ELATION was once again evident on the faces of the people of Maruranau when ‘Flight of Hope’, a local charity headed by Air Services Limited (ASL) pilot, Captain Orlando Charles, came a-calling last Wednesday with some much-needed items.
Braving the inclement weather and an unexpected layover in Lethem, Charles arrived in the remote Region Nine (Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo) community at around 9:00am aboard the private aircraft of his partner,  Captain Praimnauth Mohanlall, Managing Director of L’ Mart Exclusive Furniture Store, on East Coast Demerara.
On arrival, he began distributing the items he’d brought with him, among them a quantity of stationery which he presented to Mr. Roy O’Connell, headmaster of the Maruranau Primary School, which houses approximately 130 and 40 students in the primary and nursery divisions respectively. Other basic necessities were given the school’s teachers courtesy of both Mohanlall and ‘Flight of Hope’.
Reflecting on the trip, Charles said: “It was a challenge getting into the area since it was mountainous, but when we did, everyone was happy.”
The first time he’d been there was around Easter-time when he took in some kites for the children and established what is hoped to be a lasting and rewarding relationship with the inhabitants of the community.
Expressing his heartfelt gratitude to Mohanlall for his continued support to ‘Flight of Hope’, Charles said he plans on rendering assistance to several communities in the South Rupununi region by taking them small donations.
“The joy of giving drives me to continue to give,” he said as he reflected on the joy he felt on receiving his first ‘bumper’ ball.
Flight of Hope Hinterland Outreach Ministries, as is the full name of the organization, is an initiative of Charles’, whose expectation is to reach as many hinterland communities as possible, since the needs in these areas are many.
He asks that persons desirous of partnering with him on the project get in touch with him by telephone @: 231-0144.