MANY young graduates spend their free time socializing and travelling; members of the US-based NGO known as Health and Educational Relief Organization, who operate under the acronym “HERO”, spend theirs volunteering to provide medical outreach to the less fortunate in Guyana.

Founded in New York, HERO has been operating in Guyana for over 13 years via the activities of its three arms: surgical, medical, and educational. It currently comprises mostly young people who are in the medical field. The team usually visits Guyana twice per year, in March and in August.

This year, HERO’s enthusiastic young people visited Georgetown, Linden and Berbice, providing medical support in areas where this necessity was lacking. The group that was sent to Linden rendered assistance to the One Mile clinic, Christianburg health clinic and Silverhill health clinic. A wide range of medical services was provided, including diabetes testing, blood pressure testing, and dental care, among other things.

That apart, the educational arm of the organization aims to educate the patients on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, after administering treatment of their health issues.

Medical equipment was also donated to the nearby clinics and health institutions. The other groups visiting Berbice and Georgetown provided similar services.

This group of young persons, whose aspiration is to restore humanity, has done an invaluable good, and was treated to dinner at Duke Lodge on Thursday evening by CEO of BK International, Mr. Brian Tiwarie. Though Tiwarie failed to attend the occasion because of time constraints, the group nevertheless acknowledged his efforts, and the evening was filled with laughter and success stories.

Two of the volunteers were able to share their experiences, revealing that Guyana’s health service is vastly different from what obtains in the US. They shared similar sentiments that Guyanese are extremely patient people, whose making much with what they have was really a life-changing experience for them.

Friendships, they proclaimed, were built, and the ability to meet people’s needs without yet having a degree was truly indescribable.

Current President of the Organisation, Guyanese Dr. Collie Oudkerk, also expressed appreciation, and noted how happy he was to be able to give something back to his country. He also revealed future plans for the group, one of which would be to choose a specific clinic in an area and do a continuous follow-up on diabetic patients.

He added that a future project would be examining breast cancer patients, and providing medical assistance to them in all possible ways.
HERO is an NGO funded through donations from the public and support of its members. To become a volunteer or donate to this worthy cause, visit www.heroglobal.org.

One act of kindness a day can make a difference!
By Ravin Singh