaud made clear that the organization goes beyond that.
She explained that while the body does not publicize everything that it does, it offers free courses executed by skilled persons, which are available all across the country. These are of a wide range, Dr. Persaud noted – from educational to cultural and religious aspects.
She said that the Sabha offers free and fully recognized Pandit courses, music and dance classes, literacy programmes, yoga, and vegetarian cookery classes, as well as teachings in Hindi, which are available for anyone who might be interested.
“Some of the teachers are paid, but most them, across the country, would volunteer their services…for the love of their culture and religion.”
Dr. Persaud said too that the youth arm of the Sabha – the Dharmic Naujawaan – would usually host beneficial outreaches across the country.
“This has been their initiative. They go out to all parts of the country and donate foodstuff and so, and they would get these items from their own fund-raising activities and personal input.”
The Member of Parliament made clear that while the Sabha is not very big on publicity, it offers a lot more than quality entertainment.

RELIGIOUS HARMONY
Meanwhile, Dr. Persaud stated that she is proud that Guyana has religious unity and harmony.
“We all have our various political views and ethnic disagreements, but in Guyana, we have always had religious harmony and that is surely something to be proud of.”
She explained that on many occasions, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has collaborated with the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG) and the Christian community to achieve the common goal of peace and unity.
“The Sabha does not operate in isolation,” Dr. Persaud emphasized, adding that in years to come, the Sabha will continue its varying efforts with other religious organizations.

ALCOHOL-FREE HOLIDAYS
The politician added also that she is soon planning to put forth a motion in parliament where the at least three major religious holidays will be alcohol-free.
She explained that in addition to Good Friday, she wants to have a Hindu and Muslim holiday be days when alcohol cannot be purchased and openly consumed.
Dr. Persaud said that while she is not sure whether the motion would materialize, she is hoping to have alcohol not be sold in the environs of traditional Hindu weddings.
In concluding, she stressed that the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha will continue its mandate to develop Hinduism and maintain culture, while embracing technological changes.

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