– Shaheed Boys’ and Girls’ orphanage running low on all necessities

By Lisa Hamilton

SINCE March 2020, the Shaheed Boys’ and Girls’ Orphanage has been running lower and lower on supplies needed for smooth functioning and, coupled with the emergence of COVID-19, 45 children are now more in need.

In an invited interview on Wednesday, Director of the orphanage, Raheema Rahaman, said that, in such a time where many have grown closer to their families for support, orphans need not be forgotten.

“The whole of March month, we had an election problem and then we had the virus right after. So, everybody had to be shut in and couldn’t come out, so we had to cope. I have to cope,” she said. “We’re low on every single thing.”

The Boys’ Orphanage is located in Kitty, Georgetown, while the Girls’ Orphanage is located in Oleander Gardens, East Coast Demerara. There are 18 boys and 27 girls between the ages of 1 and 16.

“We have babies that need to get pampers. Nobody is bringing in anything except some special people that I really had to reach out to,” Rahaman said. She has been relying on the assistance of her family and close friends who are not able to give regularly.

Meanwhile, she and others working at the orphanages have done their best to explain to the children the seriousness of the virus and the need for them to wash their hands often and ensure sanitary surroundings.

However, they are almost out of cleaning and sanitization products and are in need of durable face masks for adults and kids. Rahaman has cut off visitation to the children and accepts any items at the gates. To keep them active, they utilize the field for stretching, exercises, playing and deep breathing.

RELIGIOUS PRACTICES AFFECTED

Another negative spinoff of COVID-19 on the orphanage, is the cancelling of congregation for the month of Ramadan and community iftars with taraweeh prayers now to be had at home.

On the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is the month in which Muslims refocus on purifying their souls through self-reflection, self-sacrifice and prayer. Daily, from dawn to sunset, Muslims practise compulsory fasting and abstinence from other activities.

Fasting is important during Ramadan as it allows Muslims to devote themselves to their faith and come closer to Allah, or God. At the end of the fast, families and friends usually get together for ‘iftar’ to break their fast.

Rahaman said that the children will be participating in the fasting but with the COVID-19 lockdown, they no longer have external means to break their fast and the number of persons who would assist with food for iftar has almost come to a halt.

“Last year we were overbooked with iftar,” she said. “These are people who used to give every year but they had to cancel. Now it’s that they don’t have to give or they’re not coming out of their homes. We have not gotten anything for March except one and two clothing and close friends who dropped in stuff at the gate.”

Should persons wish to give, Rahaman said that basic food items are needed; cleaning products and hygiene products such as soap. These are the necessities a part from the finances still needed for bills and maintenance work.

She explained: “Just as how you want to make sure that your house is full with the basic food stuff, that’s all we want.”

Bank Details for Assistance
* Shaheed Boys’ and Girls’ Orphanage Account Number 4013223
* Demerara Bank Ltd. 230 Camp & South Road, Georgetown Tel: 225-0613