–with another of its regular blood drives

THE West Demerara Arya Samaj, in collaboration with the United Federation of Arts and Culture (UFAC), held its 6th National Blood Donation Drive Friday at its Vreed-en-Hoop office on the West Coast of Demerara. The Ministry of Health coordinated the drive.

Concerned with rendering service to all humanity, the West Demerara Arya Samaj’s previous blood drive was held in November, when more than 60 units of blood were collected and turned over to the National Blood Bank.
Other humanitarian projects are also in the works. The building currently hosts exercise classes by the ISHO Guyana Chapter as part of community health outreach activities.

Another project planned by the Arya Samaj organisation is to make food and clothing available for the destitute and underprivileged.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited the site early in the day, the drive had already accumulated 20 units, but was hoping for as many as 100 before the drive concluded.

The drive was well organised, and the well trained staff did an excellent job of easing donors’ fears. They did their job with efficiency and courtesy. Apart from the usual refreshments given to donors on such occasions, the Arya Samaj issued donors with a beautiful framable 8X2 coloured certificate and a discount card for purchases to be made at the Bounty Supermarket.
Explaining that the Arya Samaj is concerned with looking out for humanity, Bandhu said that donating blood is one of the best gifts a person can give, because it saves lives.

The Arya Samaj is one of 29 affiliated and 10 associated branches spread across the three counties of Guyana. The Guyana Central Arya Samaj is the parent body. This faith-based, non-governmental organisation is registered under the Friendly Societies Act of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. It is managed by a central executive committee that administers and coordinates nationwide Arya Samaj activities across Guyana.

The organisation has three established regional branches which coordinate various regional and national activities in their respective regions.

(By Michelle Gonsalves)