–President Ali makes first deposit, says charitable work vital for human development

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali on Friday praised the humanitarian efforts of the Salvation Army during the launch of the annual Christmas Kettle Appeal at the Duke Lodge, in Kingston.

President Ali officially started the Christmas appeal by making the first deposit into the kettle.

The Head of State was joined by the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Ms. Oneidge Walrond; National Security Adviser (NSA), Captain Jerry Gouveia; Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Mr. Nicholas Boyer; and representatives from the Salvation Army.

“As I grew older and understood more, the level of respect for this organisation grew tremendously. You are much more than a spiritual body; you are much more than a social being, too. You are an important link and asset in any society with the work that you have been doing,” he said.

President Ali added that in Guyana, the Salvation Army restores hope when it is lost. He also pointed to the far-reaching benefits of the international charitable organisation, including its drug rehabilitation programme.

“I remember very clearly at a restaurant in Guyana, the restaurant manager came up to former President Jagdeo, and he said, ‘Thank you; I am a product of the resources that were given to the Salvation Army in the rehabilitation programme,’”the President said.

The Head of State reiterated his Government’s commitment towards supporting such programmes, while he pointed to the need for the services to be decentralised to benefit more communities.

“You have a Government that is ready and willing to partner with you and all other organisations… There is much more that can be done, and there is much more support that needs to be given; we are willing to give that support,” President Ali said.

He also urged all Guyanese to see the merits of giving beyond the Christmas season, and pointed to the need for long-term solutions.

“As we move forward,” he said, “I pray that our lives will continue to be blessed; all Guyanese families here and in the diaspora be blessed with goodness and mercy, and that our act of kindness will not only be rewarded with the blessings that come with it, but it will be rewarded by the transformation of lives, the delivery of hope, and the opening up of opportunities.”

In her remarks, Minister Walrond also recognised the spirit of selfless giving and love which the Salvation Army embodies, and commended them for their continued service to the less fortunate, as well as the benefits of the drug rehabilitation programme.

Minister Walrond called to attention the significance of the Salvation Army’s work, particularly in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and encouraged the business community and all Guyanese to “give generously”.

Gouveia, in his remarks, outlined the parallel responsibility of the NSA and the Salvation Army in waging war against poverty and making lives better, while
Nicholas Boyer represented his father, Edward ‘Eddie’ Boyer, who is the chairman of the Salvation Army’s Advisory Board.

With the launch, Guyanese will now be greeted with the familiar sight of the red donation bucket. The annual Christmas Appeal helps to meet the needs of the less fortunate through the provision of food, shelter, rehabilitation and much more.