– from Food for the Poor
By Delana Isles
FOOD for the Poor made another significant donation to the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) this week, to assist with the prisoners reform process.

Chief Prison Officer at the New Amsterdam Prison, Maple Blades-Nedd, accepts a check from Food for the Poor CEO, Leon Davis. Looking on is Cadet Officer, Kevin Pilgrim at left and Food for the Poor, Public Relations Manager, Michelle Branker.

Through the handing over of a $500,000 cheque, by Food for the Poor Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Leon Davis to Chief Prison Officer, Agriculture Department, New Amsterdam, Berbice prison, Ms. Maple Blades-Nedd, on Wednesday, at the donor’s Festival City, Georgetown headquarters.

The contribution, in the second phase of a self-sustaining poultry project at the penitentiary, will be used to construct a slaughter house, a feed bond and a reservoir.

The donor had also provided 3,000 broiler chicks, as well as feed and vitamins, for the project.

The overall cost of this part of the scheme is $2.5M and adds to the $3.3M that Food for the Poor has put into the prison system.

Blades-Nedd said the charitable organisation had, last year, donated 3,000 chickens to kick start the venture but, because of the need to construct the three structures, it was approached, again, for help that was generously given.

She expressed gratitude on behalf of the GPS for the additional provision, admitting that it would greatly aid the drive to develop skills in prisoners thus enabling them to secure gainful employment upon their release from incarceration.

Davis, in his remarks, said his organisation is always willing to assist and work along with the GPS in any enterprise that aids the reintegration of prisoners into society and he mentioned a number of other initiatives in which it is involved.

Amazing
He said it is amazing the difference the prison scheme has made and shows what a little bit of help and compassion can accomplish.

David added that the proceeds from the sale of the chicks are being used to procure more chickens and pay participating prisoners.

He also committed to helping prisoners if, upon being discharged, they would like to establish their own poultry farms as a means of earning a living and being gainfully employed.

Davis encouraged those interested not to hesitate in approaching his office.

Project Coordinator, Ms. Andrea Benjamin, who narrated an overview of the entire project, said this latest undertaking is the result of the success of the first, the accountability of the GPS and the dedication exhibited by the prisoners.

She said the first stage helped tremendously in improving the sustainability and the addition will certainly make it fully sustainable.