By Michel Outridge

WITH the motto “Service to humanity is service to God” etched in his mind, this Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara resident Dinesh Prashad oversees operations of the Nirvana Humanitarian Society (NHS), a place which caters for the needy and the elderly.

The 61-year-old is better known as ‘Harold’ in the village and he supervises with more than 20 volunteers, who are also from the village to assist the less fortunate, the sick and the elderly, in whatever way they can.

He reported that the Nirvana Humanitarian Society was established in 1997 and is a non-profit and cultural organisation led by volunteers, whose commitment directs them to support broad-based, non-sectarian humanitarian activities.

Prashad stated that the organisation also engages in educational programmes to promote basic civic responsibilities such as road safety, protection of animals, environmental cleanliness, and tolerance.

He disclosed that they offer computer classes, sewing courses, cake decoration, dance classes and will embark on cosmetology and karate classes soon.

Prashad added that these are all low-cost training courses for young people to take the opportunity to become empowered.

The Nirvana Humanitarian Society aims to create opportunities and offer support for the less privileged to be afforded equal rights to engage their talent and skills for their own and social benefit, while offering aid to the poor, the aged, the sick and those that are physically and mentally challenged.

Prashad pointed out that over the years, the organisation has been involved in various cultural and humanitarian activities to promote West Indian culture as well as, to empower youths of the community.

He reported that annually, the organisation displays talents of its members and youths via charity shows throughout the country in the form of variety shows and theatrical plays.

What they do

Prashad told the Pepperpot Magazine that they provide assistance to the poor and relief to victims of disasters, help promote educational opportunities for economically deprived children, support programmes to assist abused children and women, and sponsor and encourage programmes and activities that cater for the development of art, drama, and music.

He explained that they have had scholarship grants for school/university students to cover tuition fees, provide financial awards and trophies to schools.

Prashad noted that they have bi-monthly senior programmes which entail cultural activities (singing and dancing) as a form of entertainment and relaxation for senior citizens.

NHS caters for medical outreaches for the public, addresses social issues such as suicide, hosts lunch at Meten-Meer-Zorg Primary School for the economically challenged children and community service for needy families such as donations for medical expenses and provides wheelchairs, walking sticks, or financial help.

Prashad told the Pepperpot Magazine that the NHS would provide monthly grocery hampers to the less fortunate families, and donate clothing and school supplies to the needy of the village and neighbouring communities.

“Every other Saturday we would prepare a meal [sic] for senior citizens at the NHS building and elders from as far as Vreed-en-Hoop to Parika, East Bank Essequibo, would come to be entertained and partake of the celebration which has a stage show,” he said.

The 61-year-old stated that the NHS was founded by Ramesh Dilchand, an overseas-based Guyanese from the village 21 years ago and he constructed the building and it is his way of giving back to society.

Prashad added that over the years, the organisation has grown and they are looking to extend their services to another building and to have recreational activities for both youths and mature people.

“The NHS hosts a cultural show twice yearly as a fundraiser and they have a gate fee of $500 and that money is used to run the place and the shows and performances are done by the volunteers,” he said.

The NHS building in Kastev, Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara has a stage, an auditorium, washroom, stage area, kitchen, and a library, a computer centre with free internet access for all children and free printing of all school assignments.

The place is open to the public daily and volunteers are always there to oversee the smooth running of the organisation.