… Joint RHTYSC/BCB project surpasses target.

THE ten cricket teams of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club last Sunday named Timothy Sandia as their Walter Nero Father-of-the-Year 2020.

The Hampshire village businessman copped the award after he was nominated by the Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under-19 team and seconded by the Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour First Division team.

RHTYSC, MS Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, vice-president Mark Papannah, Asst Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu and Office Manager Joel Pike visited the Sandia family residence to hand over the award.

The Walter Nero Memorial Award is sponsored by his five daughters – Karen, Sandra, Theresa, Jackie and Narcy in memory of their dad who died five years ago.

Foster, stated that since its formation in September, 1990 by three-time Guyana and Commonwealth Youth Service Awardee, the St Francis Community Developers – the RHTYSC has honoured a Father- and Mother-of-the-Year.

The main objectives are to express thanks for their input into the club’s success, to acknowledge their contribution in the development of their child and to promote them as positive role models to the younger generation.

Sandia is the father of two children, with the youngest Jeremy been a member of the RHTYSC. He has represented Berbice, Guyana at the junior level and is considered one of the best cricketing talents in the club.

Jeremy Sandia is a left-arm spinner and solid middle-order batsman.

Foster issued an appeal to fathers across Guyana to play a major role in the lives of their children and to encourage them to reject the evil ways of Satan.

He committed the RHTYSC, MS to continue leading the battle to get youths to Say No to Drugs, Crime, Alcohol, Suicide and Tobacco.

A humble Sandia, stated that he was pleased to be honoured by the RHTYSC and the cricket teams, He congratulated the club on its outstanding work over the last 30 years and the role it has played in making a positive difference in the lives of youths including his son.

The club also distributed 120 food hampers to less fortunate fathers as part of the Walter Nero Father’s Day Programme.

Meanwhile, the joint RHTYSC/Berbice Cricket Board Coronavirus Crisis Response programme continues to be a success, with the distribution of over $4M worth of food hampers, cleaning detergents, personal items, educational materials and chicken products to less fortunate families across the entire coast.

Foster, who is also the BCB president has spearheaded the project and has visited each sub-association to hand over the supplies.

The programme was launched in April with the objective of handing over 500 hampers but it has since surpassed over 1 500 hampers. Bounty Farm Ltd has also donated over 1 000 lb of chicken products, which were distributed to homes by the team.

Over $200 000 worth of cleaning detergents were also shared out to several public institutions including Port Mourant Public Hospital, Port Mourant NDC and Rose Hall Town Council.

Several families also received special assistance on their requests including a Port Mourant family, whose house was destroyed by fire.

A wide cross-section of Berbicians and cricket clubs have supported and Foster extended gratitude to them.

Major donors were NAMILCO, Bakewell, CIDI, Bounty Farm Ltd, Food for the Poor, Farfan and Mendes Ltd, Ravi Etwaroo (CriczoneUSA), Dr Puran Singh, Mortimer George, Big ‘B’ Restaurant among others.

The RHTYSC has to date been the biggest contributor to the hampers project under its charity project.