– Bids farewell to Divisional Leaders Majors Sinous and Marie Theodore
IMPRESSED with the work of the Salvation Army in Guyana and, more particularly, the impact of its Drug Rehabilitation Programme for substance abusers, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh has said that Government will not be discontinuing its financial assistance to that programme with the imminent departure from Guyana of Divisional Leaders of the Salvation Army (Guyana Division), Majors Sinous and Marie Theodore. The Finance Minister gave this assurance on Thursday last, as he addressed ‘An Evening of Reflections, Testimonies and Expressions of Gratitude’  held in honour of the out-going divisional leaders.

The venue was the Men’s Social Services Centre (Home of the Drug Rehab Programme) in Water Street, Kingston.  Among those present at the forum were Chairman Edward Boyer and members of the Salvation Army Advisory Board; Rehab  Programme Managers Captains Matignol and Mirelle St. Lot and other technical officers working with the programme and clients of the Drug Rehabilitation Programme.

Divisional Commander, Major Sinous Theodore and Director of Women’s Ministries, Major Marie Theodore, both Haitians, but who have spent the last eight years serving the people of Guyana with fervour, through the Salvation Army division here, are due to proceed on transfer to neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago later this month.

Bidding the Theodores a fond, but emotional farewell, Dr. Singh who had kudos for both the Major and his wife, expressed gratitude to them for the great work they have done in Guyana during their sojourn.  On behalf of President  Bharrat Jagdeo and on his own behalf, the Minister acknowledged the highly efficient, effective and transparent way in which the Salvation Army continues to manage the programme which has served to mend and rehabilitate countless lives of ‘men on the brink’ and who had fallen slaves to drugs and alcoholism.

Alluding to the annual grant of $5 million dollars given the Drug Rehabilitation Programme, through a commitment made by President Bharrat Jagdeo at the launching of the Army’s annual Christmas Kettles Appeal at the Georgetown Club in November, 2008, Dr. Singh  declared, “Government cannot and will not end [this assistance] with the Major’s departure, but will engage with the Salvation Army on a long-term basis and will continue to support them because he is impressed…This is the perfect kind of partnership and Government will remain engaged for the long haul,” the Finance Minister assured.

Noting that President Jagdeo has a very special interest in the continued success of the programme and has been tangibly supporting the initiative over the last three years, Dr. Singh said he looks forward for the Advisory Board to keep government apprised, continue to give advice and urged them to give support to the new Divisional Leaders in order to ensure the continued success of the programme.
Dr. Singh recalled that government’s relationship with the Army has been amiable, premised on goodwill and continues to redound to the good of the clients whose lives were at stake.

And of Government’s partnership with the Salvation Army in Guyana, over the  years, Dr. Singh noted, “The real story is one of lives being touched, changed and impacted.  I have seen and interacted with people in the programme, and heard the remarkable testimonies to what can be achieved with moderate resources where there is commitment…I have seen them bite the bullet and participate in the programme.”

Dr. Singh recalled being touched by some of the hair-raising testimonies he heard during a programme at the Rehabilitation Centre in the past.  He recounted the hair-raising testimonies of people literally coming back from the rim; the courage it took to stop the downward spiral; to realize their potential; turn their lives around and return to their families.  “Those are the real stories we would like to celebrate.  These are the things we work for each day.”

But first and foremost, he emphasized, what is required is commitment.  The substance abuser must first want to get on the programme, desire to see his life turn around, and must be committed to stay with and complete the programme, exiting as respectable and valued members of society.

And commenting on  President Jagdeo and his government’s respect for the entity, the Finance Minister acknowledged that the Salvation Army’s Rehabilitation programme which responds to the needs of the most vulnerable in society, takes precedence above many others in terms of budgetary allocations.

He congratulated the Advisory Board working on a voluntary basis and who, according to Major Theodore, see the Drug Rehabilitation Programme as ‘their baby’.

Through the annual subvention of $5M given the rehab programme by government,  persons caught in the throes of  drug abuse and alcoholism, genuinely seeking help to recover, but whose family cannot afford to pay the required fees, can be admitted to the programme.

Meanwhile, thanking the Divisional Commander and his wife, Major Marie Theodore for the great work done in Guyana, and wishing them success in their future endeavours, Dr. Singh noted that the success achieved by the Salvation Army over the last eight years, as well government’s intervention and commitment to the programme, was largely due to Major Sinous Theodore’s leadership and advocacy.

“We are indebted to you for the work you have done and are highly appreciative,” the Finance Minister  told Major Theodore.
Dr. Singh also alluded to Major Theodore as an unassuming person of affable disposition, flexible, adaptable and committed, and  said he was impressed with his work, energy and strong leadership qualities.  He called on the outgoing Divisional leader to urge his successor to continue the good work he (Major Theodore) has been doing in Guyana.

In closing, the Finance Minister also extended gratitude, kind regards and best wishes to Major Marie Theodore, who was absent on account of illness.

Meanwhile, as the programme unfurled, there was a deluge of  moving testimonies and expressions of appreciation by clients, some of whom have now become rehabilitated  after being on drugs for as long as 25 years.  They expressed gratitude to both the Salvation Army and the Government of Guyana for ‘throwing out the life-line’ and  making it possible for them to benefit from the programme and so be reunited with their families.

“Had it not been for the Salvation Army and Government, I would have been dead … but they have given me back life.  It is a joy for me now that I have come clean, but it pains me to see my brothers out there…,” one man testified.  Dr. Singh called on them to feel free to encourage others also on drugs to seek the help of the Salvation Army’s Drug Rehabilitation Programme.

Incredibly, hidden within the walls of the Rehabilitation Centre is a plethora of skills, begging and just waiting to come alive.   From tradesmen, clerks, artisans, to poets and writers …you name it.  Each year, dozens continue to be rehabilitated and now ask that systems be put in place for them to be given employment so as to be fully re-integrated into society.