AFTER years of hardship and uncertainty, Ms Padmawattie Faikal, a widow and long-time resident of the Anna Regina park area, now has a safe and dignified place to call home. Thanks to the “Men on Mission” initiative—a compassionate programme spearheaded by President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali—Ms Faikal was recently handed the keys to a brand-new house, turning the page on a life marked by struggle.

For years, Ms Faikal lived in a small shack, braving the elements and surviving through the kindness of strangers. Well known at the Anna Regina Market, she often received small tokens of assistance from vendors and passersby who recognised her quiet endurance.
But this Easter season, her story took a transformative turn.

The modest but comfortable new home was made possible through a heart-felt collaboration between the government and corporate citizens. Region Two sponsors Mr Dereck Juan and Ms Ashmieny Ramnarine played a vital role in the construction effort. They worked in concert with Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud; Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Madanlall Ramraj and other regional leaders who rallied behind Ms Faikal’s story.
Minister Persaud, moved by her situation, emphasised the government’s broader commitment to uplifting the vulnerable. “This is the vision of His Excellency, President Irfaan Ali, and General Secretary Dr Bharrat Jagdeo to ensure no one is left behind. Ms Faikal’s story reminds us why we must continue to reach out and lift up,” he said during the handover ceremony.

Mr Ramraj echoed these sentiments, noting that he felt personally compelled to act when he learned about Ms Faikal’s living conditions. “This is not just about a house—it’s about restoring dignity and offering hope,” he said, while thanking the corporate partners for their generosity.
Tears welled in Ms Faikal’s eyes as she expressed her gratitude to the Government of Guyana and the “Men on Mission” team. For a woman who has endured so much, the gift of a home means far more than four walls and a roof—it is a symbol of care, recognition, and a second chance at comfort.
The story of Ms Faikal is one of many that reflect the essence of the “Men on Mission” initiative: transforming lives, one compassionate act at a time.