Sunday Stabroek asked various workers in the social field what their wishes were for the New Year, and they gave the following responses:
Coordinator of Help and Shelter, Margret Kertzious: “The staff of Help and Shelter has really appreciated the support of the Guyanese society this year and extends greetings to all Guyanese and hope for a New Year with less violence and more joy. We hope for a violence free society. We need to put a stop to domestic violence, especially against our children. We hope that everyone will work together to reduce incidents of violence.”
Director of Child Care Agency, Ann Green: “I am hoping for a country, a new year where every child has a home to call their own. We don’t want to just take them out of their homes and put them in an institution. We want children who have been victims of abuse to feel safe; we don’t want to institutionalize them. So we are hoping that in the New Year we find homes for our children. We are even working hard to facilitate the older children about eighteen. So we have a plan to develop a half-way home for older kids who have been in a home before and need a fresh start at life or need a push. We would like to wish everyone a happy New Year, free of violence and crime.”
Animal rescuer, Syeada Manbodh: “I would like to see a Guyana in 2013 where all Guyanese in need are provided with food, shelter and access to medical service – and for animals too. It would be a great help if the government and the private sector join together and open a facility where rejected animals, animals without a home have at least one meal a day. We need a place where all stray animals receive their basic needs. We are their voices, they have no voice. So let’s speak up for them by protecting them. That’s what I see for the New Year. It’s what I wish.”
The Administrator of Bright Horizon Children Home, Doreen Livan: “We would like to wish every Guyanese especially those who have supported us through the year a prosperous New Year, but also a year of cooperation and peace. We need peace. A decent place for children to grow up. Let’s work together in 2013 to make our country a better place not only for us but also for our children.”
Administrator of Uncle Eddie’s Home, Samantha Vigilance: “We, the staff at Uncle Eddie’s Home wish everyone in our country a blessed New Year. And we are hoping that for the New Year we’ll begin work on the upgrading of our facilities so that our senior citizens, the residents of our home would be comfortable and safe. We also hope to see our Guyanese people gathering together in love and unity.”
Staff at the Archers Home: “All the residents and staff at Archer’s Home wish the general public, especially those people and organizations that have supported us a happy New Year. We trust that 2013 would be a year of great peace and love.”
Staff at the David Rose School: “We would like to see a brighter New Year and wish every Guyanese peace.”
