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How one NGO is changing lives in the Grove/Diamond communities
It is estimated that the communities of Diamond and Grove, East Bank Demerara, have almost 20,000 residents.
The area not only includes Diamond and Golden Grove, but also ‘old’ Grove, Samatta Point and Kaneville, a regularized community that started off as a squatting area.
With single parents and easy backlands allowing a haven and quick getaway for especially young criminals, the ward, under the jurisdiction of the Grove/Diamond Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), is a major challenge.
There simply are not enough resources to go around – not news by any stretch of the imagination.
The NDC is currently moving to ascertain the number of homes via a survey.
It is in this area that one little foundation continues to play its role in reducing poverty.
Over a decade in existence, the Guyana Pride Foundation has been pulling out the stops, conducting several programmes, including collaborations with the NDC, Food for the Poor, and a number of donors, both local and overseas.
In addition to monthly distributions, the foundation has been working with seniors, persons with disabilities, and the vulnerable.
In fact, one of its signature collaborations involves meals for seniors who are visiting the Grove Post Office for their pensions.
Perhaps the highlight of the foundation’s work is its annual Christmas party for children and hamper-sharing to seniors.
With over 350 children benefitting, the Christmas party has always been eagerly look forward to.
The foundation’s work has even attracted the attention of Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who was on hand on December 16, for the children’s Christmas party.
Minister Joseph Harmon with the Grove/Diamond children who were treated to a party earlier this month at the Grove Primary School.
There are happy smiles for these children who are waiting to find out what Santa brought them.
Promising good things for Guyana, the minister said that the Coalition Government has been paying attention to the area, and is aware of the challenges, with plans on stream for a number of projects.
According to Nafeeza Rodrigues, President of the foundation, the non-governmental organization has been growing rapidly in recent years, thanks to Food for the Poor donations.
“They have recognized the need in the communities surrounding us and have been donating generously.”
And the donations have been significant indeed. From school books to other stationery, the foodstuff, clothing, cleaning supplies and even personal care items are being welcomed by a community that is struggling to deal with quite a significant number of single-parent homes.
The foundation was established over a decade ago when Rodrigues, journalist Leonard Gildarie and his wife Subrena Ramlackhan, all decided to do something for the community.
“We saw the need and to be frank, I had little idea how we would have made it happen. We started digging into pockets and knocking on a few doors, and soon we got Food For The Poor to come on board. Today, I think we are in a good place to take this foundation to a better place. We just can’t depend on government alone. It is how developed countries work,” Gildarie explained.
Distribution for Christmas at the Grove/Diamond ‘Sea Dam’ area.
Businessmen like Nazar Mohamed of Mohamed’s Enterprise and others have been coming on board annually.
Also joining as part of the executive is the current chairman of the Grove NDC, Bharat Narine.
“I think we have a great thing going, and we have been fortunate to raise a formidable team of especially young persons who have been volunteering. Without them, we could not have made it,” Ramlackhan, the foundation’s Secretary explained.
According to the NDC Chairman, the communities are badly in need of similar foundations.
“We know of pockets of poverty along the ‘Sea Dam’ areas, and Kaneville too has it challenges,” Narine disclosed.
As of now, the officials are already planning for their new year’s activities.
“We will be knocking on more doors and developing some programmes geared towards educating our residents on a number of areas, including environmental issues and crime prevention,” Gildarie said.
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