THE Kingston (West) Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) group, on Friday, as a part of its Valentine’s Day observances, donated 25 hampers worth approximately $70,000 to patients in the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Paediatric Ward. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Chairman of the Kingston (West) PYO group, Saeed Baksh, thanked the GPHC for allowing the group to make this initiative possible.

Baksh said the purpose of this initiative is to give back to the youths and brighten their spirits, so as to bring some hope back to them. “The hampers which were donated include stationery, clothing, shoes, food items and so forth,” he said.
Moreover, he said the hampers were solicited through donations which the group had received from various individuals.
He emphasised the fact that they have done this before and this initiative is the second of this nature. Additionally, they plan to do this continuously, because this is their way of giving back to the community.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the PYO group, Gaitre Singh, noted that this is the second time the hospital has benefited from an initiative such as this.
Singh disclosed that the joy in giving back to the children is one that cannot be matched by anything else.
“This is something we plan on doing every year, so as to show our continuous support,” she said.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Collin Croal, disclosed that on behalf of the steering committee of the PYO, he wishes to commend the PYO for this initiative and activity.
“As you see the timing is one of love, and Valentine is not necessarily within the confines of husbands and wives and boyfriend and girlfriend, but it’s also a time for sharing love generally,” Croal posited. (Navendra Seoraj)