.png)
The event saw residents all receiving a lunch and some Christmas goodies, while the elderly and some of the older children received monetary gifts.
Among those present were Father Malcolm Rodrigues, former Region 7 Chairman, Mr. Hilbert Knights, present Regional Chairman, Mr. Gordon Bradford, executives and members of the Central, West Demerara and Bartica Lions Clubs, and management and staff of CB&R Mining and Aruwai Inc.
Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford, chairing the proceedings, invited Father Malcolm Rodrigues to start the ball rolling with a prayer; and the latter blessed the Babulall family, members of the two businesses, and the benefactor of the day’s proceedings, Mr. Chunilall Babulall. Father Rodrigues then led the children in a lusty rendition of the Christmas song “Oh come all ye faithful”, as the children sang and shouted cheers to Mr Babulall and his family for hosting them this treat.
Mr. Babulall thanked all those who attended the event, as he articulated the vision that drove the event. He recalled that, three years ago, on Christmas Day, while in the United States of America, he was sitting flipping channels on the television when he came across a channel showing a number of organisations hosting to lunch, large numbers of people on Christmas Day. This struck him, and there and then he committed to return to Guyana and do the same for the people of Bartica and its communities.
He shared his vision with his family on his return to Guyana, and could not wait for the December 25th date to arrive, as he teamed up with the Bartica Lions Club to stage the function. Today it is a signature event in Bartica, and the Lions Club of Guyana has it on their calendar of events.
In his usual soft and measured tone, Babulall said he felt God spoke to him, and he immediately accepted, and set about to carry out, those instructions; and this has helped hundreds of persons of all ages and situations in the area.
On December 25th, 2011, his company proceeded with the Bartica Lions Club to treat over 1200 children and elderly persons from six riverine communities and from Bartica. This year, over 2000 persons attended the treat, and each received food, snacks, and a Christmas gift.
President of the Bartica Lions Club, Lion Calment Young, commented on the activity and noted that the Bartica Lions Club is proud to be associated with the CB&R Mining, Aruwai Inc. and Mr. Chunilall Babulall and family in hosting and making the event successful. Lion Young noted that Mr. Babulall has always been supportive of any event that would enhance development of the Bartica community, and that Babulall’s companies had provided employment to hundreds of Guyanese and had made a significant impact in all sectors of development in Guyana.
Lion Young opined that this event would be a signature event for Barticians on Christmas Day, and he said the Bartica Lions Club, under its motto “To serve”, will continue to serve the people of the community in every area.
Region 7 Chairman, Mr. Gordon Bradford, in his short address to the gathering, indicated he was glad that Mr. Babulall had heeded the voice that instructed him to host Barticians with this treat. He said that voice had to be the voice of God, and he commended Babulall for being obedient and adhering to the instructions he had received.
He noted that when a man can take instructions from “The Father”, he has a far and successful way to go in life, and such is evident today with Mr. Babulall, a true son of Bartica, who has demonstrated qualities that would take him far in life.
Bradford concluded his address by committing the support of the regional administration to the annual Bartica Christmas Day feast; and on behalf of his family, staff at the regional administration, and himself, extended wishes for a hearty Christmas and a productive New Year to all Barticians, and to the Babulall family and staff of the companies they operate.
