Grieving for a loved one can be very difficult and traumatic and in an effort to assist people to navigate this period, Marva Langevine has launched a business which sells items they can use to do so.
Marva’s HUGS offers a condolence package, but people can also consult Langevine, who is a grief counsellor, if they need assistance or are facing difficulties as they grieve.
“It is a business that provides condolence packages to anyone who is grieving. The package has essential items…, which are carefully selected to help the grieving person to cope with their emotions,” Langevine disclosed in a recent interview.
Included in the package is a small plant, succulent or cactus, which she said is low maintenance and affirms life and death. The plant is something for the griever to take care of but not having to do a lot of work in the process as when people are grieving they do not have a lot of energy and having the plant can help them.
Also included is a memory jar with simple activities such as writing their loved ones’ names on the stones and then there is the restore booklet that helps them reflect and connect with the cherished memories of their loved ones.
Langevine said that in the past she has found the booklet to be very beneficial and others have reported the same.
“There are snacks, tea and just little things. When [the grievers] just don’t feel like doing anything they don’t have to do much because they can go into the box and use one of the items,” she said.
The packages are sold for $8,000 and $10,000.
The business will also help with Langevine’s Guyana Golden Life Organisation as with advent of the COVID-19 assistance has dried up. She said 30% of the profit will go towards the organisation.
It was the promise to her dying friend Mikesha to always be there for her two sons that prompted Langevine to form the organisation, as it was then her eyes were opened to the trauma bereaved children endure.
The Uitvlugt Secondary School teacher, who has a degree in Education and majored in Spanish, and was a beneficiary of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II Young Leaders Award, has over the years worked with many grieving children and their families.
Recently, she experienced another bout of grief when one of her mentors, Lovern Seetal, who sent monthly donations to the organisation died from cancer. Her death pushed the launching of the business as the non-governmental organisation needs funding to continue its work.
She said Seetal’s death was rough as even though she has knowledge about grieving, it does not cushion the blow of death, “but I was able to not stay in that down place. I was able to process it more and accept the reality of it all.”
Guyana Golden Lives Organisation helps children know they are valued and that they have a future. The work of the organisation has been impacted because of COVID as Langevine has limited access to families but she has been doing her best in the circumstances and if there is need they can reach out and she will assist as much as she can. She held a fundraiser last November and received $1,000 in donations for the scholarship and care packages.
To make orders from Marva’s HUGS people can call 671-3996 and the package will be delivered.
