The New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission (NJASHM) last weekend, and for Thanksgiving,  responded to the need and cries of victims of super storm Sandy in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York. That area was one of the most affected  when the storm system pounded the New York area two weeks ago.

President of the organisation, Pandit Suresh Sugrim, stated that the organisation, which comprises  adults and youths, “took it on ourselves, after listening to the cries coming from many who suffered and basically lost everything,  went to Far Rockaway, Queens, New York…prepared hot meals for over 500 individuals”. He stated, too, that the organisation responded to TV appeals from persons who were hungry for some food.
NJASHM also partnered with the Elegant Rose Hall Catering Hall from the Bronx, NY “and they prepared another 500 meals—totalling 1,000 hot meals which we took into that community on Sunday last”.
Sugrim noted that, “as a humanitarian organisation, we have been working in Guyana for a number of years and many phone calls came in asking us what we were going to do for the people affected by Hurricane  Sandy in New York so,realising that charity begins at home, we were urged to get out there and make an impact on those individuals who have suffered very bitterly from mother nature”.
He stated that it was very sad, knowing the fact that “what you saw on TV was one thing and when you got on the ground, it is heartbreaking to see the long lines of people waiting to get a hot meal”. There were several organisations from across America working on the ground trying to make an impact as well, including Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and others.
“We met quite a few Guyanese in the lines, living in surrounding areas, and after listening to their stories, it was good to know that we not only touched Americans but our own Guyanese too”.
Pandit Sugrim met with and talked to one man and his family, originally from Cumberland, Canje, Berbice, who lived in 69TH Street in Far Rockaway “and when he showed his losses, it was just heartbreaking”.
“Some people lost everything. We went through the city and other areas and it was surprising to see what Mother Nature has done to man, even those  with money—people who had it all—some people are homeless due to the cruel hands of Mother Nature”.
The group also met Guyana’s Ambassador to the U.S., Bayney Karran; Consul-General Brentnol  Evans; Councilman James Sanders, as well as other American dignitaries.