BAAL NIVAS, the Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s Children’s Shelter, has received a donation of a refrigerator and a gas stove from Courts Guyana Limited.

The simple handing over ceremony, which took place ahead of the Baal Nivas official opening on May 5, took place at the Courts flagship store on Main Street in Georgetown yesterday.

Speaking to the media at the event, Ms Trudy Abrahams, Courts Marketing Officer, said: “Since May 2012, we have been collaborating with the Sabha and making donations to the different phases of the construction of the shelter. And now, before the opening, we want to make this donation.

“We will, however, continue to support the shelter and the Dharmic Sabha in whatever way we can”.

Expressing sincerest gratitude to Courts Guyana Limited for its continued support of the Sabha and the Baal Nivas, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, head of the Dharmic Sabha, said: “The shelter has been constructed in just over a year. This would have been after the fund-raising concerts that started in May 2012; and Courts Guyana has been on board every step of the way”.

Dr Persaud explained: “Sonu Nigam will be performing on May 4, 2014 at the National Stadium; and, yet again, the proceeds from this show will go towards the shelter”.

The shelter will be officially opened on May 5, and Dr Persaud explained that while the Sabha would be opening the building, there is still a lot more work to be done for the shelter to be completed.

She disclosed that the shelter is still in need of furnishings and appliances; and hopefully, the proceeds from the show will somewhat offset these expenses.

The shelter, as explained, will consist of a counselling unit and a skills training unit, and will be opened to all children, regardless of their background, faith or ethnicity.

Mothers will also receive counselling, training and empowerment, should the need arise.

(By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)