MEMBERS of the Guyanese diaspora in the Greater Toronto (GTA) Area, supported by Honorary Consul, Mr. Mani Singh, last Sunday spearheaded a relief drive for the sister-CARICOM state of Jamaica, which was recently ravaged by Hurricane Melissa.

The small but significant event, which saw non-perishable foods, medical supplies, emergency kits, clothing, and other essential supplies being donated by mainly Guyanese and other friends of Jamaica residing in Toronto, was held at the Windies Restaurant & Sports Bar in Scarborough, Ontario.

Honorary Consul Singh delivered remarks on behalf of the government and people of Guyana, as well as the Guyana Consulate in Toronto. He commended Ms. Dessie Fanfair and other organisers for the important initiative, and informed that the Government of Guyana recently dispatched a shipment of much-needed supplies to the Government of Jamaica, which included tarpaulin, chain saws and electrical generators.

“As Guyanese, we should take pride that even though Guyana is still a developing economy and a middle-income country, our Guyanese leaders have extended a hand of crucial support and solidarity in times of need to a sister Caribbean state in our region,” Mr. Singh remarked.

Referring to Guyana’s rapid development over the past six years, the Guyanese representative in Toronto contextualised it by quoting the words of Mahatma Gandhi, India’s freedom fighter and world-renowned teacher and human rights icon, that says, “success is not measured by the height to which one has climbed… but from the depth where one started from.”

The Honorary Consul also spoke of the negative effect on the environment caused by the human factor, like unnecessary and excessive emissions of carbon into the atmosphere and irresponsible waste disposal habits across countries, regions and continents.

Meanwhile, all the relief items donated to Jamaica will be sent to the island with the assistance of the Jamaican Consulate in Toronto and members of the Jamaican diaspora in the GTA.