AS each year ends, many thoughts of failures and accomplishments will fill our minds. In our quiet moments, we will begin planning for the year ahead. We will make a mental list of unrealistic New Year resolutions that will cause only unnecessary stress by the end of the first quarter of the year.

But, we will make them anyway because we all have dreams of a perfect life. We will set some ridiculous timelines for these goals, whether it is finding love, losing weight, spending less, saving more, good health and wellness, regular visits to the dentist or buying a car.

Regardless of our age, we all long to own our own homes, but many believe it is a big dream that is unlikely to be realised—or so they thought.

When you realise that you have a small source of income, six children and 10 years before the age of retirement, that home-owner dream leaves your mind as fast as it came.

However, remarkable things have happened in the last few weeks that give us all hope. One cannot help but conclude that 2023 will be a prosperous year for all Guyanese. After all, President, Dr Irfaan Ali and the members of his cabinet have shown that the government means business.

It would be foolhardy to think that everyone would be touched by this prosperity at the same time. President Ali has to start somewhere.

So far, many sections of society have benefitted. The farmers, the cane-cutters, those in need of a new house, fishermen, and of course, public servants.

What is noteworthy though is that members of the joint services received more than they had anticipated.

President Ali has given our men and women in uniform the opportunity to dream big. For many, their biggest dream, that is home ownership, and to get that perfect life, might be fulfilled in 2023.

The man who is known to keep his word came bearing many gifts for them. In addition to the retroactive salary increases and one-month tax-free bonus, a housing outreach which gave them hassle-free access to housing loans and the steel-and-cement subsidy was held.

The number of ranks who turned up at Camp Ayanganna earlier this week is testimony to the desire to own a house.

“I think that this is a great initiative, making an effort to reach the soldiers. Because we know that not all of us can have that time to come to housing. And housing [ministry] coming to us is a great help. Most of these soldiers are on deployment or at work and they don’t have the time,” one of the ranks said.

Another related: “It’s refreshing to know that we’re being thought of and an initiative like this could be instituted for us. Securing a house and land for my family is of paramount importance. Today, I hope to maximise on this opportunity.”

These two comments are a reflection of how much the government’s efforts are appreciated.

Since being elected to office, the government has embarked on a very aggressive housing drive. What is significant in this instance, is that President Ali has paid retroactive salaries and bonuses, which would mean many persons would have more cash in hand to either approach a financial institution to build their homes, or to do some much-needed work on an existing structure.

We all know that Joint Services ranks hardly have free time, which makes it extremely difficult for them to attend to personal business such as applying for a house lot or accessing loan services. Bringing such services to the ranks is a clear indication of President Ali’s compassion, his drive to improve lives and his mission to ensure that goals are met and dreams are realised.

2023 will no doubt be an exciting and fulfilling year.