After at least 15 years of planning and various obstacles including funding and a proper location, the National Veterans Home, is finally complete and will soon open its doors to impoverished veterans.
It was a $40 million donation by President Bharrat Jagdeo which ensured the completion of the building which is located in Essequibo Street, Lamaha Springs (Joint Services Scheme). Following the installation of the ‘lift’ system to accommodate residents using wheelchairs and some minor work to the interior of the building, the handing over ceremony will take place before month end.
Charity organisations as well as local businesses have already donated furniture and electrical appliances.
The building can accommodate 20 males and females comfortably and more to varying degrees of comfort. It also has provisions for visiting doctors and a house nurse.
Speaking to Stabroek News recently, Colonel (ret) Carl Morgan, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Guyana Veterans Foundation said that the plan is to build more homes in others regions. He said that the home has been in the making for fifteen to sixteen years
He noted that the construction of the home was seen as a critical need and the Guyana Veteran’s Foundation “dedicated their existence to providing this home” before pointing out that this home will have a big impact on the lives of those less fortunate veterans who have no place to go.
“This is very important”, Colonel Morgan stressed.
In order to become a resident, he explained, veterans have to apply by filling out a form that looks at their needs and their ability to make a contribution to the upkeep of the dorm-like facility. He noted that the contribution is not really a requirement and the accommodation can be free “if the committee assesses that you have nothing. People can sponsor you too”.
According to Colonel Morgan, there is no fixed period of time that they are allowed to stay at the home.
History
Speaking on the history of the project, he said that initially funding was a problem and a suitable location could not be found. He said that they were many areas identified for the location of the home but none ever materialized.
It was former Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff, Brigadier Edward Collins who eventually persuaded the joint services Co-op to “give us some land in the joint services housing scheme and that is when it really took off.
The turning of the sod for the construction of the home took place on November 7, 2005. On that occasion Brigadier Collins had said that there were too many men and women who served the country with distinction and who were not adequately rewarded following their release from the Force.
Colonel Morgan during the interview with this newspaper noted that donations started coming from all corners of the world as well as from local veterans and members of civil society.
Two years ago, he recalled President Jagdeo donating $5 million and the project began. However it was discontinued when that money ran out.
At the Remembrance Day Parade last year, he said Jagdeo inquired about the project and after being told that a substantial sum was needed, $40 million was made available. That money, he recalled was released at the beginning of this year and after a contractor was selected through a tendering process, construction began once again.
He said that last year, the Royal Canadian Legion donated $1 million following a visit here.
According to Colonel Morgan donations of televisions have been made and Reach out of Touch in New York had donated beds; Food for the Poor, has given chairs, tables, beds and other things and Giftland Office Max, some kitchen utensils.
The building will be handed over to an interim management committee which would be the legal entity controlling it, he noted.
There are about 4000 veterans living in Guyana.
