– A HUMAN FACE TO DEVELOPMENT
The imperatives to the expansion of development dimensions in a nation is multi-tiered and many-faceted; but the one enduring catalyst that empowers and accelerates the development and growth paradigm of a country is its private sector, the vibrancy of which is fuelled by the energies of some iconic and unique visionaries, in tandem with the synergies of the entrepreneurial dynasties and fiefdoms they carve out of their myriad endeavours.
While the motivation behind the formation and capacities and capabilities-enhancement of a business entity is primarily profit-driven, many Guyanese entrepreneurs have strategised their company’s development to align with – and even to act as a facilitating agent to, national development; and it is within that context, and within the parameters of nation-building, that the Gafsons Group of Companies had its genesis.
Gafsons was established in 1953 by the late Abdool Gafoor, who was subsequently, in 1959, joined by his eldest son, Sattaur, who is the current Executive Chairman.  The pioneering duo engineered a dynamism of endeavour and achievements that created a monolithic enterprise – unarguably Guyana’s foremost manufacturer and provider of building materials, among a plethora of other things requisite of a company rapidly expanding to assume international proportions and configurations.
Both father and son have premised their strivings on the belief that serving man is serving God so, apart from the multitude of persons for whom their undertakings provide a means of living and opportunities for personal and familial capability-enhancement – on primary and extended bases, the company also partners the Government in several developmental drives structured to empower and enhance the lives and lifestyles – in affordable, achievable ways, of the citizens of Guyana.
One of the Company’s initiatives within this formulation is collaboration with the Government in its housing drive.
The Cummings Lodge Housing Development comprises 28 three-storied, fully air-conditioned town houses, which are located in an upscale community within easy reach of Georgetown, but with enough distance to assure an ambience of beauty, a pristine environment, a quiet and peaceful sanctuary from the turbulence and stresses of city life, and easy access to the main public highways.
The housing development is an upscale housing project situated in proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, so the heavenly north-easterly trade winds perpetually cools the air as residents relax in hammocks on their verandahs within a gated, exclusive, and secure environment – ideal as holiday or permanent homes for the selective connoisseur with a touch of class.
The community is designated for major economic and other development and houses major institutions, such as the CARICOM Secretariat and Guyana’s International Conference Centre, the Ogle Regional Airport, International hotels, the University of Guyana, among others.
In keeping with the human development thrust of the Gafoor Group, the Small Business Development Finance (SBDF) was initially funded by Gafsons Industries Ltd, with a donation from His Excellency, President Bharrat Jagdeo, and was launched on 22nd October, 2002.
The Mission Statement of the Fund is: “To strengthen the economic base of micro and small-scale sector entrepreneurs in Guyana through increased access to lending, technical support and non-traditional financial facilities; so that small enterprises could position themselves to be most competitive and take advantage of their size to participate in the world markets in an era of intense global competition.”
Chairman of the SBDF, Mr. Sattaur Gafoor, said during the sixth AGM of the Trust: “…an institution (that) has taken its place in the arena of High-Risk Micro-Finance in Guyana.  The main goal behind the establishment  of SBDF was the creation of opportunities for employment and income-generation among the poor and the working-class in our society so as to be able to create equal opportunity and growth.  SBDF has so far been able to provide Non-Traditional Financial as well as Technical Training Services to Micro-Entrepreneurs in Guyana.”
“The Trust has played a significant role in the Development Process.  SBDF has joined with the Ministry of Agriculture’s drive to Grow More Food by launching a special programme for Cash Crop Production and Expansion.  In the brief period of its operations, the Trust has funded over 3,971 loans and provided managerial and technical training to a large number of entrepreneurs.”
With the many successes the Fund has achieved, it has enduringly concretized its vision: “To achieve our mission and create an equitable society by integrating people, strategies, and best practices in our operations.”
When many gifted Guyanese preferred to pursue “The American Dream,” the Gafoors opted for the Guyanese dream instead.  In so doing, they have become instrumental in the realization of the dreams of many of their fellow Guyanese, in giving hope to the hopeless;  and in effecting facilitating factors integral to optimizing the potentials of Guyana’s development dimensions.