AS Guyanese prepare to celebrate the season of Christmas, Human Services & Social Security Minister Jennifer Webster stressed the importance of ‘keeping Christ in Christmas’, and at the same time sharing with the less fortunate to ensure that

they also have a good Christmas.
Delivering the feature address at the Salvation Army’s Christmas Hampers Distribution programme at Citadel Headquarters at South Road and Alexander Street yesterday, the minister had kudos for the work of the Salvation Army in Guyana. She told the hundreds gathered at an overwhelmed auditorium and fully packed churchyard that the Salvation Army continues to respond to the needs of the less fortunate, while impacting the lives of people in diverse ways.
Minister Webster was particularly impressed with — and congratulated — the Salvation’s Army’s Drug Rehabilitation Programme, which yearly continues to reform the lives of hundreds of substance abusers, giving them a chance to be rehabilitated and lead positive lives in society.
Cognizant that government continues to enjoy a healthy relationship with the Army, into which it has been investing millions of dollars in support of the Drug Rehabilitation Programme over the last six years, the Social Services Minister said that the Government of Guyana remains committed to supporting those programmes with funding through the Ministry of Social Services.
She disclosed that, for the new year (2013), the Salvation Army will benefit from a G$16.3M grant to assist in refurbishing and extending its facilities at the Men’s Social Services Centre in Water Street, Kingston – the home of the Drug Rehabilitation Programme — as she emphasised that gvernment’s commitment is to help rehabilitate citizens and assist them to live better lives.
“That is one of the issues we pay attention to, and do not ignore,” the minister said.
She acknowledged the presence of the more than 1,000 senior citizens gathered at the forum, specially held by the Salvation Army to bring them and other less fortunate citizens Christmas cheer in the form of food hampers.
Distribution of the hampers is an annual feature, and Webster said, “As Minister of Human Services, I am particularly concerned about care for the elderly, and what we do about them.”  She recalled that, at a round table discussion two weeks ago, the issue of forming a private/public partnership to address the needs of senior citizens was mooted as one f the projects to be worked on in 2013.
The minister also alluded to, and expressed concern about the problem of discrimination against senior citizens trying to use public transportation.  She said the situation is to be abhorred, since Guyana is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on Human Rights, which addresses the ways in which senior citizens ought to be treated.
“This (violation of senior citizens’ rights) is one of the things I strongly oppose,” she declared. “Those same persons (who are) now senior citizens would have served their country (Guyana) well in times gone by, and now deserve to be treated with respect and consideration.”
Minister Webster noted that it is the season of goodwill, and there are other ways in which the wider society can reach out with humanitarian gestures to support our vulnerable people in society.
She said other partners can also play a role in supporting  less fortunate citizens. “I want to solicit the support of other corporate entities, since the work of the Salvation Army goes throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.”
Using the televised/press publicised forum to get her message across to all and sundry, Minister Webster said Guyana’s human resources are her most important assets, hence it is imperative that Guyanese invest in programmes that better the lives of all Guyanese.
While calling on all to remember to keep Christ in Christmas, she recommended the gesture of sharing with the less fortunate as a good way to ensure the less fortunate get a good Christmas.
Commending the Salvation Army, whose mantra is “Caring is Sharing”, and the guiding principle which informs their actions, Minister Webster asserted, “I think this is something that means a lot to me.  I commend you, because your contributions have not gone unnoticed.”
She wished all a blessed and peaceful Christmas, and reminded all about the importance of giving God thanks for the blessings He has bestowed on them and on Guyana.
Minister Webster also performed the kind gesture of distributing the first set of hampers to the needy.
Also officiating on the programme were Divisional Leaders of the Salvation Army, Majors Emmerson and Carolinda Cumberbatch; Advisory Board Chairman Mr. Edward Boyer, and other officers of the Division.
All participated in lusty renditions of several Christmas carols, led by Major Carolinda Cumberbatch, Divisional Director of Women’s Services, and Captain Mirelle St. Lot, Divisional Youth Secretary.
The activity did much to add to that traditional feeling of Christmas.