GUYANA’S Consul General to Barbados Ms. Cita Pilgrim has lauded her fellow Guyanese for their display of community spirit having seen it fit to lend a helping hand to some folks in Barbados who drifted off course in life.

Ms. Pilgrim made these remarks at the Guyana Consulate when the “Friends of Guyana” resident on the island handed over some carpentry equipment and tools to the “Prison Fellowship of Barbados” to assist in the training of Ex-Inmates of the Dodd’s Prison in St. Phillip. The equipment was a “Truper Table Saw” along with several pieces of hand tools.
She said that the gesture was worthy and commendable and the office of the Guyana Consulate was extremely proud to be associated with the gesture.

Ms. Pilgrim noted that Guyanese of all walks of life make their country proud in so many ways by excelling in so many areas of endeavor, hence it is heartwarming that the “Friends of Guyana” have chosen to help some of the most vulnerable in the society.
The Consul General further stated that many prisoners who have served the time for the crime continue to serve time after their release because of the stigma associated with incarceration.

Commending the Prison Fellowship Association for their work for over 40 years, she noted that they continue to provide the ex-inmates with skills to help them to be self-sufficient, which is a further display of love and charity – greater love has no man that this, she emphasised.
Bishop Mark A. Payne, Chairman of the Fellowship said that acts like those displayed by the “Friends of Guyana” is very touching, since they are contributing to the welfare of non-Guyanese.

He noted that the response to his organisation’s appeal for assistance was spontaneous, which is not very often forthcoming from locals.
Among the activities of the Fellowship, include hosting workshops for both inmates and ex-inmates to provide them with the necessary skills to enable them to become worthy citizens upon release from Prison. The individuals are also able to present their children with gifts at Christmas at a special event at Dodds.
Presenting the gifts to Bishop Payne was Ms. Comarie Mansour. Also in attendance was Mr. Mark Corbin, Chief Officer, head of Operations at the Dodds Prison.