CHRISTMAS is the season of goodwill, of giving and sharing, and, on Christmas day, that was just what Minister within the Ministry of the Presidency, with responsibility for Youth Affairs, Simona Broomes, along with The Redeemed Christian Church of God – Dominion House, embarked on. This was their third annual Christmas drive which sought to bring relief to the homeless men and women on the streets of Georgetown.

On Christmas morning the Minister and several other volunteers visited and attended to over 179 homeless persons who received a tremendous outpouring of love as they were given baths, fresh clothes, haircuts, manicures and pedicures.
The persons who were gathered at the Merriman’s Mall also received medical care and a sumptuous Christmas Breakfast of the traditional bread and pepper pot along with lunch
The Minister said that she has always had a compassion for the homeless and less fortunate, since those persons faced unique, difficult challenges which led to their unfortunate circumstances.

She related that, in 2017, a colleague, Timothy King, teamed up with her to host a Christmas breakfast and relief day for several homeless persons. She explained that she wanted to do so much more than just share food, hence collaborating with several sponsors to construct portable showers and to provide clean clothes and the basic necessities made the annual Christmas drive a reality.

The Minister told the Guyana Chronicle that the primary goal of the exercise was to provide the homeless with a sense of warmth, love and a home-like feeling on Christmas day.

She further stated that the main objective was to now eradicate homelessness in Guyana; which she believes was possible with the help of God, the government and the Guyanese people.