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‘We gat ah yuh bac’ spreads Christmas cheer all year round
‘We gat ah yuh bac’ (WGAB) a cross-border group of individuals, passionate about brightening up the faces of the less fortunate or under privileged have been spreading the joy of Christmas for over five years.
A member of the group handing over a wheel chair
The group was founded by businessman Mr. Dewan Singh, more popularly known as Buddy Singh. He told The Waterfalls that he finds joy in being able to bring smiles to the faces of people in need.
Singh, with the help of a few friends and associates have managed to provide walkers, crutches, canes, pampers (for the elderly) and other essential materials to aid in their wellbeing throughout the year.
At this special time of the year, the members of WGAB shift gears to start packing and distributing food hampers and toys to families across the country. Each year, a different location where people are in need, is selected.
Stationery supplies included in the school bags distributed to children
Singh said Wakenaam, his home village has been benefitting from a Christmas parade for the past 12 years. The activity this year saw 600 children receiving toys, school bags and stationery for the upcoming school term.
Other villages that WGAB visited this year were Pigeon Island, East Coast Demerara, Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara and Bath Settlement, Berbice. The founder of the group said that the low-income areas are usually targeted in these communities.
During the parades in these areas, volunteers would take the information of families and return with food hampers, consisting of much needed items.
How WGAB started
Mario Chaitu hands over a brand new pair of comfortable crutches to this gentleman in need
Buddy Singh migrated to the United States (US) back in 1987 and returned to Guyana in 2004 after the death of his father. While still grappling with the loss, he said a school reached out to him requesting assistance with supplies that were needed. This experience, Singh said, served as an ‘eye opener’ to the “desperate situation” some individuals or organizations may be facing and became the catalyst for forming WGAB.
That same year, the philanthropist was able to donate two computers to each of the schools in Wakenaam. He also contributed medical supplies to the health institutions there with his personal funds; realizing that there were so many in need, Singh decided to form an organization to provide assistance.
Mario Chaitu, Manisha Ramwisher, Selena Deonarine, Dolly Baksh, Kenneth Madramuthu and Tyron Madramuthu have since joined the team to help make a difference in the lives of those that require assistance.
The founder of the organization usually hosts an overseas show in Canada and the United States, to help raise funds for the cause. The fund raiser activity, dubbed ‘Chutney Wine’ commenced in 2010 and features top dancers, singers and tassa groups. The money raised is mostly used to fund the shipping of items into Guyana, as the group receives contributions.
Unexplainable joy
Food items waiting to be packed into hamper bags for distribution
“I get joy from this- that’s why I do it. I do a lot of stressful work but when I see the smiles on these people faces it’s like it’s worth it. It brings unexplainable joy to me, all the stress is just relieved immediately,” Singh said.
He explained that while growing up in a low income home, he was not able to wear shoes to school as his family could not afford them. “I had a bicycle I used to ride to school because I couldn’t afford a bus fare and when the bicycle chain would burst I would have to walk to get to school, so I remember where I came from and this is why I want to give back.”
The businessman said he wish there were such generous people like himself back when he was younger.
“I remember I used to play with marbles growing up; those were my toys I never had a chance to get a nice truck or something to push around. I used to see my friends them who had family overseas used to send them stuff- nice sand truck and so and I used to had to play with my lil marble and tin cup,” he recalled.
Distributing hampers to those in need (LAYOUT PLEASE BLUR FACES OF RECIPIENTS)
Persons who are interested in donating to the organization can reach out to the founder on Facebook through his page Buddy JKS Singh or send funds to his ‘Go Fund Me’ page. They can also message him WhatsApp using +1 646-320-4991. Locally, persons can contact Mario Chaitu on 602-1605.
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