WEST Indies and Guyanese star cricketer Ramnaresh Sarwan joined Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali, last Wednesday, in spreading holiday cheers to children.

A cheerful Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali serving the children of the Prabhu Sharan Orphanage

The group, from Prabhu Sharan Orphanage, in North Housing Scheme, Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, were once again given a special treat, including with toys and goodies, hosted by the stylish middle order batsman.

Named Cricketer of the Year by Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) at its awards ceremony last weekend, Sarwan took the opportunity to interact with the orphans and wish them all the best for the season.

He said it was a pleasure to be back with them and take part in the activity.

“I have been thinking about you guys and this is something that I really want to do annually. But, so far, it has been really good and I am enjoying doing it and, as long as I am enjoying doing it, I will continue.

“I am looking forward to seeing you guys next year again,” Sarwan told his guests.

Administrator of the institution, Parsram (only name stated) explained, to the media, that Sarwan’s visit is important for the children who were very excited that the Minister and the popular cricketer took the time to be with them.

West Indies and Guyanese cricketer Ramnaresh Sarwan presents a memento to this little girl at the party in Zeelugt. Looking on at left is Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali and at right, Television personality Mr. Reyaz Hussein. (Adrian Narine photo)

“These children feel very elated and feel very special because, indeed, special people came here, today, to visit them,” he stated.

Parsram said the hospice looks forward to more and more visits and he was sure that the children are always going to keep looking forward to seeing this special moment, again, sometime in the future.

The orphanage, which currently accommodates 17 children, is the brainchild of Pandit Gangadin of Arya Vidya Sabha in Canada and was opened in August 2005.

Leaving Cornelia Ida, Ali and Sarwan next stopped at Zeelugt, East Bank of Essequibo, also in Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), where more excited young children were similarly treated with added entertainment by a clown.

SOUVENIR BATS
That ‘kiddies party’ was sponsored by the Ministry of Housing and Water and two of the lucky children received special souvenir bats autographed by Sarwan.

Addressing that gathering, he said: “It is really a pleasure to be here this afternoon. When the Minister asked me to come across, I said it was no problem.

Minister Ali (at centre) with the children at the party in Zeelugt.

“I am really enjoying it and, hopefully, I will be able to come back here next year and do the same,” Sarwan said.

Minister Ali told the Guyana Chronicle that the event is among the Ministry’s plans for reaching out to people in the communities.

He alluded to the Ministry’s ‘One Stop Shop’ venture for decentralising its services to people across the Administrative Regions; its customer service programme ‘Camp Resolution’ and various other community outreaches that were started during 2009.

“And we thought it very important that, in our housing schemes, we must demonstrate that ability to show we care and to send the right positive messages, especially, to children,” Ali asserted.

“I think that every single ministry and entity has a responsibility in ensuring that kids enjoy growing up; ensure that all kids have an equitable opportunity to what life has to offer; ensure that we spend these moments of celebrating with them, showing them life is a just life,” he said.

“…so they can grow up in an environment where they are showered with love, care and understanding, which are very critical qualities for them as they
grow into adults,” Ali remarked.

He said his ministry is accepting its role as a partner in creating social change and to build a new Guyana where children and the new generation would grow up having no barriers.

“And would grow up in a way that they understand what unity, harmony and love truly mean and we are happy that we are playing this role,” Ali reiterated.

He said the drive is sponsored by his ministry through its HIV/AIDS programme.

“You know we are one of the target groups in the HIV/AIDS programme in bringing awareness and sensitising communities. So, here, we use this opportunity to bring the children together and impart in them that educational aspect that is critical for quality life issues,” Ali noted.

“Highlighting, to them, the importance of knowing about HIV/AIDS, how you can contract the disease, how to treat persons with the disease so that they grow in an environment and a culture that they understand these very critical issues that we face at the more macro developmental levels,” he said.

In the visiting party, too, were Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Water, Mr. Emile McGarrell and well-known television personality Reyaz Hussein.