Dharmic Sabha erecting humanitarian shelter at Port Mourant

THE Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, in a humanitarian effort, has undertaken to erect a shelter called ‘Bal Nivas’, at Ankerville, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice.The initiative saw the commencement of construction work in early April of last year by Kascon Engineering Service.

The hospice, which will house 60 persons at a time, will target children, particularly those with single parents in the surrounding communities. Religion or ethnicity will not be a deciding factor in selecting beneficiaries, President of the Sabha, Dr. Vindhya Persaud said.
She said, through concerts that were previously organised by the Sabha, they were able to raise funds which have been the main source of income.
The private sector played a part indirectly, by supporting the concerts and the government has contributed significantly by granting the land title.
Persaud said the New York Chapter, too, donated $1M towards the project.
The administration of the shelter will be handled by the Sabha in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Services and the Child Protection Agency.
Counselling and rehabilitation programmes that will be instituted would seek to educate the shelter population while eliminating domestic issues within the surrounding communities.
Abusive relationships
The facility will also be used as an instrument of refuge for battered women who have been in abusive relationships and need emotional and physical help.
With the building being 90 percent completed, Persaud, a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament (MP), admitted that the challenge faced is funding for completing it.
“The walkway and fence are still to be built and, as such, we are seeking assistance through concerts and fund- raising drives to, successfully, complete this project,” she said.
Persaud emphasised the importance of the concerts, pointing out that they contributed 85 percent of the needed funding.
When the project is finished, the Sabha will continue efforts to raise funds through the private sector and donations, as Bal Nivas becomes operational.
The money will then be channelled towards its maintenance and the development of the communities.
As such, she urged the public to visit Bal Nivas and see what they have been supporting and continue supporting similar initiatives as they are for a great cause.
Persaud also expressed sincere gratitude for the public contribution, acknowledging that the achievement could not have been possible without it.
The erection is projected to be finished by mid-year and the shelter should become operational by year end.