CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of Food for the Poor Guyana, Kent Vincent is calling for more support from local businesses for the organisation’s massive countrywide campaign for the eradication of poverty.

“I cannot over-emphasise the need for increased support from local companies here in Guyana and individuals, so that we are able to continue doing what we do,” he said.
“We need your help! Give, not to us, but to the poor! The more we get, the more we will be able to help those that we’re serving,” he urged guests at a function here Saturday at the Pegasus Hotel to mark the organisation’s 25th Anniversary in Guyana.

ROYAL RUNAROUND
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Paul Chan-A-Sue had similar concerns, but of a different nature, in that he can’t help but being disappointed that despite all the organisation is doing for the poor and destitute, it is still being “pushed around” by agencies like the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), ‘Customs’, and the Food and Drug Department.
“We’re bringing these things in to feed people, yet we have to pay millions. That’s what it translates to; to these organisations. Every day in business, we have to jump the hurdles; we have to make sure we get it done,” Chan-A-Sue said.
Having gotten that bit off his chest, Chan-A-Sue said the FFP is interested in partnering with other organisations on the launch of major projects in such areas as aquaculture, safe houses and fisheries, and in helping the poor “work themselves out of poverty.”

MORE DONORS
To the organisation’s credit, Chan-A-Sue said more donors are coming on board, and some have even agreed to build numerous houses.
Speaking of which, according to the organisation’s CEO, FFTP Guyana has, to date constructed 3240 homes as gifts to families in need.
A number of those houses have been built in such places as the Essequibo Coast and the Linden Highway. Now, the organisation is training staff to install solar panels so as to be able to offer their beneficiaries electricity as well.

A DELIGHT
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of Food for the Poor International, Robin Mahfood said he is delighted to see that 25 years after his brother started the organisation here, it has reached such great heights, becoming a leader in the area of charitable work.
According to Mahfood, FFTP International has offices in 17 countries, and is committed to feeding some 2 million people on a daily basis.
“Our goal,” he said, “is to provide more housing units and sustainable development; give clean water to people.
“People need good, clean drinking water; not to get sick. We want to bring solar lights where there is no energy.”
According to the statistics, Guyana alone receives 171 trailer loads of aide annually from the parent-organisation, and has seen the launch of some tremendous development projects, in such areas as agriculture, education and construction.
“We’re hoping to move children to a better path,” Mahfood said, adding:
“As a community, you train the children to come up; not to have an easier life, but you’re trained in such a way as to learn how to make a profit.
“If you teach someone how to make a profit, they will not go back into poverty.”

LEADING NGO
Picking up on what Mahfood said earlier, that FFTP is a leader here, where charitable work is concerned, Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence hailed the organisation as the largest and leading NGO in Guyana, and that it addresses the issue of poverty alleviation by providing food and medical supplies, and other necessities. “It has strengthened its resolve in the fight against poverty, extending its wings through all regions,” Minister Lawrence said.
She also acknowledged the organisation’s feeding programme, ‘Angels of Hope’, from which children in need benefit, and its move into projects which encourage self-sustainability through skills training.
“We the government of Guyana are extremely appreciative of this move towards sustainability and empowerment,” the minister said, adding:
“The Ministry is ready to continue working in close collaboration to impact on eradication of poverty and improved lives.”