The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company on Tuesday donated $1 million to the National AIDS Programme (NAP) to benefit children infected and affected by HIV.
According to a press release from the company, the cheque represented an initial donation and it plans, through this initiative, to donate 1% of all ‘Top Ups’ done between December 1 and 23 to the NAP.
The public can also contribute by visiting any GT&T office and making a donation or by sending an amount, using the ME2U service, to telephone number 620-4HIV that is 620-4448.
GT&T’s Marketing Director Wystan Robertson, making the presentation to NAP Programme Manager Dr Shanti Singh at the NAP Secretariat said, the company “will in a real and tangible way make easy the life of children affected and infected by AIDS.” Robertson said he views the programme as a partnership with customers who, by recharging their accounts during the said period, will be contributing to the national programme.
Singh said “GT&T’s initiative is most timely and should be applauded since it comes on the front of the World AIDS Day observance.” She said GT&T as a private sector company has demonstrated leadership called for in the World AIDS Day theme ‘Stop AIDS Keep The Promise – Leadership’.
Singh said the funds will help to increase the care and support of these vulnerable children, adding that the early infant diagnosis and high quality care for those who tested positive will also benefit from the donation.
Singh also said the company has previously made donations to the NAP especially its monthly food bank, which provides for the said children.