MINISTER of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, on Saturday, handed over houses that were recently constructed by Food for the Poor (FFTP) Guyana Inc. to five families in Mainstay/Whyaka, Region Two.

One beneficiary, Julian Thornhill, a father of three said he is glad that he was able to qualify for one of the houses. He said that he currently lives with eight persons in a cramped building and it was very uncomfortable.

He expressed gratitude to the organisation for giving him a new home.

Randy Dejonge, Kennard Charles, Elton Fredericks and Rodrigo (only name given) were the other beneficiaries.

Speaking at a simple handing over ceremony, Minister Sukhai underscored the efforts of FFTP in helping to assist vulnerable groups in indigenous communities.

She said that FFTP is a non-profit organisation that compliments the work being done by government with regards to serving the less fortunate and providing a better life.

The minister added that she was particularly happy to see that young families in the Region Two community were given the support to start fresh and she used the opportunity to encourage them to develop their lives.

She also encouraged them to ensure that they get involved in agriculture and take steps to beautify their surroundings.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of FFTP, Kent Vincent, in his remarks, said that, so far, the organisation has constructed 3,000 houses throughout Guyana, with 900 of them built in Region Two.

Each of the new houses includes one double bed, two single folding beds, a folding table, four folding chairs and a two-burner gas stove along with a modern toilet facility, he said.

“I would encourage the new home-owners to take good care of their homes. The Chairman of the Board of Directors would always encourage new home-owners to plant fruit trees and have kitchen gardens. I would like to thank the overseas donors who provided the funds of this project,” Vincent added.

Toshao of Mainstay/Whyaka, Yvonne Pearson-Fredericks, said that the ceremony was significant for the village. She added that the village council was happy to have partnered with FFTP to improve the lives of villagers.

The contractor for the project was Faldhari Singh, a resident of Region Two. The houses were constructed under FFTP’s General Housing Programme.