US Palms donation
PERMANENT Secretary in the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Mr. Trevor Thomas has announced plans to ensure a better standard of living for residents of The Palms. Acknowledging that it is the only State-run geriatric facility in Guyana, he said it is Government’s intention to ensure that the residents are not only provided with a bed and left to die.
“We are concerned and it is our philosophy to ensure that those who are residents of this institution can experience a quality of life that can help them to be active and add meaning to their lives,” Thomas said.
He pledged that the Ministry will continue to invest in the institution to provide a better quality of life for those living there.
Thomas was speaking as The Palms, in Brickdam, Georgetown, received a donation of 150 mattresses and 500 personal hygiene kits for the residents on Thursday.
The gifts were from the United States Embassy, the U.S. Southern Command Humanitarian Assistance Programme and the U.S. Hospital Sister Mission Outreach.
Thomas recalled that, in 2009, the Ministry spent some $60M in dietary services and $20M to maintain buildings in the compound and, this year, provision was made for the necessary resources and social amenities required to improve the quality of life for residents.
He said it is also planned to install exercise equipment in the recreational building which would allow inmates to engage in fitness activities of their choice, with a view to keeping them physically fit and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle.
“We have recently completed the development of minimum standards for our Children’s Home and are, at present, looking to the development of minimum standards for our senior citizens home,” Thomas disclosed.
Admitting that the job of caring for senior citizens can be very challenging, he thanked and commended staff at the institution for their commitment to the job, regardless.
Profound gratitude
On behalf of Minister Priya Manickchand and the Ministry, Thomas tendered profound gratitude to the U.S. Government for the mattresses and kits, as well as previously received television set.
Food for the Poor (Guyana) Inc. took delivery of the gifted things which were handed over to Palms Administrator, Mr. Govind Singh, by U.S. Charge d’Affaires, Ms. Karen Williams, at the beneficiary institution.
Williams said she considered it a pleasure to respond to such a humanitarian need and added: “This donation, here today, is a demonstration of how well we can all live together, given the opportunity. I am particularly happy that we were able to be here to work with our senior citizens of Guyana.”
The Embassy had, earlier, donated a 60 inches flat screen television to The Palms and it is in a new section that houses a gymnasium.
Williams said the decision to present the mattresses and hygiene kits was the result of discussions Embassy officials had with representatives of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.
In response, the U.S. Embassy identified and got Hospital Sister Mission Outreach to fulfill the need.
Williams said that outreach makes available a variety of materials, equipment and furnishings around the world for humanitarian purposes.
Observing that there are many needs in this country, the diplomat said, sometimes, the focus tends to be more on the young children and, while appreciating that they do need a lot of assistance.
She appealed, to others present at the hand over, not to ignore the seniors who took care of them.
“We, really, must not forget our very honoured and respected senior citizens who took care of us, who put so much into this country,” Williams exhorted the gathering.
Assistant Coordinator of the U.S. Humanitarian Programme, Ms. Claritza Juarez expressed gratitude to all for their contribution to making the initiative possible.
She commended the administration of the geriatric home on the interest shown in and work done towards trying to establish better living conditions for its residents and Mission Outreach for their prompt and willing response to the request for help.
Fund-Raising Manager, Mr. Otis Van Lewin said Food for the Poor was very happy to be able to assist the U.S. Embassy with the receipt and distribution of the humanitarian relief items.
He said it is all part of the charitable organisation’s mandate in Guyana and it is always pleased to work along, in whatever way, to make life better for others.
Others in attendance, on the occasion, were Lieutenant Colonel Melba Hernandez, U.S. Chief Military Liaison Officer, staffers and inmates of The Palms.