THE Guyana Division of the Salvation Army yesterday launched its traditional Annual Christmas Appeal at the Georgetown Club, Camp Street, where hundreds assembled, not only for the traditional fanfare associated with the ushering in of the Yuletide Season, but to hear the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, deliver the feature address.

It was a richly entertaining programme of speeches which brought out the mood of Christmas, spiced with the singing of carols, performances by the Divisonal Youth Chorale and a skit by clients of the Drug Rehabilitation Programme.
The programme was interspersed with offerings by the Police Force Steel Orchestra.
Also at the gathering were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, members of the diplomatic corps, the religious community and others.
But the icing on the cake came with the Minister of Finance’s feature address in which he announced a $5M subvention for the Salvation Army’s Drug Rehabilitation Programme, and this is in addition to an initial $5M given earlier this year.

“The $5M that we have given periodically to support the Drug Rehabilitation Programme, is, in my opinion, (and I have said this before, and I would say it again) one of the best spent $5M in the entire $200 billion dollars budget,” Dr. Singh declared.
The Finance Minister handed over the cheque to Prime Minister Hinds who in turned presented it to the Divisional commander, on behalf of the President of Guyana.
Dr. Singh said his Government was eminently impressed with the manner in which the Guyana Division of the Salvation Army and its advisory board have been executing it’s programmes.
“The Salvation Army is a partner that government is willing to work with, and we will continue to work with its programmes,” Dr. Singh said.
He added, “I have no doubt when I speak on the President’s behalf, on the Prime Minister’s behalf, and on behalf of the entire Cabinet of Guyana … when I say that this Government is proud to have a partner like the Guyana Division of the Salvation Army.”
Dr. Singh said he’s had the privilege of observing at close range the remarkable impact that the Salvation Army’s programme, not just the government contribution, but the programme as a whole, has been making in the lives of the beneficiaries, real people living real lives, and experiencing real change in their lives.
He noted that each and every citizen has a role to play in society, and called on persons to take individual responsibility for their lives.
Dwelling at length on the need for persons to take individual responsibility for their actions, Dr. Singh sensitised the gathering to the dangers of substance abuse. He directed words of wisdom and advice to, particularly, the many young people now on the Drug Rehabilitation Programme.
Expressing deep sadness at the plight of young people in need of drug rehabilitation, he had words of reassurance:

“I wish to say to you that your government awaits your return to full productive contribution to our economy; we await your return to your rightful place in society if you are a student.”
Warning that substance abuse has no barriers, and is taking them away from achieving their full potential, in whatever their pursuits, be it as a poet, as an actor, an engineer or a mechanic, a dentist or a doctor, he insisted that substance abuse is diverting them from serving the cause of their own personal uplift and from serving the cause of developing their own community.
Dr, Singh also warned that substance abuse is diverting the affected persons from serving their country or realising their potential.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds endorsed the minister’s statements and joined in congratulating the Salvation Army for the impact of their work, ministering to the poor and needy.
The Prime Minister, sharing sentiments on the part the Salvation Army plays in ushering in the season of Christmas, urged persons in society to play their part in giving and sharing, so as to bring joy to the hearts of deserving persons.