THE New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc. Humanitarian Mission (NJASMHM), in association  with the Guyana Central Arya Samaj, and other Hindu, Muslim, Christian and non-governmental organisations, are getting ready to implement a number of charitable programmes and humanitarian projects as part of its 2009 Guyana mission. The 2009 Mission is led by Pandit Suresh Sugrim, President of NJASMHM and the outreach and charitable programmes that will benefit the less fortunate children and elderly Guyanese. In the months of May and June, the NJASMHM held its annual Pre-Mother’s Day and Father’s Day fund-raising concerts in support to raise funds for its humanitarian mission. The events, which included performances by many talented artistes from Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad, accompanied by The Angels Caribbean Entertainment Group and Bhakti Sangeet led by Pandit Rajin Balgobin and others, drew audiences of 800 people.

The Mission endeavours to provide most of the basic necessities that the children and seniors need on a daily basis. The New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc. Humanitarian Mission is staffed by volunteers and no member is paid for any of the services that he/she renders to the organisation. 

In 2008, the NJASMHM successfully launched their first fund-raising concert called, “An Evening of Hope”, which resulted in private and corporate donations by the Guyanese-American community as well as other communities representing many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The highlight of the fund-raising event, which will continue to be hosted each year, is “The Arya Swaranjali” programme, an evening featuring Bhajans, film songs, and Indian classical dancing, performed by many talented artists including the late Shri Prakash Gossai. The organisation President, Pandit Suresh Sugrim said in his press release that Shri Prakash Gossai was deeply committed to the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc., Humanitarian Mission, and  contributed significantly to the welfare of the NJASM’S Humanitarian Mission fund raising efforts to benefit for the less fortunate children and seniors in Guyana. Additionally, because of his unconditional love and kindness for the poor, he has donated a new musical CD title ‘Bhikshaa Yaa Daan” to the organisation which is on sale to help raise funds. The New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc. Humanitarian Mission will carry on his great humanitarian legacy in Guyana and dedicates its accomplishments in 2009 in his loving memory.

NJASMHM’s President, Pandit Suresh Sugrim, kicked off the fund raising efforts in 2009 through an appeal to the general public and through various visits to Mandirs, Masjids, churches, social and religious gatherings in the Tri-State Area and elsewhere.

A secretariat of the NJASMHM has been established in Guyana to coordinate the mission’s local activities. Dr Ramesh Sugrim and Magistrate Kamal Sohan are the Chairperson and Public Relations Officer respectively. The Secretariat will process all the applications, and with the help of the members of the community – will provide each family with articles requested based on the mission’s ability and the discretion of the Secretariat. Among the applicants are families with disabled children and the Mission hopes to place special emphasis on visiting disadvantaged homes to ascertain how to better provide for their specific needs.  Also, huge clothes drive (i.e. shoes, books, toys) has been established and will be shipped to Guyana for free distributions within the poor communities.

According to Pt. Sugrim, the NJASMHM will be extending the 2009 humanitarian mission country-wide, and will be focusing on some major projects, such as the Dharam Shala’s – senior citizen home. He cites the Mission’s caregivers, donors, supporters and contributors for making this work possible. “The list of individuals and organisations that have provided invaluable services and support for this Humanitarian Mission is extensive and our work would have not been possible without caring and sharing people like yourselves.” It’s in your name and blessings that we reach out to the underprivileged.