DRIVEN by her passion for philanthropy and volunteerism, Shabana Samad, of Chesney, Berbice, has been unwavering in her efforts to give back to persons within her community and others in need.
The mother of two is part of the Shree Ganesh Humanitarian Foundation which is headed by Harry Deodat, an overseas-based Guyanese.

Deodat who hails from Guava Bush Village, Berbice, has pledged to support his community through charitable work.
Samad is the local liaison of the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) which is based in Florida, United States of America (USA), and she serves the persons who reside in Number One through to Number 43, Berbice.

Through fundraisers in the USA via YouTube, Deodat is able to do charitable work in Guyana annually.
Samad told the Guyana Chronicle that, every year, the NGO would distribute $1.2 million in hampers, each valuing $6,500, and gifts to 1,000 children.

She said that the Shree Ganesh Humanitarian Foundation was established eight years ago and she has been on board for the past five years.
“I like to dedicate myself to helping others, a selfless act to humanity and this is something I cannot stop and must continue to reach out to people in need,” she said.

Apart from volunteering, she is attached to the Neighbourhood Police Group at the Albion Police Station, as a rural constable.
Samad is also the President of the Chesney Mandir, where she would assist in the feeding programme.

She said that she is what she is today because of the enormous support she gets form her husband, who is always by her side.
He manages the family business, a bar at their home, while, Samad is out in the fields mostly doing charitable work or at her job at the police station.

“Where I live, my door is always open because if there is a death in the village, the people would come to me for advice, assistance and I would do what is needed,” she said.
Samad related that her parents were very giving, benevolent people and she wanted to be just like them. Her intention is to always help persons in their time of need.

There isn’t day that goes by when she is not doing something for someone and, through the mandir at Guava Bush, she would distribute hampers to the elderly, widows, single parents and the less fortunate.
Samad hardly ever takes a day off because volunteerism is an everyday, full-time job that requires much time away from home. Yet she does it every day with a smile on her face since the need to assist others is much greater than taking time off.