By Michel Outridge
GUYANA’s cultural ambassador Terry Gajraj has been singled out, along with the Save Abee Foundation, for the outstanding contributions made towards building the playfield and facilities at the Shaheed Girls Orphanage at Oleander Gardens, East Coast Demerara.Members of the Board of Management of the Orphanage acknowledged the contributions of the Save Abee Foundation along with those made by the Guyana Goldfields Inc. and the Association of Chinese Business Enterprises.

The facility was officially commissioned for usage at an impressive ceremony attended on Tuesday last by hundreds of persons from diverse backgrounds.

The Save Abee Foundation was represented by Terry Gajraj, who travelled to Guyana specifically for the opening, along with a large team from the Foundation, in Guyana to carry out a countrywide medical outreach.

Secretary of the Board, Hakeem Khan, in giving an overview of the project, stated: “…the creation of this playground is the first of four major goals set by the Board some years ago, and is the third to be achieved.”

He gave the other goals as “acquiring our own transportation for the children. Two years ago, with a duty free concession given to us by the (then) Ministry of Human Services, we fulfilled the dream of acquiring a bus to provide transportation for these children. Today we are among the very few such institutions to have our own transportation, and maybe the only one to have acquired same using our own funds. The best that we can do for our children is to give them the best opportunity for education.”

In her report, Board Treasurer Raheema Rahaman said the opening of the playground was a “small but significant and historic event in the history of the Shaheed Boys & Girls Orphanages, and this is another addition to our numerous efforts to support those efforts in our society to mould a good society, giving every child an opportunity to excel at that which he or she is capable of.”

She informed: “The Shaheed Boys and Girls Orphanages were established in the 1950s as institutions to provide care, home and facilities for the orphans, vulnerable and destitute children of our community. They have remained legitimate institutions in the community for the provision of care, facilities and services to the orphans and vulnerable children of (mainly) the Muslim community.”
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Speaking on behalf of Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence, Permanent Secretary Lorene Baird noted that “child rights are fundamental human rights.” She said it was sad to know that many children are still neglected, abandoned and abused, but it is important to provide stronger support to the organizations which help.

Co-founder of the Save Abee Foundation, Asha Tillak, speaking on behalf of that entity, expressed gratitude to be a part of the project.
Ayanna Jean-Baptiste from the Guyana Goldfields Inc. (Aurora Goldmines Inc.) said her organization was happy to be a part of this historic event.
Jason Wong, representing the Association of Chinese Business Enterprises, said: “This kind of charitable work deserves everyone’s respect and aid.”

And Mohamed Raffik, of Raffik & Sons Contractors, who provided machinery and equipment, spoke of his delight at the completion of the project, in which his company became involved from the initial stages several years ago.

Also speaking at the commissioning ceremony were Malcolm Harripaul of the Ministry of the Presidency; Pat Habibullah (Aunty Pat); and Terry Gajraj, who also provided some musical entertainment.