PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar joined the Cane Grove Reunion Group Friday in distributing hampers to the elderly and presents to children of that East Coast Demerara village, as Christmas cheer continues its spirited spread countrywide. The Cane Grove Reunion Group is a non-governmental organization run by a team of overseas-based Guyanese. The support given to the elderly and other vulnerable groups is an annual feature.
President Ramotar became aware of the exercise after an invitation was extended to him by General Secretary of the Rice Producers’ Association, Dharamkumar Seeraj, and he agreed to participate in the charitable exercise.
Speaking at the event, President Ramotar congratulated the group for the initiative, noting that it was good to see Guyanese in the diaspora giving back to a project that builds the community’s collective spirit.
The President highlighted Government’s efforts to extend social services and care to citizens, drawing comparisons between the services being presently offered and those of the past.
He made reference to the period when pensions were inaccessible to senior citizens, recalling the criteria of a means test that preceded the granting of such benefits. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration eliminated the means test after taking office.
President Ramotar acknowledged that pensions are not large, but he went on to explain that it costs government $3B yearly.
As he did in his Christmas message to the nation, President Ramotar called for the show of kindness and charity to be taken into consideration. He also said that villages should be supportive of each other.
Seeraj and Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony also participated in the charitable exercise.