OVER 100 persons in need from La Parfaite Harmonie on the West Bank Demerara, were last Sunday in receipt of a number of hampers during a distribution exercise by the Shepherd’s Touch Church of God in Christ headed by Pastor Jose and Anastacia Francis.
The exercise was a continuation of the work by the religious organisation, the main branch of which is located at Port Kaituma, in Region One (Barima-Waini).

Over the past few months, the church, having distributed a number of hampers in Port Kaituma, has been helping a number of Venezuelans who’ve sought refuge in that Region. “Distribution has been ongoing since March, and today marks another day we are sharing food hampers to those in need in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Pastor Jose said last Sunday during the distribution exercise in ‘Parfaite’, where the church also has a branch.

“Seeing a lot of persons who are in need, who come to us on a daily basis for help as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, “Pastor Jose said, “we decided to share on a larger scale, of more than a 100 hampers this time.”

Since Guyana was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic on March 11, measures implemented to curb the spread of the disease has been curtailing economic activities and reducing income for many persons. “No work at all; everybody at home through the virus, and people need things,” said one recipient. “This is very good what you are doing; this is the second time I coming here. I get hand sanitisers, gloves and so on, and its very good things. This very good for me, thank you very much, amen for this,” she said.

Another recipient of a hamper last Sunday shared that prior to coming out for the hamper, he was not even sure where he and his family’s next meal would’ve come from. “I deh studying what I would cook tomorrow, and this man just come and tell meh if I want help to come here. And this bring hope. Thank you very much,” he said. The hampers included items such as footwear, clothing, crockery, and bibles.

The project received support from other organisations such as Food for the Poor, Anastacia Stationery and several private citizens from around the country. “This thing is a very good thing, because right now people in a li’l stress, and we have to thank you for helping us out with these things; it’s a very, very good thing,” another hamper recipient expressed.