– Heal Guyana encourages Guyanese

HEAL Guyana, a local non-profit organisation has increased its focus on the body’s ongoing anti-racism campaign efforts in a bid to promote peace and ‘responsible conduct’ at this point in Guyana’s history.

Founder of Heal Guyana, Sharon Lalljee-Richard told the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday that her organisation has already seen and heard countless racist outbursts on social media as a result of the passing of a no-confidence motion by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) recently.

“These are not only from known political party activists, but also from normal everyday people who are angry at the recent development,” Lalljee-Richard pointed out.
According to her, Heal Guyana is currently working on a way forward which will place a heavy focus on its ongoing anti-racism campaign efforts, along with other courses of action which will be necessary for advocating peace and unity within the nation “at this very critical time.”

She said Heal Guyana members and volunteers will be called upon to actively join in these non-partisan efforts. “But we also encourage members of the public who are not officially within our circle to join hands with us in this pledge of peace, love and responsible conduct toward each other, regardless of political beliefs or affiliation.”

Lalljee-Richard added: “Christmas is in the air and we urge everyone to use the spirit of the season as a tangible reminder of who we are as Guyanese — living, sharing and working along with each other beyond the social constructs of race, creed or party politics. These are the qualities that will pave our way toward a prosperous Guyana, regardless of who governs.

“Please, let us rise above destructive emotions to harness our inner voice of reason; if not for the sake of our country’s future then for the sake of Guyana’s children who look to us for safety, stability and good example.”

Lalljee-Richard, a businesswoman and social activist, had thought of forming the organisation along with co-founder Arun Sudesh Richard, due to what she described as deep concern over the state of Guyana’s “ethno-political vulnerabilities” and the apparent loss of will to have certain social problems addressed.

Heal Guyana is hoping to extend its membership systematically and to reach out to the private sector and to the citizenry for further voluntary assistance, inclusive of donations in order to continue and expand community efforts.

“A hundred percent of all donations go to the projects themselves. Our directors and members are all volunteers, so no money goes toward paying salaries of officials or personal profits of any kind. As a registered, non-profit organisation, we are governed by strict levels of accountability which includes financial audits,” Lalljee-Richard had explained.
She explained that Heal Guyana makes it a point to use the donations where they count the most. “So far, thousands of Guyanese both locally and within the diaspora have been receptive and we are determined to drive The Heal Guyana initiative forward, regardless of challenges,” Lalljee-Richard said.

The organisation can be contacted at www.healguyana.org or on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).