THE Ministry of Social Protection has supported the initiative of the National Commission for the Elderly in the distribution of breakfast to elderly persons who came out to collect their pension at the Bourda Post office and the Central Post office,in Georgetown on Wednesday.Members of the Commission, staff of the Ministry of Social Protection and volunteers assisted in the distribution of the breakfast which was available from 7:00hrs. According to a release from the Ministry, Ms. Everette DeLeon, Chairperson of the National Commission for the elderly, stated that the project is the first of many more to come. She said it is very necessary to have such projects for senior citizens who come out and line up as early as 6:00hrs to collect their pension every month.
The project was undertaken after talks with the Guyana Post Office Commission indicated that such programs are necessary. The release further noted that Clifton Farley, Area Manager for the post office, said,”you can’t go wrong with such projects.” adding that what is most important is sustainability.
Mr. Ricardo Banwarie, Assistant Chief Probation and Social Services officer,said that the Commission is very helpful in bringing suggestions to the Ministry and in turn the Ministry is happy to assist them in whatever way possible. He stated, “after the research indicated the necessity of the project, the Commission and the MOSP collaborated with the GPOC to bring the project to fruition.”
Research shows that the Central Post Office and the Bourda Post Office are the two post offices which see the most pensioners. According to the release, the pensioners were overjoyed and thanked those present,indicating they are hopeful that this would be an every-month activity.
The Commission would like to make special mention of Lloyd Austin from Austin Bookstore, Claude Raphael of Raphael’s Real Estate, Charles Vandyke of Eye Care, and Sharon Green of ACDA,without whom the project would not have been a success.
It is the hope of the Commission that the project continues every month at different post offices around the country. Interested persons wishing to lend support to this initiative are welcomed to get in contact with the Ministry of Social Protection or Ms. DeLeon of the National Commission for the Elderly.