GUYANESE investor and mining executive, Dean Hassan, CEO of Tesouro Resources has donated $10 million to sixteen local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and two long-standing animal rights activists. Before presenting the cheques to the recipients at a brief ceremony at Cara Lodge, Hassan said that he was taking the opportunity to give back to society since he was fortunate and blessed to be in the position to do what he was doing.
Lodge Irenaeus along with the Guyana Veterans’ Legion and Queen’s College Parent Teacher Association received a total of $1M, while animal rights activists, Sayeeda Manbodth and Genevieve Beepat both received $250,000.
The Palms Geriatric Institution, Dharm Shala, the Association of Uncle Eddie’s Home, St. John’s Bosco Orphanages, Shaheed Boys and Girls Orphanage, St. Ann’s Orphanage, David Rose School for Handicapped Children, the Guyana Society for the Blind, Deaf Association of Guyana, Youth Basketball Guyana, Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA), Help and Shelter and the Guyana Red Cross Society, all received $500,000 each.
Hassan in brief remarks said the donation was a demonstration of his commitment to Guyana in a significant way. Last year, he donated $1M to the Guyana Police Force for the Impact Albouystown Project.
Hassan attended the University of Alberta in Canada where he graduated in business administration and economics. He worked in Toronto briefly before deciding to visit the Caribbean to pursue business ventures.
Firstly he explored business opportunities in Jamaica, then Guyana where he decided to form links with Pexco, a worldwide import and export corporation, in order to facilitate trade links between Guyana, Jamaica and Canada.
He is considered one of the foremost local producers in the mining industry and his interest in gold has been extended to oil and gas explorations. Aside from business accreditations, Hassan is an animal lover and has been actively involved with the GSPCA and animal activists where he has assisted financially in the spaying and neutering programme.
In this regard, President of the GSPCA, Oliver Insanally has noted that Hassan’s donation will boost the works of the society, enabling the effective delivery of more programmes.