The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has thus far distributed 1,400 food hampers to bring relief to families in need during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
According to head of the organisation Dr. Vindhya Persaud, the initiative was taken to help combat the crises brought on by the pandemic, which has left many facing hardship due to loss of income. Under its “Feed a Family” project, the organisation is targeting “needy homes”, including single-parent families, families with children, families with the elderly and families without breadwinners.
The initiative has made donations in the communities of Kitty, Sophia, Cummings Lodge, Industry, Vigilance, Enterprise, Bladen Hall, Nonpareil, Strathspey, Prospect, Coldingen, Herstelling, Providence, Covent Garden, Timehri, Soesdyke, Enmore, Foulis, La Bonne Intention, Montrose, Better Hope and Good Hope so far.
Persaud stated that the food hampers are assembled in different sizes to target the particular family size represented in a household. Apart from food, the hampers consist of a few toiletries and supplements.
Persaud indicated that they intend to continue their distribution in Upper and Central Corentyne areas, and East and West Berbice during the current week. It intends to distribute 4,000 food hampers by the end of the week.
She noted that packing hampers for countrywide distribution has been done using as few persons as possible, so as to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Meanwhile, the Dharmic Sabha has also been involved in an ongoing project they, called ‘Mask-Up Guyana,’ which has involved the distribution of face masks.
According to Persaud, the project started in hopes of preventing the spread of COVID-19 and to encourage the adherence to the other preventative measures.
She said that they have distributed approximately 85,000 face masks to families, hospitals, fire stations, health centres, markets and essential service workers across Guyana.
She added that the first batch of face masks was done by the Denmor Garment Factory, before volunteers in their praants (branches) became involved.
Materials, she said, were bought from a fabric store in Georgetown, while some were generous donations given to the organisation.
Persaud explained that an information pamphlet was placed inside the face mask package to advise persons about factors to be considered when using a face mask.
Persaud, during a telephone interview, extended her heartfelt gratitude to all the persons who have supported the organisation’s work.
