PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali has pledged a donation of $1.5 million to support the elderly and those who care for them at the Dharm Shala.
The Head of State on Christmas Day joined the residents and caregivers of the local charity for a luncheon at its’ Albouystown, Georgetown location.
“We will contribute $1.5 million to support you and we are very pleased at the work that you do here.
“I want to thank all the caregivers who support you in ensuring that these wonderful folks are well taken care of in assuring that their needs are attended to,” he added.
Dr. Ali said: “It is institutions like these that add to the humanness of living, and to humanity. It is institutions and families like these that keep us grounded to that humanness of our existence.”
The President emphasised that organisations such as the Dharm Shala act as pillars that highlight the importance of compassion and care in the face of numerous global difficulties.
He further commended the organisation, stating that it was important to recognise the senior population’s contributions to the nation’s progress.
“We live in a world today where sometimes we question where has humanness gone; we look at the wars across the world, the conflicts; we look at the way we treat each other and we have lost that ability to showcase our humanness; but this institution, this family, this gathering demonstrate how important that humanness is,” President Ali said.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive of the institution’s board, Edward Boyer, thanked the President and his government for their continued support.
“I’d like to thank our president for being here…he has made a fine gesture to the Dharm Shala…and that will go a long way…he has always been so kind and so helpful in every way,” Boyer highlighted.
Last year, the Head of State donated some $2 million to the institution and announced that its water charges would be waived.
Upholding its mission of offering charitable assistance to the needy population, the Dharm Shala has served as a sanctuary for the elderly for more than a century.
Pandit Ramsaroop Maharaj, who was adamant about the importance of assisting people, founded it in 1921. His grand-daughters Pamela and Kelly Ramsaroop are currently in charge of the organisation.
