THE New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission (NJASHM) which has been active in reaching out to combat social ills engulfing Guyana, particularly Berbice, are now engaged in addressing the issue of suicide with the aim of eradicating or reducing the problem to a minimal level.

According to the president of the organisation Pandit Suresh Sugrim, the group’s origin came out of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir in August of 2005. Since then they have been engaged in many humanitarian

outreach programmes which include feeding the under privileged, counselling and education provision.
“The Humanitarian Mission of New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc. is dedicated to helping children, seniors, victims of gender-based violence and other individuals who are living in dire poverty. Our aim is that each person will grow into a healthy, educated and self-reliant individual” he noted.
Sugrim, who is currently in the country, explained that the sole purpose of his present six-week visit is to roll out some of the initiatives which would have been discussed at senior levels. He further explained that one of the ‘front-burner’ issues which have captured the attention of the organisation is that of suicide in the county of Berbice.
He expounded on the fact that it has been realised that this issue of suicide is not one which affects a particular race, gender or ethnicity and as such, his organisation remains a non-sectarian, impartial body which seeks to combat this issue without examining people by race, religion or culture.
One of the key contributory factors he noted was that of broken homes which results in poor parenting and poor nurturing of children at an early age. “This can be very detrimental to a child’s well being as they are constantly being influenced by negative forces, and as such the reliance of good parenting plays a significant role in their lives,” he urged.
While expressing this however, he acknowledged the fact that even though parents are not to be blamed in some cases, educative measures should be in place to assist and guide children who he stressed will soon be the “leaders of this country.”
“I believe in the saying, ‘teach a man how to fish, rather than giving him a fish’ as he would always remember how to and it would teach him a sense of independence.” Pandit Sugrim said if you give a man a fish, he would not learn to establish himself and would always be dependent on people.
He said that in order to combat this particular issue of suicide however, the NJASHM would need to do more than engaging children verbally. As a result, he elaborated on the fact that a competent team has been sought to engage those affected by this social ill and to counsel them whenever the need arises. While this is in play, he emphasised the need for the demonstration of love not only from the counsellors but parents who constantly fail to show the interest in their children and neglect them.
Added to the ‘front-burner’ list of social ills aimed to be eradicated is drug abuse, Sugrim said. He explained that this has long been an issue associated with young people and one which has produced a constant battle between those seeking to reduce it, and those promoting it. He is contending that the reach for this issue in particular goes out to individuals beyond the counsellors and parents and collectively feature those whose children are in constant contact with. “If we have more positive environments being created where these children are, we will have better youths being brought up in our society. That is why we need those outsiders to play their part in assisting us and the Government to reduce these problems our youths are faced with,” he said.
While focus on healthier family life, stronger and more positive environments are needed, and counsellors can be provided, Sugrim stressed that if the families are not “prepared” are “ready” to engage their children, “it wouldn’t make sense.” As such, he is stressing the need for preparedness for not only the parents but for the victims too, so these services can be provided to them.
He concluded by making his call to the general public to assist the NGO and the Government of Guyana in this fight against social ills so as to create a more positive and healthier environment for the future leaders of Guyana.
The NJASHM has also erected houses for less fortunate families who were in need, and they are currently in the process of erecting an empowerment centre. The centre which will be equipped with trained personnel will seek to provide training to individuals and provide the opportunity for them to seek a “new beginning.” Those seeking to donate or contact the NGO can do so at http://njaryasamaj.com/ or contact Pandit Sugrim on ssugrim@aol.com.

(By Ravin Singh)