REIGNING Miss Guyana World, Arti Cameron, believes she has a “good connection” with the kids at the Ruimveldt Children’s Aid Centre, and expressed this sentiment at her most recent visit there, last Thursday. Arti had gone there to make a donation to the centre. She had done some work recently, and used the money she had been paid to make the gift possible. She has been the official patron of the centre since adopting it last year.

This time, when she visited, she was entertained by some of the children, who are preparing to be part of an upcoming show at the National Cultural Centre. They also offered her a sneak peek of their activities.

Although mentioning that she had been fortunate enough to be able to make a significant donation, Arti did not care to elaborate on the details of it.

Asked why she likes to visit the centre, she responded: “This is just my passion. I think if you can help people, why not? You don’t lose anything. It’s just a part of being a human being; to respect people and to love them and to nurture them.”

Arti is convinced it makes sense to invest in young children. “They are our future, and I know that this is over said and overused, but it’s the truth. I adopted this centre because of that connection, and I felt that nobody was giving it enough attention.”

According to her, between 50 and 75 children visit the centre each day just to get the support it offers, because the communities these children come from are poverty-stricken.

She is advocating for support for the centre from others. “Anybody wishing to volunteer is welcome, even if it is just to come by and spend a little time with the kids.”

Also present during the visit were Vice President of the centre, Ms Ismay Murray; and Administrative Assistant, Maudlin December.