Striving to eradicate poverty in Linden communities

WITH continuous food, clothing, agricultural tools and toy distributions in several communities across Region 10, the charitable organisation ‘Caring for Others’ has shown time and again its genuine care for the less fortunate residents of Region 10, especially those who are in dire need resulting from unfortunate and untimely circumstances.

For 2018 alone, the NGO has conducted scores of distributions and drives in neglected communities within the region, and residents are expressing their gratitude to the organisation for extending a figurative shoulder on which they can lean.

Making representation for these communities is executive member of CFO, a resident of Linden and Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira who with his team, spearheads the distributions and ensures that those more in need are placed on the front burner. Communities such as Old England, Siberia, Ituni, Nottinghamshire and Speightland where there are high unemployment rates, have all benefited from several food and clothing drives. Other communities in Linden that have recently benefited are Blue Berry Hill, Andyville and Block 22. Victory Valley, Wisroc, West Watooka, Silvertown and Kara Kara have also benefited.

MP Figueira said that he is cognisant that a one-time effort cannot create the impact needed to bring real assistance to the residents, and so he has been making representation for containers of clothes, food items and agricultural tools be shipped to Guyana to cater for continuous assistance. “Poverty is definitely being featured within our communities, and we are doing our little part in making significant contributions in our efforts to eradicate some degree of poverty that a number of households have been experiencing,” he said.

“It is not a one-off event, but a continuous event and this shows this is not for likes but to show love for those really in need.” The MP also said that to give a man a fish is one thing, but to teach him how to catch is even a greater thing and so agricultural tools and seeds have been distributed to help families to provide for themselves through subsistence farming.

Noticeably also is the help provided to those who would have experienced tragedies in their lives such as fires. Only a few weeks ago, a massive distribution of foodstuff, mattresses and building materials were given to a family who recently lost their home in a fire. Caring for Others is a New Jersey-based NGO managed by a Guyanese philanthropist Eslene Shockley. Figueira said that a container of toys is expected for Christmas which will see many of the less fortunate children within the communities receiving a toy.