Both the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir/ Guyana Central Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission receiv-ed land from the Government at Ankerville, Port Mourant to set up shelters for abused children and both organisations have signalled their intention to move on with their missions.
A letter writer, S T Persaud in the Stabroek News had recently noted that in addition to the Sabha‘s ceremony just over one month ago another Hindu organization – the New Jersey Arya Samaj – had a sod-turning ceremony for a “Humanitarian Mission Village,” which was described as a future place of refuge for, among others, victims of abuse and orphans in Port Mourant. The writer had questioned the logic of having the two shelters in the same community.
The New Jersey Arya Samaj has indicated that it had developed the idea for its shelter since 2008, but had to overcome many hurdles with respect to acquiring leased land from the government, and as such they were only able to have their sod-turning event in March.
“Whether we got our land first, or they got it first, or we got it at the same time is of no consequence. What is important is the fact that the Humanitarian Mission has its mandate from our supporters who are Guyanese-based citizens, the American people, local Guyanese people who are kind at heart, NGOs, the local business community, and governmental officials, non-governmental officials, and even representatives of the diplomatic community,” Advisor for the project, Pandit Kamal Dhanesar told the Sunday Stabroek when asked about the issue.
Dr Vindya Persaud was also recently asked about the wisdom of having the two establishments in such close proximity and she had said at the time the Sabha was not aware that anyone was thinking of having a shelter in the same area.
“In fact it was only late last year when we saw the article in the newspaper [we] knew that somebody was going to do a similar project; then we knew somebody else got land which said to me that they got the land after us,” Dr Persaud had said.
She had said she did not think it was a bad thing to have more than one such institution; however, they had had no say in the location of the two shelters. She said the Sabha got its land first and had already made plans to go through with the project, and it is “up to the people involved if they would want to work on something [and] if they would want to talk to us…”
Meanwhile, Pandit Suresh Sugrim of the Arya Samaj would only say that there is much to talk about regarding the mission’s work in Guyana, adding that he has a passion for what he does and it is from his heart.
“We are not about power or a competition, because we don’t have any; we serve from our hearts. We serve people of all faiths and religion. I am not about religion, I am about humanity and how to a add smiles to lonely faces and give them a better chance to live for tomorrow,” Pandit Sugrim said.
The ‘Humanitarian Mission Village’ has recognized that “removing the trauma from the abused is not all, but that removing the habit from the abuser is more important” and it plans to provide counselling for victims and abusers.
In an earlier interview Pandit Dhanesar had told this newspaper that the organisation already has three volunteers – social workers – who would come on board.
He said members have “realized that counselling has to be done in the family structure because that is the only way to stop the abuse.”
He said the NJAS/GCASHM is “very concerned about domestic violence and child abuse, child labour, old folks who have been abandoned, homeless persons and school dropouts.”
He said too that the village would help to “transform the society and remove poverty” by providing jobs for persons in the community.
Dhanesar who is also an executive member of the organization, acknowledged that “the problem the organization is trying to provide solutions for is not one person’s problem, but there are issues that override the whole Guyanese society.”
“Therefore,” he lamented, “to overcome the issues, we are working toward partnering with other NGOs, government agencies and international bodies that are willing to positively come on board.”
The 30 ft by 110 ft building will be constructed on a three-quarter plot of land that was acquired from government on a 50-year renewable lease.
It will comprise two dormitories; one to host elderly persons in the lower flat and abused victims in the upper flat. There will also be another dorm that will accommodate 150 children.
Further, the village would consist of four counselling rooms. It will also house a kitchen, dining accommodation, a multi-cultural shed where persons can practise their respective religions, a quarter for off-duty nurses and accommodation for overseas funding agents and agencies.
Dhanesar related that in the “heart of the village there would be an empowerment centre” which would teach a variety of skills, so when the temporary residents leave they would be able to have a better life. He also hopes that the centre would receive accreditation from the Ministry of Education.
Services at the benevolent home would not be restricted to the persons staying there, but would also benefit residents in the community.
The project would also enhance the social and economic level of the people in the community who would be able to seek employment there.
He said that “at the initial stage children would be taken in from the age of eight.”
“They would remain [at the facility] until they can acquire a skill and we would ensure that they are attached to a place of employment…”
While the stay of the old folks would be on a long-term basis, the victims of gender-based violence can choose to move on to a single life or return to a family life.
Dhanesar, a retired school administrator, said the facility would be willing to “keep them long enough for them to acquire a skill and for them to be less traumatized so that they can move back to mainstream society.”
Construction of the building should begin in April and the organization is working with a timeline with the hope of completing it in two years. Dhanesar said a committee has been set up and it is currently approaching builders for estimates.
He said the NJAS/GCASHM applied to government for the land and in February uplifted the 5-year renewable lease.
The members had applied for one acre of land to set up an agricultural plot and dairy farm in the humanitarian village so it could be sustainable and self-sufficient.
He said since that amount was not granted they are thinking of applying for another plot to set up the economic venture.
According to the advisor, the village would be powered by solar and wind power so as to reduce costs. The project would be funded by persons from overseas while local residents who have heard about the project have been making financial contribution. He related too that the organization had also conducted fund-raising activities, including a buy-a-block sale where tickets worth $100 and equivalent to one block, were sold.
The organization has been around for several years with the mission of helping to provide better living conditions for the disadvantaged. It started out by distributing items to the needy but has decided to move away from that, because of reports that persons were selling the items. Dhanesar said, however, they would continue to provide food vouchers and medical assistance for deserving persons.
