NGO receives donation form Rubis

RUBIS Caribbean has made a significant contribution to the Information Technology Department of Generation Next, First Assembly of God’s multi-faceted, Community Empowerment facility which offers developmental training, recreation and support for young people in Guyana.

To this end, the company in February made a donation of 2,000 Euros to help in the further development and propagation of the institution’s community project. The donation which comes as Generation Next observes its 10th year in existence is to be used to boost the Information Technology (IT) Department.

At a simple handing over ceremony held at the facility located at D’Urban Street, Wortmanville, Marketing and Sales Manager, Rubis Eastern Caribbean, Ricardo Milford presented the cheque to the Secretary of Generation Next Board of Directors, Pastor Wilbert Lee.

Also witnessing the presentation were: Rubis’ Retail Accounts Executive, Rhonda Johnson; Pastor Winston Assanah, Director of Generation Next, and Melissa Mc Cullock, Administrator and members of the media.
Pastor Lee, on behalf of the Chairman and Board of Directors expressed gratitude to Rubis for their contribution – both the Caribbean and the headquarters in France which also formed part of the donor team. He said that Generation Next looks forward to their continuous partnership.

Observing the adage “Rubis fuelling the Caribbean” Pastor Lee said that Generation Next is extremely happy that Rubis has begun ‘fuelling’ here, adding that the company will certainly go a far way towards fueling further development and training of those persons who come and partake in training in the facility’s IT lab.

The Secretary said that over the last 10 years, Generation Next has been seeking to empower unemployed men and women so that they can make a difference in their own lives and in their communities. To date more than 3,000 persons have already been trained, he said.

Courses offered include Information Technology; Technical Vocational Training; Woodworking, Electrical and Electronics; Cake decoration and Fabric designing; Hydroponics; Fine Arts Training; Career Mentorship; Protocol Training and recreational activities.

He said that training is open to all Guyanese. The trainees have come, not only from Georgetown but from the East Bank of Demerara, as far as the Soesdyke, Linden Highway; Mahaicony on the East Coast of Demerara and Parika on the East Bank of Essequibo.
Meanwhile, Rubis’ Accounts Executive, Rhonda Johnson said Rubis was very pleased and delighted to be able to contribute to the Generation Next IT programme. She pointed out that the donation came all the way from Paris, adding that Caribbean countries that have a Rubis presence were asked to identify a charity or programme that each country would like to work with.

“The staff of respective countries came together and in Guyana, we put forward a number of charities, but the one that took the spotlight on Paris was ‘Generation Next’,” Ms Johnson declared.
She said that the review on Generation Next was very impressive, taking note of the charitable work it does as well. Not only does it cater to the academic needs of the beneficiaries, but their welfare needs as well. The facility offers hot meals for school children at four schools, as well as, it provides dinner for deserving elders every third Tuesday.

“That is commendable. It means that children who go to the schools where you provide this service can be assured of something to eat when the day comes,” Johnson observed.
Congratulating Generation Next, Johnson said that Rubis would like to encourage the institution, and hopes that their contribution will go a far way towards changing lives by giving a second chance for persons who might have dropped out of school or those who might not have seen the need to forge ahead at a particular juncture of their lives.

But as they grow older have come to realise how important education is. On behalf of Rubis, she congratulated Generation Next and the beneficiaries to continue doing what they do.

And in an invited comment, Head Pastor of Central Assembly of God Church, Rev. Murtland Raphael Massiah, said that what was unfolding was a partial fulfilment of the vision of Generation Next where the poor and the powerless young people from this community and adjoining communities can benefit from the programmes offered.

“We are grateful for this kind of material support that will help us to roll out the kind of programmes that would really benefit those who have fallen between the margins and those who just need a bit of help,” Rev. Massiah said.