DEODAT Dasrath and his family are now the proud owners of a home that was recently constructed at Whim Village, Berbice, thanks to the kind efforts of the US-based New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission. The gesture is part of the organization’s ongoing programme to help low-income and needy families improve their lives by empowering them in an effort to stamp out the habit of relying on hand outs.
According to the New Jersey organization, the idea on this occasion was not only to afford the Dasrat family the  opportunity of owning a decent home for the first time, but also serve as an example that poverty is not necessarily a barrier to a better life.
The one condition, however, was that they be prepared to help themselves. “That’s what empowerment is about,” said NJASHM leader, Pandit Suresh Sugrim.
Despite his poverty, Deodat, unlike many others, does not drink hard liquor nor smoke. His family consists of a handicapped 21-year-old daughter who also needs special care.
For the construction of the $1.3M Whim home, NJASHM donated US$2,000 (the equivalent of G$ 400,000 towards the project. The remaining construction cost of US$4,500 (the equivalent of G$900,000) was in the form of a soft loan, interest free to be repaid by the family.
That money would go into a revolving fund to be utilized for other similar housing projects. The Dasraths, who previously lived in rented property at Lancaster, Corentyne for the past 13 years, have agreed to repay the loan at a rate of G$10,000 per month.
Between 2007-2010, the organization said, it donated many houses at an approximate cost of US$6,000 each to families living below the poverty line as determined by their local chapter.
It was quick to point out however that living below the poverty line does not necessarily entitle any family for help from NJASHM.
Said Pandit Sugrim: “We help those who are willing to help themselves, and at the same time try to stamp out handouts, while making a family more independent and reliable.”
Deodat reportedly broke down in tears and choked with emotion as he was given the keys to his new home. He never thought that owing a home in his lifetime would become a reality. He expressed his deep gratitude to all the donors and contributors to the organization, including Pandits Sugrim and Dhanessar, the latter being the general secretary of the organisation’s local chapter.
As Deodat observed: “Meh had it hard fuh 15 years; since meh left school and marri’d. But now meh get a lil ease.”
Pandit Sugrim said the Mission will be implementing more projects of this nature in the future. Apart from translating dreams into reality and building bridges for hope, NJASHM also provides children with an education, and focuses on school drop-outs due to poverty. “The only way we can break the chain of poverty is through education,” he said.
For 2011, they have targeted handicapped children for medical relief, low-income families, widows with children in school, single parents, and several other empowerment programmes to make people independent. They also reach out to single parents whose children have dropped out of school.
A list with such children is presently being compiled, and would be augmented by and by. NJASHM is also working in partnership with the Guyana Government through its various Ministries, as well as with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
The organization also works with the elderly, whereby it would take them on outings from time to time, as well as help them beautify their bodies. Its partnership with ‘Help and Shelter’ continues to be strong in addressing such issues as domestic violence, abuse, rape and suicide.
Pandit Sugrim commended in particular the Guyanese Diaspora in the United States for having donated generously towards the organisation’s many causes here over the years, and announced plans to erect a benevolent home at Port Mourant, Corentyne for the elderly, and abused women, men and orphans.
The cost of erecting such a building is estimated to be in the vicinity of US$200,000.