PASTOR Diego Alphonso is probably one of the most respected, intriguing and inspiring persons you will ever encounter. And with his genuine nature to reach out to people, he is easy to approach and talk to, a gift he realises he has possessed since his young days.

Alphonso is one of those persons who do so much to assist people — especially men and boys — and often does that kind of work behind the scenes. He is not often highlighted.

He is very passionate about helping people, and spends a lot of his time doing volunteer work in counselling men and young boys in an effort to enhance their mental and spiritual capabilities, and also address other issues such as domestic violence and related concerns.

He is the head of the Men’s Affairs Bureau (MAB) at the Ministry of Social Protection, located at Lot 1 Water and Cornhill Streets in Georgetown.
The department focuses on public outreaches; sessions with men and boys countrywide; and also seeks to engage men and boys to relate and talk about suicide, domestic violence, fatherhood, parenting, and other issues of interest, such as their roles in accepting responsibilities in the home etc.

He is well versed in one-on-one counselling, and works in collaboration with the Women’s Affairs Bureau that is attached to the same ministry.

The MAB was conceptualised in 2010 following the visit by Dr. Myles Munroe to Guyana to speak at the Men’s Empowerment Network which was hosted by a group of local pastors. A huge rally was held at the National Park involving more than 10,000 men.

Dr. Munroe was invited to Guyana since he was a motivational speaker, author and pastor whose presence was very vital in addressing the large gathering at that forum; and it was recognised that men did not have a place to go to air their concerns and have those addressed by professionals.

The MAB was established by the ministry, Alphonso said. He added that the MAB was formed in 2011 after Dr. Munroe asked where men go for help, since there was only the Women’s Affairs Bureau. Since its establishment, many men and boys who counter issues of domestic violence, among other things, have been greatly assisted.

Alphonso is also part of the National Youth and Christian New Testament Church of God body in Guyana, and is a pastor at the Harvestime New testament Church of God at Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, where he rations his time wisely between church and his job at the MAB.

In his spare time, Alphonso visits troubled men and boys and offers free conselling services, praying and taking them to church as well.

He said, “I am very pleased with what I do and how I spend my time helping, because it is my passion, something that I look forward to, since I do not like to see people hurting and in pain. I feel the need to reach out to them and assist until they are better.”

Alphonso said his work with men and boys started since his young days in church, when he realised he had a gift to be able to talk to people and get them to open up and discuss issues affecting them.

He said he would both advise persons to express that state of depression and encourage them to realise their true purpose in life, which often prevents a lot of suicides.

Alphonso, 39, is married and is the father of three children. This Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara resident likes reading, and listening to gospel music, which he says inspires him.

Growing up in a single parent home in the city, after his father passed away when he was still in his teenage years, has caused him to equip himself to empower men and boys.

Although there has been some talk of merging the MAB with the Women’s Affairs Bureau, Alphonso feels that it should remain a separate department, since men are more comfortable with the MAB as is.

He explained that after the launching of the MAB, men became aware that there was actually a department that catered for men exclusively as it relates to their mental and spiritual needs and their specific issues. With that, he said, the men became enthusiastic and readily reached out for assistance. The MAB, he said, would visit schools and attend religious and community events.

He is very pleased with the support he receives from Ministers Volda Lawrence and Simona Broomes. This was recognized during the first meeting with the ministers upon their appointment to office.

 
By Michel Outridge