— Food for the Poor built 140 houses last year, provided other support

FOOD for the Poor Incorporated (FFP) has reported that despite some challenges, it was able to build some 140 houses, including 43 under the New Hope Community Development Project, Onderneeming, West Coast Berbice, last year.

According to the FFP, in its end of year report, the New Hope Community Development Project saw the construction of a community centre with funding from the Joseph Roetheli Lil Red Foundation.

The remaining 97 homes were done under FFP’s ongoing housing programme. Some 3325 housing units have been built since the programme commenced in 2004.

Aside from housing, the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) also gave assistance to the education, health and agriculture sectors.

During last year, a wide variety of school furniture was distributed to schools across the country, including Tucville, Comenius, Clonbrook, Parfaite Harmonie and Moblissa primary schools; and Saint Stanislaus College, Christ Church, Patentia, and North Ruimveldt secondary schools.

Members of the Now or Never Farmers Group, The Perth (Central Mahaicony) Farmers Agro- Processing Group and the Woodley Park Farmers Group were also the recipients of 17 shade houses and a variety of tools and agro-processing equipment during the month of June, as part of FFP’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

The Perth (Central Mahaicony) Farmers Group was the beneficiary of the upgrading and furnishing of the Farmer’s Agro-Processing Centre.

Agricultural tools were donated to farmers, farmers groups, cooperative societies and farmers associations. The tools donated included water pumps, rain boots, pick axes, forks, shovels, machetes, files and hoes.

The Kirby Community Development Farmers Group, West Bank Berbice, Shieldstown Cattle Farmers Cooperative Society, West Coast Berbice and Women for Change were just some of the farmers that benefited from the donations.

Ten families were provided with income-earning opportunities through the Mibicuri Farmers Group Sheep Project, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne. Each family received three ewes, while the group acquired three rams for breeding purposes, FPP said.

Feeding Programmes
It also reported that 431 students from five primary schools namely, Watooka, Saint Monica, Mashabo, Enterprise and Uele were fed each school day with a hot, nutritious meal, inclusive of fresh garden salad, fruit juice, as well as a serving of fruit.

“Care packages (hampers) consisting of food and school supplies, toiletries and footwear were some of the items that were also distributed to the students. It is significant to note that the overall attendance and grades of many students improved markedly during the year. Last year saw the introduction of the Corn Meal Programme, in which hundreds of children from some schools benefited,” the NGO said. Kuru Kuru Primary School Headmistress, Marilyn Williams, said the children were elated on receipt of the nutritious corn meal, which launched their breakfast programme.

Currently, there are 12 homes under the Angels of Hope Programme, namely Alpha Children’s Home, Camal International Home, Joshua House Children’s Centre, Saint John’s Bosco Boys Orphanage, Save ‘R’ Kids Children’s Home, Bright Horizon Children’s Home, Bless the Children Home, A Sanctuary Children’s Home, Children of Promise, Ruimveldt Children’s Home, Hope Children’s Home and the Hauraruni Home.

The 246 children from the 12 homes enjoyed the Angels of Hope Day of Celebration which was observed on August 3, 2016, at the HJ Water World, and FPP said the children anxiously look forward to more days where they are allowed to assemble for interaction and recreation.

The Angels of Hope Christmas celebration was held on December 17, 2016, at the St. Francis Community Developers compound. Food, drinks and sweets were provided and the children from the various homes had the opportunity to socialise freely and play games for attractive prizes. They each received a stuffed toy, much to the delight of everyone, the NGO said.

It also noted that homes continue to receive monthly support from FFP in the form of food, clothing, personal care and household items and more significantly, the donation of household appliances that were desperately needed for the sustainability of the homes namely refrigerators, stoves and television sets.

WATER AMBULANCE FOR POMEROON VILLAGES
In collaboration with Courts (Guyana) Incorporated, which supplied an engine, FPP donated a boat to residents of Saint Monica and Karawab in the Upper Pomeroon River, Region Two.

The boat, named “Asha”, is used to speedily transport ailing residents from the two communities to hospitals on the Essequibo Coast. Residents of the area were gratuitous in their praise of FFP and Courts (Guyana) for the much needed help. This donation was part of FFP’s Silver Jubilee Anniversary celebrations.

One hundred and fifty-nine containers of rice, beans, canned foods and other assorted items, as well as clothing were distributed to assist thousands of unfortunate citizens across the country. The distribution of items was realised through outreach programs, churches, clubs, groups, schools, committees and other non-governmental organisations.

The health sector also received large quantities of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, as well as over-the-counter drugs during 2016, the charitable organisation said.

“Examination tables, dental chairs, gloves, pillows, linen, pampers, sleep chairs, cribs, mattresses, liners and laboratory tools among other essentials were distributed to hospitals and health centres countrywide.

“FFP’s Wheelchair Programme, which was launched in 2015 continued in 2016, where approximately 550 more wheelchairs were distributed to disabled persons across the 10 administrative regions of the country, free of cost. Additionally, four medical outreach programmes were successfully launched and held during the year,” the FPP reported.

In June last year, the FFP celebrated 25 years of quality service to the poor and needy with a series of activities.

The anniversary celebrations were launched on June 3, 2016 with a Day of Reflection at the Police Training Center, Camp Street, Georgetown. This was followed by an anniversary Thanksgiving Church Service at Saint Theresa’s RC Church, Stone Avenue, Campbellville, Georgetown.

An exhibition of some of the various items FFP distributes to the poor was held at the Police Officers Mess, Eve Leary on June 8 and 9, 2016, while the organisation’s gala 25th anniversary dinner was held at the Guyana Pegasus Hotel on June 25, 2016.

The highlight of the number of fundraising activities held by the Special Events Department to raise funds in order for the organisation to honor its financial obligations was the gala 25th Anniversary Fundraising Dinner, which was hosted at the Pegasus Hotel.

That event was addressed by Food for the Poor Inc. Florida, USA Chief Executive Officer, Robin Mahfood, and then Social Protection Minister, Volda Lawrence, who was also a featured speaker.

Corn houses, school raffles, cake sales, a bar-b-que and take away lunches, were among some of the fundraising events held in the various regions to assist the organisation in its efforts to raise needed funds to help the poor.

FFP has extended sincerest gratitude to the donors, both local and overseas, for their support, and looks forward to more local support in 2017 and beyond.