A SURPRISE visit to the St Thomas More Men’s Hostel on Lamaha Street, Kitty, by Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes on Sunday represented a momentous occasion in the lives of the many residents.
At noon, Minister Broomes arrived the hostel and treated the men to a warm Father’s Day interaction. She lovingly spoke to each resident to get an understanding of their lives in the Catholic home.
“Today, I am honoured to be in your presence… you are very special. You are dear to the Government of Guyana,” she said, while reassuring the residents of the men’s hostel that they “are not forgotten.”
“I have a serious passion, for the young, the old… oftentimes, our men folk are forgotten… Mother’s Day was a big fuss, but when it comes to Father’s Day, we tend to take it lightly. But today is a very important day because had it not been for a father, I would not have been here. You are very special,” Broomes added.
Accompanying Broomes was Pastor David Hermanstine, who prayed for the men and wished them happiness, love and long life. He urged the men to thank God for life, while thanking them for serving Guyana in whatever way.
Meanwhile, among the men living at the hostel is former Mayor of Georgetown Compton Young, who served for five years in the 1980s. He expressed gratitude to Minister Broomes for showing “such generosity” towards the hostel.
He said, “this is home,” while telling the Guyana Chronicle that he has been living in the home for about two years since his right leg was amputated.
He said prior to becoming a resident of the hostel, he would frequent the Lamaha Street location to provide assistance to the caregivers there.
Similarly, Michael Farrier, brother of Francis Quamina Farrier, thanked Minister Broomes for “remembering us” as he noted that “Some of us maybe have nobody to visit us or remember us, but we know God has sent you. Even bringing gifts for us,” Farrier stated.
The other residents of the hostel also expressed appreciation for the gesture and noted that it is the first time a sitting minister of government had visited the hostel. The men were also presented with hampers by the minister.