ALBOUYSTOWN residents and those of adjacent communities were yesterday in high praise of the National Communications Network for distributing several items of foodstuff, clothing and educational materials from the Radio’s Needy Children Fund (RNCF) in their community. The RNCF team, headed by NCN Chief Executive Officer Michael Gordon, made the impromptu stop at James and Non-Pareil Streets, Albouystown at approximately 13:00 hrs. As word of the team’s presence spread through the community, persons flocked the two buses loaded with items for distribution.
There was some tugging and pulling during the distribution process, but all items were well received by the residents. One man said it is not often that that community is selected for such largesse, and expressed gratitude on behalf of the other residents, who were busy securing their items.
In one instance, a woman chose not to get anything for herself, but lobbied the NCN CEO for a pair of footwear for another resident of the community who is homeless. Regrettably, her entreaties were a few minutes late, as the footwear had already been distributed.
This is not the first time that the Radio’s Needy Children Fund has conducted distribution exercises. However, the young people who comprised the distribution team, and may have participated in other such exercises, in commenting on the experience among themselves said the exercise truly reflected that the community was indeed in need of the items.

The saying that a picture is worth more than a thousand words was never more true than yesterday when the Radio’s Needy Children Fund and NCN staff paid an impromptu visit to the Albouystown Ward bearing gifts (Photos by Cullen Bess-Nelson)

Donations are made possible by the RNCF when persons see it fit to contribute to the cause by offering cash or kind to the fund. The RNCF has several donation boxes placed at several business places across the country, and these are credited with cash by kind hearted citizens, while others make their donations to the RNC headquarters on Homestretch Avenue.
Although the NCN charity bears the name ‘children fund’, the body also assists adults, since many persons would also make donations that are suited for adults.
At yesterday’s donations, several adults were able to benefit from the benevolence of other citizens.
Speaking with the media after the exercise yesterday afternoon, Michael Gordon said the NCN Radio’s Needy Children Fund sees itself as a servant of the children throughout the length and breadth of Guyana, as well as adults, where applicable.
Gordon said that Albouystown was chosen because of the percentage of single parent fathers and mothers living in the community, who sometimes find it hard to provide for their dependants. As such, providing the community with the much-needed items was seen as necessary by the RNCF, he added.
Gordon was quick to point out that the gesture was not confined to the community of Albouystown, and that the RNCF is currently in “assessment mood” to find out which communities are in need of similar assistance at this time.
He said where it is determined that there are high levels of persons living under conditions that can be considered less than fortunate, the RNCF will move into those areas and develop a relationship with children and residents.