Companies give laudable support to NAPS Food Bank programme

May 19, 2019 News

Aurora Gold Mines Inc. on Friday donated a large quantity of food stuff to the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) to help take care of more than 50 percent of the daily distribution to its beneficiaries.

RAMPS LOGISTICS’ Jamel Chan hands over cheque to NAPS’s Somdatt ‘Amar’ Ramessar

The significant donation makes Aurora, a subsidiary of Guyana Gold Fields, “the largest single donor” to the NAPS-run food bank, Dr. Rhonda Moore, its Programme Manager revealed during yesterday’s handing-over ceremony at its Hadfield Street, Georgetown headquarters.
Dr. Moore said the mining firm’s significant donation will “ensure that our food supply doesn’t run out,” for the rest of 2019 and into May 2020.
The Aurora Gold Mines Inc. donation will help feed 15 persons living with HIV (PLHIV) daily, more than half the number of clients who receive the food hampers from the NAPS-run programme.
Other beneficiaries of the food distribution programme are in and out-of-school youths; unemployed young adults; HIV-positive single parents; persons living with disabilities and senior citizens
Each food hamper comprises flour, rice, peas, cheese, oil, milk butter and cereal. Moore is hopeful that the company will be one of NAPS’ “long-standing partners”.

Dr Rhonda Moore (second from left) accepts the donation from Aurora’s Miranda La Rose in the presence of Mr Delon Brathwaite, Corporate Social Responsibility Officer of Aurora and Mr Somdatt ‘Amar’ Ramessar extreme right.

Other long-standing partners of the 13-year old programme are National Milling Company (NAMILCO); Sterling Products Limited (SPL); Modern Industries (Former AH &L Kissoons’ Ltd); Continental Industries; Laparkan (LPK) Shipping; Edward B Beharry & Company Limited; Farfan & Mendes; Cara Lodge; Crown Mining and CARICOM/PANCAP
“This support will benefit the PLHIV,” Dr. Moore reiterated, drawing the nexus between nutrition and the continued state of good health of NAPS beneficiaries. The food support programme helps PLHIV maintain a good body mass index (BMI) an indicator of their state of health.
“We are pleased to support NAPS to help make every Guyanese productive,” said Ms Miranda La Rose, the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility/Sustainability Coordinator for Guyana, who commended NAPS for the dietary initiative during her brief remarks.
Aurora Gold Mines Inc. has a presence in Caria Caria, Great Troolie Islands, Western Hogg Island and Buck Hall.
Meanwhile, RAMPS Logistics, a Trinidad and Tobago Oil and Gas (O&G) firm with office in Guyana has also committed to supporting the NAPS food bank programme annually, according to its Human Resources Manager, Ms Cherry Ferrell.
Ms Ferrell was present at the handing over of a cheque from the company on Thursday at its Brickdam, Georgetown, office to Mr. Somdatt ‘Amar’ Ramessar, NAPS Senior Social Worker/Nutritionist. RAMPS, Ramessar said, has promised financial backing to the programme annually.
In return NAPS has committed itself to providing free HIV awareness and other health programmes for the staff of the institution. Next month, company employees plan to donate blood to the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS).
Four years ago, Ramps Logistics commenced providing customs brokerage service, handling, shipping as well as managing the shore-base operations for ExxonMobil in Port-of-Spain and Georgetown.
RAMPS was founded in 1985 in Trinidad and Tobago by Mr. Ramnarine Rampersad offering solely customs brokerage services. However, in 2003, increased demands nudged the company to diversify and it began also offering Freight Forwarding services.
This marked their transition from a brokerage company to one of the region’s leading logistics provider across Latin America and the Caribbean with more than 30 years service.
RAMPS Logistics (Guyana) is providing logistics services and shore -base management for ExxonMobil and recently secured full cross border logistics with UK giant, Tullow.
RAMPS is the winner of the Guyana Shipping Association for Advancement of Local Content; and the Exporter of the Year Award in Port-of-Spain. RAMPS copped both in 2017.

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