Dear Editor
IN an article in the December 6, 2017 issue of the Global Health Now, Balogun Osunbiyi, co-founder and president of the Guyana Psychological Association (GPA) and senior psychologist of the Ministry of public Health Mental Health Unit, is quoted as stating, “While you have many NGOs, and they all mean well, they are more advocacy groups than intervention groups”.

Balogun Osunbiyi is absolutely wrong. The Caribbean Voice (TCV) does both as well as engages in lobbying, information dissemination, awareness- building and training. But there are many others that combine advocacy with interventions, and often, other measures. Among these are the Guyana Foundation, the Corriverton Domestic Violence Centre, Help and Shelter, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Golden Om Dharmic Youth, Mibicuri Community Developers, Monique’s Helping Hands, Crossroads Suicide and Mental Health Awareness Services, SASOD, the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association and Childlink. And by the way, this is not an exhaustive list. Also, there are any number of individuals who offer interventions, either as part of their professional services or as volunteers.

TCV believes that those who operate in or through government agencies should seek to embrace and affirm the work of NGOs and volunteers, rather than water down or dismiss such work, especially since collectively they do as much as if not more than the government without looking out for rewards of any kind.
Regards
The Caribbean Voice