FOOD for the Poor Guyana Inc (FFP), last Saturday celebrated its 27th Anniversary as a Not-for-Profit organisation doing humanitarian works in Guyana, with a Fundraising Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the Savannah Suites, Pegasus Hotel Guyana.

Held under the theme:“Saving Lives; Transforming Communities; Renewing Hope”, the forum which also had a segment of slideshows, was tangible evidence of the organisation’s goal to reach out to meet the needs of deserving people across Guyana. Not only is distribution done at the central level (FFP’s headquarters at Blue Mountain Road, Festival City Georgetown), but executives and other staff practically journey to the ends of Guyana where the needs are most profound to effect distribution.

Guest speaker at the evening’s proceedings was Chief Medical Officer (ag), Dr. Karen Campbell who spoke in the absence of Minister of Public Health, Dr. Volda Lawrence. The chairman’s remarks were delivered by Chairman of Food for the Poor, Guyana Inc., Mr. Paul Chan-a-Sue while Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Kent Vincent presented the tokens to the awardees.

There were six awardees, namely: Mr. John Alves; Troy Cadogan of Ansa Mc Al; Ming’s Products and Services; Sterling Products Ltd; P. Singh and Sons Contracting Services; Lionel Ferdinand and Ms. Arianne Quintin.

Delivering the welcome, Vincent stated that it has been 27 years since Food for the Poor officially launched its operations in Guyana and remarkably, with a visionary Board of Directors, wonderful hard-working and committed staff, the organisation continues to make great strides in its efforts to assist the poor and needy.

PROJECTS
Touching briefly on FFP’s projects over the years, he said they have included wells and water, animal husbandry, tilapia farming, livestock rearing, shade-houses, solar electrification projects, building of boats, homes, schools and community centres among others.

HEALTH CARE COLLABORATION
The CEO placed emphasis on FFP’s mission of Improving Health Care through collaboration. In this regard, he said that FFP, over the years has expanded collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, district hospitals, numerous health centres, noting that approximately 454 containers of medical equipment, medical supplies and pharmaceuticals were received and distributed to these entities. FFP also has the full support of the Ministry of Public Health and the Drug Administration and Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Board.

And commendably, with its wheelchair programme, the organisation has worked with the Ptolemy Reid Rehab Centre and hospitals around the country to bring relief to those in need of wheelchairs. To date, the organisation has distributed more than 1500 wheelchairs across the country and is expecting another shipment of more than 500 wheelchairs soon.

OUTREACH AND DISTRIBUTION
The CEO said that FFP’s outreach and distribution continue to expand as it seeks to meet the needs of the poor, not only in the regions close to Region Four but also in the hard-to-reach areas.

On an average per month, the FFP’s distribution is channeled through more than 100 groups and churches (inclusive of other NGO’s), schools; public hospitals and health centres around the country, through 18 committees set up in various regions. There are many individuals who also write or visit the office seeking assistance. Several geriatric homes are also assisted on a monthly basis with needed supplies.

And expressing gratitude to God, the guests and other local supporters of FFP for their ongoing support, the CEO acknowledged that Food for the Poor Guyana Inc. continues to be very dependent on their generosity in order to fulfill its mission to the ‘poorest of the poor’ in Guyana. He, therefore, called upon the supporters – both local and overseas to continue to open their hearts to the poor, affirming: “We cannot over-emphasise the need for support from local companies and individuals as we seek to carry out our mandate: “Service to the poor and needy of Guyana.”

HOUSING
During the year 2017, 166 housing units were constructed under the General Housing Programme totaling 3,618 housing units since the housing programme commenced.

GIFT OF HOMES FOR TRAFALGAR
Meanwhile Chairman Paul Chan-a-Sue commenting on the gift of dwelling houses from FFP to more than 40 families at Trafalgar, West Berbice said that the houses were given to 43 families, stating emphatically that those houses have been given absolutely free to the families.

He pointed out that the houses presented to the families are 17’ x 23’ in dimension; have indoor plumbing and additionally, will be equipped with solar panels. So apart from lights, residents will be able to charge their cell phones.

ABJECT POVERTY
And commenting on the environment in which the beneficiaries lived, the Chairman noted that it was one that reflected ‘abject poverty’. He recalled that 95 per cent of those households are headed by women. On an average, there were four children sharing one bedroom with their mother and most of the women did not work. Some of the buildings were dilapidated and were leaning dangerously; others were constructed using zinc sheets and had collapsed. Some had holes in the walls and roof, while others still had an average of three children sharing a bedroom with their mothers. Each of these stories was substantiated with photographs shown on the slides at the dinner.

The Chairman said his visit to Trafalgar told a gruelling story. Pointing to the slides, he commented: “I want to show you some of these people we at Food for the Poor help. You would very unlikely go by yourself to where they live, because in some way, you may be scared.”

Lamenting on the conditions that exist in these parts, the Chairman stated: “We worry about crime and … you look at these four-year-olds; five-year-olds and eight-year-olds coming up. What are you going to do in 10 years if we don’t do something for them now?”

SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMMES
Another major accomplishment by the FFP was the setting up of a schools’ feeding programmes providing for some 400 schoolchildren in outlying areas with assured ‘hot meals’ on school days. The children are drawn from schools in Regions Two, Four and Ten.
The chairman outlined that the schools’ feeding programmes are for children who leave in the morning with little or nothing to eat and get nothing at lunchtime. “[Therefore], how can they take in education; and if they don’t have education how are they going to get jobs?” he questioned passionately.

Wrapping up, the chairman reiterated that FFP will do its best in the circumstances to bring help to people genuinely in need. It continues to distribute to the church groups, apart from having 15 committees spread out across Guyana. The only regions not served are Region One; Nine and Eight which is experiencing some difficulty due to the condition of the road, whenever it rains.

The Chairman joined the CEO in expressing gratitude to members of the board; donors who give selflessly to the organisation; patrons at the dinner, as well as the staff of FFP for their dedicated work within the organisation.